The Guardian reports the fortnightly Essential Research poll includes the pollster’s quarterly-or-so dump of voting intention numbers, and that it will henceforth abandon its practice of holding them back and publish them promptly every fortnight. The latest set of numbers is a fair bit better for the Coalition than its recent form from other pollsters, with primary votes of Coalition 37%, Labor 35%, Greens 9%, One Nation 4%, United Australia Party 2%, independents 5% and 8% undecided.
If the undecided are removed and preference flows from the 2019 election applied, this gives Labor a two-party preferred lead a shade higher than 51-49. Essential Research instead gives us its “2PP+” measure which does not exclude the undecided, and comes out with Labor on 47%, the Coalition on 46% and undecided on 8%. The pollster’s website includes three further sets of hitherto unpublished results going back to the start of December, which show these latest results to be stronger for the Coalition than last fortnight’s, which had them on 36% of the primary vote to Labor’s 37%, with the Greens on 8% and One Nation and the United Australia Party on 3% each.
The poll also finds the Coalition with better ratings for COVID-19 management than a fortnight ago, its good rating up five to 40% and poor down four to 34%. It also finds 57% believe the definition of fully vaccinated should be three shots, compared with 31% who would settle for two. Positive ratings for the state governments, with the usual caveat that sample sizes are small in all cases but especially so for the smaller states, have New South Wales up seven to 44%, Victoria down five to 42%, Queensland up ten to 56%, Western Australia down two to 64% and South Australia up ten to 53%. These too can be found already on the Essential Research website, with the rest of the report to follow later today. The poll had a sample of 1069 and was conducted, presumably, from Thursday to Sunday.
Roy Morgan also eventually came good on the federal poll that it teased in its newsletter last week, from which the two-party headline had Labor’s lead edging out to 56.5-43.5 from 56-44 a fortnight ago. The primary votes are Coalition 33% (down one-and-a-half points), Labor 37.5% (up half), Greens 11.5% (down half), One Nation 3.5% (up half) and United Australia Party 2% (up one-and-a-half). The state two-party breakdowns have Labor leading 54-46 in New South Wales (down from 58-42 a fortnight ago for a swing of about 6%), 59-41 in Victoria (steady, swing of about 6%), 51.5-48.5 in Queensland (a reversal of last time for a swing of about 10%), 55.5-44.5 in Western Australia (compared with 51-49 last time for a swing of about 11%), 64-36 in South Australia (61.5-38.5 last time for a swing of about 13%) and 61.5-38.5 from the very small Tasmanian sample.
The poll was conducted from Monday, January 17 to Sunday, January 30, suggesting the pollster has abandoned its past practice of polling on weekends, online and by telephone from a sample of 2783.
Mavis @ #3016 Saturday, February 12th, 2022 – 11:06 am
Morrison is an accomplished actor is the truth.
Virginia Trioli raises and discusses the question about why many women reacted unfavourably to Grace Tame and Brittany Higgins reactions to dealing with the status quo.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-12/grade-tame-brittany-higgins-unmasked-anger-by-product-of-trauma/100820420?utm_medium=social&utm_content=sf253490414&utm_campaign=abc_melbourne&utm_source=t.co&sf253490414=1
Teddy Bear eh? As in stuffed?
C@t,
https://youtu.be/qamFJtJ7nlk?t=1490
This is from a doco about Bernie Worrell, who amongst other things played with TH on the “Stop Making Sense” tour. The linked section has interviews with David Byrne and Chris Frantz cut with footage from Stop Making Sense of “burning down the house”.
The acoustic version of TH’s “Psycho Killer” has a guy called Arthur Russell playing cello.
There is a great doco about Russell called “Wild Combination”:
https://youtu.be/l325XhrI49g
These are from a compilation of Russells unreleased work called “Another Thought” that came out in 1994:
“This Is How We Walk On The Moon”
https://youtu.be/eq5gjfN5lns
“A little lost”
https://youtu.be/KLv-7EErIDg
back to politics…
“I am an active member of the Labor left.”
***
The dwindling few who remain in the Labor Left must have recoiled in utter horror when they read that.
He sounds lovely.
Neo-Nazi unmasked as former Young Liberal
https://www.theage.com.au/national/neo-nazi-unmasked-as-former-young-liberal-20220211-p59vpo.html
I’m not really comfortable with this sort of commentary. Morrison’s daughters are entitled to dress and to look however they want.
“Green Evil”
https://youtu.be/VJigGNjSHQ0
Fantastic track by Melbourne born composer Paul Schütze.
“I didn’t start the fire”
“Should I stay, or should I go”
Scott Morrison got into a lift with me in Feb 2008 when I was working at Parliament House. It was just after he was elected and politely introduced himself to me.
Only two people have ever sent a cold shiver down my spine on first sight. Scott Morrison was one of them the other a young guy who just moved to town and ended up being a major drug dealer. Just saying.
bakunin:
I must be spending too much time on this website, as I was expecting a very different sort of track.
Rex Douglas @ #3047 Saturday, February 12th, 2022 – 11:52 am
ROFLMAO! 😆
Terminator @ #3061 Saturday, February 12th, 2022 – 12:26 pm
Sociopaths come in all different shapes and sizes.
“The whole room in that picture is plain. There is not one thing in sight which conveys any meaning, any sentiment, any interest in anything, no life.”
***
Yep, ultra-conservative. Stark, plain, boring, uninspiring, dull… The only hint of warmth and vibrancy in the shot is the faded yellow tablecloth, and that’s being very generous to a very plain and forgettable tablecloth that does little to improve the dreary and drab vibe of the room.
deleted, premature something-or-other
Victoria (a while back) said
“Word from CDC is that the protection of covid booster wanes after four months,
Fourth shot will be needed.”
In the small print on the COVID-19 digital certificate it says: “No more than six of your most recent vaccinations will be shown on the certificate.”
That gives a hint as to where we are heading regarding the need for vaccinations.
Asha @ #2955 Saturday, February 12th, 2022 – 12:20 pm
If you think that they were allowed to ‘dress and to look however they want’ on national television, then I think you are remarkably naive.
Morrison has demonstrated on many occasions that he is a control freak. Calling to Grace Tame, “Grace, Grace (come here)”, as though she was a pet dog, outside The Lodge was a recent gross example. ‘His’ girls do what they are told.
deleted, premature something-or-other again
sorry, it’s not me, there’s a gremlin, I’ll give it one more go, only
bakunin,
I went to see David Byrne at the Darling Harbour Convention Centre in 2020, just before the borders shut. It was one of the best concerts I have ever been to! This was the group he had gathered around him:
https://youtu.be/9eljCyqN3D8
Firefox @ #2953 Saturday, February 12th, 2022 – 12:17 pm
Fart on. Draughts suits you.
C@tmomma:
Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 12:05 pm
[‘Morrison is an accomplished actor is the truth.’]
I’d take it further than that but I don’t want to be profane. And it’s of interest to note that a Newspoll is due tomorrow night (I
think) after the show’s aired so any benefit he gains from involving his wife & kids won’t be known for a fortnight, though it may show up in other polls.
Taylormade says:
Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 11:48 am
Herald Sun 13/02
In a withering attack on the party, Ms Vaghela said she felt personally let down by the Premier and his office.
She accused Mr Andrews of refusing to make public appearances alongside her, and said many complaints to his office about bullying had been ignored.
“I’m scared, actually, I’m scared of him, and I’m scared about what he’s going to do,” she said. “I was scared before I crossed the floor.”
…………………………………….
Taylor:
Typically of the Scum (at least based on your post) none of V’s complaints pass the sniff test.
Why would she have wanted Andrews to campaign beside her if she was scared of him? What is Andrews alleged to have done (apart from not responding to complaints about bullying) that might generate fear.
Most importantly, what are the alleged bullying complaints? If the Scum knew what they were I’m sure they would have led the story. So many patently false stories have been made up about Dan, you should be ashamed to be promulgating them further.
Mavis:
Newspoll will be next weekend if they are sticking to the three-week schedule, though with the election coming up and all that’s been happening it wouldn’t surprise me if they go back to fortnightly polls.
“I’m not really comfortable with this sort of commentary. Morrison’s daughters are entitled to dress and to look however they want.”
***
Agreed. They shouldn’t cop shit because their dad is horrible person and bad at his job, that’s not their fault. Feel sorry for them for having to grow up in such an ultra-conservative household. But yeah leave them well out of it, it’s really a no-go area. Jenny has made a decision to get involved, so she’s a bit different, but even she should be treated separately from Scott. He is the PM and the one causing the problems, not any of them. Going after his family just makes whoever is doing it look bad.
Terminator @ #3060 Saturday, February 12th, 2022 – 12:26 pm
Third time lucky hopefully.
I agree about Morrison. The other for me was Pell. I was waiting in the foyer of a major hospital for the lift and was joined by none other. When it arrived, and the doors duly opened, I politely stood back to allow his eminence first entry, found myself unable to follow, stayed my ground and watched the doors close on him, alone.
From up here in Queensland, it’s really hard to gauge whether there’s actually merit to Sumyurek and Veghela’s allegations or if it’s just retribution from spiteful people with nothing to lose. Hope it’s the latter.
Dress how they want? Absolutely agee.
Yes, I suppose it is always possible for two girls to choose unadorned white blouses mostly seen in school uniforms for a TV interview. I uphold their right to choose, I am just puzzled by what that choice says. It is really strange to me, so maybe I am the sort of person who expects purple hair, nose studs and fashionably torn jeans as normal for a kid. lol
Asha:
Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 12:39 pm
[‘Mavis:
Newspoll will be next weekend if they are sticking to the three-week schedule, though with the election coming up and all that’s been happening it wouldn’t surprise me if they go back to fortnightly polls.’]
Ta.
Asha says:
Saturday, February 12, 2022 at 12:42 pm
From up here in Queensland, it’s really hard to gauge whether there’s actually merit to Sumyurek and Veghela’s allegations or if it’s just retribution from spiteful people with nothing to lose. Hope it’s the latter.
______________________________________
It’s obviously the latter, whether or not there is substance. I can’t talk about Veghela, but it’s clear from Somyurek’s post-IBAC behaviour that he is taking every opportunity to make life harder for Daniel Andrews, without any concern about logic or character.
The problem with upper houses in all parliaments is that all political parties park their machine people there – people who are concerned more about wielding power and influence than about doing good for the people they nominally represent.
Thanks for the links, bakunin.
Asha, the TH are strong here, mainly dadaism.
Asha @ #3077 Saturday, February 12th, 2022 – 12:42 pm
I’d hazard a guess it’s the latter and she has been advised by Somyurek to play that card. He’s the scary bully, not Dan Andrews.
He didn’t want to do events with her? Pull the other one:
Asha,
You’re wavering again. Maybe you need some bromide to settle you down.
There is nothing new in her allegations. The matter was dealt with years ago. The Libs ran hard on this at the last Election and had their collective arses kicked. The Ombudsman is under no obligation to do anything at all.
Headlines and unsubstantiated allegations are all her and Somyuek have got.
https://media.mutualart.com/Images/2020_08/20/16/165430648/1f70733c-9d39-41e5-8715-884f3668210e_570.Jpeg
I visited the late and great Martin Sharp in search of something for OH’s 40th (that long ago), and came away with the above, now in the front room laughing at life passing by, and cassette tapes of Tiny Tim setting the world record for non-stop singing, never played to this day.
The room was heavy wth smoke, as Sharp worked on his trilogy fetish – Luna Park, Sydney harbour Bridge, and the Opera House – railing against the evil at play in the ghost train fire, and lives sacrificed to greed, layering up the red and yellow tongues of fire descending onto Gomorrah.
Asha,
You’re wavering again. Maybe you need some bromide to settle you down.
There is nothing new in her allegations. The matter was dealt with years ago. The Libs ran hard on this at the last Election and had their collective arses kicked. The Ombudsman is under no obligation to do anything at all.
Headlines and unsubstantiated allegations are all her and Somyuek have got.
Canberra’s main farmers market was cancelled today. Lifeline Bookfair – normally a major money spinner has been stopped.
Thugs at work.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-12/thousands-of-protesters-against-mandatory-vaccination/100825478
Morrison’s wife and Morrison’s daughters are human propos to be used or abused ruthlessly as required for his political career.
”
From Dawn Patrol:
Laura Tingle takes us through the lousy week that the Morrison government has just had.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-12/election-looming-its-hard-to-keep-up-with-parliament/100824242
”
From the above article:
Hours later, the Prime Minister left open the possibility that something on the integrity commission might happen after all as “the term is not completed yet” — itself a rather telling reflection on how ludicrous the dying days of the 46th parliament had become.
That some journalists took the PM seriously — when there were, at the time he said it, only five sitting days of the Senate (and a few more for the house) in which unseen legislation could be introduced, debated and passed — says the madness isn’t just in our political class.
Identity of Neo-Nazi Revealed to be Former Young Liberals Office Holder
The Age has revealed that a man in a propaganda video depicting three masked Neo-Nazi’s is a former Young Liberals Office Holder. In the video: the men burn an Aboriginal flag, perform sieg heil salutes and recite a white supremacist manifesto in front of a sign naming and threatening Senator Lidia Thorpe.
The Greens are calling for the Prime Scott Morrison to compel the Liberal Party to investigate the alleged Neo-Nazi’s links to the Liberal Party, whether they have any continuing role within the Party, and identify any associates of his within the Party that may share his views.
Greens Leader Adam Bandt says this is a test for Scott Morrison’s integrity – with far right nationalism on the rise, a failure to act is unacceptable.
The following lines are attributable to Senator Lidia Thorpe: a proud DjabWurrung, Gunnai and Gunditjmara woman and the Greens Senator for Victoria:
“I notified the Australian Federal Police (AFP) about the video on the 19th of January and I have no protection, to date. I still have no answers or safety, as a First Nations woman or as a politician.
“The Prime Minister Scott Morrison apologised for how unsafe our workplace is for women this week, yet when a First Nations woman is threatened he has nothing to say. This is a clear indication that Blak lives actually do not matter to this government.”
“This situation is extremely distressing for me and my children, I do not trust the authorities to look after us.”
https://auspol.co/identity-of-neo-nazi-revealed-to-be-former-young-liberals-office-holder/
I found the Morrison family to present as really strange, but that is just me. I admit I am not comfortable with what I see of it, and I am curious about the dynamics. I am not having a go at the Morrison girls, just why certain choices have been made. If they want to wear white blouses or goth make-up fair enough.
C@tmomma @ #2949 Saturday, February 12th, 2022 – 8:58 am
Next time, ask OH for the story (with accents) of being in a cab in Asheville, North Carolina when the driver shocked on learning he (OH) had never eaten squirrel, suggested he (the driver) go get him sum, cos he had sum ‘guns in the trunk’.
Shire Liar on News 24 choosing his words carefully on Anti-vax rally, pointing out …at great length that Fed Gov has very limited mandate on vax… it’s the states that have done it… anti-vax have right to demonstrate.. do it respectfully etc…. Not one mention about irresponsibility of what the ant-Vader’s stand for.
So no change in dog whistling from Scotty…. desperate not to lose neo fascist support.
Puff:
I notice that Mrs Morrison has had a new stylist. Gone are the Sister Wife outfits in favour of clothing you tend to see in the general population.
On a related note on the adverts on TV for their 60 minutes appearance, a work colleague commented that she thought they looked like they were preparing for life beyond politics.
Boerwar,
You have said quite bluntly what I was tip-toeing around. I am concerned for any and all kids, including those of the ultra-religious. It is not as if they get a say in their indoctrination or in the risks they are exposed to. For example, I believe Tony Abbott’s refusal to give his teen daughters the vaccine to prevent cervical cancer to be a crime against female humanity. He did it out of his ‘faith’ as he expected his daughters to stay chaste until they entered into life-long monogamous marriages, as he explained. I doubt he was alone in these actions.
Confessions @ #3092 Saturday, February 12th, 2022 – 1:17 pm
The overriding impression to me is of a naff blandness, and lack of individuality, style or spirit, as PTMD notes. But it’s one photo, so who knows. But it is one photo posed for, taken, and used for promo. So not with premeditation. I can’t help but find it more than hints at patriarchy.
I can’t find a redeeming thing to say about Morrison.
His daughters are dressed plainly etc & I find that refreshing.
There was an icky factor with Abbott’s daughters done up to the nines like models with dad making inappropriate comments about his daughters’ appearance.
Eventually, I want kids to not be taught any religion, with that being left for when they are adults, after a good education in science and critical thinking. I took my kids to an Anglican church, with Sunday School in their primary school years. Now, atheists, they pointed out they are stuck with that stuff in their heads.
I have since become more Agnostic, telling my kids that an afterlife is a hope not a belief. lol
Morrison and Dutton have different take on ADF
”
From Dawn Patrol:
Laura Tingle takes us through the lousy week that the Morrison government has just had.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-02-12/election-looming-its-hard-to-keep-up-with-parliament/100824242
”
From the above article:
”
Then there was dealing with the aged care crisis. Yes, the defence forces would be brought in to help after all, despite all the previous irritated insistence by the Prime Minister that they wouldn’t — but the Prime Minister was still right, he said, because they would only be being brought in in very specific and limited circumstances.
Greg Hunt says ADF will assist with staffing, medical care and infection control in aged care
“The idea that the defence forces could just simply come in and fill that gap is just not realistic and was never a scenario or an option that was under consideration, because it’s just simply not feasible,” he again insisted on Monday.
“But they do and can and have provided quite targeted support into the aged care sector in extremis, in some of the most difficult situations.”
Defence Minister Peter Dutton had a just-ever-so-different take on it, appearing on two different breakfast television interviews to spruik how the government had “said from the start that we will do whatever’s required to provide support to what is a very difficult sector”.
“If we need more we will do more, but we’ve sent planners in to stabilise the situation,” he said.
”
This reminds of a story I was told when I was young.
A King had a relative (Queen’s brother), who was good for nothing.
The Queen was in King’s ear to do something about her brother (QB).
The King employed him in Treasury department. After some time he started getting complaints from higher officials of Treasury that QB was corrupt and disrupt. The King transferred him to another department. Rinse and repeat of what happened in Treasury. The King moved QB to various lesser departments. Rinse and repeat of earlier. The King was at his wits end about how to deal with QB.
The Prime Minister advised King to ask QB to count waves in the ocean.
King ordered QB to do so thinking that this will be the end of complaints.
But after some time he again started hearing complaints of QB corruption. The Cargo ships, which brought goods to shore were stopped by QB not to do so. When asked why he said he was counting ocean waves as ordered by the King and Ships are disturbing the count. To get around that problem the Ship Captains paid bribe to QB to anchor and unload the goods.
From Peter Hartcher’s article, he seems fairly certain:
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/there-s-a-growing-defeatism-in-the-government-s-ranks-it-s-chaos-20220211-p59vna.html
Sceptic
Morrison’s mention of state based vaccination mandates noted here as well.
With no credit of course for McGowan’s rules which have kept the resources industry charging along with the subsequent benefits to the national economy and the federal government’s bottom line.
Imagine what Covid running rampant through the FIFO iron ore industry would have done to export incomes.
But knowing Morrison when he’s apeaking to a different audience he’ll probably take the credit.
For adult children of politicians to engage in the thrust and parry of politics is perfectly fine.
“Using” pre-teens or early-teens is not OK. If it’s happened before, it would have been very peripheral eg, I was aware that Keating had young kids while he was Treasurer/PM, and I think i saw photos of them, but I don’t think there was anything more than that. The Rudd kids were a bit more visible, but they were adults. I would have no idea what Albanese’s son looks like, and I understand he’s in his early 20s. If he wants to get involved, that will be his choice.