We’re not likely to see anything on the polling front this week, but there is other electoral news to relate following recent parliamentary vacancies and party defections:
• The Sydney Morning Herald reports preselection nominees to fill the late Jim Molan’s New South Wales Liberal Senate vacancy are likely to include Andrew Constance, former state minister and unsuccessful candidate for Gilmore, and Fiona Scott, who held the lower house seat of Lindsay from 2013 to 2016, together with reported front-runner Dallas McInerney, chief executive of Catholic Schools NSW. Constance and Scott are associated with the moderation faction, while McInerney is a conservative. Mary-Lou Jarvis, lawyer and Woollahra councillor, has also written to senior party figures staking her claim as a qualified woman and the third candidate on the ticket at last year’s election, while also criticising the party’s apparent intention to leave the position vacant until after the state election on March 25.
• The Australian reports the Liberal hierarchy’s hopes of fielding a female candidate for the Aston by-election stand to be complicated by the entry into the field of Emanuele Cicchiello, who is rated a strong chance by sources close to eastern suburbs conservative powerbroker and Deakin MP Michael Sukkar. However, other unidentified sources, “including some with strong Right faction allegiances”, rubbished the notion. Cicchiello is deputy prinicipal of Lighthouse Christian College, a former mayor of Knox and contestant for the seat of Bruce in 2013 and numerous preselections since. All other noted contenders have been women with the exception of Andrew Asten, a former staffer to Alan Tudge, who has since ruled himself out. Anthony Galloway of the Age/Herald reports the matter could be determined by a plebisicite of local members, which have lately proved resistant to female candidates, if the by-election is set for a date that allows sufficient time.
• Victorian Senator Lidia Thorpe’s resignation from the Greens last week marked the first change to party representation in parliament since the election, with the Senate numbers now at Coalition 32, Labor 26, Greens 11, One Nation two, Jacqui Lambie Network two, United Australia Party one and two independents, namely Thorpe and David Pocock. This leaves the government needing two extra votes when the Greens are on board and the Coalition are not, where formerly it needed only one. Thorpe was elected to a six-year term at the election last May, which will extend to the middle of 2028.
By hook or by crook, I’ll be first in this book …
“… reported front-runner Dallas McInerney, chief executive of Catholic Schools NSW. … McInerney is a conservative.”
So, the ‘front-runner’ for the Liberals’ Senate sinecure is … a churchy conservative bloke?
Now there’s a surprise!
“… the Liberal hierarchy’s hopes of fielding a female candidate for the Aston by-election stand to be complicated by the entry into the field of Emanuele Cicchiello, who is rated a strong chance by sources close to …Michael Sukkar”
Ah, there’s that name again.
“Oh, there’s a crazy Liberal branch beyond the tracks
And everybody calls it the Sukkar Stack …”
(apologies to Jimmy Gilmer and the Fireballs)
“Dallas McInerney, chief executive of Catholic Schools NSW”
“Cicchiello is deputy prinicipal of Lighthouse Christian College”
Is there an emerging theme here?
“The police also obtained restraining orders over more than 20 properties in Sydney, worth $150m, including … a 360-hectare tract of land near the site of Sydney’s second international airport worth $47m …”
“… the seizure of a major housing development site on the fringes of Sydney hints at a whole new dimension to alleged money laundering.”
“Land transactions … are only possible with the help of other professionals: real estate agents, lawyers and accountants.”
“… Australia remained largely non-compliant on regulating professions that are known to facilitate money laundering …”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/13/no-questions-asked-money-laundering-thrives-in-australia-because-of-professionals-willing-to-facilitate-it
Gilmore is not a person. Constance is.
“together with reported front-runner Dallas McInerney, chief executive of Catholic Schools NSW. “Gilmore” and Scott are associated with the moderation faction”
ar: ” What intel are drones and balloons going to provide that a spy satellite wouldn’t?”
WiFi. They’ll be able to hack every unsecure network they cross, and that includes homes. Newsflah, a good proportion of routers probably have some exploitable vulnerability by a large nation state.
south: The Chinese are doing the same thing, but getting slighting in front of the mirror to scoop up some light.
Can’t see that sorry. All of the laser comms will be encrypted. And the great bulk of secure traffic happens by physical connection.
Mary Gilmore was a person, and a far more interesting one than Constance: a poet and a writer of interesting books of reminiscences about her childhood in the Wagga Wagga area: highly recommended.
She was a dyed-in-the-wool lefty and if she were alive today I reckon she’d be a Green. But she’d also be rather ashamed that ScoMo is her great grand nephew .
mckinerney was actualy in finance and banking before joining cathlick schools nsw in 2017 he was the front runner to replace Feiravanti Wells who is even more conservative then him but realizing he did not have support from the branch members molan was persuaded to nominate for an other term
Oliver Sutton “Oh, there’s a crazy Liberal branch beyond the tracks
And everybody calls it the Sukkar Stack …”
Showing your age there.
Lidia Thorpe’s term expires in mid 2028.
The Guardian has this snap of the overall losses suffered by that Russian brigade that acquitted itself so poorly in its attempted assault on the town of Vuhledar on the Donetsk front:
“Russia may have lost an entire brigade of the elite 155th naval infantry while storming the eastern Ukrainian city of Vuhledar, according to a report. A “large number” of Russian forces, including the command staff, were “destroyed” near the cities of Vuhledar and Mariinka in Donetsk, a Ukrainian official, Oleksiy Dmytrashkivskyi, said. Russian forces were also losing 150-300 marines a day near Vuhledar, he said. He estimated the brigade to have comprised about 5,000 soldiers in all, whose members had been killed, wounded or taken prisoner.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/feb/13/russia-ukraine-war-fresh-attack-on-zaporizhzhia-region-ukraine-military-reports-live?filterKeyEvents=false
This was the footage of one of these failed attacks:
https://youtu.be/hVhmtEsaUQM
This is obviously sad for the soldiers themselves and their families, but the way the Kremlin is choosing to attack Ukraine in this way leaves Kyiv with no choice but to kill these advancing invaders or be overrun.
William
‘Cicchiello is deputy prinicipal of Lighthouse Christian College deputy principal’
Typo – only one ‘deputy principal’ needed.
NATO clearly sees the danger for Ukraine in Russia’s fresh offensive this year, and looks like being on the verge of taking action to more urgently equip Ukraine with the firepower it needs to repel this invasion:
“Stoltenberg: We are seeing start of Russian offensive already
Nato’s secretary general, Jens Stoltenberg, says “the reality is that we are seeing the start already” of a new Russian offensive in Ukraine.
President Vladimir Putin is sending “thousands and thousands more troops”, accepting “a very high rate of casualties” and taking “big losses” but putting pressure on the Ukrainians, he says.
“What Russia lacks in quality, they try to compensate in quantity,” he says, which he says highlights how urgent it is for the west to supply Ukraine with more weapons.
The faster Kyiv can be supplied with weapons, ammunition and spare parts, fuel, the more lives can be saved, he says.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/feb/13/russia-ukraine-war-fresh-attack-on-zaporizhzhia-region-ukraine-military-reports-live?filterKeyEvents=false
This is a decision that should have been made months ago, but better late than never. If the ‘pacifist’ element in Western public and official discussion of this invasion had been listened to less (or had themselves thought things through more compassionately and rationally), the war would be closer to conclusion today.
Latest measure of public opinion in Ukraine about the war they are in:
“According to the results published by the 2023 Munich Security Index, 89% of Ukrainians are prepared to continue fighting against Russia even in the event of a tactical nuclear strike.
The survey, which was conducted in November 2022, revealed that 93% of the population believe that the only acceptable condition for a ceasefire requires the complete withdrawal of Russian troops, even from occupied Crimea.
Only 7% of Ukrainians favor Russian troops withdrawing to the demarcation line, which existed until Feb. 24.
Out of those surveyed, 83% of Ukrainians say they do not feel safe for as long as Vladimir Putin remains head of the Russian Federation.
The survey said 72% of Ukrainians believe that the country’s security depends on permanent arms supplies from the West, and 63% responded that NATO membership was a greater security guarantee than EU membership.
In October 2022, 86% of Ukrainians believed that they should continue fighting Russia despite the ongoing attacks on Ukrainian cities, according to a poll by the Kyiv International Institute of Sociology.”
https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/survey-89-of-ukrainians-ready-to-continue-fighting-even-in-the-event-of-a-tactical-nuclear-strike
Anyone who urges Ukraine to stop fighting as things are now and negotiate with Moscow for a truce is paternalistically dismissing Ukrainians’ own agency over their own future, in clear defiance of the Ukrainian people’s own wishes, no matter how much concern for the Ukrainian people’s welfare these ‘pacifists’ try to cloak their appeasement in.
BK,
Over here! 😀
Labor’s $10bn housing plan is facing a potential senate roadblock, with the Coalition and Greens objecting to how the scheme will be funded.
What we know:
* The Coalition party room is tipped to reject the Housing Australia Future Fund at its meeting this morning, while the Greens will today set out their demands for supporting it (SMH);
* The $10bn will be invested to generate a dividend to pay builders a subsidy for social and affordable housing, but experts have warned that it may not earn enough to achieve the target of 30,000 social and affordable homes in 5 years;
* The plan also promises $200m to repair housing in remote Indigenous communities, $100m for crisis accommodation for women and children escaping domestic violence and $30m for housing for veterans;
The Liberals and Nationals are objecting to the the use of Commonwealth bonds to raise the finance at a time when interest rates and loan repayments are on the rise;
* The Greens meanwhile are calling for fixed cash grants as part of $5bn a year in spending on social and affordable housing, rather than depending on the volatile proceeds from investments (AFR $);
The Greens will also call for a $1bn investment in remote Aboriginal housing and a “national plan for renters”;
* “Freezing rent increases and doubling Commonwealth Rent Assistance will ensure we provide immediate relief to the millions of households in serious financial stress as a result of soaring rents,” Greens housing spokesman Max Chandler-Mather said;
* Independent senator David Pocock is also seeking changes to the Labor housing plan on the grounds that 30,000 homes will not be enough;
* University of NSW professor Hal Pawson estimates the current unmet need for social housing equates to 437,000 dwellings (The Conversation).
Thanks in advance for the dawn patrol BK, and congratulations on your new puppy. What a cutie! 🙂
The identities of six Liberal members — including three Sydney councillors — who were booted from the party amid branch-stacking allegations have been revealed, The Daily Telegraph ($) reports. Among them are Georges River councillors Sam Elmir and Nick Smerdely and Canterbury-Bankstown councillor Jess Nguyen — the paper says Elmir is a former NSW Liberal state executive member and Smerdely works as a staffer for Liberal upper house member Peter Poulos. The paper says the allegations relate to claims that more than 100 members were signed up with fake email addresses — often with no knowledge that they had unwittingly joined the Liberals, as Guardian Australia reported. The NSW Electoral Commission is looking into it.
Anthony Klan
@Anthony_Klan
Billionaire Lowy Family made $550,000 in secretive Liberal Party “donations” weeks out from last year’s federal election: from an obscure company with no website or employees.
Law almost certainly broken in sham AEC “disclosure”. Penalty = 1 year prison.
BK’s Dawn Patrol is on the previous thread.
‘I’ve got a problem’: Barnaby Joyce blasts Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s decision to march in Sydney’s Mardi Gras parade amid Alice Springs crisis
Barnaby Joyce has slammed Anthony Albanese for choosing a “party” over a visit to remote Indigenous communities after he announced he will become the first PM to march in Sydney’s Gay and Lesbian Mardi Gras.
https://www-skynews-com-au.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/www.skynews.com.au/australia-news/ive-got-a-problem-barnaby-joyce-blasts-prime-minister-anthony-albaneses-decision-to-march-in-sydneys-mardi-gras-parade-amid-alice-springs-crisis/news-story/cbcabdcf4a191102291a63ccd276c1ff?amp=&_gsa=1&_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQIKAGwASCAAgM%3D#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=16763142854672&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.skynews.com.au%2Faustralia-news%2Five-got-a-problem-barnaby-joyce-blasts-prime-minister-anthony-albaneses-decision-to-march-in-sydneys-mardi-gras-parade-amid-alice-springs-crisis%2Fnews-story%2Fcbcabdcf4a191102291a63ccd276c1ff
Australian Prime Minister Anthony Albanese’s anticipated visit to Beijing later this year is expected to “demonstrate a full resumption between the two countries” after all trade barriers are settled, according to two sources with direct knowledge of the issue.
To that end, the recently announced visit of Australian trade minister Don Farrell to Beijing “in the near future” aims to remove trade impediments. He accepted an invitation from China’s commerce minister, Wang Wentao, to continue the “productive dialogue” after the virtual meeting held on February 6.
There is not yet a clear timetable for the visits, according to the sources who spoke on condition of anonymity, but the prime minister hopes to show that China and Australia have restarted their normal relationship by travelling to Beijing and meeting with his Chinese counterparts.
And while one of the sources said that the foreign ministries of both countries have started preparing for Albanese’s China visit, the formal invitation has to wait until at least the new leadership in Beijing has officially taken the helm after the annual “two sessions” parliamentary meetings next month.
https://www.scmp.com/economy/china-economy/article/3210066/china-australia-normal-trade-resumption-may-be-hand-what-still-stands-way?module=lead_hero_story&pgtype=homepage
New Zealand has declared a National State of Emergency due to the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on the country.
Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty signed the declaration at 8:43am on Tuesday, the government said in a statement.
This is only the third time in New Zealand’s history that a National State of Emergency has been declared.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-14/new-zealand-declares-national-state-of-emergency-due-to-cyclone-/101969440
Pence’s subpoena means ‘criminal charges against Trump’ for Jan. 6 ‘are close’: legal expert
Former Vice President Mike Pence was subpoenaed last week by the Justice Department’s special counsel, Jack Smith. According to legal experts, this is an indication that the special counsel is moving a lot faster than initially believed and that they’re getting closer to Donald Trump.
Former FBI agent Peter Strzok warned last week that the Pence subpoena was the “last step” before they approached Donald Trump. A former federal prosecutor and Michigan Law School professor Barbara McQuade confirmed that idea to Newsweek.
“It signals that DOJ is seriously considering criminal charges against Trump for January 6,” McQuade said.”While it does not mean charges are a certainty, DOJ would not take such a significant step as subpoenaing a former VP if they thought the case was unlikely to result in charges. It also suggests that charges are close. Prosecutors typically question the top witnesses at the end of the investigation after they have learned as much as they can about the facts.”
Sorry folks. William caught me out again. Mind you, I was quite a bit distracted by a tiny puppy on my lap as I was typing.
_____________________
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Hundreds of thousands of homeowners with fixed-rate mortgages face a $16,500 repayment cliff this year that, along with further interest rate rises from the Reserve Bank, could punch a $20 billion hole in the economy. Shane Wright tells us that analysis by KPMG suggests those people who took advantage of record-low fixed interest rates in 2020 and 2021 will this year confront a financial hit so large it will slow the economy more than expected by the RBA.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/fixed-rate-mortgages-will-tip-over-a-16-500-cliff-20230213-p5ck44.html
The AFR says financial markets have ramped up expectations the Reserve Bank will raise its cash rate at least three more times to above 4 per cent this year to combat inflation.
https://www.afr.com/markets/debt-markets/consumers-cut-spending-ahead-of-three-more-rba-rate-rises-20230213-p5ck07
With its continuing rate increases, the RBA is not being cruel to be kind. They are the result of an unquestioned dogma, argues Craig Emerson who says, “Not content with causing unnecessary hardship for Australia’s most vulnerable, the Reserve Bank seems determined to engineer a general recession, only Australia’s second in the last three decades.”
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/a-recession-we-don-t-have-to-have-20230212-p5cju9
Alan Kohler writes about the undemocratic independent Reserve Bank.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/02/13/reserve-bank-philip-lowe-rates/
A coalition of Greens, activists critical of the use and credibility of carbon credits, and linchpin senator David Pocock are squaring up for a bruising fight over Labor’s cornerstone heavy industrial emissions reduction policy, writes Jacob Greber. He says it could be a bruising fight.
https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/growing-sense-of-brinkmanship-engulfs-carbon-offset-debate-20230213-p5ck57
Peter Hannam tells us what was revealed yesterday at Esimates about the trouble Snowy2.0 is in.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/13/hole-70-metres-deep-has-opened-up-following-collapse-in-snowy-hydro-tunnel-officials-confirm
NSW Treasurer Matt Kean’s Hunter gas pipeline approval has set “a tragically low bar” for landholder rights, says National Farmers’ Federation’s Fiona Simson, as the war between Santos and NSW farmers escalates. Callum Foote reports.
https://michaelwest.com.au/nsw-government-offers-little-resistance-to-santos-fracking-on-the-liverpool-plains/
Labor came to office last May, replacing a government that had steered Australia’s relationship with the United States to new heights of servility. Our ties with China were in tatters. Many had hoped that the change of government would usher in a shift to a more imaginative and less subservient foreign policy. Nine months later such hopes are little more than idle fantasy, laments Joseph Camillieri.
https://johnmenadue.com/foreign-policy-under-labor-beholden-bereft-and-befuddled/
In this special report, Anne Davies tells us about the entrenched money-laundering that is occurring in Australia, She says it is thriving because of the professions, such as lawyers, accountants and real estate agents, are willing to facilitate it. She says there is no action yet from government to act on it.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/13/no-questions-asked-money-laundering-thrives-in-australia-because-of-professionals-willing-to-facilitate-it
Using balloons for surveillance and military purposes is, by any measure, old tech. But China is looking for every possible edge over America, and finding some, writes Peter Hartcher.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/new-cold-war-or-just-hot-air-beijing-s-balloon-adventure-s-nothing-new-20230209-p5cjdb.html
David Crowe writes that fifteen years later, Dutton says sorry for shunning the stolen generations apology
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/15-years-later-dutton-says-sorry-for-shunning-stolen-generation-apology-20230213-p5ck2r.html
Peter Dutton may be sorry for not saying sorry, but he’s still in no man’s land on the voice, declares Katherine Murphy.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/13/peter-dutton-may-be-sorry-for-not-saying-sorry-but-hes-still-in-no-mans-land-on-the-voice
The AFR’s Michael Pelly and Tom McIlroy provide answers to Dutton’s fifteen questions on the Voice.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/answers-to-dutton-s-15-questions-on-the-voice-20230210-p5cjh3
The SMH editorial reckons Labor needs to level with NSW voters about its wages policy.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/labor-needs-to-level-with-nsw-voters-about-its-wages-policy-20230213-p5ck0d.html
The Australian’s Joe Kelly reports that an alliance of the nation’s most senior spiritual leaders is warning the future of religious education is under threat and that their schools will not be allowed to choose teachers who share the same faith under proposed anti-discrimination reforms. They wrote a letter to Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus on Monday sounding the alarm on a controversial reform proposal put forward in late January by the powerful Australian Law Reform Commission. Under the ALRC plan, principals would be barred from preferencing the employment of teachers with the same beliefs and spiritual outlook as the educational institution.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/churches-versus-state-to-save-faith-school-rights/news-story/4ca34b80900d0e5be6f7f8a3dbbb8081?amp
It looks like The Australian is launching into culture war battle as Dennis Shanahan writes, “Anthony Albanese faces a potential political bushfire involving millions of school students and their parents, courtesy of an aggressively progressive Law Reform Commission proposal.”
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/anthony-albanese-faces-political-bushfire-over-faithbased-schools/news-story/e2af7d2093d6c9402898e93b782ba2f8?amp
The King’s School has been ordered to stop the planned construction of a plunge pool at its headmaster’s residence after a government investigation found it would be an improper use of the school’s money. The Department of Education launched an audit of King’s last year over concerns about possible misuse of taxpayer money after the school’s council approved a request by the headmaster to have a pool built at his on-site residence. It shouldn’t stop at Kings!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/king-s-school-ordered-to-immediately-cease-plans-for-headmaster-s-plunge-pool-20230213-p5ck5f.html
APRA will face a battle forcing super funds to change the questionable assumptions that underpin the valuation of some $650 billion of unlisted assets they own, explains Karen Maley.
https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/why-apra-will-struggle-with-valuations-of-unlisted-assets-20230212-p5cjt0
The economic case for quality universal childcare has been made, but it’s equally important its wider social benefits – for educators, parents and children – are clearly understood, writes Jess Irvine.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/time-for-a-big-push-to-birth-universal-childcare-in-australia-20230213-p5cjz6.html
Escalating violence between Melbourne’s rival street gangs has become a major source of concern for police, who say they’ve seen a shift from street-based offending to serious organised crime.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/viper-taskforce-to-strike-on-street-gangs-as-unchecked-violence-rises-20230207-p5cigg.html
Star Casino’s profit outlook for the 2023 financial year is pretty ugly and there’s a chance that things could get even uglier, writes Elizabeth Knight who says it is operating all alone in a war zone.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/friendless-star-alone-in-a-war-zone-20230213-p5ck4c.html
John Pesutto has hired a Harvard-educated lawyer as chief of staff as he attempts to rebuild his office after the Coalition’s election defeat last November.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victorian-liberal-leader-hires-harvard-educated-lawyer-as-chief-of-staff-20230213-p5ck5j.html
Russia has fired its oil weapon, but it could be a blank, says Stephen Bartholomeusz. Last week Russia said it would cut its oil production by 500,000 barrels – about 5 per cent of its output and 0.5 per cent of global supply – starting next month.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/russia-fires-its-oil-weapon-but-is-it-a-blank-20230213-p5cjyt.html
Marcus Strom looks at the problem of soft plastic pollution and the failure of governments on it.
https://www.smh.com.au/environment/sustainability/think-plastic-pollution-is-your-own-fault-that-s-rubbish-20230213-p5ck0o.html
The Albanese government has opened the NBN full-fibre broadband rollout to 1 million additional homes and businesses, with more than half of the newly eligible premises in regional areas. A state-by-state breakdown has been released by Communications Minister Michelle Rowland as the government seeks to deliver its election promise to provide fibre access to 1.5 million Australian premises by 2025.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8082877/regions-to-benefit-from-1-million-extra-nbn-connections/?cs=14329
In the wake of the national cultural policy release, Arts Minister Tony Burke is holding a series of pre-budget, one-on-one meetings at Parliament House with the leadership of most of the national collecting institutions to understand “how bad” their funding has become. The Prime Minister last month described the mainly Canberra-based institutions – such as the National Archives and the National Gallery of Australia (NGA) – as “starved of funds”, leading to expectations of significant new funding for the arts sector in the May budget.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8083776/how-bad-tony-burke-asks-national-collecting-institutions-about-their-funding/?cs=14329
However weakened Trump may seem, he still has enough support to win a multi-candidate primary race if Republicans aren’t able to coalesce around an alternative, writes Farrah Tomazin.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/what-will-donald-trump-do-if-the-gop-rebuffs-his-advances-20230211-p5cjp8.html
The United States has told its citizens to leave Russia immediately due to the war in Ukraine and the risk of arbitrary arrest or harassment by Russian law enforcement agencies.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2023/02/13/united-states-citizens-leave-russia-immediately/?breaking_live_scroll=1
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has used a rare prime-time speech to warn the country is on the verge of “constitutional and social collapse” over a government plan to reduce the power of the judiciary. Netanyahu and his aides want to increase the government’s role in appointing judges and greatly limit the Supreme Court’s authority to strike down legislation. While they aren’t alone in saying that the high court has too much power, many say the planned remedy is far worse than the problem.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/netanyahu-s-plans-so-radical-president-warns-powder-keg-about-to-explode-20230213-p5ck2a.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Matt Golding
Andrew Dyson
John Shakespeare
Cathy Wilcox
Fiona Katauskas
Mark Knight
Peter Broelman
Dionne Gain
Spooner
From the US
Thanks BK!
BK thanks for your daily roundup, which I will get to
RE: Submarines bases and families
The families of Australian submarine crews tend to live close to each other. It’s an unsung duty that the captain’s wife has to keep the families together when things come unstuck at home and the crew is at sea
cute puppy
The Australian reports the Liberal hierarchy’s hopes of fielding a female candidate for the Aston by-election stand to be complicated by the entry into the field of Emanuele Cicchiello, who is rated a strong chance by sources close to eastern suburbs conservative powerbroker and Deakin MP Michael Sukkar.
———————-
Micheal Sukkar the Victorian Liberal party branch stacker
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victorian-liberal-party-involved-in-rorts-like-red-shirts-says-conservative-mp-20201014-p56524.html
A Victorian Liberal MP has accused the conservative political faction led by federal minister Michael Sukkar of rorting taxpayer resources to help win elections.
A damning May 2017 email sent by upper house MP Beverly McArthur suggests the Liberal Party’s use of “taxpayer office” staff to do political work is identical to the “Labor office rorts we are campaigning on”.
The allegation referred in the email is that then Eastern Metropolitan region member, Richard Dalla-Riva and his taxpayer-funded staff were seconded to work for Mr Sukkar’s 2016 federal election campaign and the comparison to Labor rorts is a reference to the notorious “red shirts” affair. That issue prompted police and Ombudsman investigations into Labor’s use of parliamentary staffers known as electorate officers to campaign for the ALP.
Xi the International Thug is at it again:
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/feb/13/chinese-ship-military-grade-laser-philippine-vessel
”
Holdenhillbillysays:
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 7:56 am
New Zealand has declared a National State of Emergency due to the impact of Cyclone Gabrielle on the country.
Minister for Emergency Management Kieran McAnulty signed the declaration at 8:43am on Tuesday, the government said in a statement.
This is only the third time in New Zealand’s history that a National State of Emergency has been declared.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-14/new-zealand-declares-national-state-of-emergency-due-to-cyclone-/101969440
”
NZ was extremely fortunate till a month ago in that it was not smashed by a extreme weather event over the years when Australia and other South Pacific nations were smashed repeatedly.
Then 2 extreme weather events within a month.
Morning all. Thanks for the roundup BK. The differences between Labor, Greens and Teals on housing sound a bit contrived. In the end we need to build more houses faster. How we do it matters a bit, but not much. If there is a shortage prices and rents go up and the poor are squeezed out.
There are still 171 mysterious UFO sightings that lack a good explanation: columnist
In the wake of recent shoot-downs by the U.S. Military of a Chinese surveillance balloon followed by three unidentified flying objects, CNN’s Peter Bergen says a review of a January report from America’s intelligence community is worth re-examining.
According to the report, the number of UFO sightings significantly increased between March 2021 and August 2022 when 247 new sightings were reported, mostly by US Navy and Air Force pilots and personnel — almost doubling the amount of sightings during the 17-year period between 2004 to 2021.
Additionally, there were 171 sightings that had no explanation, with some of those objects demonstrating unusual flight characteristics or performance capabilities.” The report also said the sightings “continue to occur in restricted or sensitive airspace, highlighting possible concerns for safety of flight.”
On the NSW Liberals civil war, Part XXIII, I have to laugh at the catholics calling themselves the “moderates” faction, having been part of the pro-Pell element of that church.
What they are trying to hide is that there is no moderate faction left in the Liberal party. They are either far right catholic or further right pentecostal.
Here is one example how Cyclone Gabrielle is affecting New Zealanders
NZ cricket players can’t reach their other playmates.
https://www.espncricinfo.com/story/new-zealand-vs-england-cyclone-gabrielle-prevents-new-zealand-squad-members-from-reaching-mount-maunganui-1358674
Emanuele Cicchiello pre-dates Michael Sukkar by at least a decade.
You could see back in the early 2000s just how much all the other Knox Councillors hated him…
”
Socratessays:
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 8:18 am
On the NSW Liberals civil war, Part XXIII, I have to laugh at the catholics calling themselves the “moderates” faction, having been part of the pro-Pell element of that church.
What they are trying to hide is that there is no moderate faction left in the Liberal party. They are either far right catholic or further right pentecostal.
”
Socrates
Look at it in another way. If they are ‘moderates’ then imagine how extreme LNP has become.
”
Alpha Zerosays:
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 8:20 am
Emanuele Cicchiello pre-dates Michael Sukkar by at least a decade.
You could see back in the early 2000s just how much all the other Knox Councillors hated him…
”
AZ
Are you implying that Sukkar learnt all his dirty tricks from Emanuele Cicchiello ? What Pell was to Abbott Emanuele Cicchiello was to Sukkar?
Australian: It is all but certain Philip Lowe will not be reappointed for a second term given his disastrous management of official interest rates. That is the view of senior Albanese ministers, although a final decision hasn’t been made.
Pi,
The mirror thing was an analogy. It’s all radio waves. The Chinese are using balloons because they are cheaper than geosynchronous satellites.
On last night’s 7:30 Report interview with Admiral Mead, upon reflection if they have obtained a delivery plan that gets a prompt start to construction without waiting on completion of yet another design, that is a good outcome.
If we are building a UK design, that is preferable to the US designs on multiple grounds, including cost and deliverability. Whether it was better than a French design is unknown. It would not be cheaper.
If we will have command qualified Australian SSN officers in time to captain them, that is also good. It means they are making good progress on crew training.
I note the ABC reporting of the interview this morning contains details not screened. Perhaps there was some unfortunate editing.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-02-13/australian-commanders-complete-control-over-nuclear-submarines/101965182
Why are the Liberal Party even considering a Conservative Christian Male!?! Have they not learned a single thing from the election last year!?!
Mind you, I was quite a bit distracted by a tiny puppy on my lap as I was typing.
Who da boss? 😉
”
phoenixREDsays:
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 8:17 am
There are still 171 mysterious UFO sightings that lack a good explanation: columnist
In the wake of recent shoot-downs by the U.S. Military of a Chinese surveillance balloon followed by three unidentified flying objects, CNN’s Peter Bergen says a review of a January report from America’s intelligence community is worth re-examining.
According to the report, the number of UFO sightings significantly increased between March 2021 and August 2022 when 247 new sightings were reported, mostly by US Navy and Air Force pilots and personnel — almost doubling the amount of sightings during the 17-year period between 2004 to 2021.
Additionally, there were 171 sightings that had no explanation, with some of those objects demonstrating unusual flight characteristics or performance capabilities.” The report also said the sightings “continue to occur in restricted or sensitive airspace, highlighting possible concerns for safety of flight.”
”
Thanks phoenixRED
“the number of UFO sightings significantly increased between March 2021 and August 2022 when 247 new sightings were reported, mostly by US Navy and Air Force pilots and personnel — almost doubling the amount of sightings during the 17-year period between 2004 to 2021.”
A couple of deductions and queries:
1. All these happened after Biden (247) became President.
2. Why didn’t the Biden Administration shoot those UFOs earlier rather than 4 in 1 month? Is it because of criticism of Repugs?
3. USA has changed the rules of the game by shooting UFOs down. Now it can’t complain if some other country does the same to its UFOs.
It might have increased the popularity of Biden for time being with lot of back slapping.
I read reports that China is getting ready to do the same. What happens then?
”
C@tmommasays:
Tuesday, February 14, 2023 at 8:30 am
Why are the Liberal Party even considering a Conservative Christian Male!?! Have they not learned a single thing from the election last year!?!
”
Look at Dutton. Enough said.
”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has used a rare prime-time speech to warn the country is on the verge of “constitutional and social collapse” over a government plan to reduce the power of the judiciary. Netanyahu and his aides want to increase the government’s role in appointing judges and greatly limit the Supreme Court’s authority to strike down legislation. While they aren’t alone in saying that the high court has too much power, many say the planned remedy is far worse than the problem.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/netanyahu-s-plans-so-radical-president-warns-powder-keg-about-to-explode-20230213-p5ck2a.html
”
Israeli President Isaac Herzog has used a rare prime-time speech to warn the country is on the verge of “constitutional and social collapse”
Netanyahu is going for the jugular.
Ven @ #45 Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 – 8:37 am
But if they were smart they would be taking these opportunities to rebuild constructively. Like Labor did.
Who da boss?
__________
I think you know the answer to that question, C@t!
”
Peter Dutton may be sorry for not saying sorry, but he’s still in no man’s land on the voice, declares Katherine Murphy.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/feb/13/peter-dutton-may-be-sorry-for-not-saying-sorry-but-hes-still-in-no-mans-land-on-the-voice
”
Did anyone notice that
Peter Dutton may be sorry for not saying sorry, but he still did not say sorry to Stolen generations.
BK @ #48 Tuesday, February 14th, 2023 – 8:41 am
He has a fierce expression for one so tiny. 😆