Aside from developments in the Indigenous Voice referendum, covered in the post above, there are two developments to relate on the federal preselection front:
• Samantha Maiden at news.com.au reports Liberal deputy leader Sussan Ley will be spared a preselection challenge in her seat of Farrer after her challenger, Jean Haynes, was rejected by the party’s nomination review committee and suspended from the party for 90 days. The reasons behind this are unclear, but it comes after “a tit for tat round of expulsion motions in the Deniliquin branch of the party” that “included attempts to expel a group of party veterans who are loyal supporters of Sussan Ley, some of whom are women in the 70s and 80s who have given up to 50 years of service to the party”. Christian Ellis, who sought to challenge Ley’s preselection before the last election, has been expelled for bringing the party into disrepute shortly after pleading guilty to a firearm charge, with no conviction recorded. Contrary to other reports, Maiden relates that Ley “was expected to trounce challenger Haynes with over 70 per cent of the vote”.
• Rachel Baxendale of The Australian reports that Victorian Liberal Senator Jane Hume has abandoned a short-lived bid to elevate herself from second to first place on the Coalition ticket at the next election, amid conservative threats of retaliation by backing Greg Mirabella to take second position, potentially reducing Hume to third. Mirabella has recently relinquished his position as the party’s state president to pursue the third position, from which he unsuccessfully sought re-election last year. As Paul Sakkal of The Age described it, Hume’s move “pits her moderate wing against the Victorian Right faction led by figures including Paterson and lower house MP Michael Sukkar”. Hume owed her second position at the 2019 election to intervention by Scott Morrison that saw off conservative-backed challenger Karina Okotel.
Was Jean Haynes, challenger to Su-Su-Sussan Ley in Farrer, another from the Christian Conservative wing who is trying to take over the Liberal Party?
“ The reasons behind this are unclear, but it comes after “a tit for tat round of expulsion motions in the Deniliquin branch of the party”
I initially read that as the Delinquent branch. I may have unconsciously been correct.
Cronus,
You’re more correct than you think 😀
The Deniliquin Ute Muster has a unique blend of activities for patrons, and free camping on the flattest plains on earth all for the one ticket price!
C@T
Or Deniliquin branch meeting 😆
More on public safety, fires and flooding threats, inequality …, https://www.pollbludger.net/2023/08/23/essential-research-2pp-labor-51-coalition-43-open-thread/comment-page-20/#comment-4152124, less on national security such as AUKUS, let alone other pollyTICal wedges (VTP&E)
https://johnmenadue.com/the-intergenerational-report-a-climate-fairy-tale/, have nots’ wellbeing over haves’ wealth?
http://ianmcauley.com/saturdays/sat230826/week23082601.html, “The Intergenerational report – a call to take control of our future, but [Jimbo] ducks questions about tax”, be it consumption, organisations, assets-based
https://johnmenadue.com/australia-could-be-leading-the-way-on-human-survival-will-albanese-act/, the many or the few?
https://theconversation.com/lnp-takes-lead-in-queensland-resolve-poll-but-labor-still-far-ahead-in-victoria-211674
“On climate change, 45% (down six since October 2021) thought it a serious and urgent problem that we should be taking action on now, even if that involves significant costs, 29% (up two) thought gradual action adequate, and 16% (up four) said we shouldn’t take action that has significant costs “until we are sure climate change is a real problem”.
[No doubt the usual suspects will argue less than half want action now …]
By 59 – 19, respondents supported Labor’s 43% emissions reduction target by 2030, but support for specific climate change measures dropped since October 2021. For example, 29% (down eight) supported the Greens’ proposal to ban all coal mining and exports by 2030.
The poll article in The Age blames cost-of-living increases for undermining support for climate action.”
Urgent, important …, action now, action later
https://theshot.net.au/general-news/bullshit-and-spin/, aka full of shit, Libferals, Noalition …
(And that’s SuSSan, Deputy and all that.)
New Trump Tower coming in 2024:
Australians want climate action provided that it costs them nothing.
https://wattsupwiththat.com/2023/08/20/cpac-australia-coal-overboard-nuclear-to-appease-the-greens/, … yah nah
#weatheronPB
Subdued, cool, and grey.
Space offered for reflection.
Maybe that’s today.
Aaron newton is easier to understand than VCT Et3e! 😯
Sarah Palin responded to Donald Trump’s arrest in Georgia on Thursday night by talking up the possibility of civil war. Speaking to Eric Bolling as the former president was booked at the Fulton County Jail on election interference charges, Palin slammed “those who are conducting this travesty and creating this two-tier system of justice.” “I want to ask them: What the heck?” the former Alaska governor said. “Do you want us to be in civil war? Because that’s what’s going to happen. We’re not going to keep putting up with this.” Addressing Bolling, Palin went on to say: “I like that you suggested that we need to get angry. We do need to rise up and take our country back.”
Ambassadors expelled by Niger’s junta
France
Germany
United States
Nigeria
Ivory Coast
”
Steve777says:
Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 7:51 am
Australians want climate action provided that it costs them nothing.
”
Apparently.
If Greens political party, instead of talking about renters, door knocked about Climate change measures, I would have supported them. But noooo. They became party of Renters.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers. The Saturday Special is back!
After only a year and a half as treasurer, Chalmers shows promise. So far, however, he has only just cleared his throat, opines Peter Hartcher who says that if Keating was the Placido Domingo of politics, Chalmers is more Michael Buble.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/if-keating-was-the-placido-domingo-of-politics-chalmers-is-more-michael-buble-20230824-p5dz8h.html
The arm wrestle between young and old is finally leaning towards the next generation writes George Megalogenis about the Intergenerational Report just released. He says the prospects for genuine reform will remain grim if the major parties dig in on behalf of their respective bases.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-arm-wrestle-between-young-and-old-is-finally-leaning-towards-the-next-generation-20230824-p5dz8g.html
Karen Middleton explains what is different about this intergenerational report. She says that migration is among the measures laid out in it to help address the problems of an ageing population in an increasingly indebted country.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/economy/2023/08/25/fresh-lens-the-intergenerational-report
As Australia faces its rich nation dilemma, Jim Chalmers has put his ambition up in lights and in the process increased expectations about the delivery. The gap between the challenge and the response cannot be missed, writes Paul Kelly.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/labors-great-gamble-get-ready-for-more-change-and-upheaval/news-story/f84506108d782982c3fa65a40e2c8d25?amp
The Chinese economic slowdown is both structural and cyclical, but it’s real and it is the central fact of the global economy right now. It could heighten three global crises that China is the centre of: climate change; the danger of military conflict evident in military weapons growth, nuclear weapons growth and cross-border military tensions; and the gradual erosion of the rules-based international order more generally, posits Greg Sheridan.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/xi-jinpings-age-of-stagnation-threatens-climate-peace-world-order/news-story/94f9bd85dac040af0549c423b7092022?amp
James Massola reports that the Australian Electoral Commission has rebuked Peter Dutton for making a “factually incorrect” complaint after the federal opposition leader complained that a tick on a Voice referendum ballot paper counting as a vote but a cross not counting would advantage the Yes camp.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/aec-ticks-off-peter-dutton-over-factually-incorrect-complaint-20230825-p5dzga.html
“Jim, if the future looks so bleak, why don’t you get on with reform?”, urges Peter van Onselen.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/jim-if-the-future-looks-so-bleak-why-dont-you-get-on-with-reform/news-story/ca373172f13f35c483a49e3c191a14de?amp
Labor is nibbling at tax reform, but revamping stage three cuts is too big to swallow, writes Paul Karp.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/26/labor-is-nibbling-at-tax-reform-but-revamping-stage-three-cuts-is-too-big-to-swallow
Paul Bongiorno writes about Labor’s small target syndrome.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topic/2023/08/25/sitting-small-target
The AFR says that Australian companies have defied expectations that they would be hit by slowing demand, delivering strong results during earnings season and raising expectations that most of the economy could sidestep emerging troubles in China.
https://www.afr.com/markets/equity-markets/strong-profits-restore-hope-in-soft-economic-landing-20230824-p5dz4m
Paul Sakkal writes that human rights and civil liberties groups have expressed serious doubts about Labor’s move to quash misinformation, claiming its proposed law threatens free speech and democratic rights. The rights groups join a growing coalition of voices criticising the Albanese government’s bid to give the Australian Communications and Media Authority powers to penalise groups like Meta if they fail to remove misinformation and disinformation.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labor-misinformation-law-a-dangerous-proposition-for-society-20230825-p5dzcm.html
Mark Kenny busts eight myths of the No campaign.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/indigenous-voice-to-parliament-busting-eight-myths-of-the-no-campaign/news-story/817723cfd407942d44da948d437e6b8c?amp
The Independent Australia says the Opposition and Right-wing media have collaborated on a scheme to turn people away from voting ‘Yes’ to the Voice Referendum.
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/video-the-uluru-statement-right-wing-conspiracy-theory,17841
Michael Pascoe writes that Dutton is a populist politician who just isn’t popular. He says that “No” is a natural position for him.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/08/26/michael-pascoe-peter-dutton-no/
A push to block the anti-corruption watchdog’s request for extra powers will likely come down to one or two Upper House MPs, writes Alexandra Smith.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/vote-to-block-extra-icac-powers-likely-to-come-down-to-the-wire-20230825-p5dzek.html
According to Max Maddison and Nigel Gladstone, the Minns government has spent $22.5 million under a taxpayer-funded grants program designed to give every ALP candidate in the March state election a $400,000 edge over other candidates, raising allegations of pork-barrelling.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/labor-faces-pork-barrelling-allegations-over-37m-election-fund-20230824-p5dz6z.html
Outdated integrity measures must be removed to speed up housing delivery, even if it risks “malfeasance” creeping into the system, says the new head of the NSW Planning Department, Keirsten Fishburn.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/gloves-off-nsw-planning-boss-to-take-risks-loosen-the-screws-to-boost-housing-20230825-p5dzdb.html
Local councils are making a last-ditch defence of their planning powers, as the Andrews government works to finalise a landmark housing reform that is set to strip councils of some development authority. Tensions have increased between the Victorian government and the City of Melbourne council, which has tried to assume more responsibility for housing by replicating the government’s Homes Victoria with its own body, Homes Melbourne. However, this new body has not built any new homes since it was launched two years ago, report Royce Millar and Cara Waters.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/councils-last-ditch-effort-to-stop-government-stripping-approval-power-20230825-p5dzjy.html
“When even bankers don’t want mortgages, you know the property market is cooked”, says Kate Halfpenny.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/when-even-bankers-don-t-want-mortgages-you-know-the-property-market-is-cooked-20230824-p5dz62.html
Briefing documents show employment providers are paying themselves more than $40 million a year to move welfare recipients through jobs and training within their own companies, reveals. Rick Morton.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2023/08/26/exclusive-millions-skimmed-government-welfare-contracts
Ride-share drivers, childcare workers and hairdressers are among more than 400 types of casual jobs that will now be eligible for guaranteed sick and carer’s pay under an expansion of a Victorian government-funded pilot program. Kieran Rooney reports that Daniel Andrews unveiled Australia’s first sick pay guarantee trial for casuals in March 2022, to run over two years with $245.7 million in funding.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/sick-day-won-t-mean-no-pay-for-more-victorian-casual-workers-20230825-p5dzh5.html
Michaela Whitbourn reports that the Australian Federal Police and war crimes investigators are seeking access to restricted documents from Ben Roberts-Smith’s failed defamation case amid dozens of active investigations into allegations that Australian soldiers broke the rules of engagement in Afghanistan.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/police-war-crimes-investigators-seek-access-to-documents-in-roberts-smith-case-20230825-p5dzf9.html
The NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption’s decision to quietly seek an expansion of power has the appearance of potential overreach and risks undermining hard-won public trust and support for the agency, says the SMH editorial.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/icac-needs-to-argue-a-case-rather-than-acting-under-cover-of-darkness-20230825-p5dzeu.html
“Rightly or wrongly, we expected the NACC to progress much faster than it has. After experiencing ten rotten years of scandal upon scandal, the National Anti-Corruption Commission was promoted as the fix-all solution to the problem”, writes John Lord who wonders why it is taking so long.
https://theaimn.com/the-nacc-why-it-is-taking-so-long/
Malcolm Turnbull’s Snowy Hydro 2.0 project was touted as $2 billion bargain in 2017. It now shapes as a $10 billion abominable snowman. Peering through a Kosciusko/Canberra snowstorm of FOI brush-offs, Rex Patrick asks what is really going on with this “fathomless crevasse of costs”.
https://michaelwest.com.au/snow-job-snowy-hydro-2-0-in-a-fathomless-crevasse-of-costs/
Nicole Werner, Liberal candidate in the Warrandyte byelection, says her connections to an evangelical megachurch won’t cause her problems at the voting booth.
https://www.afr.com/politics/byelection-test-for-victorian-liberals-after-games-debacle-20230825-p5dzgb
Major car makers have broken ranks with the board of Australia’s largest auto industry group, accusing it of lobbying the Albanese government for loopholes to slow the shift to electric vehicles and weaken new fuel pollution limits. Australia’s largest electric vehicle brand, Tesla, says the peak lobby group, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, is urging the federal government to adopt reforms that could allow vehicle emissions to increase over time.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/rift-in-car-industry-over-loophole-in-national-electric-vehicle-scheme-20230825-p5dzd1.html
Mike Foley and Nick Toscano tell us that the Australian Energy Market Operator insists the green energy shift can still happen at the speed and scale needed to compensate for an approaching wave of coal-fired power plant closures, despite growing concerns that the transformation of the grid is faltering.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/yes-we-can-grid-chief-stares-down-renewable-revolution-s-doubters-20230824-p5dz0r.html
The same year Peter Costello delivered the first intergenerational report, the Howard government decided not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. This is the story of Australian politics, of a country stepping on a rake, over and over again, forever, says the editorial in The Saturday Paper.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/editorial/2023/08/26/the-world-burning
Kieran Pender explains how to protect whistleblowers.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/topic/2023/08/25/help-hand-whistleblowers
The Age tells us that a loophole in Australia’s visa system that allowed international students to abandon university courses for cheap ‘ghost colleges’ has been closed.
https://www.theage.com.au/education/ghost-colleges-loophole-closed-in-student-work-crackdown-20230825-p5dzim.html
The power of vice-chancellors and their empires of managers and administrators are hurting our universities’ ability to provide their core service – education, argues Tim Moore.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/education/2023/08/26/the-destruction-university-faculties
Gerard Henderson gets his withered rocks off today, whining about the left-leaning media and its boosters again.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/deconstructing-the-lefts-constructive-view-of-journalism/news-story/b4c35bdef64537b1e34559a3d21bada3?amp
With Ita Buttrose going, the Albanese ALP government now has an opportunity to reinvigorate and rebuild the ABC, says Quentin Dempster.
https://johnmenadue.com/ita-out-so-whats-next-for-the-abc/
A falling Australian dollar and rising interest rates that make debt more expensive will add to Qantas Group’s capital expenditure bill, which is already giant, explains Anne Hyland.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/the-eye-watering-bill-that-qantas-ceo-alan-joyce-left-his-successor-20230823-p5dyt9.html
The phenomenon of the Matildas clearly caught our political leaders off guard, leading to a series of attempts to clamber on, if not capitalise on, the bandwagon, writes John Hewson.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/2023/08/25/sporting-chance
The Catholic church’s bid to block a legal ruling that would allow the father of a choirboy allegedly sexually abused by Cardinal George Pell to sue for damages has been knocked down at the first hurdle. The father, who cannot be named for legal reasons, filed a claim against the Catholic Archdiocese of Melbourne and Cardinal Pell. He claims to have suffered nervous shock after learning of allegations the cardinal sexually abused his now-deceased son in the mid-1990s.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/aug/25/george-pell-catholic-church-victoria-court-ruling-can-be-sued-by-family-of-accuser-case
China is going to its crisis playbook to fix its growing economic problems – and it doesn’t seem to be working, writes Keith Bradsher who tells us why it’s so hard it to fix its real estate catastrophe.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/why-it-s-so-hard-for-china-to-fix-its-real-estate-catastrophe-20230823-p5dyqe.html
As China teeters on the edge of a balance sheet recession, it’s clear Australia can no longer rely on its largest trading partner to pull it out of trouble, warns Mike Seccombe.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2023/08/26/its-breaking-down-can-china-contain-its-economic-crisis
The natural party of government? After five PMs in seven years, the Conservatives seem all at sea, writes Geoffery Wheatcroft.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/aug/25/natural-party-government-five-pms-conservatives-at-sea
“God help America. It’s in for a bumpy ride”, declares Rob Harris.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/god-help-america-it-s-in-for-a-bumpy-ride-20230825-p5dzeb.html
Despite the world’s worst mugshot, Trump is still in the frame for president, says Bruce Wolpe.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/despite-the-world-s-worst-mugshot-trump-is-still-in-the-frame-for-president-20230825-p5dzdu.html
After hearing the victim impact statements from those abused by former state Labor MP Milton Orkopoulos, it is obvious he deserves a bar for his previous “Arsehole of the Week” award.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/child-victims-of-predatory-labor-mp-reveal-devastating-impact-of-sex-abuse-20230825-p5dzfn.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Alan Moir
Glen Le Lievre
Andrew Dyson
John Shakespeare
Matt Golding
Matt Davidson
Jim Pavlidis
Jon Kudelka
Peter Broelman
Simon Letch
Seamus Jennings
Leak
From the US
VCT
Was this the article you meant to publish earlier?
https://johnmenadue.com/evil-scary-china-refuses-to-passively-let-us-encircle-it-notes-from-the-edge-of-the-narrative-matrix/
If so I don’t agree with its premises or conclusions. It says the Chinese military build up is “western media propaganda”, and China reacting to a US led encirclement strategy is entirely understandable.
This article has false facts:
“ China’s still spending vastly less on its military than the United States, both overall and as a percentage of GDP.”
Not so. The Stockholm based IISS has confirmed real Chinese military spending is higher than USA in PPP and GDP terms. The buildup of the PLAN is not imaginary. All of its neighbors are increasing in response. The article also makes no mention of Chinese aggressions to its neighbors, or territorial conflicts with Philippines and Vietnam.
To me this highlights there are two extremes in the China – AUKUS debate. One is to blindly follow USA and turn the ADF into a small clone of the USN and USMC, which is costly and dangerous. The other is to sit back and pretend there is no threat, which is dangerous in a different way.
Insiders Sunday, 27 Aug
David Speers joins Laura Tingle, Sean Kelly and Jacob Greber to discuss the issues of an ageing population, slower growth rate and climate change over the next 40 years, plus tax reform, productivity and the Voice referendum
Guest : Allegra Spender – Independent Member For Wentworth
BK
Thanks for the Saturday Bumper Edition!
From VCT’s link @7:45, some useful questions to apply to anything in the old and new media:
”It takes a practised eye and an especially canny nose to sniff the bullshit and spin before it reaches you, but you can help vaccinate yourself against it by asking a few core questions:
Why is this story an “exclusive”? Who gave it to them and why?
Why is this story here at this time?
Have the photos I’m seeing been posed for?
Has the vision I’m watching been posed for?
Do the questions being asked sound unnatural, overly sweet or planted?
Is this a real story built organically or has it been puffed-up and created out of very little?
And, of course, the greatest bullshit detector question of all time:
Whose interests does this story serve?”
Thanks BK
VCT Et3e says:
Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 7:21 am
https://theconversation.com/lnp-takes-lead-in-queensland-resolve-poll-but-labor-still-far-ahead-in-victoria-211674
“On climate change, 45% (down six since October 2021) thought it a serious and urgent problem that we should be taking action on now, even if that involves significant costs, 29% (up two) thought gradual action adequate, and 16% (up four) said we shouldn’t take action that has significant costs “until we are sure climate change is a real problem”.
[No doubt the usual suspects will argue less than half want action now …]
By 59 – 19, respondents supported Labor’s 43% emissions reduction target by 2030, but support for specific climate change measures dropped since October 2021. For example, 29% (down eight) supported the Greens’ proposal to ban all coal mining and exports by 2030.
The poll article in The Age blames cost-of-living increases for undermining support for climate action.”
Urgent, important …, action now, action later
———————————————————-
And this is the reality the government must work within, not the dreamland some perceive. This is the real pulse of our broader community.
Thanks BK!
Vivek Ramaswamy is another Peter Thiel-backed candidate. They go way back:
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/aug/25/vivek-ramaswamy-rightwing-elite-close-ties-leonard-leo-peter-thiel
The Deni Ute Muster has an international reputation.
https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-6224057/Revellers-Deni-Ute-Muster-festival-pour-beer-DEAD-owls-throat-clutch-like-trophy.html
Does anyone believe Trump (said to be 6 foot three) is only 97kg? I’d say he’s rockin’ about 115-118 kg.
Victoria:
I imagine you’ve enjoyed the past few days.
I’m still laughing at how Trump was allowed to self report his weight, height and hair colour and went with 97 kg (all evidence to the contrary) and strawberry blonde (WTF?!).
😆
Thanks, BK.
Will falling levels of support for climate action affect the Teals?
Are the Greens politically wise to scarper from the Voice and climate action to rents as their cause celebre?
Michael Pascoe writes that Dutton is a populist politician who just isn’t popular. He says that “No” is a natural position for him.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/08/26/michael-pascoe-peter-dutton-no/
————————————–
It could be the PTSD. Seriously.
”
Local councils are making a last-ditch defence of their planning powers, as the Andrews government works to finalise a landmark housing reform that is set to strip councils of some development authority. Tensions have increased between the Victorian government and the City of Melbourne council, which has tried to assume more responsibility for housing by replicating the government’s Homes Victoria with its own body, Homes Melbourne. However, this new body has not built any new homes since it was launched two years ago, report Royce Millar and Cara Waters.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/councils-last-ditch-effort-to-stop-government-stripping-approval-power-20230825-p5dzjy.html
”
Not a single house is built by Homes Melbourne, which is house body of City of Melbourne council.
This is what happens when Greens political party controls a council.
Modi and Xi Speak at BRICS Summit, Ask Officials to Resolve Border Dispute Quickly
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-24/modi-xi-speak-ask-officials-to-resolve-border-dispute-quickly#xj4y7vzkg
““The two leaders directed officials to resolve the border dispute expeditiously.” China’s Foreign Ministry said Xi told Modi that improving ties would be conducive to regional peace and economic development. “Both sides should properly handle the border issue and jointly maintain peace in the area,” it added.”
Same same with NSW, Ven:
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/gloves-off-nsw-planning-boss-to-take-risks-loosen-the-screws-to-boost-housing-20230825-p5dzdb.html
“A man is pictured smiling holding the dead owl like a trophy with a beer in his other hand” – WTF?
Do they have a kangaroo/pedestrian kill contest?
Thanks for the morning roundup BK, which is excellent. Some good articles on Voice, IGR, tax reform and climate change all highlight Albo’s cautious approach.
On this one:
“ Major car makers have broken ranks with the board of Australia’s largest auto industry group, accusing it of lobbying the Albanese government for loopholes to slow the shift to electric vehicles and weaken new fuel pollution limits. Australia’s largest electric vehicle brand, Tesla, says the peak lobby group, the Federal Chamber of Automotive Industries, is urging the federal government to adopt reforms that could allow vehicle emissions to increase over time.”
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/rift-in-car-industry-over-loophole-in-national-electric-vehicle-scheme-20230825-p5dzd1.html
If Labor gives in on this it will lose a lot of votes. Legacy carmakers in the car industry want the government to adopt convoluted definitions of what a zero emitting vehicle is, to hide the worst performers. Bowen needs to quite stalling and act.
If Labor doesn’t put vehicle emissions in place soon there will not be enough time before the 2025 election for importers to tool up and switch to EVs. In that case, there will be little environmental or political gain from it.
‘Ven says:
Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 8:49 am
Modi and Xi Speak at BRICS Summit, Ask Officials to Resolve Border Dispute Quickly
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-24/modi-xi-speak-ask-officials-to-resolve-border-dispute-quickly#xj4y7vzkg‘
——————————-
The border dispute(s) get dialed up and down according to other priorities. Deflecting to officials is a standard deflection. The disputes will not be resolved. What this really tells us is that Xi is distracted by its economic crisis and with the tensions in the South China Sea.
The Age 25/08
Labor’s internal watchdog on Friday said it would not launch a further probe into a branch associated with cabinet minister Lily D’Ambrosio, where it was alleged the signatures of deceased people were forged on membership forms.
In a statement released at 5pm, Victorian Labor acting state secretary Cameron Petrie revealed the party’s monitor, John Thwaites, had concluded his investigation into the Lalor South branch.
“The party monitor was unable to identify who was responsible for any breaches of the rules relating to the renewal of memberships of deceased members,” Petrie said.
_____________________
The ‘Party Monitor’ What the hell is that ? have never heard of such a role.
But I can guarantee whatever they do, they will be under the direction of the Dept of Premier and Cabinet.
”
The same year Peter Costello delivered the first intergenerational report, the Howard government decided not to ratify the Kyoto Protocol. This is the story of Australian politics, of a country stepping on a rake, over and over again, forever, says the editorial in The Saturday Paper.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/comment/editorial/2023/08/26/the-world-burning
”
So Australia is sideshow Bob?
The Kyiv Independent reports on this assessment of the Ukrainian counteroffensive against Russian occupation forces, given by US Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, Mark Milley:
“Ukrainian forces have broken through Russian main lines of defense in some areas, top US general says
Throughout their counteroffensive, Ukrainian troops have managed to attack through Russia’s first main defensive belt in some areas along the front lines, Chairman of the U.S. Joint Chiefs of Staff Mark Milley said in an interview with Al-Mamlaka TV, a Jordanian public broadcaster, published on Aug. 25.
“Specifically on the axes of advance that (Ukrainian forces) are attacking right now, (Ukrainian forces) have attacked through the main defense belt,” Milley said.
The chairman noted that Russian troops have been preparing a deep line of defense for many months and it has “mine fields, dragon’s teeth, and tank ditches. It’s a very complex set of defensive preparations that the Ukrainians are fighting through.”
CNN also reported on Aug. 25, citing Ukraine’s General Staff, that there are signs Ukrainian troops have broken through Russian defenses along the southern front line in Zaporizhzhia Oblast.
Milley told Al-Mamlaka that “it’s too early to say” whether Ukraine’s counteroffensive has succeeded or failed, calling the push “very bloody, slow, long and difficult.”
He added that after having liberated “a considerable part” of lands occupied by Russia, Ukrainian forces have a “significant amount of power remaining, and it’s not over yet.””
https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-war-latest-ukrainian-forces-break-through-russian-main-line-of-defense-top-us-general-says/
This is what a clear-headed view of the state of the war looks like. Not the frantic but self-serving defeatism of the likes of Hungarian PM Viktor Orbán.
And here is that piece of self-serving concern trolling of Ukrainians by Orbán:
“Orbán stated that the war in Ukraine cannot be stopped by “having a ‘peace plan’ and waiting for something to happen – first, there must be an early, immediate and unconditional ceasefire”.
“Europe’s first mistake was to globalise this war. The only country that said on the day the war broke out that it should be localised was ours… The strategy of the West is that Ukrainians fight and die, and we give them money, information and weapons,” Orbán said.
He added that this “strategy” did not work because Ukraine has a smaller population, “so we should send our troops, but no one dares to do that”.
Orbán went on to mention the “significant price” that Hungary and the entire European Union are paying to support Ukraine: “We have already sent €70 billion and now we are discussing whether to send another €50 billion, while the EU needs every cent to regain its competitiveness.””
https://www.pravda.com.ua/eng/news/2023/08/25/7417137/
Orbán is openly saying he wants, and always wanted, a Russian invasion of Ukraine in which Ukraine is conquered, Russia gets to keep the spoils, and everybody else around the world gets to turn their back and then the friendliest to Russia get to have a slice of the pie. That man is a despicable pig. I hope he rots in hell with Putin and Prigozhin when his time comes.
”
With Ita Buttrose going, the Albanese ALP government now has an opportunity to reinvigorate and rebuild the ABC, says Quentin Dempster.
https://johnmenadue.com/ita-out-so-whats-next-for-the-abc/
”
So does it mean that under the leadership Ita Buttrose ABC was not balanced but was cowed by L-NP governments. Instead of being a public broadcaster it almost behaved like State broadcaster. Even after doing all these things it had to cut staff and programs because its funding was cut by LNP governments.
Insiders looks interesting. Laura Tingle is always good value. And Allegra Spender will be interesting – she doesn’t get that much press. Let’s see if Speers give her some space.
Tingle writes on the ABC about the Intergenerational Report. Quoting Ken Henry:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-08-26/intergenerational-report-australia-equity-tax-reform-blow-up/102777872
All this sheets home to Howard and his after rans, and their narrow minded self interest that rarely stretched beyond the next ballot box, deluded by the faux sense of well being rooted in the past, the future beyond their comprehension and certainly beyond their fear tolerance. It takes courage, and they were nothing if not gutless.
This will be Chalmers spring board for tax reform. He doesn’t have Keating’s sharp tongue. But he’s good, and he knows what he has to do, including staying in government.
Trump’s an easy 120Kg.
Quick comments before the day takes me.
– Universities
Q/ What do they provide?
A/ They provide *two* core services: education and research. That’s what makes them special.
– Exclusive stories
Q/ Why is any story an exclusive?
A/ Because it’s a story no-one else would publish. (News is continuously published. If it’s interesting and newsworthy it will be broadly available.)
(And thanks BK.)
Ven @ Saturday, August 26, 2023 at 8:49 am:
“Modi and Xi Speak at BRICS Summit, Ask Officials to Resolve Border Dispute Quickly
https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2023-08-24/modi-xi-speak-ask-officials-to-resolve-border-dispute-quickly#xj4y7vzkg
““The two leaders directed officials to resolve the border dispute expeditiously.” China’s Foreign Ministry said Xi told Modi that improving ties would be conducive to regional peace and economic development. “Both sides should properly handle the border issue and jointly maintain peace in the area,” it added.””
=================
Wow, that is some gobsmacking piece of hand-washing by ‘national leaders’ being displayed there by Modi and Xi. Telling each other they’ll get their peeps to talk to each other to find an answer they obviously weren’t able to come up with themselves. How did their conversations go? ‘Yes, yes, we like each other. Such a shame we have this unpleasant little issue between us. A few too many on the ground getting caught in the crossfire. Let’s get our folks to sit down with each other and figure it all out. How hard can it be?’
I like how Xi is so wedded to cliched ‘both sides’ rhetoric to cloak his true partiality he even uses it when he is one of those ‘sides’.
Stormy Daniels @StormyDaniels
Mmmkay! And I’m 110lbs and a virgin ! I’m not a scale or a doctor but I have spent some time beneath 215lb men and Tiny was not one of them.
So Australia is sideshow Bob?
I’m tossing up whether it’s actually Tony Abbott or Scott Morrison?
@Holden: “Ambassadors expelled by Niger’s junta
France
Germany
United States
Nigeria
Ivory Coast”
Not surprised.
The Guardian had a disgrace of an article after the coup which seemed to be celebrating a military coup replacing a democratically elected government because the coupers are hostile to the old colonial master France (and the West in general) and in the pocket of the Russians.
From BK’S Dawn Patrol:
[‘Michael Pascoe writes that Dutton is a populist politician who just isn’t popular.’]
No doubt about that. The only surprise is that Dutton thinks he’s on a winner by opposing the referendum. But if it doesn’t succeed, he’ll still be as popular as a bacon sanger at a Bar Mitzvah, despite efforts to humanise him – eg, smiling more, designer glass frames, appearing on “Kitchen Cabinet”, even cracking the odd joke on Sky.
phoenixRED @ #44 Saturday, August 26th, 2023 – 9:14 am
OMG!! 😆
Steve777 @ #10 Saturday, August 26th, 2023 – 7:51 am
No, polling regularly shows a majority are willing to incur personal cost.
It is our government that want climate action provided it costs them (and their financial supporters) nothing.
If Australian politics was simply a marketing exercise, as Peter Dutton seems to think it is, Anthony Albanese would never have been elected. Just sayin’. As many have observed, charisma isn’t his strong suit. But I think that’s what people get. What you see is what you get.