The Age/Herald published a Resolve Strategic poll on Saturday concerning AUKUS and nuclear submarines, which I held back on doing a post on because I thought voting intention results might follow. That hasn’t happened yet, so here goes.
As is perhaps unavoidable with the matter at hand, respondents were given fairly lengthly explanations of the relevant issues before having their opinions gauged on them, such that the results need to be considered carefully alongside what was actually asked. The first outlined the proposed acquisition and pointed out both the expense and the expectation that it would create 20,000 jobs, and found 50% in favour and 17% opposed. Breakdowns by party support found near identical results for Labor and Coalition results, with weaker support among an “others” category inclusive of both the Greens and minor parties of the right.
The second question asked respondents how they felt specifically about Australian submarines being nuclear-powered, finding 25% actively supportive, 39% considering the notion “acceptable”, and 17% actively opposed. The third put it to respondents that the federal government has hitherto being committed to spending 2% of GDP on defence, and that Anthony Albanese says he would like to spend more: 39% concurred, 31% said it should remain as is, and 9% felt it should be reduced. Finally, 46% felt “large single-party states, like Russia and China” were a threat to Australia, but one that could be carefully managed; 36% felt they were a threat that “needed to be confronted soon”; and 8% felt they were no threat at all.
The sample was conducted last Sunday to Thursday from a sample of 1600.
For the love of God let us hope the subs war ends soon.
NSW Resolve poll has L/NP up six on primaries to tie with Labor at 38% each, but Labor still ahead by implied 52.5-47.5 given talk about a 4.5% swing to Labor.
Scott asked me to post this message on his behalf :
“ LNP needs a primary vote of 58% to win, Labor can win with a primary vote as low as 18.9%. Corrupt media cannot stop a Labor victory”
Lars von trier
Good try , you are out by the length of the margin between federal Labor and Federal Lib/nats number of seats
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/abc-hires-consultants-amid-nationwide-radio-ratings-slump-20230317-p5ct3t.html
I couldn’t say when the last time was I listened to the radio. In the car I listen to music or a podcast. And besides, I reckon it’s only older people who listen to ABC radio, so it stands to reason as these folk pass away, their audience naturally declines.
Some reactions on the streets of Kyiv to the news of the ICC’s arrest warrant for Vladimir Putin:
“Yet, even if Putin never ends up in a court, the idea of him being forced to stay in Russia, presumably until he dies, is some consolation for Ukrainians.
“I was glad,” says 23-year-old Volodymyr. “He should not be allowed to leave his country and have to stay in his swamp.
“He is a terrorist, and he should be in prison. I don’t think he will ever be arrested – he will not leave Russia.”
The symbolism of the ICC issuing the warrant has also been welcomed in Ukraine, with some people hoping it could affect the way in which Russia’s allies approach the conflict.
“I don’t think there will be an arrest,” said Alevtina, 64. “But this is a political message to all the other countries who may be trying to support Russia somehow and pretend nothing is going on.
“It is a just decision but it’s also a black mark.”
Her companion, Alina, 63 adds: “We did have a drink when we heard the news though.”
https://www.kyivpost.com/post/14520
Slinking in and out of Mariupol at night won’t hide Putin’s war crimes from the world’s gaze:
“The Ukrainian Defense Ministry said that Russian dictator Vladimir Putin visited the occupied city of Mariupol in Donetsk Oblast during the night on March 19 “as befits a thief” for security reasons and in order not to show the real view of the destroyed city.
“Darkness allows him to highlight what he wants to show, and keeps the city his army completely destroyed and its few surviving inhabitants away from prying eyes,” the statement read.”
https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/defense-ministry-putin-visited-mariupol-at-night-to-avoid-showing-destruction-of-city
Putin: coward, thief, bully, murderer. Anyone who shakes hands with him gets to wear the odium of these same tags themselves. The world will be watching Xi Jinping these next three days.
Fess
“ I couldn’t say when the last time was I listened to the radio. In the car I listen to music or a podcast. And besides, I reckon it’s only older people who listen to ABC radio, so it stands to reason as these folk pass away, their audience naturally declines.”
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Fess
I have the same experience, I haven’t listened to the radio for anything other than a little classical music this century and most often we listen to podcasts or our own musical selections.
This is what is on store for collaborators with the Rascists in occupied Ukraine:
“A Russian-installed proxy who served as a commander of the patrol service of the occupied Novo Kakhovka district in the Russian-occupied part of Kherson Oblast was killed when his car was blown up near the village of Yubileinyi, the Russian Investigative Committee reported on March 19. The man’s identity was not disclosed.
As a result of the explosion, the proxy’s wife and daughter were injured.
Russia accused Ukraine for the attack, accusing “unidentified persons” for putting the explosives “under the left fender of the car.”
The statement also read that the collaborator’s wife serves as a Russian-installed proxy, but as “the chief of the staff” at a Police Department in the same city.”
https://kyivindependent.com/news-feed/russian-collaborator-killed-by-explosion-in-occupied-part-of-kherson-oblast
Very odd aspect of the Credit Suisse deal: The equity holders are getting money, but some bond holders are getting zero. Equity should not never get preference over creditors.
“ An outspoken Victorian Liberal MP is set to be expelled from the party over her involvement in an anti-transgender rally attended by neo-Nazis.”
“ Opposition leader John Pesutto said he met Ms Deeming on Sunday afternoon and discussed her involvement in organising, promoting and participating in a rally that had speakers and others publicly linked with far right-wing extremist groups, including neo-Nazi activists.”
At the end of the day the Libs really seem to have a nationwide mortgage on bigotry and hatred in our society. They’ve learned nothing from the last federal election about the values of the majority of Australians.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-03-19/victorian-liberals-move-to-expel-mp-who-attended-rally/102117788
Morning all. Interesting the positive reaction to AUKUS. Most have ignored Keating. I’d say Albo, Marles and Wong did as well with the announcement as was possible. Quite a good result considering they were defusing a political wedge.
We have had a substantial power blackout since last night here due to some wild windy weather. My internet speed is very low via iphone hotspot so I won’t be posting much.
Thanks to all those who gave well wishes on the weekend. Dad’s funeral was done more as a wake to celebrate the good things in his life, and it was a very warm hearted event with many family and old friends attending. He would have preferred that we had a drink together in his name than mope around, so we did the former.
Socrates
Pleased to hear that all went as well as you could hope.
Agreed re AUKUS and the subs, I think the views of the majority of quiet Australians vastly outweigh the noise and smoke of the media, it’s a good sign for Albo, Wong and Marles.
The AUKUS clustercuss is a slow burn politically. Although I think most of the political backlash will be reserved for who ever is in government this time next decade. Until then we are … stuck. … after the wheels fall off completely we will also be … stuck … but in a different way.
i think pesuto is finished bradd Batton fronm the right will chalinge him soon i think the victorian liberals need a national take over to clean out the branchs hard right bernie finn was allowed to remain in parliament from 2006 to 2021 desbite being a extreme conservative
Soc
I have attended good funerals and bad funerals. I reckon a litmus test is whether the deceased would have enjoyed being there. I am glad that your Dad’s funeral was a good one.
UnAustralian: The Victorian capital of Melbourne has this week been named the World’s most livable city for Nazi’s. The news came as footage went around the World of a group of Nazi’s being chaperoned in front or Parliament house by the Victorian police force.
”Great place Melbourne, so much to do, there’s protests to crash and the police go out of their way to help you,” said Box Hill based Nazi Tiny Jim. ”Good bunch of people those Vic coppers, they really laid into those people opposing us.” ”I felt so comfortable out there I almost took off my mask.”
When asked why they decided to march and salute on the steps of parliament, Box Hill Nazi Tiny Jim said: ”We’ve been working on our coordinated little marches for months now.” ”We were hoping to get a float up for the Mardi Gras, but the police got the last spot and we missed out.” ”They did offer for us to join up with them but our all black costume clashed with their navy blue.” ”Now, if you’ll excuse me, I’m off to protest the local library. They’re having drag Queens reading to kids, haven’t they learned anything from history.”
If Deeming is not given the boot by the Vic Liberal Partyroom when it comes to a vote on Friday then Presutto is toast. So he is placing his leadership on the line about this.
I can’t see the Liberal partyroom is in a hurry to change leaders. But then again, expelling a member for views that many other MPs probably share might be a bridge too far. And others will oppose it on the whole “freedom of speech” reason too. So it might be tight.
BSF
Toast already. The question is how how badly burnt.
Swiss bank UBS has agreed to take over its troubled rival Credit Suisse after doubling its offer to $US2 billion ($3 billion) amid crisis talks aimed at sparing the embattled bank — which was worth about 7.4 billion francs ($11.9 billion) on Friday — from a bloodbath when the markets reopen.
The two largest banks in the wealthy Alpine nation famed for its banking prominence have been in negotiations throughout the weekend.
Swiss President Alain Berset said the government was confident that the takeover was the “best solution” for “restoring confidence that has been lacking the financial markets recently”.
No newspoll is interesting ,when Parliament resumes today
Early days on AUKUS and the big subs. Of course everybody’s keen – all those jobs and taking it up to China (for whatever reason) seems like good idea at the moment. However, this could be a bit like the Vietnam war. In the mid 1960s the population was very bullish about the idea of conscription and getting involved in an Asian war. By the end of that decade, after only one election cycle, it appeared that the boosters had quickly started to change their minds.
I think that the best thing the government can do now is try to divert our attention from AUKUS and all its ramifications. Otherwise, doubt and second thought will start to creep in.
Enough Already @ #9 Monday, March 20th, 2023 – 7:17 am
Mariupol next, EA?
Scott: Newspoll is about once a month.
A few bedwetters on this blog get upset if one is not published then cry conspiracy when they don’t like the result when it is published.
As I contributed to this site recently, the Swiss Watch Making demise due to competition and the response of government resulting in bankers Capitalising their loans along with tax advantages was an education paper back in the day
In regard Credit Suisse, the government has again acted
The discounted value of Credit Suisse to UBS also impacts Bond Holders so Investors, Investors also impacted in the Shares only UBS government brokered offer
Pity such resolutions are not embraced in other theatres of concern (but we see the impediment of rabid toxicity which impedes on these sites)
The Dawn Patrol is on the old thread for those looking for it.
Sorry to post this asgain from the last thread but I think that it’s important to read an interview with the man who has been Australia’s Submarine Fleet Commander, recently retired:
For those who don’t have a subscription to the Fairfax media I reprint this interview in full because it’s the best one yet and should be the final word(s):
Commodore (Ret) Peter Scott, CSC served in 10 submarines and became Director General Submarines in Navy Strategic Command, before retiring in 2017. His new book, Running Deep: An Australian Submarine Life will be published in coming weeks. I spoke to him on Friday morning.
Fitz: Commodore, we will get to this week’s staggering news on submarines shortly. But first let’s establish your impeccable pedigree to make expert comment.
Commodore Scott: I spent 34 years in Navy serving in 10 submarines, conducting numerous special operations, and commanded two of them: HMAS Collins and HMAS Dechaineux, before becoming Director General Submarines in Navy Strategic Command.
Fitz: It’s a very impressive title. What does it mean?
Commodore Scott: It means I was the senior submariner in Navy headquarters advising the Chief of Navy on strategic submarine policy and making resource decisions.
Fitz: And you’re now retired, apart from being in the reserve, so can speak without fear or favour, while not speaking remotely on behalf of the Navy. So, we can get to the question. Commodore … $368 billion to be buying five American Virginia-class nuclear submarines in the short-term, before beginning to build eight AUKUS-class nuclear subs, with the first to be launched by 2042. Can it possibly be worth it?
Commodore Scott: Yes. Every time Australia sends a submarine to sea it puts a deliberate question mark in the minds of the commanders of the region’s navies and in the minds of the political masters of our region. With a nuclear subs’ ability to operate over vast ranges and extended periods, they have the ability to throw a lethal punch when they need to – and this gives them credibility as a deterrent or as a combatant. It makes an immediate impact on the calculus of others. That’s where the real value of our submarines lies. It’s in the doubt that it creates in the minds of others.
Fitz: And yet, while basically, for the first eight decades after Federation, Australia had a strategy of “forward defence” – building armed forces that could project power to faraway places like Gallipoli, the Western Front and Tobruk – the Hawke government of the 1980s restructured it all so that the primary focus of Australian defence was to defend our own shores. The expenditure on these nuclear subs seems like a return to forward defence, of having a foreign policy of racking up frequent fighter points alongside Great Britain and the USA, fighting in wars beside them so that if we get into trouble we can cash in our points and they’ll come and fight with us. Is that a fair enough summation?
Commodore Scott: Firstly, our submarines have always operated at extended ranges from Australia, in strategically significant waters. So, there is no change there. And there are a couple of reasons why we’re working with the US and the Brits on this. They are strategic allies for us and they have similar national values. And they have the capabilities that we need. So there’s probably a pretty unique situation here, where we can combine not only the political intent, but also the industrial capability of three nations to really strengthen the undersea capabilities of all of us.
Fitz: But $368 billion! Were you shocked by that price tag?
Commodore Scott: I expected something of that order. We’re not buying a couple of new station wagons. We are taking Australia from a position where it is not a nuclear-power-capable nation to a position where it is a nuclear-power-capable nation. And the avenue for that vehicle, yes, is our submarine capability. It is a massive leap.
Fitz: And yet, former diplomat David Livingstone wrote in the Herald this week that by the time our subs are ready to go they’ll already be obsolete, that Unmanned Underwater Vehicles will take over, and other very sophisticated weaponry will be able to blow crewed subs of the water.
Commodore Scott: When I joined submarines 35 years ago, Peter, I was told that the oceans were going to become transparent and so submarines would be obsolete. The fundamental fact is that remaining undetected beneath the surface of the ocean continues to be far easier than remaining undetected on the surface of the ocean or above it. So yes, all of those areas are being advanced. Absolutely. China is working very hard on technologies like that. And I expect they will be deploying them into, you know, the South East Asian region. So, is it becoming harder? Yes. Does that mean that the relative value of the capabilities is diminished? I don’t think so. Not relative to anything else that you can do in the oceans.
Fitz: But if, Commodore, we’re now pressing the button on $368 billion worth of expenditure on crewed submarines, including some being ready in 2042, surely, prima facie, that’s a bit odd when, as you acknowledge, un-crewed submarines are coming down the line fairly fast?
Commodore Scott: It would be about the effective combined use of those capabilities. So, I know from being out at sea and deployed on operations, that being on location, to see and hear and understand what’s happening around you has its own tremendous inherent value that you cannot replace with uncrewed craft.
Fitz: Meanwhile, Paul Keating has basically said this is the worst decision since forever, that it is a disgrace and that the Albanese government should get nicked. He is a former prime minister who always had a great strategic vision for Australia in Asia, and for Australia being independent. What do you make of his criticism?
Commodore Scott: I disagree. I think it gives us the capability that we need for the defence of the nation into the future. I think the pathway that has been described of how we’re going to get there is clear. I think it’s achievable. And I think that the acquisition of a nuclear submarine capability for the Australian Navy matches our strategic demand.
Fitz: In your new book, Running Deep: An Australian Submarine Life, you write about how excited you were to first hear that the Morrison government had torn up the agreement with the French, and were joining the US and the UK in a new alliance to “acquire at least eight nuclear-powered submarines through an enhanced trilateral security partnership, named AUKUS…”
Fitz: Well, we’ve now had two governments who’ve taken that view, because the Morrison government first led us down this path, and that has been followed by the Albanese government. Just how dangerous are the waters that Australia is sailing in, to have two successive governments take such radical action?
Commodore Scott: Well, over the last 20 years the navies of India, Singapore, Malaysia, Vietnam, Japan, Korea and, importantly, China, have all modernised and expanded their submarine fleets, and that is all since we stopped building Collins Class subs. So, every major regional Navy in the Indo-Pacific has modernised or expanded their submarine fleet in the last 20 years, while we have not. If there’s an undersea arms race in the Indo-Pacific, we are not leading it. And moving in this direction on the nuclear-powered submarines is what will bring us back on to something like a level pegging with some of those navies.
Fitz: But what of regional danger? You will note that the Herald this week has run a series which has attracted a lot of comments, saying that war with China is possible within three years. What do you make of that?
Commodore Scott: I think it’s probably a fair and reasonable assessment. As to where nuclear submarines come in, I do not pretend to know where the threats to our national security might come from in the next 10 or 20 or 30 years. But I do believe that a nation equipped with a nuclear-powered submarine capability in that time, will be better placed to face whatever threats do come down the line. So in the next five years, it might be China and Taiwan. Maybe we’ll get involved, maybe we won’t. But five years after that, what will the threat to our national security be? Where will it come from? I don’t know. But I do see investment in this capability as a sage investment in our future national security and, therefore, prosperity.
Fitz: Let me give you a burst of what the satirist Mark Humphries put on ABC 7.30 on Thursday evening, pretending to be a Navy Commodore like you: “One thing you can be sure of, when Australia says we’re going to build some submarines, we mean it … except for the 12 submarines we proposed building in the 2009 Defence White Paper … and the Japanese submarines we planned to buy back in 2014 … and the French submarines we agreed to buy back in 2016. We are basically Julia Roberts in Runaway Bride if all the grooms were submarine contracts … but this time we definitely mean it.” Harsh but fair?
Commodore Scott: That’s a really good question. The political rhetoric over the last 20 years on submarines has run pretty bloody hollow because there’s been no shortage of announcements and decisions, but they haven’t been followed by a single [extra] submarine for the Navy. Follow-through on this decision is absolutely critical. But as a decision on its own, and you know, particularly as a trilateral decision, it’s got a lot of strength and a lot of weight. It says: “We value our sovereignty, we value our independence, and this is how much we’re willing to invest to make sure that we can protect it.” Personally and professionally, that absence of action on all those decisions has just ground me down over the last 20 years. But what’s different now is the strategic environment. I think Australians can see not only the opportunities that China provides, but also the threat that it might pose.
Fitz: In sum?
Commodore Scott: Every time a submarine goes to sea, it causes a shift in the calculus of regional political and military leaders. Nuclear subs have the stealth, range, endurance and the potency to operate as a deterrent or as an exceedingly capable, offensive platform. And they can shape the geostrategic environment of our region.
Fitz: But Commodore, did I mention? $368 billion?! Jesus wept!
Commodore Scott: “Yep, it’s a lot of money.”
Fitz: But in your view, worth it?
Commodore Scott: Every cent!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/is-our-368-billion-splash-suboptimal-i-did-a-deep-dive-with-a-navy-commander-20230316-p5cssh.html
Holdenhillbilly @ #24 Monday, March 20th, 2023 – 8:05 am
Excuse me. I’m not a bedwetter. This is a psephological site and Newspoll used to be published more frequently. Also, obviously you can’t take a joke because that’s all my complaints ever were.
Holdenhillbilly says:
Monday, March 20, 2023 at 8:05 am
Scott: Newspoll is about once a month.
A few bedwetters on this blog get upset if one is not published then cry conspiracy when they don’t like the result when it is published.
—————————————
What result ? anyway the defenders of newspoll argument is that newspoll normally aligns with parliament resuming
So what is the new argument for the newspoll defenders now?
‘Stuart says:
Monday, March 20, 2023 at 8:03 am
Early days on AUKUS and the big subs. Of course everybody’s keen – all those jobs and taking it up to China (for whatever reason) seems like good idea at the moment. However, this could be a bit like the Vietnam war. In the mid 1960s the population was very bullish about the idea of conscription and getting involved in an Asian war. By the end of that decade, after only one election cycle, it appeared that the boosters had quickly started to change their minds.
I think that the best thing the government can do now is try to divert our attention from AUKUS and all its ramifications. Otherwise, doubt and second thought will start to creep in.’
——————————-
Were I a concern troll I would be concerned too. All that concern trolling gone for nothing.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Ross Gittins rips into the latest Productivity Commission report, saying, “Until the capitalist system goes back to keeping its promise that the workers will get their fair share of the benefits of capitalism – Australia’s households have no rational reason to give a stuff about what’s happening to productivity.” A very good read.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/the-productivity-commission-wants-wage-bargaining-shifted-further-in-favour-of-employers-20230319-p5ctcp.html
The illusions of neoliberal capitalism are dismantling, and the true perpetrators of poverty are being unmasked, writes John Falzon. He says trickle-down theory is no mystery. It is an excellent example of the so-called common sense that is designed to throw us off the scent of what is really happening, trying to convince us that the obscene proliferation of mega-profits should not only be allowed but encouraged because it is the only means of salvation for those who are living in poverty.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/8122774/poverty-a-feature-of-profits-not-a-bug/?cs=14258
Sean Kelly’s piece today provides a good insight to the state of political debate and action in Australia now.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-end-of-albanese-s-other-honeymoon-20230319-p5ctbv.html
The energy market operator’s urgent warning of a gas shortage has heated up a political brawl between the Greens and the federal government as time runs down for Energy Minister Chris Bowen to reform the safeguard mechanism to deliver on Australia’s legally binding climate target, reports Mike Foley.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/gas-shortfall-warning-heats-safeguard-mechanism-debate-as-time-ticks-down-20230319-p5ctdz.html
The AFR says that the national economic policy think tank has come up with a policy that centre-right parties supposedly committed to free market principles should embrace.
https://www.afr.com/policy/energy-and-climate/an-economically-rationalist-climate-transition-policy-20230316-p5csl9
If Minns seizes power, he will be a premier who lumbered over the line, rather than sprinted, says Alexandra Smith who points to the Coalition’s primary vote shooting up six percentage points to 38 per cent since the last Resolve survey in late February, Labor’s remaining exactly where it was – on 38 per cent. The Coalition is making gains; Labor is steady.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/if-minns-seizes-power-he-will-be-a-premier-who-lumbered-over-the-line-rather-than-sprinted-20230319-p5cteh.html
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/perrottet-narrowing-tight-contest-but-labor-tipped-to-sweep-to-power-20230319-p5ctf7.html
The whole commercial banking structure is built on the foundation of “sticky” deposits – but these are now fast-moving and volatile, writes Karen Maley.
https://www.afr.com/companies/financial-services/the-banking-model-is-wobbling-as-deposits-become-flighty-20230319-p5ctb9
Three times the number of high-income earners will be hit by the former Coalition government’s 2017 tax increase on superannuation, compared to Labor’s targeting of savers with retirement income balances above $3 million. John Kehoe reports that Jim Chalmers accused the Liberal Party of “hypocrisy” after releasing the new Treasury figures.
https://www.afr.com/policy/tax-and-super/labor-slams-hypocrisy-over-3m-super-cap-criticism-20230319-p5ctdf
Daniel Hurst looks at the modelling informing the above accusation.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/20/coalitions-super-changes-will-affect-three-times-as-many-people-as-labors-plan-modelling-shows
According to Simon Benson, Treasury is looking to dust off a mothballed proposal to claw back a rise in deductible work-related expenses which are forecast to cost the budget more than $10.4bn in forgone revenue annually by next year.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/treasury-is-looking-at-a-potential-clampdown-on-workathome-expenses-to-repair-budget/news-story/515cc86aace6152de13295c0cc3d4ad8?amp
The Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) has gone against its own rules to green-light the billionaire Lowy family’s $550,000 in secretive “donations” to the Liberal Party via an obscure subsidiary, reveals Anthony Klan.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/lowy-family-use-loophole-to-donate-550000-to-liberal-party,17340
Victorian opposition leader John Pesutto will move to expel controversial Liberal MP Moira Deeming from the parliamentary party room after she attended a rally that has been associated with neo-Nazis. Sumeyya Ilanbey reports that Deeming attended the Let Women Speak rally organised by British anti-trans rights campaigner Kellie-Jay Keen-Minshull at Parliament House on Saturday.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/liberals-move-to-expel-moira-deeming-over-neo-nazi-rally-links-20230319-p5ctgm.html
And Daniel Andrews has said the human rights of trans people are “not negotiable” and that “Nazis aren’t welcome” after a group performed the Nazi salute on the steps of the state’s parliament on Saturday.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/19/daniel-andrews-says-nazis-arent-welcome-as-victorian-government-considers-further-action-following-salutes
The cost of living crisis is driving rising levels of reported distress in NSW, as the nation’s peak suicide prevention group says an increase in deaths among middle-aged men should be a wake-up call for the next parliament. Mary Ward tells us that Suicide Prevention Australia is calling for NSW to follow South Australia’s lead and implement dedicated suicide prevention legislation, which would require lawmakers to consider the mental health impacts of housing and welfare policies.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/cost-of-living-crisis-drives-surge-in-middle-aged-male-suicides-20230316-p5csti.html
These educational academics tell us how school principals are reaching crisis point, pushed to the edge by mounting workloads, teacher shortages and abuse.
https://theconversation.com/school-principals-are-reaching-crisis-point-pushed-to-the-edge-by-mounting-workloads-teacher-shortages-and-abuse-201777
Alan Kohler writes that thanks to AUKUS, Australia’s manufacturing will be built on a foundation of defence, specifically buying and making nuclear submarines. But, he says, there is likely to be an opportunity cost in that. Given the amount of money involved there won’t be much, if any, left for anything else, such as the global energy transition, health care and agriculture.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/the-innovators/2023/03/20/alan-kohler-innovators-20-march/
The former head of the royal commission into the Lawyer X scandal has raised concerns with the government about its proposed informant laws ahead of the draft legislation being debated in parliament this week.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/lawyer-x-royal-commissioner-concerned-about-new-informant-bill-20230317-p5cszm.html
Binoy Kampmark examines Australia’s nuclear waste problem.
https://theaimn.com/spent-matters-the-aukus-nuclear-waste-problem/
Uber has launched a months-long advertising campaign over the Albanese government’s proposed gig economy reforms in a push to get a seat at the table over changes that will affect its 150,000 workers. The ride share and on-demand delivery giant will target politicians in Canberra and other capital cities from Monday and over the next few months with billboards, posters and digital and print ads in an effort to push the argument its riders and drivers want flexibility.
https://www.afr.com/work-and-careers/workplace/uber-launches-ad-blitz-over-labor-s-gig-economy-reforms-20230319-p5ctal
Fathers who share childcare face the same sexist assumptions about how good a worker you can be as women stared down for decades. For the health of men, women, kids and the economy, ideas of Australian workplace masculinity must at least try to keep up, writes Wendy Touhy.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/now-fathers-are-copping-the-motherhood-penalty-i-for-one-am-not-gloating-20230319-p5ctcg.html
Donna Mulhearn, who was a human shield during the Iraq war and later returned as an aid worker and researcher, argues why we need to change the practice where one person can decide if Australia goes to war..
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/one-person-can-decide-if-australia-goes-to-war-here-s-why-that-needs-to-change-20230315-p5csb6.html
Prime CBD office towers could potentially drop in value by between 10 per cent to 20 per cent as commercial property assets are eventually marked down to a market drastically reconfigured by higher interest rates, explains Nick Leneghan who says that thos could affect superannuation fund valuations and banking covenants.
https://www.afr.com/property/commercial/cbd-office-towers-face-price-falls-of-up-to-20pc-20230317-p5ct5t
The Consumer Action Law Centre has warned that Australia is a soft target for scammers who are now using artificial intelligence to impersonate the voices of family members.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/hey-mum-there-s-an-ai-scam-that-can-impersonate-my-voice-20230307-p5cq63.html
Reuters reports that if UBS acquires Credit Suisse 10,000 jobs may go and just as I type this I see a live press conference from the Swiss government announcing that the takeover will indeed happen.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/if-ubs-acquires-credit-suisse-10-000-jobs-may-go-20230319-p5ctco.html
It’s a three billion dollars deal.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/ubs-to-buy-credit-suisse-in-historic-3b-deal-to-end-crisis-20230320-p5ctgw.html
Rob Harris writes that Emmanuel Macron is so convinced that France cannot afford to continue losing its workforce to retirement at the age of 62 that he’s prepared to risk his authority to play a high-stakes game of political chicken. Since Macron’s government introduced plans to push the retirement age back from 62 to 64 – France has been convulsed by regular strikes and protests that have drawn millions into the streets, not only in the capital, but in towns and villages across the country.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/macron-plays-high-stakes-game-of-political-chicken-over-pension-20230319-p5ctbu.html
Geoffrey Robertson thinks that the arrest warrant may signal the beginning of the end for Putin. He says that although he will not stand in the dock at The Hague any time soon, he is now confirmed as an international pariah, with predecessors like Pinochet, Milosevic, Gaddafi and Al Bashir – all of whose indictments were a prelude to their fall from power.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/arrest-warrant-may-signal-the-beginning-of-the-end-for-putin-20230319-p5ctbw.html
While Narendra Modi polls extremely well, many worldly Indians are aghast that he has made India less secular and tolerant, creating a Hindu nationalism that marginalises religious minorities.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/narendra-modi-is-the-world-s-most-popular-leader-beware-20230319-p5ctgp.html
Donald Trump could be charged in New York as soon as this week for allegedly covering up hush money payments to a porn star during his 2016 presidential campaign, nearly seven years after the money changed hands. But any trial of the former US president would still be more than a year away, legal experts said, and could coincide with the final months of the 2024 presidential campaign as Trump seeks a return to the White House.
https://www.theage.com.au/world/north-america/donald-trump-could-be-charged-any-day-what-happens-next-20230319-p5ctgs.html
The Manhattan district attorney widely expected to bring an indictment against Donald Trump this week has vowed that his staff will not be intimidated after the former US president called for his supporters to protest any action against him.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/19/trump-calls-for-protest-manhattan-da-warns-of-intimidation
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Peter Broelman
Joe Benke
Megan Herbert
Mark David
Mark Knight
Spooner
From the US
Pesutto is set to kick Deeming out. O’Brien would have sat and done nothing, Guy would have promoted her to the front bench.
Newspoll is perhaps busy with the NSW election?
Victoria was first state to do so
https://www.premier.vic.gov.au/nazi-hate-symbols-now-banned-victoria
Socrates @ #12 Monday, March 20th, 2023 – 7:30 am
Morning as well,
I am a little surprised that support for the sub deal is this firm. Over at the G you’d think Australia just sold our next generation of children into slavery to pay for it.
It’s always important to remember online ecospheres are completely siloed from one another and it is always hard to judge what the majority of Australians are actually thinking without polling.
And in regard Victoria, the questions are how do these individuals win pre selections and Party positions in the first instance?
Where. Is the Party President?
The Parliamentary Leader had no option but to make a statement, forced to that statement by the public eye exclusively
This problem infects the Liberal Party, in every State Division, which is the entire Liberal Party
They are not electable
We now await the leadership challenge in Victoria, the resignation of the current Leader and a byelection in Hawthorn ( the seat again lost to the Liberals)
The Leader’s position is not tenable in the Party or the Party Room
Where is the President?
This is all about ego and survival for Mirabela (why does that name ring a bell)
And they talk about Nazis in the military and the police force, attracted by guns
B.S. Fairman says:
Monday, March 20, 2023 at 8:21 am
Newspoll is perhaps busy with the NSW election?
—————————-
The latest newspoll for NSW was 26th feb , latest federal newspoll was March 6 ,
If there is going to be a nsw newspoll this friday ?
Thanks BK for todays news, and c@t for bringing it over to this thread!
Alpha- Presutto like Renee Heath* back in after Guy said she would not be sitting in the party room for expressing views very similar to those that Moria Deeming has. So whether Presutto is tougher than Guy is questionable.
* Renee Heath was head of the LNP ticket in Eastern Vic at the election said some anti-LGBT+ views during the election. She belongs to the hard line church that is taking over the party in the Gippsland.
Keating and Labor nuclear subs scenario , once again did not turn out what the media wanted , hence probably no change in opinion polling, if any Labor may have slightly made more ground
Presutto is not resigning his seat if he loses the leadership. He just spent four years trying to win it back.
Maybe PF is taking the piss, but the most sycophantic person working for a teen fan magazine interviewing a pop star would have demurred to this opening:
“Fitz: Commodore, we will get to this week’s staggering news on submarines shortly. But first let’s establish your impeccable pedigree to make expert comment.
Commodore Scott: I spent 34 years in Navy serving in 10 submarines, conducting numerous special operations, and commanded two of them: HMAS Collins and HMAS Dechaineux, before becoming Director General Submarines in Navy Strategic Command.
Fitz: It’s a very impressive title. What does it mean?”
Thanks for that C@t!
Not a problem, BK. You did the hard yards. 🙂
So, all results are ultimately supportive of the stance of the Albo ALP Federal government on defence.
Good!
We are now ready to move on, are we?
Some pearls from today’s (20 March) The Guardian online:
Deceptive Coalition, now on superannuation… they just never stop, do they?
“Coalition’s super changes will affect three times as many people as Labor’s plan, modelling shows
Jim Chalmers says figures based on Treasury projections reveals opposition’s ‘deception’”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/20/coalitions-super-changes-will-affect-three-times-as-many-people-as-labors-plan-modelling-shows
Essential poll: The People approve the ALP superannuation changes. Albo continues trashing Dutton as preferred leader, but the people are understandably worried about the costs of living. The ALP is aware of that and won’t abandon the people behind excuses and deception, as the Neoliberals in the Coalition routinely do.
“Guardian Essential poll: super changes backed by half of respondents – even among those with large balances”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/07/guardian-essential-poll-super-changes-backed-by-half-of-respondents-even-among-those-with-large-balances
“Victorian opposition leader moves to expel MP involved in anti-trans protest attended by neo-Nazis”… How could somebody like that be pre-selected to run for office for the Coalition in the first place?
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/20/victorian-opposition-leader-moves-to-expel-mp-involved-in-anti-trans-protest-attended-by-neo-nazis
“Trump in panic mode as he braces for likely charges in Stormy Daniels case
Manhattan district attorney expected to file criminal charges against ex-president for payment to adult film star in 2016”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/mar/19/trump-manhattan-criminal-charges-hush-money-stormy-daniels
Hey, Donald, “relax”, this is just the beginning…..!!!
“UBS agrees to takeover of stricken Credit Suisse for $3.25bn
Swiss government forces through takeover at well below market value amid fears of global banking crisis”
https://www.theguardian.com/business/2023/mar/19/credit-suisse-bank-of-england-wont-object-to-takeover-as-ubs-considers-1bn-bid
I am glad to see that there is still some learning capacity in this crazy, crazy world!
Dom in existential mood: “Dominic Perrottet …: ‘I didn’t start with many friends’”…. and I fear that you will end up with even fewer!!
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/20/dominic-perrottet-on-poking-the-clubsnsw-beast-i-didnt-start-with-many-friends
“No revolution necessary: mainstream public schools can – and must – put creativity at their heart.
Children will leave school without any enthusiasm for life if we only focus on the basics, says one principal who overhauled his public school”
https://www.theguardian.com/education/2023/mar/20/no-revolution-necessary-mainstream-public-schools-can-and-must-put-creativity-at-their-heart
I fully agree, an Evolution, a Social Democratic Evolution will do!
“‘If we get out of here it will be a miracle:’ a family at war in the hell of Bakhmut”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/19/if-we-get-out-of-here-it-will-be-a-miracle-a-family-at-war-in-the-hell-of-bakhmut
Courage, heroes of Bakhmut! You will not be left alone!!
” US banks want socialism for themselves – and capitalism for everyone else
Robert Reich”
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/mar/19/svb-collapse-us-banks-socialism-capitalism
Yep, that happened during the GFC…. but it must NOT happen now!… The People have had enough.
“Australia has ‘absolutely not’ committed to join US in event of war over Taiwan, Marles says
Defence minister says Aukus deal does not include arrangement to join US in a potential future conflict with China”
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2023/mar/19/australia-has-absolutely-not-committed-to-join-us-in-event-of-war-over-taiwan-marles-says
Yep, with Labor we are a “sovereign country”. With the Liberals we are just “deputy sheriffs”…. You are now ready to vote!
“Daniel Andrews says Nazis ‘aren’t welcome’ as Victorian government considers ‘further action’ following salutes”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/mar/19/daniel-andrews-says-nazis-arent-welcome-as-victorian-government-considers-further-action-following-salutes
Stupid Nazis: PISS OFF!
That’s the thing with politics and religion, they both require zealots for success. I think that’s why the Founding Fathers of our great democracies realised that you had to keep Church and State separate.
shellbell,
Fitz is a fanboi. We all know that. 😀
“Lars Von Trier says:
Monday, March 20, 2023 at 6:10 am
… Corrupt media cannot stop a Labor victory”?
Well, now that the majority of Voters are De-Moronised, of course no, corrupt Neoliberal-Conservative media won’t be able to stop a Labor victory in NSW.
Oh, what are the media going to do in Tasmania to keep it in Liberals’ hands? Stay the course with their usual propaganda or are they going to make a 180 degrees turn?
Tell the Tassy Liberal party to:
a) Start all meetings of the party singing “The Internationale”
b) Adopt the clenched fist as the party official salute.
c) Call each other “comrades”.
d) Send flowers and chocolates to the Unions.
e) Change the “blue” for an intense “red” (redder than Labor’s, of course).
Ha, ha…. Good luck!
I vote we deport all Australian Nazis to Mar A Lago and they can spend their days carrying Donald Trump around on a sedan chair. 🙂