It’s an off week for Newspoll and Roy Morgan, but this week should see the release of federal polls from Essential Research and, I would assume, Resolve Strategic. With all the SA election post clogging up the board though, I need a new open thread sooner than that, so I’ll hang one off the latest release of JWS Research’s occasional True Issues survey of issue salience.
This finds very little change since the previous survey in November, with the war in Ukraine only eliciting a slight bump in defence, security and terrorism, which remains well down the list.
The biggest movers are cost of living, the index score of which is up from 11% to 16%, and housing and interest rates, up four to 14%.
Respondents continue to rate health as the issue governments should be most focused on, which would not surprise observers of the South Australian election campaign. The level of concern is unchanged on November with a score of 37%, but still well down from earlier in the pandemic. In second and third place are the environment and climate change on 27%, down one, and economy and finances on 24%, up two. The survey was conducted March 4 to 8 from a sample of 1000.
Wat,
If you’re not sure, perhaps you should self test.
Scott says:
Monday, March 21, 2022 at 6:40 pm
The Victorian opposition is promising to retain Labor’s mental health levy in a policy U-turn needed to dodge a $3.7 billion budget black hole if it wins the November 26 state election.
—
Vic Libs winning in Nov. That always brings a laugh or two. Cheers Scott.
Bluey reminds the Greens Kitching muckrakers that the Greens spent the last election on fucking over Labor before taws as well.
Bluey urges the Greens to leave Labor alone this election and to focus on Morrison and Joyce instead. Plenty of material for the Greens to work with.
Bluey is pissed at Rumble or whomever who decided to wait A WHOLE WEEK so that he could spark the whole Kitching thing off for another week of oxygen theft.
Bluey is glad he never subscribed to Crikey at all, at all.
In a brewing conspiracy….
https://twitter.com/i/status/1505809003821281280
Wat: It’s much more pleasant over in the SA thread. There’s actual pseph stuff going on.
Arrogant Greens like Firefox inspire me to wish for a Senate with either ALP majority or Teal cross bench.
Nice dream, that…
No UAP in the SA elections. Their ads are here, but no campaign ramp up or candidates. It is a difference to keep in mind when considering how accurate the polling is wrt the Federal election.
Landeryou, not content with being a bankrupt scab, decides to be a bankrupt grub.
It’s a concern how far the great traitor Shorten’s US Foreign Service links have infiltrated the ALP.
Shorty should look to Uncle Rupert for a job and fuck off from parliament on a sweet taxpayer-funded pension, or disappear down the mine from which he crawled.
Jt1983 re ‘the actual Right’ (my capital)…
I agree. What I really hate is dishonest Green arrogance painting Labor as worse than Liberal.
GG- You’d think they would know we use pencil and paper to vote. It is like they read something but missed the whole point of it.
Also are pen and paper works very effectively for the HoR. The senate could do with a machine.
Boerwar @ #763 Monday, March 21st, 2022 – 4:31 pm
Nonsense. You’re taking all agency away from both sides. All out war doesn’t happen unless at least one side chooses to make it happen. NATO is free to set out its terms of engagement and thresholds of escalation. It doesn’t have to launch an all out war simply because a Russian jet shoots down a NATO jet over Ukraine. Likewise Russia in the converse situation.
Given that you’ve already got Russian assets being destroyed by Western military hardware (as in, “weapons systems supplied/gifted by Western/NATO nations since the start of Putin’s war, with accompanying training and support”), and given that Putin has already declared sanctions equivalent to military involvement in his view, it seems far more likely than not that Putin is just as uninterested as everybody else in escalating things beyond Ukraine.
NATO wouldn’t choose to escalate into all out war, and if Putin would choose that he has ample excuses already. All the foot-dragging does at this point, all it has ever done, is kill more Ukrainians.
Good ole’ Laura: going to have a look at ‘bullying allegations’ (again) in the Labor Party.
From what I can tell, the MO seems to have been: Kimba would lose a policy argument in caucus. Then complain to Government members, who would then use her leaked information against Labor, she would get called out about it by the leadership on behalf of the rest of the caucus members. Kimba would then pull the ‘bullying card’ out and blab to her mates in the media (all of whom seem to have been anti labor, if not outright RWNJs), who would engage in some ‘whataboutism’ when ambushing folk like Wong. Rinse and repeat. It’s worth noting that none of this toxic behaviour happened when Shorten was leader. Or even in the early day’s of Albo’s leadership. But only when her own cantankerous cabal started to loose their death like grip on the Victorian branch once Albo had the federal party intervene in the wake of the Somuryek aand Byrne stacking allegations.
There you go Laura: that’s the true story that you wont tell at 7:30pm
Am trying to remember the name of Slanderyou’s newsletter… can anyone help?
More Bizarre than the Kitching stuff this week has been Morrison’s successful effort to pal around with 2 popular Labor Premiers. I’ve seen reports that Federal Labor people have been stunned and I’m not surprised so close to an election.
sprocket_ says:
Monday, March 21, 2022 at 7:23 pm
Am trying to remember the name of Slanderyou’s newsletter… can anyone help?
______
Didn’t it used to be The Other Cheek? When I was young and beautiful.
Sprocket: Vexnews, or The Other Cheek even longer ago. Both of them bit the dust years ago.
‘a r says:
Monday, March 21, 2022 at 7:22 pm
Boerwar @ #763 Monday, March 21st, 2022 – 4:31 pm
A no fly zone would almost certainly have triggered an all out war between NATO and Russia which would, in turn, more likely have triggered a nuclear exchange of some sort or other.
The no fly zone would, therefore, almost certainly have resulted in MORE Ukrainian deaths rather than less Ukrainian deaths.
Nonsense. You’re taking all agency away from both sides. All out war doesn’t happen unless at least one side chooses to make it happen. ….’
===================================
I am not sure why so many Bludgers ignore history with such gay abandon and with such certainty.
1. History tells us that many, many wars escalate in ways not originally conceived by the participants. Shit happens meet Murphy’s Law.
2. Your premise that Putin is sane and/or that Putin won’t do double or nothing is not worth the electrons used to post it on Bludger. A month ago everyone was studiously ignoring my question: ‘When and where do posters think Xi and Putin will stop their expansions?’ Now, the same perps are offering a ‘No Fly Zone’ to try and stop Putin… where, exactly?
Apart from that, the ACTUAL reason there is not a No Fly Zone is that NATO has figured out that a No Fly Zone would more likely than not trigger an all out war between NATO and Russia. You could help inform us all by listing the individual NATO countries that actually want to go to real war with Russia.
You know what, Boerwar is right. The way I conduct myself on this website is unacceptable.
As such, I will be vacating Poll Bludger and turning my account over to my pal, expert political commentator Pinky the Platypus:
Pinky refers to himself in the third person, like all the cool kids do. He also loves long lists, the copy-and-paste button, and demonstrating he’s someone whose opinions should be taken seriously by WRITING IN ALL-CAPS!
Pinky thinks that people who regularly quote their own posts probably shouldn’t accuse others of narcissism.
Pinky would like to point out that most internet forums have strict rules against spamming, and that Boerwar should be glad that the only consequence he faces for repeatedly breaking basic conventions of internet etiquette is mockery.
Pinky notes that Boerwar seems to get pretty bloody mad whenever strangers on the internet make fun of him, which suggests that his comments about others being unable to handle criticism might actually be a wee bit of projection.
Pinky thinks that Boerwar might better help Labor’s electoral chances by volunteering for his local Labor MP or candidate rather than tarring the party’s name by giving visitors to Poll Bludger the impression that the Labor Party is composed of people like Boerwar.
Pinky would like to point out the virtues of line-breaks, which make long lists a lot easier to read, especially on mobile devices.
Pinky realises this has already stopped being funny – if it ever was – and will be stopping now.
Boerwar at 7.04pm re ‘the truth shall set you free’…
Only in John’s Gospel (8:31-32, I think). Oh, and the CIA (their motto – don’t you love imperialistic co-options of religious texts?)
Asha, a wise decision to put your Pinky away.
Talking about the “mean girl/ Kitching dress-ups and the minor Greens resurgence last Saturday while the most corrupt, non transparent, unfair and deceitful Morrison government still has the reins for two months is hollow at best.
We are about to experience the most dishonest, spoilt brat pre election time block ever and all energy should remain focused as the shenanigans develop.
Australia needs to be rid of the dill/dunce to enable everything to move forward
‘Snappy Tom says:
Monday, March 21, 2022 at 7:30 pm
Boerwar at 7.04pm re ‘the truth shall set you free’…
Only in John’s Gospel (8:31-32, I think). Oh, and the CIA (their motto – don’t you love imperialistic co-options of religious texts?)’
========================
Bluey has just told me that if this brings on a Yabba v GG bunfight then Bluey will never forgive you.
Bluey reckons there you go, Asha. You have the Nath seal of approval. What could possibly be better than that?
Nath:
There was a little article on the front page of today’s West about that (buried under the much bigger “OMG VIOLENCE IN NORTHBRIDGE!!1!” article). McGowan’s had more photo ops with Morrison than Albanese (both were in Perth last week for the first time in two years). Bit of a weird look, but I guess that’ll change when the official campaign kicks off.
Bluey the octopus, Pinky the platypus… shove em all up brownie the starfish.
What we need is a Magenta-coloured creature. In honour of the Magenta Alert occasionally declared in ‘Get Smart.’
Agent 86 is the only reason I like magenta.
sprocket Vex News.
Is this magenta?
Thank you, Vexnews – always the paragon of truth…
Labor’s besieged federal MP Craig Thomson will not be charged by NSW Police.
Amazing, isn’t it? Given that Thomson had already been indicted, tried by ordeal, drawn, quartered, sentenced, electric-chaired, excoriated and lashed by the occasionally sickening thrill-kill culture of Lord of the Flies politics, you’d think the Police might have found some fire causing all that smoke.
And he didn’t miss the NSW Liberal cabal.. slandering all by association
CELEBRATING IN STYLE
A colourful Australian-Lebanese Sydney property developer identity and Liberal branch-stacker David Baynie was celebrating his 30th birthday at the time at his tastefully mammoth pile on millionaire’s row on Telegraph Road in the old money, deeply conservative Sydney upper north shore suburb of Pymble.
Our source describes the area as CEO country, many of the kids end up at exclusive north shore private schools, such as Knox, Barker, PLC and Abbotsleigh.
The glittering and extravagant affair was among the best parties our source had ever attended he recalled fondly last night. He had the time of his life.
A MATE OF DAVID CLARKE
The celebrating developer was a close friend and party ally of then tight political duo now federal MP Alex Hawke and state upper house numbers-tsar David Clarke. Liberal Right patriots Hawke and Clarke have since recently split and are now fierce factional foes for reasons VEXNEWS finds deeply puzzling and sad.
The developer “ a leader within the Sydney Lebanese Maronite Christian community “ had successfully recruited many hundreds of family and friends to join Liberal branches within Alex Hawke s and David Clarke s and the Liberal Right s sphere of interest.
SERVING LIQUIDS
Multiple sources familiar with the matter say that the developer s then political patron David Clarke MLC attended the party, even addressing the crowd of two hundred present, making glowing reference to the developers Christian family values and rightly recognising the great contribution of the Lebanese Christian community to Australian life.
Even more memorable, our witness says, was the presence of a bevy of bouncy beauties who serviced the throng as waitresses for the affair. He told VEXNEWS:
The waitresses were stunners, believe me. Dinner was served on the tennis court which had a big marquee over it.
He says those beauties were provided by promotional model services company Sex Bomb, and among them was Kerri-Anne Hamilton.
Our witness explains what went down:
Sex Bomb provided about a dozen waitresses who were asked to dress suggestively (ie show a bit of leg and cleavage) but not to run around in lingerie (as they normally might),
I have strong reason to believe that (a member of the group we cannot name for legal reasons) was a stripper and possibly an escort. She offered her “services” to a mate of mine who is certain that she was serious. She offered to escort him to functions or provide female company if he needed it. A couple of guys then started giving (their) phone numbers (to the girls). Kerrie Ann (later) made a couple of follow up calls.
Its important to note that our source’s opinion is not a definitive statement and is merely his opinion based on his observation and subsequent statements from friend
https://vexnews.wordpress.com/2010/07/21/party-girl-dean-jones-lover-serviced-prominent-liberals-party-as-sex-bomb/
Snappy Tom,
Thanks for that link!
Very helpful.
SK:
This one?
I do not have any animal friends, aquatic, imaginary or otherwise.
However, if I did have any, they would be of one voice in decrying the whole MeanGirlGate imbroglio as a product of the Right Wing Noise Machine, a massive beat-up, to distract from the Morrison Government’s gross negligence, blithering incompetence and rampant corruption.
That they would exploit the death of Ms Kitching to bootstrap a pretend scandal based upon what appears to be the usual goings on inside a political party, unedifying for sure but nothing compared to the shambles in the Coalition, just shows that there is no gutter into which the “Liberals” and their media allies won’t crawl to distract and deceive. I’ll be be preferencing the “Liberal” candidate last in the coming Federal election, but that’s only because there is no lower rank to which I can assign them.
Asha
I showed that pic to Bluey and he wants to know why you are hawking around the Greens’ vision statement for the Reef.
He also wishes to point out that there is a strict functional demarcation between Platypi and Octopi. Platypi do venom injection with their hind legs, provided they are male. Octopi do venom injection with their beak, provided they are angry enough.
I haven’t chosen to follow Sen. Kitching’s funeral closely, just some of the posts I’ve seen here.
Frankly, if people delivering eulogies chose to take a swipe at factional enemies, I think they’ll find they’ve harmed their own cause.
We may even find the media drop the non-story as the public may learn just with whom said media have been getting into bed.
BW:
Okay, that genuinely made me laugh out loud!
Bird of Paradox, the West Australian also tells us:
“Mark McGowan says Labor’s election victory in South Australia was punishment for outgoing premier Steven Marshall’s decision to open the border late last year.”
To me, Mark is reminding everyone why we gave him a landslide victory. I wouldn’t take much notice of billionaire Stokes newspaper telling us that the Federal ALP is upset with Mark having photos taken with Morrison. When the time comes our very popular Premier will remind us who stands up for WA against Palmer and the LNP, and this will be a significant contribution to them losing 3 or 4 seats.
Andrew Landeryou playing politics at his wife’s funeral, what a disgraceful individual, and what exactley does this crowd hope to achieve?
From what I recall, Bluey is an allusion to Paul the “Psychic Octopus”, who was used in the 2010 Soccer World Cup to predict match outcomes.
https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Paul_the_Octopus
https://www.news.com.au/travel/travel-updates/incidents/plane-carrying-133-crashes-in-china-casualties-unknown/news-story/283d107abceae4c132f821d15bf060a3
First major plane crash in a few years.
Steve:
Agreed, on all counts.
I usually reserve my final spots on the ballot for the far-right minor party nutters, but, honestly, this government has well and truly earned being put below the likes of One Nation and Palmer.
As I said before they are trying to use emotional blackmail (and normal blackmail) into retaining the senate spot and pre-selection in Holt.
I think it is not going to work. But if they keep going it will get dirtier and dirtier.
In other news:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-03-21/lismore-flood-victims-protest-outside-prime-minister-home/100926332
B.S. Fairman says:
Monday, March 21, 2022 at 8:02 pm
As I said before they are trying to use emotional blackmail (and normal blackmail) into retaining the senate spot and pre-selection in Holt.
I think it is not going to work as if they keep going it will get dirtier and dirtier.
Thanks, I though it would be something grubby. A political pawn! Andrew Landeryou not showing a lot of respect for his wife’s memory.
This one warms the cockles of my heart. Such humanity! Comrade Xi rides to the rescue in Ukraine!
https://www.globaltimes.cn/page/202203/1255371.shtml
Boerwar @ Monday, March 21, 2022 at 8:07 pm
Interesting that the situation was referred to as a war or state of war in the text. Slipped through or a deliberate shift?
Edit: clarity
@Asha … I think you mean in “actual” news.
frednk- Not grubby enough? There is additionally the potential that a federal ICAC would end up investigating their Union operations and finding things are not exactly squeaky clean either. But that depends on how retrospective a federal ICAC is allowed to look.
‘Griff says:
Monday, March 21, 2022 at 8:11 pm
Boerwar @ Monday, March 21, 2022 at 8:07 pm
Interesting that the situation was referred to as a war or state of war in the text. Slipped through or a deliberate shift?
Edit: clarity’
———————————
Interesting pick up. I don’t know the answer. Someone told something like the truth on China’s internet but after a million views it suddenly disappeared. I imagine that a Party apparatchik is checking out a suitable cave in the Himalayas as we post.
The most interesting thing by far in Laura Tingle’s report on the Kitching Senate experience was the video of Linda Reynolds angrily telling Katie Gallagher and, I think, Penny Wong in Estimates that she had been forewarned of their line of questioning two weeks earlier by a Labor Senator.
No wonder they dumped her from the tactics committee as it allowed Reynolds to ambush them, rather than them ambushing Reynolds. (Politics is not pretty).
And then for Danby to claim that Kitching was denied natural justice because they did not give her a chance to be heard! One thing that I have noted is that nobody has denied that Reynolds was forewarned and that it was Kitching who did it. At least not that I’ve heard.
B.S. Fairman says:
Monday, March 21, 2022 at 8:17 pm
frednk- Not grubby enough? There is additionally the potential that a federal ICAC would end up investigating their Union operations and finding things are not exactly squeaky clean either. But that depends on how retrospective a federal ICAC is allowed to look.
___________________________________
I’m not sure that the argy-bargy of factional warfare in a political party would be within the scope of a Federal ICAC. Certainly not when there are big issues of official corruption to look at, such as the making of grants without proper authorisation and the huge contracts let by the Federal Government without proper processes.