I have nothing much to offer in the way of new material for an open thread post, for reasons I hope you’ll understand. My standby on such occasions is the regularly updated tracking poll of Anthony Albanese’s personal ratings from US pollster Morning Consult, which currently has him at 56% approval and 31% disapproval. This leaves his approval about where it was mid-year, with his disapproval having climbed a few points.
If the results remain the same, I am very happy with the standards of modern journalism. They are doing a few critical services such as letting us know what the nutters ARE “thinking” and scaring the electorate away from the far right.
If people started trusting their news sources once more, we might not get such good results 😉
It’s interesting listening on radio to those who were in an anti-Dan echo chamber. The media had them CONVINCED that he was going to lose badly and lose his seat… I wonder if there will be some drift away from the hate echo chambers when some of these people realise just how much they have been lied to.
It was also interesting listening to Neil Mitchells intro to his show this morning. It was as humble and honest a response as you could ever hear…
Everyone, treat yourself to Phil Lowe dancing on the head of a pin. It’s enjoyable considering his recent comments regarding the low paid workers just need to eat it, on 7% inflation and not ask for a payrise.
The West Australian is big today on the bosses warning of chaos and turning back the clock to the 70s on IR.
Ho hum. They would say that.
The Victorian election gets a small item on page eight headed “I can win a third term too: McG0wan”
His optimism will surprise nobody.
I was wondering how Neil Mitchell would worm his way out of responsibility for his pre-election rhetoric. 🙂
Prediction: Governor of the Reserve Bank and Governor General gone before the end of Labor’s 1st term.
C@tmomma,
Hoping the country and Albo are that lucky,
south @ #104 Monday, November 28th, 2022 – 11:07 am
What’s the saying? You make your own luck? Well, those two have certainly given the PM the opening he requires.
Could have been a legal dynasty but for the twin ill fates of the Lindt Cafe and cancer.
https://nswbar.asn.au/the-bar-association/publications/inbrief/view/7fe49807df877cb7bb81940d2e6e98de
Snappy Tom says:
Monday, November 28, 2022 at 9:42 am
Another Dawn Patrol item…
Former Victorian Liberal leader Michael O’Brien has told colleagues that he will not run for leader of the battered party, paving the way for the progressive John Pesutto to seize the reins, should he close out victory in Hawthorn over his teal opponent. Pesutto should make a difference IMHO.
https://www.afr.com/politics/pesutto-to-run-for-liberal-leadership-as-new-mps-key-to-renewal-20221127-p5c1li
____________
Appointing any “moderate” to lead the Liberals anywhere confronts the party with a test: will the moderate’s (in this case Pesutto) leadership go the way of Turnbull?
——————————————————————————————-
We’ll this could be interesting as it certainly doesn’t accord with the wishes of Sky News and friends nor the IPA, all of whom animatedly declared a need to veer further right, not to moderate.
UK Poll:
LAB: 48% (+1)
CON: 25% (-1)
LDM: 9% (=)
RFM: 5% (-1)
GRN: 5% (=)
Via @YouGov , TBC. Changes w/ 15-16 Nov.
Holdenhillbilly says:
Monday, November 28, 2022 at 11:26 am
UK Poll:
LAB: 48% (+1)
CON: 25% (-1)
LDM: 9% (=)
RFM: 5% (-1)
GRN: 5% (=)
Via @YouGov , TBC. Changes w/ 15-16 Nov.
中华人民共和国
They have been pretty steady numbers cobber.
“I’m sorry that people listened to what we’ve said and acted on that and now find themselves in a position they don’t want to be in. At the time we thought it was the right thing to do and I think looking back we would have chosen different language.”
Ah the irony. Another demonstration of imprecise language.
Not a good step when your main job is to manage expectations. He’s gotta go!
Paul Fletcher says Coalition won’t support censure motion against Scott Morrison
——————
By voting against it the corrupt lib/nats give political gifts , that Labor can use against them
The “I’m sorry” bit is the worst.
Gratuitous apologies or “I hear you” style sayings should be tossed in the rubbish bin.
“I hear you but you are not going to get another cup cake” is fine for speaking to kids.
But, yes.
Scott says:
Monday, November 28, 2022 at 11:39 am
Paul Fletcher says Coalition won’t support censure motion against Scott Morrison
——————
By voting against it the corrupt lib/nats give political gifts , that Labor can use against them
———————————————————————————————
The perfect opportunity to put distance between the Coalition under Dutton and the Coalition under Morrison and they look like they’ve squibbed it. It proves nothing has changed in the Coalition which is good news for Progressives.
UK: Armed forces personnel would drive ambulances and fill frontline roles in hospitals under plans being drawn up by health and defence officials as they prepare for a winter beset by strikes.
Ambulance drivers, paramedics, cleaners, porters, catering staff, clerical workers and junior doctors are among those who could join nurses in walking out over the coming months.
I am sorry but although I hear you I am not really listening.
“Turnover fell in all industries in October except for food retailing, which rose 0.4 per cent boosted by flood-related spending in parts of Australia and continued high food prices.”
Department stores had the largest fall, down 2.4 per cent, followed by clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing, down 0.6 per cent. Department stores fell for the second consecutive month, while clothing, footwear and personal accessory retailing is down after a 2.0 per cent rise in September. Household goods retailing fell for the second consecutive month, down 0.5 per cent, the fifth fall in the last seven months.
Cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services recorded its first fall since January 2022, down 0.4 per cent and other retailing fell 0.2 per cent.
“Elevated post lockdown demand and price increases had boosted sales throughout the year in cafes, restaurants and takeaway food services. A slowdown in growth in recent months, capped off by the fall in October, shows trading conditions continued to normalise”, Mr Dorber said.
Turnover fell across the country with falls recorded in most states and territories. The Northern Territory had the largest fall, down 1.8 per cent, followed by Tasmania (-1.7 per cent), the Australian Capital Territory (-1.4 per cent), Queensland (-0.4 per cent), New Souths Wales (-0.1 per cent) and Victoria (-0.1 per cent).
While Queensland and New South Wales had small percentage falls, these states recorded the largest falls in dollar terms. Turnover in South Australia and Western Australia was relatively unchanged.
https://www.abs.gov.au/media-centre/media-releases/retail-turnover-falls-first-time-2022
Belated congrats to Dan Andrews on his third term as State Premier. But a parochial point must be made. Anna Palaszczuk achieved that same feat 2 years ago. 🙂
In the part of the UK I lived in for a bit, “I hear you” was a polite way of saying “you are full of it.”
Holdenhillbilly at 9:20 am
In other words, he’s guilty (already convicted) and the GOP will keep looking until they find something. Accountability is one thing, but the GOP have already decided on the punishment (impeachment) and are just figuring out how to get there. Is there a legal principal that invalidates “evidence” that is “found” in this way?
If I ever get polled about whether or not the Liberals should turn further to the right as advocated by right wing loons, who are a tiny minority by the way, I will be saying most definately.
Sorry, I meant my last posts on the Victorian Election thread to go here:
Let’s not forget to listen to what Ukrainians themselves are saying and writing about the genocide being inflicted upon them by Russia. From the Kyiv Post, https://www.kyivpost.com/war-crimes/war-crimes-part-of-russias-war-culture-ukrainian-nobel-prize-winner.html:
“Committing war crimes have become an integral part of how Moscow wages war. Russia has for decades used war as a method to achieve its geopolitical interests and war crimes as a way to win these wars, says the head of the organization that jointly received the Nobel Peace Prize this year.
Speaking in an expansive interview with RFE/RL’s Ukrainian Service, Oleksandra Matviychuk, who heads the Center for Civil Liberties, said “They learned that they can do whatever they want because they weren’t punished for war crimes in Chechnya, Moldova, Georgia, Mali, or Syria.”
Matviychuk says that the fact remains absolutely obvious that all the crimes perpetrated by the Russian military are systemic in nature. They are not committed by any one specific unit of the armed forces of the Russian Federation. War crimes are part of Russia’s culture of warfare.”
==================================================================
If this analysis of Russian war crime culture is accurate, it follows that allowing Russia to retain that culture will pose an ongoing threat to vulnerable humans everywhere that can be accessed by Russian troops or paramilitary operatives. The war aims of Ukraine which the West should support must include eliminating that culture from Russia’s military.
More observations from a Ukrainian reporter on the genocide Russia is inflicting upon her people. This time, a summary of Russian state-endorsed propagandists’ contributions to filling the Russian information space with hate-filled calls for violence against all Ukrainians – young and old, male and female. From the Kyiv Independent, for about 4 minutes:
https://kyivindependent.com/explainer-of-the-day/how-russian-propaganda-fuels-genocide-against-ukrainians
Next target for Labor on the IR front is the gig economy.
It’s going to be fascinating what they come up with.
Macarthur wrote
“If only Hungary were a more reliable element of NATO when it comes to making moves Russia might not like, they would be an excellent choice for such logistical bases as well, given the war is more in Ukraine’s south than north.”
Nope, it wouldn’t make a difference. Between Hungary and Ukraine are the Carpathian Mountains, which have poor train links to Ukraine because they were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, not Russia.
The train lines go through Warsaw, because that was in the Russian Empire and therefore that’s where Sergei Witte put the train lines, and therefore that’s where today’s supply lines go through.
The critical things are logistics and financial support. Watch Germany – they are doing what isn’t flashy, but is effective (and, no, giving Ukraine a small handful of tanks that are the equal of T-72s with a totally different engine, layout, ammunition and mechanical needs is the sort of worthless feelgood bullshit that we need to avoid).
Queensland is set to become home to one of the largest wind farms in the Southern Hemisphere with the Queensland government announcing plans to double the size of the MacIntyre Wind Precinct, west of Warwick.
The wind precinct is already the biggest in Australia and will now increase by 180 to 360 turbines, bringing its output to 2,000 megawatts – enough to power 1.4 million Queensland homes.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-11-28/queensland-wind-farm-macintyre-precinct-renewables/101705430
Ha! After listening to Tim Wilson on RN trying to explain why the Liberals are struggling it is easy to see why the Liberals are struggling.
SHPK
🙂 !!!
What a contrast!
The Guardian blog
Liberals trying to veto the NACC in the parliament according to Dreyfus
This is another thing that is different about this Government.
Reports into issues are being acted on and their recommendations are being fully implemented and not just cherry picked.
The Guardian blog
Ian Whitchurch @ Monday, November 28, 2022 at 12:27 pm:
““If only Hungary were a more reliable element of NATO when it comes to making moves Russia might not like, they would be an excellent choice for such logistical bases as well, given the war is more in Ukraine’s south than north.”
Nope, it wouldn’t make a difference. Between Hungary and Ukraine are the Carpathian Mountains, which have poor train links to Ukraine because they were part of the Austro-Hungarian Empire, not Russia.
The train lines go through Warsaw, because that was in the Russian Empire and therefore that’s where Sergei Witte put the train lines, and therefore that’s where today’s supply lines go through.
The critical things are logistics and financial support. Watch Germany – they are doing what isn’t flashy, but is effective (and, no, giving Ukraine a small handful of tanks that are the equal of T-72s with a totally different engine, layout, ammunition and mechanical needs is the sort of worthless feelgood bullshit that we need to avoid).”
===================================================================
Yes, you are right about the transport difficulties created by the Carpathians. I started thinking about that myself a little after I posted the above. I do think it is important for the EU to attach Hungary more closely to their collective effort to support Ukraine, though, to underscore to Moscow that it faces a united front of opposition to its invasion. Engendering hopelessness in Moscow as rapidly as possible is crucial to ending this war with a Russian defeat. I do see Hungary as a weak link in the presentation of a united front by the EU.
I agree completely that Germany is contributing much more effectively than they are often given credit for – a point not lost on Ukrainians themselves: https://www.kyivpost.com/russias-war/germany-sends-new-batch-of-military-aid-to-ukraine.html. Further, it is a point being amplified by NATO at the highest level, https://www.dw.com/en/top-stories/s-9097:
“NATO CHIEF STOLTENBERG PRAISES GERMAN SUPPORT FOR UKRAINE’
NATO Secretary-General Jens Stoltenberg praised Berlin’s support of Ukraine in comments published by German newspaper Welt am Sonntag.
“Germany’s strong support is making a decisive difference,” Stoltenberg said, adding that German weapons were saving lives in Ukraine.
“We must all maintain our support for Ukraine and increase it,” he insisted.
Stoltenberg made the comments two days ahead of a meeting of NATO foreign ministers in Bucharest, Romania.”
Late Riser says:
Monday, November 28, 2022 at 11:53 am
Belated congrats to Dan Andrews on his third term as State Premier. But a parochial point must be made. Anna Palaszczuk achieved that same feat 2 years ago.
中华人民共和国
🙂
steve davis @ #133 Monday, November 28th, 2022 – 9:42 am
Are they trying to nacca it? 🙂
Holdenhillbilly @ #129 Monday, November 28th, 2022 – 12:28 pm
Shame about this bit …
The usual excuses by the usual suspects.
[‘Federal parliament will take the extraordinary step of censuring former prime minister Scott Morrison over his decision to secretly swear himself into five additional portfolios.
Prime Minister Anthony Albanese confirmed the censure motion and legal changes to prevent a repeat occurrence after cabinet met in Canberra on Monday.
“We will introduce legislation later this week to make sure that this can never, ever happen again,” Albanese said.
“And this week, as well, the House will be moving a censure motion in the member for Cook as a result of the findings of Virginia Bell and the inquiry, which found that the actions of the former prime minister fundamentally undermined the principles of responsible government.”]
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/scott-morrison-to-be-censured-by-parliament-20221128-p5c1u3.html
Excellent! And there’s still his appearance before the Robodebt RC to come.
”
Holdenhillbillysays:
Monday, November 28, 2022 at 6:01 am
Another night of big upsets: Costa Rica 1 Japan 0. Morocco 2 Belgium 0. Croatia 4 Canada 1.
Police used water cannon and tear gas after coming under attack from football supporters who brought havoc to the centre of Brussels following Morocco’s shock 2-0 World Cup win over Belgium in Qatar.
”
Is Europe slowly but surely falling apart?
Using water cannons on people! If that is done in Asia those government actions will be criticized as draconian and undemocratic.
Granny Anny says:
Monday, November 28, 2022 at 12:15 pm
If I ever get polled about whether or not the Liberals should turn further to the right as advocated by right wing loons, who are a tiny minority by the way, I will be saying most definately.
We do need an opposition.
Son was saying that the way things are going the Greens will become the Royal opposition, and considers it a positive that the Liberals are helping the Greens take that role.
steve davis @ #131 Monday, November 28th, 2022 – 12:42 pm
I thought they’d stitched up a deal with the Coalition over the NACC? Well, I guess the government could just drop the Exceptional Circumstances concession. 😀
The revival of the SECV might drive the transfer to SWB.
A very aggressive move by Dan.
Surprised it did not get more coverage.
Ven @ #138 Monday, November 28th, 2022 – 12:53 pm
Have they not noticed where all the new young football talent is coming from? Africa! Of course Morocco beat Belgium. 😀
C@t
Some of the Libs must be shitting their pants.
I have emailed Hewitt, pointing out the discrepancies.
Lidija Ivanovski AFR https://www.afr.com/politics/when-libs-celebrate-holding-the-heartland-something-s-seriously-wrong-20221123-p5c0rz
“People who endured Australia’s longest lockdown have stood by a government that led with a sensible public health policy that protected lives, despite the attacks from Liberals and conservatives. And it shows the Liberals that when you creep to the right and indulge the fringe, voters notice.”
An example of an attack from a “Liberal and conservative”:
Jennifer Hewett AFR https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/a-great-day-for-brand-labor-in-victoria-and-canberra-20221127-p5c1lp
“about leveraging public unhappiness over Andrews’ COVID lockdown record and his relentlessly combative personal style.”
“That conveniently presumes Andrews’ actions as leader have actually been the right ones against all the evidence to the contrary.”
Which evidence???
steve davis @ #143 Monday, November 28th, 2022 – 1:07 pm
True dat. 😉
They can run but they can’t hide from the Naccer.
Have Labor been played by the Libs on the NACC ..?
Did a deal with the Libs to stop future tampering of the NACC, then at the 11th hour the Libs throw in a curve ball to create division on the NACC going forward.
Rex Douglas @ #148 Monday, November 28th, 2022 – 1:10 pm
Labor can still do a deal with the cross-bench.
Thank you, UK!
“The UK will provide Brimstone 2 missiles, a precision-guided missile, to Ukraine as part of its latest aid package. “This aid has played a crucial role in stalling Russian advancements,” the UK Ministry of Defence said in a statement.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/nov/28/russia-ukraine-war-at-a-glance-what-we-know-on-day-278-of-the-invasion
==============================================================
Does anyone here know much about these? I know they have been used in Syria, but don’t know how good they were. Still, they look impressive at a glance for wiping out ground forces, especially for turning a rapid retreat into a rout I’d have thought.