I would guess that Newspoll will return on the eve of the resumption of the parliament, which is still three weeks away. This is an off week for Essential Research; there may be a Roy Morgan poll, or there may not. Until then:
• Kylea Tink, the newly elected teal independent member for North Sydney, says she believes a new federal integrity commission should have the power to sack parliamentarians for sufficiently serious breaches of a parliamentary code of conduct; David Pocock, newly independent Senator for the Australian Capital Territory, says he would have “real concerns about an unelected body being able to dismiss elected representatives”. The federal parliament denied itself of the power to expel representatives through legislation passed in 1987, such power only ever having been exercised in 1920, when Labor MP Hugh Mahon made “seditious and disloyal utterances” regarding British policy in Ireland. Mahon then re-contested his seat of Kalgoorlie but was narrowly defeated, which remains the only occasion of a government party winning a seat from the opposition at a by-election.
• If you can’t wait another three years for my 2025 federal election guide, Robin Visser offers an online geospatial tool for examining polling booth results at the recent federal election.
Victorian state news to go with that related in last week’s dedicated post on the subject:
• Roy Morgan has results of a “snap SMS poll” of state voting intention in Victoria, showing Labor with a rather inplausible two-party lead of 59.5-40.5 from primary votes of Labor 43.5%, Coalition 29.5%, Greens 12%, United Australia Party 2% and Derryn Hinch’s Justice Party 1%. The poll was conducted Thursday to Saturday from a sample of 1710. A similar poll in November produced the same two-party result.
• Morgan’s result is at odds with a detailed assessment of the state of play by pollster Kos Samaras, who expects Labor to struggle to maintain its majority in the face of four to five losses to the Liberals, two to the Greens and others yet to independents. However, it’s also “extremely difficult to see how the Coalition get anything north of 38 to 40 seats” in a chamber of 88.
• Jane Garrett, who held a seat in the Legislative Council for Eastern Victoria region, died on Saturday of breast cancer at the age of 49. Garrett moved to the chamber from the lower house seat of Brunswick at the 2018 election, which duly fell to the Greens. She resigned from cabinet in 2016 after a dispute with the United Firefighters Union in her capacity as Emergency Services Union brought her into conflict with Daniel Andrews. Garrett announced last December that she would retire at the election. Labor’s ticket in Eastern Victoria will be headed by incumbent Harriet Shing, who was last week promoted to cabinet, and Tom McIntosh, a former electrician and (at least as of 2019) electorate officer to federal Batman MP Ged Kearney, who is presumably well placed to fill Garrett’s casual vacancy in the interim.
Also:
• As detailed at length on my live commentary thread, South Australia’s Liberals copped a 6.0% swing in Saturday’s Bragg by-election to add to the 8.8% one they suffered at the March state election, leaving about 2% intact from a margin that was 17.4% after the 2018 election, and had never previously fallen below 12.8%. The next by-election off the rank is for the Western Australian state seat of North West Central, to be vacated with the retirement of Nationals member Vince Catania. The Nationals last week preselected Merome Beard, proprietor of Carnarvon’s Port Hotel, whose BLT comes strongly recommended. Labor is considered unlikely to field a candidate, but the Liberal state council voted last week to call for nominations.
nathsays:
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 8:38 pm
How many honorary doctorates is that for Gillard now? 4, 5, 6?
I assume it is not for her courageous stand on SSM.
———————————
She should have innumerable awards for her contribution to a royal commission into child sex abuse in Australia.
nath @ #1446 Thursday, July 7th, 2022 – 8:42 pm
If you take “Freedom of the Press” to mean “freedom to broadcast unsubstantiated nonsense and outright lies as if they’re factual truth, with zero exposure to consequences or liability”, then yes, you defended that.
Newscorps business model has been all about using so called “news” with a bent that helps elects governments that benefits it business interests.
Which usually means right wing governments, or neo liberal types.
Problem is that they have gone too far in their so called “news” that it is too easy to tell when they are full of shit.
They really need to take a look at the ABC, where they be doing a passive aggressive anti Labor type reporting. The whole Lib Lab same same is a great one that really benefits the conservatives.
a r says:
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 8:54 pm
nath @ #1446 Thursday, July 7th, 2022 – 8:42 pm
I defended the Freedom of the Press.
If you take “Freedom of the Press” to mean “freedom to broadcast unsubstantiated nonsense and outright lies as if they’re factual truth, with zero exposure to consequences or liability”, then yes, you defended that.
______
Perhaps we can set you up in a tower where you can adjudicate on what is truth and what is not.
Scott &NRL would be match made in heaven
They have a lot in common… inept, shonky a blight on the tax paying public wasting resources
Nicko says:
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 8:56 pm
They really need to take a look at the ABC, where they be doing a passive aggressive anti Labor type reporting. The whole Lib Lab same same is a great one that really benefits the conservatives.
_____
First they came for Newscorp, then for the ABC!
‘passive aggressive anti-Labor type reporting’ is the worst of all.
nath says:
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 8:42 pm
Dr John says:
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 8:39 pm
nath
And is Murdoch media the ultimate Ministry of Truth as you defended it earlier today?
_______
“I defended the Freedom of the Press. Others wanted something else. It is up to them to defend the consequences of a Ministry of Truth.”
I think the Ministry of Truth is a suggestion of yours, I don’t recall others mentioning or recommending it.
Nicko
…….They really need to take a look at the ABC, where they be doing a passive aggressive anti Labor type reporting. The whole Lib Lab same same is a great one that really benefits the conservatives.
———————————
Well said!
nath @ Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 8:59 pm
“‘passive aggressive anti-Labor type reporting’ is the worst of all.”
I don’t suppose you are tasting something metallic? Ferrous even? If could be COVID doing it. You might want to take a rat test 🙂
nath says:
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 8:56 pm
a r says:
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 8:54 pm
nath @ #1446 Thursday, July 7th, 2022 – 8:42 pm
I defended the Freedom of the Press.
If you take “Freedom of the Press” to mean “freedom to broadcast unsubstantiated nonsense and outright lies as if they’re factual truth, with zero exposure to consequences or liability”, then yes, you defended that.
______
“Perhaps we can set you up in a tower where you can adjudicate on what is truth and what is not.”
Perhaps we could try something a little less hyperbolic like tightening standards around news requirements first.
nath
First they came for Newscorp, then for the ABC!
———
Newscorp does not do journalism.
Cronus says:
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 9:05 pm
Perhaps we could try something a little less hyperbolic like tightening standards around news requirements first.
________
A government body will be required. A Ministry of Truth. Wait until the conservatives get their hands on that!
Timor Sea Justice
@TimorSeaJustice
·
25m
Statement from Xanana Gusmao regarding the Australian Government’s decision to cancel the prosecution of Bernard Collaery
New Zealand to embark on world’s largest feral predator eradication
Ambitious $2.8m scheme hopes to eliminate damaging species from ecologically significant Rakiura/Stewart Island.
“What we learn here will help to pave the way for the whole country to become predator free,” Manaaki Whenua-Landcare Research said in a statement.
What an awesome ambition. If only Australia could start on the same path.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/jul/07/new-zealand-to-embark-on-worlds-largest-feral-predator-eradication
Pippa Crerar
@PippaCrerar
·
40m
Downing Street sources suggest Boris Johnson is currently tweaking his resignation statement. Some concern he may not actually read out what was prepared.
@Nath: “Freedom of speech” (closely related to Freedom of the press” does NOT equate to “Freedom to lie without consequence”. It really does bother me how cleverly the Murdoch gutter media has managed to conflate the two!
@Rex: Ah, we finally stopped that, did we? Excellent news indeed – we had no business prosecuting Collaery in the first place, and I’m glad to see that the new Government is doing at least that much right.
Matt says:
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 9:30 pm
@Nath: “Freedom of speech” (closely related to Freedom of the press” does NOT equate to “Freedom to lie without consequence”. It really does bother me how cleverly the Murdoch gutter media has managed to conflate the two!
_________________
Well I would argue that Freedom of Speech does mean the right to lie your god dam head off if that’s what you want to do.
Elon deploying his Musk stick to good effect:
https://www.theguardian.com/technology/2022/jul/06/elon-musk-twins-children-shivon-zilis
@Nath: As would I…provided that consequences are applied. The erosion of civic fabric that has been caused by decades of right-wing media cynicism, distortions and outright lies is undeniable. And now it’s at the point where it’s endangering humanity’s very future, by forcing endless relitigation of decades-past climate battles and stymieing any attempts at progress.
Well, you might, nath, but that just shows the very superficial understanding you have of the concept.
All freedoms are balanced by responsibilities.
Here’s a nice simple lesson that might help you understand it all –
https://humanrights.gov.au/introhumanrights/
Well, I’ve just learned something: everybody — everybody — has a “right to be treated with respect”. I suppose I’d better start enforcing this, since it comes with the imprimatur of the Australian Human Rights Commission. Boy, is this place about to change.
Ah yes, the super genius, saviour of the human race, Elon Musk. Such a wonderful human being.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/entertainment/celebrity/2022/07/07/elon-musk-twins-shivon-zilis/?utm_source=Adestra&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=PM%20Extra%20-%2020220707
C@t
Hey, you beat me! no fair!
Go to it, William.
https://twitter.com/scottygb/status/1544993157745721344
Cud Chewer @ #1474 Thursday, July 7th, 2022 – 9:47 pm
Great minds think alike, Cud. And as someone who treats others with respect because it is their Human Right, all I can say is, good on you! Bravo! 🙂
zoomster says:
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 9:36 pm
Well, you might, nath, but that just shows the very superficial understanding you have of the concept.
_______
Another poor effort. E-
Aaron newton
Mark butler health minister had a mixed mesagge today pointed the low rate off booster dosis and extendid the range to get a 4th dose to over 50 and option for over 30 year olds however on the other hand scaped over seas people having to prove vacksination which is strange as the new strains are mor infectios and a booster is not enough butler has been quiet as minister
Its sad to see the Health Minister wearing a tired old surgical mask whilst experts are reccommending we use P95 masks.
Covid is here to stay. I don’t know but I wouldn’t be surprised if it turns out we need an annual or twice-yearly booster.
Steve
We may need to accept that life has changed and vaccines aren’t enough.
BORIS RESIGNS. At last.
Boris Johnson RESIGNS: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QcYriS–KtU&ab_channel=NovaraMedia
nath says:
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 9:32 pm
Matt says:
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 9:30 pm
@Nath: “Freedom of speech” (closely related to Freedom of the press” does NOT equate to “Freedom to lie without consequence”. It really does bother me how cleverly the Murdoch gutter media has managed to conflate the two!
_________________
“Well I would argue that Freedom of Speech does mean the right to lie your god dam head off if that’s what you want to do.”
No that’s just lying and anarchy.
SPIEGEL International
“At the same time, sources close to the (German) government say there is concern that Ukraine could become overconfident if it experiences a string of battlefield victories and rolls into Russian territory – which would mean that German tanks would once again be inside Russia. It is a concern that highlights a certain distrust in Berlin of Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky,”
———
“German tanks would once again be inside Russia”? Really!
During the War 100% of Ukraine was occupied and brutalised by the Germans and their tanks (and about 8% of Russia).
Scholz and the SPD are a facilitators of genocide.
We may need to accept that life has changed and vaccines aren’t enough.
As with AIDS. Unlike AIDS, at least we have vaccines for Covid, even if none is a magic bullet.
…we get back to: no ‘freedom’ exists without accompanying responsibilities. The freedom should not be exercised without them.
Also remember – the concept of freedom of speech had nothing to do with saying whatever you liked. It was about speaking truth to power – the ability to criticise your social superiors without having your arm chopped off or your tongue removed.
And the media’s role is meant to be exactly that – speaking truth to power. It’s why their they are referred to as the Fourth Estate.
(I have always, consistently, supported this concept of freedom of speech here, which includes William’s right to remove anyone he wishes from this blog. Freedom of speech does not mean – as some often take it – that someone has to provide a platform for you).
To turn the tables on the likes of Murdoch, at every mention we could preface “illegal phone hacker”
This is the tactic of media, to attach a description and to feed that narrative – regardless of fact
For example, the Victorian Premier is not a “dictator”
He leads a government elected in a landslide result
On the other hand, Murdoch is guilty of illegal phone tapping
It is not only Labor politicians who are afforded these derogatory efforts by media, it is also sport identities – so Ben Cousins is labelled courtesy of his illness (drug addiction being an illness) as the first reaction of media
Yet we have sports journalists convicted of driving whilst under the influence and inflicting damage not labelled – but labelling others
Stones and glass houses
Then, given many glance at the headlines only, the headline does not reflect the article, the contradictions to the headline in the later paragraphs
So painting a picture which is not accurate
Then you get to Jones v Gillard
The affiliations of media contributors need to be identified at the head of any article- not at the foot
An example is the contributor to “The Age”, a City of Melbourne Counsellor who the description at the foot of any article advises is a member of the Liberal Party
You can guess the tone of every contribution from this lady
So why read it – the articles replicating the pacer Hondo Gratten going around and around the same track
How many Labor aligned individuals are afforded weekly columns?
The bias is both apparent and less obviously readily apparent
And it continues
Cud Chewer @ #1475 Thursday, July 7th, 2022 – 9:45 pm
Remote work – no
Sex with your subordinates – yes
Elon really cares about professionalism and productivity in the workplace. Except for all the times when he doesn’t.
I gave my 1st preference vote to Andy Burnham way back in the 2010 Leadership contest
Unfortunately he is out of parliament, were Starmer to go (thanks to the Durham Police) this is somewhat of a problem
‘For decades, Sen. Joe Manchin has presided over West Virginia’s Democratic Party, crowning candidates and throwing cushy appointments to allies while the state’s jobs, wages, and environment have gradually been ground to dust. But earlier this month, a grassroots slate of over 50 Democrats took control of the West Virginia Democratic Party after winning a majority of seats on the executive committee and ousting party leadership, thus ending Manchin’s de facto control of the state party apparatus’
https://theintercept.com/2022/06/30/joe-manchin-west-virginia-democratic-party/
An interesting read, I will be watching future events with interest
James O’Brien’s farewell message to Boris Johnson: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=F1lMKFH8Nzk&ab_channel=LBC
Boris Johnson’s resignation is trending on Twitter with the hashtag #Clownfall
There doesn’t have to be a “ministry of truth” All you need is an independent tribunal similar to the about to be replaced AAT. If someone believes an article or broadcast contains a lie, they report it to the tribunal. If proven, the media organisation then has the option of immediate correction of the lie with equal prominence or paying a substantial fine.
Note I used the word lie and that is pretty specific.
This is disrespectful. Boris rights are human rights.
Ray
So when does Manchin get removed as a Senator?
”
William Bowesays:
Thursday, July 7, 2022 at 11:23 pm
Boris Johnson’s resignation is trending on Twitter with the hashtag #Clownfall
This is disrespectful. Boris rights are human rights.
”
A clown is a human. Why do we laugh at clown? Why do we make fun of clown?
Kezza2
O’Brien nails exactly what has transpired under the Tories and Johnson over the last 3 years and longer. Worth watching for most Pbers.
One day the UKs voters might wake up but I doubt it.
POLL: Keir Starmer beats every major Tory leadership candidate apart from Sunak. [J.L. Partners]
https://twitter.com/jamesjohnson252/status/1545033843480084482?s=20&t=3BGO16M9JOP-R4WUpm2mZA
Poll conducted yesterday and this morning.
Zahawi – Starmer: Starmer ahead by 13%
Javid – Starmer: Starmer ahead by 3%
Hunt – Starmer: Starmer ahead by 13%
Wallace – Starmer: Starmer ahead by 11%
Truss – Starmer: Starmer ahead by 12%
Mordaunt – Starmer: Starmer ahead by 15%
Sunak – Starmer: Sunak ahead by 1%