The Australia Institute has a poll out which offers the interesting finding that 41% favour the repeal of the stage three tax cuts, with only 22% on board and the remainder unsure. Forty-six per cent understood the cuts to most favour high income earners, compared with 18% for middle income earners and 8% for low income earners. Asked whether “adapting economic policy to suit the changing circumstances even if that means breaking an election promise” rated higher than “keeping an election promise regardless of how economic circumstances have changed”, 61% favoured the former and 27% the latter. The poll was conducted September 6 to 9 from a sample of 1409.
The Guardian reports on the fortnightly poll from Essential Research, which continues to hold off from voting intention and does not include leadership ratings on this occasion, and is mostly devoted to questions on incidental political relevance regarding the Optus security breach. Fifty-one per cent would support stronger curbs on information collected by private companies and 47% expressed concern about governments collecting their personal information. The full report should be along later today.
UPDATE: Full Essential Research report here.
Cronus says:
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 5:31 am
Putin is facing another challenging conundrum. By enforcing ‘electoral annexation’ of certain areas of Ukraine, he has created the risk of subsequently losing them (ie: Lyman). Each of these small losses of what is now supposedly Russian territory places Putin at risk in the eyes of his nation and his allies and supporters because losses become disproportionately magnified and difficult to defend and justify. Putin is creating a rod for his own back.
When these areas were considered Ukraine, Russian withdrawals could simply be explained away as tactical movements. The loss of supposedly Russian territory however is an entirely different matter as viewed by the media and the public. It significantly raises the stakes for Putin.
This would explain the comments that “ The annexation claims were so muddled that Dmitri S. Peskov, the Kremlin’s spokesman, found himself forced to acknowledge on Monday that Russia’s borders — as the Russian government newly defines them — remained in flux. Kherson and Zaporizhzhia, in terms of the borders, we’re going to continue to consult with the population of these regions,” Mr. Peskov said in his regular conference call with reporters. “We’re going to continue to consult with the people who live in these regions.”
Seriously?
https://www.nytimes.com/live/2022/10/03/world/russia-ukraine-war-news#the-kremlin-after-trumpeting-annexation-admits-it-doesnt-know-where-the-borders-are
Yay, first post! Thanks William
Surprised that only 51% want further privacy protection, given what just happened with Optus. Perhaps less surprising that after a whole term of promising to keep Australians safe and all the BS from the coalition over the past decade, that it all just turned out to be national security theatre and that when it came to the crunch our laws were found wanting.
Hopefully the new government can enact meaningful change in this space, and maybe roll back some of the draconian terror laws too
Edit – pipped by Cronus!
@boerwar
Madeline Morris in opening the ABC news just now said the government just announced a goal of no further extinctions
I seem to recall dozens of posts from you attacking the greens for just such a policy, so I assume we can expect further listicles from you as to why ‘bwana’ plibersek would be wrong to pursue such a policy/goal?
Morning all. Cronus further to your post on Ukraine, there is another risk for Putin regarding his annexation and nuclear threats.
Putin has already says he will use nuclear weapons to prevent loss of Russian territory in a return to the cold war “MAD” type doctrine. So with the recent Ukraine annexations and loss of Lyman in one of those annexed oblasts the next day that condition has already been met – Russia is losing what it claims is “Russian” territory.
The more this happens, the more Putin is theoretically justified in using a nuclear response. Yet the more it happens and Putin does not respond, the more his nuclear threat looks false, and it loses it’s deterrent value.
So either Putin uses nuclear weapons, or his deterrent threat is weakened and exposed as a bluff. Of course we all hope he does not use nuclear weapons, and the territorial claims of his “annexations” are ridiculous. But it shows how dangerous the game has become.
No, PageBoi, Cronus beat you. 😀
It’s a bug, you can’t see the first post immediately.
Soc,
An informed American commentator said simply about the reality or otherwise of Putin’s nuclear threat, look to the American Military DefCon rating. It WILL go up as they ascertain the actuality of Putin using a nuclear weapon and, as it stands, they’ve had pretty good sources so far in Russia to keep them abreast of movements by the Russians in this area.
At the moment the Americans are still at DefCon 1, with DefCon 5 being the highest level of imminence of an attack.
Cat
Yes I agree that is encouraging re US Defcon 1.
This also highlights Putin’s folly: making exaggerated threats and not delivering them makes you weaker, not stronger.
On William’s lead in topic of the tax cuts, I have not commented much in the past on the economics of them. That is because they are obviously bad both for social equity and public finance. Stage 3 tax cuts were merely a political wedge from a dying government (like UK/US SSNs).
But what of the politics? The Australia Institute poll in detail shows division:
“• More Labor (43%), Greens (54%) and Independent/Other (46%) voters support the Labor Government repealing stage 3 income tax cuts than Coalition (35%) or One Nation (19%) voters.
• A majority of Australians (61%) think that adapting economic policy to suit the changing circumstances, even if that means breaking an election promise, is more important than keeping an election promise regardless of how economic circumstances have changed.”
I think this is where consultation with the cross bench can be Labor’s friend. The Greens and Teals have not said much on Stage 3. Yet it isn’t only Labor’s decision.
Labor should ask them about Stage 3 – publicly. If they speak in favor, Labor may be stuck with passing them. If not, Labor is justified in dropping them.
Passing Stage 3 would damage Labor. So Labor needs to find a non- damaging way of backing out of them.
Soc,
I also read your comments from the previous thread. So, as it looks to me, with your analysis of Virginia V Suffren delivery dates, we are only looking at 2040 V 2037. In the scheme of things I don’t think that should be the deciding factor when it comes to choosing which way to go, it’s not that big of a difference really in the scheme of things. Yes, the earlier the better, but, what with the normal delays that these projects have I think they are approximately equal within the MoE. So I still think we will end up with stopgap current Virginia Class initially, then eventually build the new model Virginia Class here in Australia for the rest of the submarine fleet going forward.
But what would I know, as Andrew_Earlwood loves to remind me. 😉
Soc and C@T
Putin is boxing himself into a corner as you suggest. Given that the war is progressing so poorly for him and he is quickly losing supporters, I wonder if certain Generals/Political leaders/Oligarchs might not be now considering stepping in to stop Putin should he appear to be crossing the rubicon.
Off to bed for me, catch you all after the rate rise.
When it comes to explaining to me the current global financial situation, I don’t go to Ross Gittins, I go to Stephen Bartholomeusz, as I did today to read this easy to understand but comprehensive article which encompasses the UK situation, the American market and everything in-between:
https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/alarm-bells-are-ringing-as-the-global-financial-system-wobbles-20221003-p5bmnt.html
Andrew Adonis
@Andrew_Adonis
One of the busiest events at Tory party conference is the European Movement fringe with Michael Heseltine & @DavidGauke
Well, well
____________________________________________________
Paul Waugh
@paulwaugh
Now Nadine Dorries thinks Truss should call an election.
NB Dorries was one of the big Cabinet backers of Truss at her launch
Cat
Sorry if I didn’t make it clear but its worse than that. The French SSN delivery date is for local construction of a proven design that is in service, so little risk.
The US/UK date is for either an existing US design with unknown US shipyard capacity, or a new British design with lots of risk because none have been built.
Finally, crucially, the French could reportedly offer us an interim solution. No interim solution is on offer from US or UK.
Best for Britain
@BestForBritain
A Kent brewery that govt proclaimed ‘a #Brexit export champion’, has filed notice of intention to appoint administrators, in an effort to fend off creditors while it tries to find a buyer, after revealing it had lost all but one of its EU customers
@socrates
Unfortunately stage 3 tax cuts are already legislated, Labor was wedged into passing them when Morrison was treasurer under Turnbull. They were part of an omnibus tax bill with stages 1 and 2 being justifiable cuts for low and middle income earners, with stage 3 there for ideological reasons (for the far right LNP) and as a now successful wedge and landmine for the now Labor government
I think it’s heartening though that 61% of those polled realise that circumstances have changed and therefore so should policy, and that prudent economic management is more important than a campaign promise. I really hope Chalmers drops the S3 cuts, and does it in the upcoming budget. He has the disastrous UK example and the need for fiscal policy to complement monetary policy instead of being at cross purposes. It’s obvious to all concerned that S3 is untenable (and not to mention horribly regressive), so better to lance the boil now IMO. If there is a global downturn coming, which looks increasingly likely, then S3 will be completely forgotten by the time of the next election, no matter how much the usual suspects bitch and moan about it if/when Labor drop them
C@tmomma @ #6 Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 – 6:29 am
It’s the other way around C@: DEFCON 1 is the highest level (use of nuclear weapons), DEFCON 5 is normal. The Cuban missile crisis & Desert Storm were the only DEFCON2s so far…
C@tmomma says:
At the moment the Americans are still at DefCon 1, with DefCon 5 being the highest level of imminence of an attack.
___________
This is why the whole world agreed: no nuclear weapons for C@tmomma.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Shane Wright says that the Reserve Bank board is under pressure to end its super-sized interest rate hikes at its meeting today as it faces growing fears its aggressive tightening of monetary policy will crush the property market and destabilise the economy in the face of strengthening global financial headwinds.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/crunch-meeting-rba-faces-test-on-another-large-rate-rise-20221003-p5bmqq.html
According to Phil Coorey, the Albanese government is canvassing options to wind back the stage three tax cuts for those on higher incomes but will not dump them altogether as some demand.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/labor-canvasses-capping-stage-three-tax-cuts-20220930-p5bm6l
Labor understands any broken promise will be weaponised by its political foes. But an economic storm is brewing, and it’s time to change tack, writes Katherine Murphy. She says A range of credible interest groups is fanning out, pre-budget, stating the obvious: these tax cuts cost a bomb, they don’t help inflation, and don’t help Australia to pay for critical social services people rely on.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/04/a-shift-on-stage-three-tax-cuts-would-move-the-first-albanese-budget-from-b-for-boring-to-b-for-big
Paul Bongiorno thinks time is overdue for a conversation about our welfare state.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/opinion/2022/10/04/welfare-state-bongiorno-budget/
Shoppers could face a fresh wave of price rises as manufacturers struggle to cope with demand amid labour shortages and higher costs, explains Jessica Yun.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/price-hikes-inevitable-as-manufacturers-face-profit-squeeze-20221003-p5bmqb.html
Looking at how this new parliament has started, Nick Bryant thinks the atmospherics are right for a democratic spring.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/rethinking-canberra-atmospherics-are-right-for-a-democratic-spring-20220929-p5blzi.html
In a very good article, Crispin Hull writes that Australia’s democracy and court systems save us from the misuse of power seen in the US and UK. He points to Trump, Morrison and Truss and opine that wee have had a lucky escape.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7927313/we-dont-need-to-look-far-to-realise-we-had-a-really-lucky-escape/?cs=14258
The Coalition has upped the ante over the proposed National Anti-Corruption Commission by demanding a high-ranking judge make the final decision whether hearings should be public, reports Phil Coorey.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/libs-up-the-ante-on-corruption-commission-public-hearings-20221003-p5bmo9
The UK and the US stand on the brink of something unthinkable a decade ago. Australians must fight to ensure that the proposed National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) resists the radicalised right and protects democracy against Competitive Authoritarianism, urges Lucy Hamilton.
https://johnmenadue.com/integrity-commission-will-australia-avoid-us-uk-drift-to-illiberalism/
If this were any other government it would be looking at an election defeat. Instead, Daniel Andrews’ Victorian Labor is going to win a third term and there’s almost nothing that can change it, says Angus Livingston.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/any-other-government-would-be-facing-defeat-but-andrews-will-win-anyway-20220926-p5bkzz.html
Optus customers who received text or email messages in a mass blitz at the long weekend alerting them that their driver’s licence number or personal information had been exposed in the mass cyberattack say they are more confused than before, writes Julie Power.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/confusion-chaos-and-concern-in-the-wake-of-optus-text-blitz-20221003-p5bmso.html
The Federal Government’s response was – appropriately – to allow Optus no easy alibis; but also to propose unspecified stronger legislation to protect the private information of Australians, writes Ian Cunliffe who says Optus must be prosecuted for its Privacy Act breach.
https://johnmenadue.com/australias-privacy-problem/
Jess Irvine urges the treasure to not “help” with the cost of living crisis.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/dear-treasurer-please-don-t-help-with-the-cost-of-living-crisis-20221003-p5bmny.html
The Coalition spent over a decade coaching Australia into a state of learnt helplessness over any action on climate change. One of its most effective arguments was that Australia emitted only 1 per cent of all global greenhouse gases, so even if it eliminated all of them it wouldn’t make a jot of difference. “What was the point of trying?”, asks Peter Hartcher who points to Australia having the potential to make a cut to global emissions of 8 per cent, according to new research by the eminent economist Ross Garnaut.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/irrelevant-to-global-decarbonisation-no-australia-s-crucial-to-it-20221003-p5bmnv.html
Rolling the dice on COVID is the Labor government’s first real misstep, declares Monique Ryan.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/rolling-the-dice-on-covid-is-the-labor-government-s-first-real-misstep-20221003-p5bmnx.html
Demonstrating how serious is the Optus data breach, Sally Rawsthorne tells us that almost two years after a break-in at a suburban tax agent in Sydney’s north-west, victims whose identities were compromised remain powerless to stop ongoing attempts at fraudulent tax returns in what experts warn shows the long-reaching consequences of data theft.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/two-years-after-personal-data-was-stolen-the-old-fashioned-way-the-fraud-continues-20221001-p5bmf8.html
And Tim Biggs reports on how the Optus ‘urgent updates’ are leaving its customers guessing.
https://www.smh.com.au/technology/optus-urgent-updates-20221003-p5bmqv.html
Global supply constraints, skyrocketing material costs, skills shortages and delays are hindering Australia’s massive infrastructure pipeline, explains Ronald Mizen.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/infrastructure-spending-bonanza-falls-40b-short-20221003-p5bmos
The heated global energy market has driven Australia’s resources export earnings to new heights, boosting government coffers by nearly $30 billion but pushing household power bills to painful highs. Mike Foley tells us that the Department of Industry, Science and Resources expects resource and energy exports to hit a record $450 billion this year, up $28 billion from the past financial year.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/households-to-feel-pinch-as-coal-gas-profits-surge-20221003-p5bmpg.html
Peter Ker writes that fossil fuel prices will remain high for years driving the value of Australian commodity exports to a record $450 billion this financial year, but the Department of Industry cautioned coal and gas producers that boom prices will also accelerate the shift to low-carbon alternatives.
https://www.afr.com/companies/mining/gas-coal-and-lithium-boom-to-drive-export-record-20221003-p5bmrr
“Extremely investor friendly” is how the latest fossil fuel buyer describes Australia. Along with the twilight of the coal era with its astronomical profits has come the rise of squalid public relations tactics. Zacharias Szumer investigates the case of Liechtenstein-based coal trader Sev.en Global Investments, its billionaire owner Pavel Tykač and Sev.en’s propaganda associates.
https://michaelwest.com.au/vales-point-profits-and-squalid-pr-tactics-seven-pavel-st-baker/
Coal is booming but you won’t hear about it at the ABC, moans Greg Sheridan.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/coal-is-booming-but-you-wont-hear-about-it-at-the-abc/news-story/a97aa8bb406d87e2fb192dc95136ff85
Marnie O’Bryan for the past 10 years, has been working with First Nations private school alumni. She has found that there are striking parallels between their experiences and those alleged by the Hawks players.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/boarding-school-coercion-mirrors-hawthorn-racism-allegations-20220929-p5blxu.html
The National Sports Tribunal, a government-funded body established to provide an independent avenue for sports organisations to resolve serious disputes, has declared itself “absolutely” available to arbitrate the Hawthorn racism row, writes Chip Le Grand. But yesterday AFL sources said they had no plans to refer the matter to the National Sports Tribunal.
https://www.theage.com.au/sport/afl/national-sports-tribunal-stands-ready-to-hear-hawthorn-case-20221003-p5bmtr.html
Deradicalisation experts have backed a plan to rescue dozens of Australian relatives of former Islamic State fighters from Syria despite the Coalition’s warnings.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/political-fight-erupts-over-very-concerning-syria-repatriation-plan-20221003-p5bmsu.html
The NSW government expects it to take until the end of next month before the entire fleet of Sydney’s inner west trams is returned to full service, more than a year after they were removed from operation due to extensive cracks. Matt O’Sullivan says tha although two repaired trams have re-entered service, the state’s transport agency confirmed that most of the 12-strong fleet were still in the final stages of testing and yet to return to the troubled light rail line between Central Station and Dulwich Hill. It’s stll unclear who is going to foot the bill for this.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/full-return-of-sydney-s-inner-west-trams-not-expected-until-late-november-20221003-p5bmq5.html
Police in Queensland and New South Wales failed to investigate a series of alleged sexual assaults against a 14-year-old girl, lost key documents related to the case, and later told the alleged victim that her formal statement had been “destroyed”, a Guardian Australia investigation has found. Disgraceful!
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/04/unspeakable-trauma-police-in-queensland-and-nsw-failed-to-investigate-alleged-gang-of-14-year-old-girl-records-show
The board of Credit Suisse is in hot water and unfortunately for it the comparisons with the collapse of Lehman Brothers reflects on the level of fear and doubt surrounding the continued future of the Swiss bank. Elizabeth Knight reports that in three weeks’ time, Credit Suisse’s management will update the market on a plan to overhaul the bank and ring-fence its troubled assets. But until then, the rumours of its demise will continue to swirl and Credit Suisse hasn’t helped itself on that front.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/credit-suisse-in-damage-control-as-its-future-hangs-in-balance-20221003-p5bmsp.html
The Commonwealth Bank, while publicly claiming to be an ethical bank, privately tells its perennial victims to go away, rendering them invisible, writes Dr Evan Jones.
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/commonwealth-bank-is-a-disgrace-to-the-public-interest,16826
“Orthodox thinking won’t cut it: why Mathias Cormann’s leadership of the OECD has economists worried”, says economics professor, Steve Keen.
https://theconversation.com/orthodox-thinking-wont-cut-it-why-mathias-cormanns-leadership-of-the-oecd-has-economists-worried-191665
Britain’s new Prime Minister Liz Truss has been forced to drop her plan to cut tax for the rich, after MPs defied threats that they could be kicked out of the party room and warned they would vote against her plan. Truss, who models herself on former prime minister Margaret Thatcher, confirmed the backdown on social media, just 24 hours after she went on television before her debut at the Conservative Party conference in Birmingham. What an effort!
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/we-get-it-britain-s-pm-forced-into-humiliating-backdown-over-plan-to-cut-tax-for-the-rich-20221003-p5bmwr.html
The new British prime minister was supposed to be enjoying a honeymoon period, but the Tories are already in meltdown, writes Rob Harris who says the most frightening thing for Liz Truss and, more importantly, 67 million Britons is that things are likely to get much worse before they get any better.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/think-things-are-bad-for-truss-now-they-may-well-get-even-worse-20221002-p5bmjp.html
The humiliated Liz Truss is in office but barely in power. Rebel MPs have the whip hand now, writes Gaby Hinsliff.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/03/humiliated-liz-truss-office-power-rebel-mps-whip-hand
When British schools ignore Irish history, is it any wonder Brexit is such a mess, says Jennifer Horgen.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/03/british-schools-irish-history-brexit
Toward the end of 2019, an article titled Lessons in how to hate China was published in Pearls and Irritations. Those lessons have been learned and learned well. Three years is a short time but the collective memory is also short. China is now the accepted enemy and the likelihood of war is spoken of more openly, writes William Briggs.
https://johnmenadue.com/learning-to-hate-china-how-well-have-we-learned-the-lessons/
“Is this the beginning of the end for Vladimir Putin?”, ponders Matthew Sussex.
https://theconversation.com/is-this-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-vladimir-putin-191058
Cartoon Corner
Cathy Wilcox
Simon Letch
Matt Golding
Fiona Katauskas
Glen Le Lievre
Spooner
From the US
rhwombat @ #16 Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 – 7:11 am
I should have just said lowest or highest, eh? 😉
nath @ #17 Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 – 7:20 am
You rang? 😀
My way is better though. 😉
Hey, nath, you got over your boredom toot sweet. Does that mean you have a high or a low boredom threshold? The world needs to know! 😀
The Coalition has upped the ante over the proposed National Anti-Corruption Commission by demanding a high-ranking judge make the final decision whether hearings should be public, reports Phil Coorey.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/libs-up-the-ante-on-corruption-commission-public-hearings-20221003-p5bmo9
I’d say they could be safely ignored by the government over this… because a high-ranking judge will be appointed to lead the commission.
And good to see that Phil Coorey is still drip-feeder #1 for the Coalition in the CPG. 😐
The Albanese government is canvassing options to wind back the stage three tax cuts for those on higher incomes, but will not dump them altogether as some demand.
As new analysis shows tax paid by higher income earners will outstrip their growth in wages if the tax cuts are pared back or abolished, the government appears to be yielding to pressure over the tax cuts and could announce changes as early as the October 25 budget.
No decision has yet been made and the policy, at the moment, remains to keep the tax cuts as legislated. But options and the timing of any announcement are being looked at.
Even though the tax cuts do not begin until July 1, 2024 when the shape of the economy is unknown, twice in recent days Treasurer Jim Chalmers has pointed to the chaos in Great Britain caused by new Prime Minster Liz Truss announcing tax cuts for high-income earners as the Bank of England is raising interest rates to fight rampant inflation.
“What’s happening there, I think, is a cautionary tale about the costs and consequences of getting government policy and central bank policy out of whack, having fiscal and monetary policy working at cross purposes,” he told Sky News on Sunday.
“It is a cautionary tale about what it looks like when you risk getting that wrong. And so that’s not irrelevant to us as we put together our own budget to hand down this month.”
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/labor-canvasses-capping-stage-three-tax-cuts-20220930-p5bm6l#Echobox=1664785054
There’s some interesting information in this article:
https://www.chroniclelive.co.uk/news/world-news/russian-tv-footage-nuclear-war-25161819
Currently US is at DEFCON 3 (force readiness above normal level). We get worried about nuclear weapons at DEFCON2.
Putin’s threat, without following through, reflects two critical errors by Biden which invited Putin to follow through in Ukraine:
1. Withdrawing from Afghanistan and the subsequent dominance of the Taliban
2. Vacillating about Russia crossing a “red line” in Ukraine.
Putin would have been smart not to have put the nuclear threat on the table. But he has, it has been shown to be empty, and now he is backed even further into a corner.
‘PageBoi says:
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 6:13 am
@boerwar
Madeline Morris in opening the ABC news just now said the government just announced a goal of no further extinctions
I seem to recall dozens of posts from you attacking the greens for just such a policy, so I assume we can expect further listicles from you as to why ‘bwana’ plibersek would be wrong to pursue such a policy/goal?’
—————————————————–
1. That goal is scientifically stupid. Darwinian evolution is based on an expectation that extinctions will happen.
2. It is practically not possible to achieve.
3. Saying that one of Labor’s policies is as stupid as one of the Greens’ policy hurts.
4. I can understand why the Greens hate my list of 22 reasons that demonstrate that when it comes to women’s issues Labor is not ‘same old same old’. Labor’s actions and that list demonstrate exactly how the Greens ape Goebbels when it comes to doing big lies repeatedly. Personally, every time Labor does the right thing with respect to women I feel like a better human being for having voted for them.
5. When it come to Indigenous policy Labor is listening to majority Indigenous opinion. Bwana Bandt and his policy cowboys are in bed with the likes of Howard, Abetz and Abbott when it comes to destroying the Voice. When it comes to the CPAC mob they have this going for them in comparison to the Greens: they are not holier-than-thou flaming hypocrites
”
PageBoisays:
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 6:13 am
@boerwar
Madeline Morris in opening the ABC news just now said the government just announced a goal of no further extinctions
I seem to recall dozens of posts from you attacking the greens for just such a policy, so I assume we can expect further listicles from you as to why ‘bwana’ plibersek would be wrong to pursue such a policy/goal?
”
Pageboi
Whether it is announced by Greens or ALP or anything other party, it is still a stupid thing to say because of natural evolution and because of effects of Climate change.
BW argument is right in that it is impossible to stop anymore extinction. The only problem for him is that it appears he never expected ALP to say such a thing. 🙂
You can compare it to Bob Hawke’s announcement that no child will live in poverty by 1990.
However, even after saying such stupid things Bob Hawke remains the PM produced by ALP.
Labour leads by 28%, largest lead for ANY party that we’ve recorded. Westminster Voting Intention (2 Oct): Labour 52% (+6)
Conservative 24% (-5)
Liberal Democrat 10% (-3)
Green 5% (+1)
SNP 5% (+2)
Reform UK 3% (-1)
Other 1% (–) Changes +/- 28-29 Sept
https://twitter.com/RedfieldWilton/status/1576965307930857475?s=20&t=usVRk5pWpEib7nB4pc0z-w
I think Labor will be announcing a million new houses to be built soon.
According to this, current DEFCON level is 3 (Increase in force readiness above that required for normal readiness; Air Force ready to mobilize in 15 minutes)
https://www.defconlevel.com/
Of course Darwinian evolution has been challenged by humans this last century. Seed banks preserve plant species. Similarly, animal species could be granted insurance by a DNA/egg and sperm bank with enough diversity to bring back a species when required.
Steve777 says:
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 8:22 am
According to this, current DEFCON level is 3 (Increase in force readiness above that required for normal readiness; Air Force ready to mobilize in 15 minutes)
_______
I prefer to consult the Doomsday Clock.
” Although speculation abounds, officials never publicly state which DEFCON level the country is under, for security reasons. The U.S. has never reached DEFCON 1. The highest it’s thought to have been is DEFCON 2, which reportedly occurred during the Cuban Missile Crisis.”
https://www.usatoday.com/story/news/politics/2022/02/27/defcon-nuclear-deterrence-russia-united-states/6964591001/
I imagine that since that footage was aired on Russian Gazprom TV, the DefCon level would have risen.
Steve777,
It may not be publicly aired but certain people with connections to the Pentagon know what it is.
”
Ray (UK)says:
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 7:00 am
Best for Britain
@BestForBritain
A Kent brewery that govt proclaimed ‘a #Brexit export champion’, has filed notice of intention to appoint administrators, in an effort to fend off creditors while it tries to find a buyer, after revealing it had lost all but one of its EU customers
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Best of Britain is in serious sh*t.
I think crunch time is coming for Putin. Ukraine advancing in the south now:
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2022/10/04/optus-hack-failure/
Much of Australia in for heavy rain and lower than average temperatures
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/oct/03/much-of-australia-in-for-heavy-rain-and-lower-than-average-temperatures
‘Eston Kohver says:
Tuesday, October 4, 2022 at 8:01 am
Currently US is at DEFCON 3 (force readiness above normal level). We get worried about nuclear weapons at DEFCON2.
Putin’s threat, without following through, reflects two critical errors by Biden which invited Putin to follow through in Ukraine:
1. Withdrawing from Afghanistan and the subsequent dominance of the Taliban
2. Vacillating about Russia crossing a “red line” in Ukraine.
Putin would have been smart not to have put the nuclear threat on the table. But he has, it has been shown to be empty, and now he is backed even further into a corner.’
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There is no lack of advice for the West and the US in particular.
My view is that the Afghanistan War was lost the nanosecond the US became hopelessly confused about its War Aim. The last sensible chance to leave was straight after Obama had Osama topped. After that any time to leave was a bad time to leave. The manner of the going under Biden did not help.
I agree that the lack of clarity in Biden’s public statements did not help during the days before Putin invaded Ukraine. I recall how plenty of Bludgers were actually blaming the US for encouraging the War in various ways…. but vacillating over a red line was not one of them!
@boerwar – I’ll give you credit for consistency
I think that our politics and media doesn’t do nuance very well, and all politicians can be guilty of making blanket statements that they later regret or look foolish for making, like Hawke’s no child in poverty speech
The nuance and subtext is important though. I don’t think plibersek (or the greens for that matter) are actually claiming to be able to halt the process of Darwinian evolution, that’s clearly nonsense and not possible as you suggest. However I think it’s extremely desirable to reduce human impacts on what remains of our biodiversity and habitat, which is what the substance of the policy aims to do. Protecting 30% of our terrestrial and marine areas is a very worthy policy (although I hope they’re not counting our Antarctic territory claims in that total as a sort of offset, those should be entirely protected separately). Likewise trying to curb our horrendous rates of land clearing and habitat loss are also very worthwhile don’t you think?
Good lord, I figured all the stuff about Liz Truss being a total moron was just partisan rhetoric. Has there ever been a new PM who has managed to stuff things up so royally so early into their term?
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In a very good article, Crispin Hull writes that Australia’s democracy and court systems save us from the misuse of power seen in the US and UK. He points to Trump, Morrison and Truss and opine that wee have had a lucky escape.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7927313/we-dont-need-to-look-far-to-realise-we-had-a-really-lucky-escape/?cs=14258
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I posted a couple of times that if democratic system of government fails in AUKUS countries, it is most likely Britain will retain atleast some form of democracy than others
A multimillionaire Conservative donor has defected to Labour, giving the party £100,000 and promising more to come.
Gareth Quarry, 63, said that Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng were “zealots” following a policy of “GCSE economics” whereas Sir Keir Starmer and his team were “sensible people who have got their feet on the ground”.
How sure are we that this person isn’t actually Kier Starmer in disguise?
“The Greens and Teals have not said much on Stage 3”
What are you talking about? The Greens have been furiously denouncing Labor as right-wingers for supporting the Stage 3 tax cuts for months now, Monique Ryan as well.
Thanks BK for today’s reports.
Delay Stage 3 tax cuts until the budget is in surplus……how can conservatives complain about that, they love a surplus!
Gareth Quarry, 63, said that Liz Truss and Kwasi Kwarteng were “zealots” following a policy of “GCSE economics” [junior high school] whereas Sir Keir Starmer and his team were “sensible people who have got their feet on the ground”.
You can say something similar about our “Liberals” and Labor. Combined with the Year 10 economics is a simplistic, often nasty and sometimes dangerous culture-warrior populism.
Holdenhillbilly @ #42 Tuesday, October 4th, 2022 – 8:55 am
Is UK politics following its lead from AUSPOL where we are seeing an ideological flip where Labor is the party of 21st century capital while the Conservatives are wedded to the old boy networks and the use of culture wars to cultivate a working class base
The Australian Taxation Office has knocked out about $40 billion in interest deductions by resources giants, boosting the tax take from oil and gas firms following a landmark legal case involving energy company Chevron.
Using litigation and legal settlement agreements negotiated with major corporate taxpayers, the ATO has limited past-year debt deductions and required firms to undertake significant restructuring of their arrangements, resulting in fewer debt-related claims and delivering about $12 billion in extra revenue to the budget so far.
With reduced carry forward losses, major players have to pay corporate tax much sooner. Tax Commissioner Chris Jordan said the moves were already delivering significant revenue, after firms used hundreds of billions of dollars in investments in offshore gas platforms to limit their tax liabilities.
Separately, Treasurer Jim Chalmers and Assistant Minister Andrew Leigh have opened consultations on Australia’s involvement in the OECD and G20-led two-pillar tax reform process.
The plan includes a global minimum corporate tax rate of 15 per cent. The federal government has asked for views on how the proposed global corporate tax plan would operate in Australia, ahead of a possible 2024 start date.
About 130 countries are part of the push, which will also seek to tax digital giants including Meta and Google in the countries where they sell their products.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/ato-knocks-out-40b-in-resources-write-offs-thanks-to-chevron-win-20221003-p5bmqc#Echobox=1664822846
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The new British prime minister was supposed to be enjoying a honeymoon period, but the Tories are already in meltdown, writes Rob Harris who says the most frightening thing for Liz Truss and, more importantly, 67 million Britons is that things are likely to get much worse before they get any better.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/think-things-are-bad-for-truss-now-they-may-well-get-even-worse-20221002-p5bmjp.html
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If her honeymoon period is so bad I shudder at the thought of normal times. I read somewhere that she is getting whipped during her political honeymoon.
The humiliated Liz Truss is in office but barely in power. Rebel MPs have the whip hand now, writes Gaby Hinsliff.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/oct/03/humiliated-liz-truss-office-power-rebel-mps-whip-hand