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.
yes it will laz when minns becomes our next premier matt kean will become opposition leader
Matt Keane. Poor bloke. Just wants to make a difference.
Is it a given Kean would be the next Liberal leader if Perrottett loses on March 25?
The reaction on 2GB, where Kean is dismissed as a “Labor stooge” would be hilarious.
Aaron – w.w.j.d ?
Commissioner Holmes got to the nub of it by asking Wann how he prepared for his testimony. He has gone through the different documents, and constructed a narrative that suits the evidence. He never bothered to do that analysis when they came before his desk when they were being considered.
I think she’s trying to establish whether he has been coached.
“Are you able to identify the first point in time that Mr Morrison was advised of a settled departmental position?”
Greggery KC to Wann (ScoMo’s CoS back at DSS)
Witness Wann is out on the risk path telling the RC how to interpret the evidence
Knowing the Pat Cummins family, sincere condolences to those closest to the Australian captain.
Wann namechecks one Danielle Donegan in ScoMo’s 2015 ministerial office.
Bet she’ll thank him for that …
Holmes not impressed .
Seems wann is really worried now about what happened in 2015. And looks for answers
Can’t recall whether he was bothered back then.
Now asked if he’s in touch with Morrison!
Edit. Greggery has smelled a rat
Rossmcg
Mr Greggery follows up brilliantly from Holmes.
I think the urgency of powering up Ukraine’s weapons platforms has dawned on the US:
“The US and Ukraine are “still having discussions” amid pressure to supply F-16 jets. The US ambassador to the United Nations indicated on Sunday that the White House could reverse its refusal to supply F-16 jets to Ukraine. Ukrainian officials have urged US Congress members to press Biden’s administration to send the jetfighters to Kyiv, saying the aircraft would boost Ukraine’s ability to hit Russian missile units with US-made rockets, lawmakers said.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/feb/20/russia-ukraine-war-live-updates-latest-news-foreign-ministers-eu-ammunition-deal#maincontent
Greggery should ask Wann for a genuine character reference of Morrison as a boss
Someone has been too clever by half.
Indeed, BK. After it seemed that Greggery had finished his questioning of Wann, he came back for more after other counsel had asked a few questions.
Greggery could have asked Wann whether he goes to the same stylist as Scomo?
Attempting to outsmart a KC or a commissioner is…
I cant quite find the word…
Stupidity – na, more than that
There is a word – help me out here
Scomoitis – thats it!
BK
Homes was rightly doubtful about this witness
As soon as greggery finished she asked what preparation he had done!
Seems he read all the documents to make sure there was nothing that could be pinned on him and then answered all the questions in public service speak
Even read the transcript of Morrison’s evidence!
Another one who declared “it wasn’t my job”
timbo: “Attempting to outsmart a KC or a commissioner is… I cant quite find the word…”
Arrogantly stupid?
When Greggery asked him in five or six different ways what contact he had with Morrison, I don’t think I’ve seen him in quite such disbelief. What it established is that anyone who read those documents knew that it was a problem.
This is probably why the US is suddenly talking F16’s:
“China may be on brink of supplying arms to Russia, the US secretary of state, Antony Blinken, has warned. Blinken told US networks that the US had information China was considering whether to give Russia assistance, possibly including guns and weapons, for the Ukraine war..”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/feb/20/russia-ukraine-war-live-updates-latest-news-foreign-ministers-eu-ammunition-deal#maincontent
If this happens, then it will be China, despite all its “dove-ish” rhetoric, which will be guilty of the most dramatic escalation of this war. It needs to be made crystal clear to them, in advance, that they will be hit with the harshest sanctions imaginable if they go through with this.
In the meantime, this potential development makes it more important than ever that Ukraine expel/eliminate the Russian invaders and occupiers before any weapons deliveries from China can make a material difference.
Enough Already @ #2205 Monday, February 20th, 2023 – 6:07 pm
Sounds fair enough.
Evan @ #2196 Monday, February 20th, 2023 – 5:47 pm
When is someone going to call Ben Fordham a Liberal stooge?
timbo @ #2210 Monday, February 20th, 2023 – 6:12 pm
Courageous. In the ‘Yes Minister’ sense?
A constructive development within the EU on the ammunitions supply front:
“EU foreign affairs chief Josep Borrell backed a call from Estonia for the bloc’s members to buy arms jointly to help Ukraine – an approach officials say would be more efficient than EU members placing individual orders.
EU foreign ministers are expected to discuss the plan in Brussels on Monday.
The plan would work by placing large ammunition orders on behalf of multiple member states to speed up procurement and encourage European arms firms to invest in increasing their production capacities. …
… Borrell said the Estonian idea would work in the medium term, but he believes the urgency of the shortages is such that it requires EU countries to draw on existing stocks. “We have to use what member states have,” he said.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/feb/20/russia-ukraine-war-live-updates-latest-news-foreign-ministers-eu-ammunition-deal#maincontent
It is good to see this sense of urgency now within the US and Europe. Putin needs to wake up and realise he has stirred up a formidable coalition against him and his completely misruled country.
According to his profile on Department of Health website Wann worked in Immigration and Border Protection and Home Affairs.
No mention of his time as Morrison’s COS.
And he hasn’t spoken to him in years. But he read his evidence and his documents.
98.6says:
Monday, February 20, 2023 at 5:33 pm
Upnorthsays:
Monday, February 20, 2023 at 5:02 pm
Pi says:
Monday, February 20, 2023 at 4:59 pm
98.6: “I love telling that story”
lol. It’s a cracker of a story.
中华人民共和国
I reckon 98.6 gets prize of the day for that one. Top yarn cobber.
“””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””‘
Coming from two of the best bloggers on PB, I consider it an honour and a privilege in accepting the prize of the day.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Be careful the actual prize for example could be sushi water rat!
Was Phillip Lowe some sort of child prodigy? I just read that he has been at the RBA since he was 17! (1980)
Rossmcg: “And he hasn’t spoken to him in years. But he read his evidence and his documents.”
And he couldn’t remember any contemporary details whatsoever.
Two quotes from Ukrainians on the strategic debate over how far to defend Bakhmut:
“President Volodymyr Zelenskiy has said Ukraine will maintain its months-long defence of the eastern city of Bakhmut, but “not at any price and not for everyone to die”.”
“[Military analyst Oleksandr Kovaleno, of the Ukrainian thinktank Information Resistance, told the news site nv.ua.:
“Bakhmut plays an important role – it serves as a trap. For nine months it has drawn in the resources and means of the Russian occupying forces and they have been killed in large numbers. It must be regarded not as a fortress, but as a trap.”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/live/2023/feb/20/russia-ukraine-war-live-updates-latest-news-foreign-ministers-eu-ammunition-deal#maincontent
I strongly suspect President Zelenskyy is preparing the ground for a retreat from Bakhmut in the near future, presumably to higher ground just to the west. It is conceivable that artillery from there can still pound Russian positions within Bakhmut, and so still cause the necessary attrition among Russian forces, but without exposing Ukrainian units to that same attrition they must be experiencing now in the town.
Labor MP’s have suggested to The Age that Bill Shorten will be tempted with a diplomatic posting to lure the troublemaker overseas before the next election, but Littlefinger declares that he still has ‘fire in the belly’. As well as some servo pies.
What does this mean for our hero Albo? Stay tuned for the next episode…. but as long as the polls remain strong he should be immune from any Machiavellian maneuvering from the member for Maribyrnong.
Dr John says:
Monday, February 20, 2023 at 6:22 pm
98.6says:
Monday, February 20, 2023 at 5:33 pm
Upnorthsays:
Monday, February 20, 2023 at 5:02 pm
Pi says:
Monday, February 20, 2023 at 4:59 pm
98.6: “I love telling that story”
lol. It’s a cracker of a story.
中华人民共和国
I reckon 98.6 gets prize of the day for that one. Top yarn cobber.
“””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””””‘
Coming from two of the best bloggers on PB, I consider it an honour and a privilege in accepting the prize of the day.
++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
Be careful the actual prize for example could be sushi water rat!
中华人民共和国
Taylormade’s left ball, that he got from a Katherine Deves wedge, is still on offer. Can’t seem to give the thing away!
With the price of Water Rat these days going through the roof, some belt tightening is in order.
Upnorth…Ever come across a Rat with a gold tooth? Be careful with those ones.
VICTIM MENTALITY
Linda Reynolds seriously expects us to see her as the victim in Brittany Higgins’ story
https://www.themonthly.com.au/the-politics/rachel-withers/2023/02/20/victim-mentality
ISW’s assessment today of the prospects for Russian success in Luhansk:
“The major phase of Russian offensive operations in Luhansk Oblast is underway, and Russia likely lacks sufficient uncommitted reserves to dramatically increase the scale or intensity of the offensive this winter. Russian conventional ground forces are generally deploying and fighting in normal doctrinal formations and units rather than in battalion tactical groups or other ad hoc structures. The observed absence of several critical tank units suggests that the Russian military continues to struggle to replace equipment, especially tanks, lost during previous failed offensive operations. Russian forces almost certainly still have some reconstituted mechanized units in reserve, but the commitment of these limited reserves to the Luhansk Oblast frontline is unlikely to change the course of the ongoing offensive dramatically. The Russian offensive will very likely continue for some time and may temporarily gain momentum as the final reserves are committed—if they are—but will very likely culminate well short of its objectives and likely short of achieving operationally significant gains.”
In short, they won’t get very far, if anywhere at all. Their equipment losses from last year’s botched assaults are coming home to roost.
Cat
“Was Phillip Lowe some sort of child prodigy? I just read that he has been at the RBA since he was 17! (1980)”
Back then he probably just joined out of high school as an entry level staff member or on a cadetship. Lots of organisations had programs to encourage people to do more study later on.
(I did two of my own degrees at night while working full time. It was common in the government department I worked in.)
Before the 80s most bank employees did not have degrees at all.
C@t – I think the shovel says it best
https://www.theshovel.com.au/2023/02/20/victim-in-sexual-assault-case-finally-speaks-out/
“The victim in a case about an alleged sexual assault at Parliament House has finally had her voice heard, saying she has had no-one to turn to, other than the world’s largest news media organisation.
Experts say forgetting the true victims in such cases is an all-to-common story. “Too often we sympathise only with the person who was allegedly raped, and not the person who called her a lying cow,” one legal expert said.
The victim in question has struggled to have her voice heard to date, with only the nation’s parliament, former government and a national newspaper at her disposal. “Just think what it must be like when the only person you can call to help is the editor of a newspaper. Or the Prime Minister. That’s how tough it can be”.”
The geopolitics of the Ukraine invasion fallout are the black swan of our times. This long discussion (US centric from the Hoover Institute) explains a lot – including how you win an attritional war, why near-shoring is a thing, and what is Xi thinking?
Just ignore the first question – it is meant to be provocative… Kotkin puts the current reality into an historical frame, and speculates how it will end..
https://youtu.be/3ww4ofe0v70
nath says:
Monday, February 20, 2023 at 6:33 pm
Upnorth…Ever come across a Rat with a gold tooth? Be careful with those ones.
中华人民共和国
Plenty of them Upnorth. Mainly Cane Farmers. Famed for their whinging and “Socialisation of losses but Capitalisation of gains”.
Like Rats up a Drainpipe – the average Canefarmer will go the taxpayer for all they got.
Russians KIA Feb 19: 820
Total Russians KIA: 143,680
Daily average Russians KIA: 398.0
Source: General Staff of the Armed Forces of Ukraine
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/02/20/7390063/
How much misery is Putin prepared to dish out to his own people, just to maximise the misery he dishes out to Ukraine? He is one sick bastard.
Cat
“Linda Reynolds seriously expects us to see her as the victim in Brittany Higgins’ story”
Thinking further about this one, and with Reynolds already suing Higgins’ partner David Sharaz for defamation, once again the court case will be interesting. Sharaz will no doubt call on the contents of Kitching’s letter and the Newscorp story today as he could mount a truth defence.
Something about WA Liberals launching court cases with no regard to the costs. As though a wealthy Pro-Liberal Western Australian was funding them all…
It would be funny if there were any further developments in the Lehrmann case to hit the airwaves before Reynold’s case is heard. Still the inquiry to go.
Gold star E/A!
Thanks, Soc. Yes, it was a different world back then and I guess going to Uni as I did was kin of unusual, coming so soon after Whitlam’s transformative changes. 🙂
Btw, you might be interested in registering for this:
The former Morrison government’s decision to scrap the conventional submarine partnership with France has left Australia with a serious capability gap in naval shipbuilding.
I hope you can join us this Wednesday, for an important discussion on addressing the capability gap in Australia’s naval shipbuilding with Glenn Thompson, Assistant National Secretary of the Australian Manufacturing Workers’ Union and Allan Behm, International & Security Affairs program director at the Australia Institute.
https://us02web.zoom.us/webinar/register/1116766120127/WN_A6DFBMqSR7a56QY_bYcclg
I trust the opinion of Allan Behm (former Adviser to Julia Gillard).
Upnorth says:
Monday, February 20, 2023 at 6:30 pm
中华人民共和国
Taylormade’s left ball, that he got from a Katherine Deves wedge, is still on offer. Can’t seem to give the thing away!
With the price of Water Rat these days going through the roof, some belt tightening is in order.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What about Taylormade domicile Waun Ponds string caught yabbies but more likely pthirus pubis however?
BS Fairman
The Shovel seems to have gotten pretty accurate reporting on the India Australia test series as well.
https://www.theshovel.com.au/2023/02/20/catastrophic-spelling-error-sees-australian-croquet-team-take-to-field-in-2nd-indian-test/
Team Katich @ Monday, February 20, 2023 at 6:42 pm:
“Gold star E/A!”
=================
TK, I should stick to playing it straight. The facts speak for themselves.
B.S. Fairman @ #2230 Monday, February 20th, 2023 – 6:36 pm
They have a way of getting to the nub of the issue. 😐
Mavis @ Monday, February 20, 2023 at 12:48 pm
“Griff the quote:
“Most of the evil in this world is done by people with good intentions” has often been attributed to Eliot but there’s no evidence that he spoke or wrote it.
What he did however write in a play titled “The Rock” was this:
‘O Lord, deliver me from a man of excellent intention and impure heart: for the heart is deceitful above all things, and desperately wicked.’
And in her personal journal in ’45, Ayn Rand wrote something that comes close to what Eliot is presumed to have said:
‘In effect, fools say that all the problems, personal and political, can be solved by finding “men of good will.” But the “good” is never defined. And actually, most of the evil in this world is done by and through”good” intentions.’”
Thanks for the deep dive! I had a look around as well and came across this site: https://quoteinvestigator.com/2019/12/19/intentions/
Dr John says:
Monday, February 20, 2023 at 6:44 pm
Upnorth says:
Monday, February 20, 2023 at 6:30 pm
中华人民共和国
Taylormade’s left ball, that he got from a Katherine Deves wedge, is still on offer. Can’t seem to give the thing away!
With the price of Water Rat these days going through the roof, some belt tightening is in order.
+++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++++
What about Taylormade domicile Waun Ponds string caught yabbies but more likely pthirus pubis however?
中华人民共和国
Is Pea Beu still sold down under?
C@tmomma @ #2878 Monday, February 20th, 2023 – 5:53 pm
A friend told me he left school early to work for Murdoch as a paperboy (printer room boy? something like that) at The Advertiser and worked his way up to become a journo and now an exec producer of commercial TV news. He always says he feels in awe of the friendship group who all have degrees, but I find him to be the one who inspires awe. Great story. humble, lovely chap.