Friday miscellany: Liberal preselections, SEC Newgate poll and more (open thread)

Liberal disunity interrupts the Tasmanian branch’s federal preselection process, as a new poll records a growing sense that the country is headed in the wrong direction.

Once again, the latest haul of federal preselection news is dominated by both action and inaction on the Liberal Party front:

Matthew Denholm of The Australian reports the Tasmanian Liberal executive has delayed until March preselection votes that were scheduled for Braddon on November 12 and Bass for November 18 amid a conservative push to oust Bridget Archer from Bass. Candidates will also be required to sign an agreement not to speak out against the party line, which was likely prompted by Archer’s outspokenness on issues such as the party’s push in parliament for a royal commission into child sex abuse.

• A report on the above matter from Benjamin Seeder of the Burnie Advocate draws my attention to the fact that Liberals preselected Susie Bower, who was also the candidate in 2022, in the central Tasmanian seat of Lyons back in April. Bower is chief executive of the Bell Bay Advanced Manufacturing Zone and a former Meander Valley councillor. Brian Mitchell has held the seat precariously for Labor since 2016, Bower reducing his margin in 2022 to 0.9% with a 4.3% swing that was partly a correction after a troubled Liberal campaign in 2019.

• A Liberal preselection will be held tomorrow for Russell Broadbent’s seat of Monash in regional Victoria, where the 72-year-old incumbent faces challenges from Nathan Hersey, mayor of the Shire of South Gippsland, and Mary Aldred, head of government relations for Asia Pacific at Fujitsu. Aldred is the daughter of the late Ken Aldred, who held various federal seats for the Liberals from 1975 to 1996. While her father was a figure of some controversy, The Age reports Mary Aldred is “viewed as a moderate”, in common with Broadbent.

• The Australian’s Feeding the Chooks column reports displeasure among Liberal National Party members at the time being taken to begin preselection proceedings for the Gold Coast seat of McPherson, which will be vacated at the next election on the retirement of Karen Andrews. Mentioned as possible contenders are Ben Naday, former migration agent and federal ministerial adviser; Leon Rebello, solicitor at King & Wood Mallesons; and David Stevens, managing director of a private strategy and investment consulting firm and Howard government cabinet policy unit adviser.

Canberra CityNews reports the Liberals have preselected Joanne van der Plaat, Cooma lawyer and former president of the Law Society of New South Wales, as candidate for Eden-Monaro. Van der Plaat was chosen ahead of Vanessa Cheng, a management consultant.

There is also the following to relate on the polling front:

• This week’s Roy Morgan poll has Labor leading 52-48 on two-party preferred, in from 53-47 last week, from primary votes of Labor 31.5% (down one), Coalition 35% (steady) and Greens 13.5% (down one-and-a-half). The poll was conducted last Monday to Sunday from a sample of 1371.

• SEC Newgate’s regular bi-monthly Mood of the Nation survey finds 32% rating the federal government’s performance as good, down four points from August, with poor steady at 36%. Expectations about the state of the economy three years from now have taken a hit, with the positive rating down eight from the last survey to 50% and negative up six to 34%. The question of whether Australia is headed in the right direction, on which opinion was evenly divided through 2022, is now running 63-37 against. Of the mainland states, small sample state breakdowns have consistently found optimism highest in Western Australia and lowest in Queensland. Queensland was targeted with an elevated sample of 603, of whom 27% rated the state government’s performance as good compared with 43% for poor. The poll was conducted October 18 to 23 from an overall sample of 1610.

The Australian reports Newspoll found the most favoured options for helping with the cost of living were, in order, subsidising energy bills (84%), subsidising fuel prices (81%), cutting government spending to reduce inflation (77%), personal tax cuts (73%) and cash payments to low-income families (56%).

Kos Samaras from RedBridge Group offers further results from its poll last week showing 34% consider the Albanese government has the right priorities compared with 50% who disagree, while 30% believe “the Coalition led by Peter Dutton” is ready for government and 50% think otherwise.

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

784 comments on “Friday miscellany: Liberal preselections, SEC Newgate poll and more (open thread)”

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  1. Déjà vu: Chaotic House takes government to the brink of shutdown

    https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/11/9/2204660/-D-j-vu-Chaotic-House-takes-government-to-the-brink-of-shutdown?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=top_news_slot_3&pm_medium=web


    It’s eight days until the government funding expires, and the House of Representatives has quit work for the week. That’s after Speaker Mike Johnson had to yank another appropriations bill from the floor because it was too radical for one bloc of his conference to pass and not radical enough for the Freedom Caucus.”

    Jamie Dupree
    @jamiedupree
    Huge setback for the House GOP as they pulled the Financial Services bill before a final vote. Still no CR. Two bills derailed this week. Disaster.

    “The problem then and now is that leadership is letting the maniacs run the show. In the case of Thursday’s failure, it’s an abortion fight. The bill funds Washington, D.C., and has a provision that repeals the city’s policy that prohibits employers from discriminating against employees who get abortions or use birth control. That’s too much for the non-maniacs in the House GOP who are “just sick of every appropriations bill being a vehicle for some off the wall abortion policy,” according to California Republican Rep. John Duarte. Once again, Johnson doesn’t have the votes to pass that bill.”

    “As far as anyone knows (and even his leadership team seems to be in the dark), Johnson is still pursuing the “laddered CR” idea, which would fund part of the government until mid-December and rest into January. Everyone but Johnson and the Freedom Caucus thinks this idea is ridiculous, including Senate Republicans. “I have a lot of reservations. I don’t see how that would work, and it seems unnecessarily complex,” Sen. Susan Collins, the ranking Republican on the Appropriations Committee, told Punchbowl News. “You’d have to go through the threat of shutdowns of part of [the] government over and over again. So, it doesn’t seem to me to make a lot of sense.”

  2. But on Thursday, the judge seemed shockingly open to the defense’s statements.

    Elsewhere in the article, said “For the most part, Engoron seemed surprisingly attentive to Kise’s arguments.” The judge has demonstrated that he is very attentive to all evidence presented, such as this exchange in the same slide deck:

    Adam Klasfeld @KlasfeldReports

    The next slide states:

    “The Court stated it is ‘not here to hear what [President Trump] has to say.'”

    Engoron interjects, asking Kise if he heard what he said right after that.

    The AG’s counsel answers that Engoron said he’s here to hear Trump answer questions. (True.)

    The phrase “enough rope” comes to mind.

  3. Thanks for the roundup BK.

    On this story about carbon credits, yes they are a scam, designed by Angus Taylor for Abbott. So why does Labor keep them?

    If Green Hydrogen and renewable powered aluminum smelters in Gladstone and Portland work out, Labor won’t need this sort of sleight of hand to keep some favored union jobs alive. Meanwhile the Greens will be campaigning hard against them over this.

    “ Professor Andre Macintosh explains how carbon credits could blow up Australia’s main climate policy.”
    https://theconversation.com/the-unsafe-safeguard-mechanism-how-carbon-credits-could-blow-up-australias-main-climate-policy-213874

  4. Unlike previous times, the US military is not funded to continue being paid if there is a shutdown this time. That is 2 million fairly conservative personnel and employees who are going to having a skinny Christmas.

  5. Surprised, are you?

    Hi there, New York Times. I see that yesterday you tweeted, or whatever it’s called now, this:

    “Abortion rights groups have been on an unexpected winning streak with ballot measures that have prevailed in six out of six states since the Supreme Court overturned Roe v. Wade. But the measure in Ohio is their toughest fight yet.”

    https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/11/8/2204408/-Surprised-are-you?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=trending&pm_medium=web

    The rest is the article of generations of women in her family facing things like
    1. Women’s right to vote
    2. Woman not able to get Bank loan
    3. Woman goaded of not being capable of doing Engineering
    4. Reversal of RoeVWade


  6. B.S. Fairmansays:
    Friday, November 10, 2023 at 9:55 am
    Unlike previous times, the US military is not funded to continue being paid if there is a shutdown this time. That is 2 million fairly conservative personnel and employees who are going to having a skinny Christmas.

    It appears with shutdown there will be no funding for Ukraine war and Israe-Hamas war.

    In US Senate, Republican Senator Tubbervile is refusing to budge on appointments of Military personnel based on his religious Abortion beliefs.

  7. Ven

    Fancy the New York Times not observing or understanding the damn obvious. Even silly old me in little old Melbourne town can see what the go is in the USA. Sheesh

  8. Confessions @ #7 Friday, November 10th, 2023 – 7:02 am

    C@t:

    Although the food is good, Abduls is so dark and dingy and lacks atmosphere. It’s also BYO.

    I don’t know about a planning day this weekend?

    I wasn’t dark and dingy last Saturday. And BYO is a distinct advantage, avoiding paying a 700% mark-up while being served by a kid who wouldn’t know wine from their rum and coke.

  9. On twitter. My sentiments exactly.

    —————-
    Want to know why so many Democrats now despise the media? Here’s an excellent example of why.

    Back in 2021, when Republicans did well in Virginia, the media said it was a referendum on Biden and spelled bad news for his presidency. (see screenshots)

    Since Democrats did exceedingly well in Virginia and across the nation on Tuesday night, the media wants you to believe now it had nothing to do with Biden and shouldn’t be interpreted as good news for him.

    WTF!

    Folks, as I have said before, it’s all a game to the media. To be more precise, it’s all bullshit.

    But the problem is, they are inching us closer to authoritarianism with each stupid article they write. Stay aware, my friends.

  10. Pueo @ #NaN Friday, November 10th, 2023 – 9:50 am

    But on Thursday, the judge seemed shockingly open to the defense’s statements.

    Elsewhere in the article, said “For the most part, Engoron seemed surprisingly attentive to Kise’s arguments.” The judge has demonstrated that he is very attentive to all evidence presented, such as this exchange in the same slide deck:

    Adam Klasfeld @KlasfeldReports

    The next slide states:

    “The Court stated it is ‘not here to hear what [President Trump] has to say.’”

    Engoron interjects, asking Kise if he heard what he said right after that.

    The AG’s counsel answers that Engoron said he’s here to hear Trump answer questions. (True.)

    The phrase “enough rope” comes to mind.

    He doesn’t want the Trump legal team to successfully Appeal his Ruling on the case. So, he is giving them enough rope just to be sure.

  11. Socrates @ #NaN Friday, November 10th, 2023 – 9:58 am

    On top of his excellent performance in his USA and China visits (can anyone think of a single gaff?) Albo has put out a very balanced statement on the Israel- Hamas war, in which he supports a two state solution for Palestine.
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/nov/09/australian-pm-anthony-albanese-speaks-with-palestinian-authority-leader-mahmoud-abbas

    The problem with Western democracies and their electorates, is that they have been fed a steady diet of Reality TV, and now they expect their political leaders to perform for them. If they don’t and are just competent and unflashy, then they get bored with them and want to go with the other guy who uses bells and whistles. Mainly dog whistles.

  12. Cat

    Agreed. I know I criticised Marles and King yesterday (or at least their interaction with industry) but I did not criticise Albo. He has generally led well. Also he and Chalmers have done a lot to turn the economy around (with aforementioned caveats on Marles and King).

    Even the Voice I blame more on those running the campaign and the lies of Dutton, Price and Mundine. Albo stuck to his word in holding the referendum, which was not a bad thing.

    Compared to Morrison, the lack of stunts from Albo, Marles and Wong has been refreshing.

  13. Ven – It is looking like the other senate Republicans are likely to approve the removal of the rule that Tubberville is using to block the appointments. He is abusing one of the stupidest of the Byzantine rules of the US senate.
    They already forced a handful of appointments through last week.

  14. The Australia government has absolutely zero influence on the Israeli government. So whether or not, Albo calls for a ceasefire is redundant. The debate is moot.
    The Americans have some influence but even then they can’t control them.

  15. Thanks, BK.

    This is hardly news.

    China Inc hoovers individual information from every source possible. (So does the US). Apart from marketing, this data is used in part to influence/control Chinese Australian citizens for whom the Chicomms have declared a duty of care. This information is, of course, used to tailor the Tiktok feed which is strictly controlled with, for example, Australian politicians excluded at will.

    The New Daily tells us that two Chinese-owned car manufacturers collect their Australian customer’s personal information and transfer it to China, according to analysis of their privacy policies. Analysis from Top10VPN found many Chinese car manufactures, including MG and Great Wall Motors (GWM), allow widespread data collection of users, their vehicles and their devices when connected into smart-car ecosystems.
    https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/finance/consumer/2023/11/09/mg-gwm-car-data


  16. Victoriasays:
    Friday, November 10, 2023 at 10:07 am
    Ven

    Fancy the New York Times not observing or understanding the damn obvious. Even silly old me in little old Melbourne town can see what the go is in the USA. Sheesh

    You understand because it is women who are at receiving end and it is related to who controls women’s bodies and you use your commonsense

    Poor old NY Times is still shellshocked after Trump won 2016 election and Trump mounted insurrection against US Government in 2021 after he lost 2020 election.
    They have been been high and mighty about US democracy and preaching the world how democracy should work.
    Now they don’t know anymore

  17. B.S. Fairman @ #NaN Friday, November 10th, 2023 – 10:24 am

    Ven – It is looking like the other senate Republicans are likely to approve the removal of the rule that Tubberville is using to block the appointments. He is abusing one of the stupidest of the Byzantine rules of the US senate.
    They already forced a handful of appointments through last week.

    He was looking like a stubborn mule. Even to his fellow Republicans. More likely an ass. 😉

  18. The Coalition: a shower of misfits.

    Howard assimilating, Abbott killing climate, Abetz knifing, Joyce snouting, Paterson snouting, Morrison freelancing, Price trans-deforming, Reynolds suing, Joyce carping, Dutton saving whales, Littleproud pushing the nuclear button…


  19. Victoriasays:
    Friday, November 10, 2023 at 10:11 am
    On twitter. My sentiments exactly.

    —————-
    Want to know why so many Democrats now despise the media? Here’s an excellent example of why.

    Back in 2021, when Republicans did well in Virginia, the media said it was a referendum on Biden and spelled bad news for his presidency. (see screenshots)

    Since Democrats did exceedingly well in Virginia and across the nation on Tuesday night, the media wants you to believe now it had nothing to do with Biden and shouldn’t be interpreted as good news for him.

    WTF!

    Folks, as I have said before, it’s all a game to the media. To be more precise, it’s all bullshit.

    But the problem is, they are inching us closer to authoritarianism with each stupid article they write. Stay aware, my friends.

    I endorse yours sentiments completely especially “inching us closer to authoritarianism with each stupid article they write.”

    And it is so true about Australian media especially with people like Coorey, Stutchbury et tl.

  20. Ven

    The media have their agenda, and it isn’t benevolent

    They are reporting that the dems winning this week was not because of Biden, but in spite of him. You can bet your bottom dollar that if it was the other way around, it would be because of Trump.

    Pathetic.

  21. Tens of thousands of South Australian school students, TAFE trainees and teachers will be recruited into science, technology, engineering and maths education pathways under a plan to make the state a defence industry powerhouse. The aim is to grow the SA defence industry workforce from 3,500 to more than 8,500 by the 2040s – with a broad suite of measures to attract people into the sector, from primary and high school through to vocational training, university and mid-career transition programs.
    Defence Minister Richard Marles and Premier Peter Malinauskas unveiled the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Report and Action Plan in Adelaide on Friday morning, outlining the decades-long plan to equip the state to fill the jobs required to deliver and maintain a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.
    The plan includes engaging about 27,000 students and 1500 teachers in at least 180 SA schools to support STEM education pathways, as well as developing a pipeline of about 2600 additional VET and university students through new flexible training programs.
    “To succeed in delivering SSN-AUKUS, continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment, and our other defence projects, South Australia will need to grow the capacity and capability of the industrial base,” the report said. “A comprehensive and integrated approach is required to upskill and retain our existing workforce while growing the pipeline across the learning journey – from primary school through to mid-career transitions.”
    From this year more than 70 young Australians will join an Early Careers Program in an effort to steer people into the sector, with other opportunities to be promoted widely to attract the best candidates for jobs. The government has committed to build the new SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine fleet in SA, with the first vessel to enter service around 2040. In the interim Australia will purchase three to five US-made Virginia-class vessels from 2032.
    https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/state-government-to-help-students-and-educators-enter-stem-pathways-hoping-to-expand-defence-industry-workforce/news-story/94555ad92754b15e22567cf899e77969

  22. In my honest view both-sideism and balanced reporting are no longer applicable in political climate of AUKUS countries because the Tory side is mostly corrupted, living on lies, behaving like authoritarians and a lot of them bordering on evil.

  23. Ven @ #NaN Friday, November 10th, 2023 – 10:58 am

    In my honest view both-sideism and balanced reporting are no longer applicable in political climate of AUKUS countries because the Tory side is mostly corrupted, living on lies, behaving like authoritarians and a lot of them bordering on evil.

    And they use newsrooms’ commitments to ‘Balance’ as an easily-exploited tool for their side.

  24. Holdenhillbilly @ #NaN Friday, November 10th, 2023 – 10:56 am

    Tens of thousands of South Australian school students, TAFE trainees and teachers will be recruited into science, technology, engineering and maths education pathways under a plan to make the state a defence industry powerhouse. The aim is to grow the SA defence industry workforce from 3,500 to more than 8,500 by the 2040s – with a broad suite of measures to attract people into the sector, from primary and high school through to vocational training, university and mid-career transition programs.
    Defence Minister Richard Marles and Premier Peter Malinauskas unveiled the South Australian Defence Industry Workforce and Skills Report and Action Plan in Adelaide on Friday morning, outlining the decades-long plan to equip the state to fill the jobs required to deliver and maintain a fleet of nuclear-powered submarines.
    The plan includes engaging about 27,000 students and 1500 teachers in at least 180 SA schools to support STEM education pathways, as well as developing a pipeline of about 2600 additional VET and university students through new flexible training programs.
    “To succeed in delivering SSN-AUKUS, continuous naval shipbuilding and sustainment, and our other defence projects, South Australia will need to grow the capacity and capability of the industrial base,” the report said. “A comprehensive and integrated approach is required to upskill and retain our existing workforce while growing the pipeline across the learning journey – from primary school through to mid-career transitions.”
    From this year more than 70 young Australians will join an Early Careers Program in an effort to steer people into the sector, with other opportunities to be promoted widely to attract the best candidates for jobs. The government has committed to build the new SSN-AUKUS nuclear-powered submarine fleet in SA, with the first vessel to enter service around 2040. In the interim Australia will purchase three to five US-made Virginia-class vessels from 2032.
    https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/national/state-government-to-help-students-and-educators-enter-stem-pathways-hoping-to-expand-defence-industry-workforce/news-story/94555ad92754b15e22567cf899e77969

    Socrates?

  25. In a significant security breach of India’s Aadhaar, the world largest Biometric Digital ID System, an anonymous hacker claims to have compromised the personal identifiable information (PII) of approximately 10% of the world’s population. This includes digital ID numbers and sensitive data of around 815 million Indian citizens.
    This security breach affects over 60% of the 1.3 billion Indian individuals enrolled in the government’s Aadhaar biometric digital identity program, and it encompasses around 10% of the entire global population. Described as the largest breach in the country’s history by the Hindustan Times, the personal data of hundreds of millions of Indians is now available on the dark web for as little as $80,000.
    To obtain an Aadhaar card, Indian residents must submit essential demographic details such as their name, date of birth, age, address, and gender. Additionally, they are required to provide biometric data, which includes ten fingerprints, two eyeball scans, and a facial photograph. Regrettably, a substantial portion of this data seems to have been compromised.

  26. Tens of thousands of South Australian school students, TAFE trainees and teachers will be recruited into science, technology, engineering and maths education pathways under a plan to make the state a defence industry powerhouse.

    It is a plan. But there are a lot of groups signing up to it – at least talking it up. Flinders Uni peeps never stop talking about it.

    And considering the potential of sea level rise – the port may end up closer to the city.

  27. Based on current polls the only way Biden can be re-elected is if Haley or another moderate runs as a fourth candidate against Biden/Trump/Kennedy.

  28. Asha
    If she keeps this up, she may be able to overtake Ron DeSantis and come a distant second place in the primaries.

    Each of these candidates might be putting themselves forward as a ‘Plan B’ should Trump end up convicted and incarcerated.

    And/or they are positioning themselves for 2028.

    Otherwise, they are (collectively and individually) a complete waste of time and oxygen.

  29. Asha @ #79 Friday, November 10th, 2023 – 10:43 am

    Nikki Haley the winner of the third Republican debate, according to GOP voters surveyed by 538:

    https://projects.fivethirtyeight.com/republican-debate-november-poll/

    If she keeps this up, she may be able to overtake Ron DeSantis and come a distant second place in the primaries.

    She may not be so distant as you think. She was at 16% in Iowa before this debate and Trump was only on 46% (Selzer). And Iowa is the first primary so peeps there are tuning in more than nationally.

    The field is still too crowded for her to get enough oxygen be a direct challenge. But as they drop out, that could change. Which would leave DeSantis to do the honourable thing.

    There are a lot of States with Open Primaries – where either unaffiliated peeps can vote or, with some, even democrats can vote for their preferred Republican. Who knows – maybe Haley has a chance in these which might shake it up.

  30. I am waiting for more Biden/Haley head to head polls to come out. More reliable ones now she is getting name recognition. That might get Republicans talking. Especially if Trump v Biden polls start looking better for Biden as peeps tune in more to the option.

  31. and Trump was only on 46% (Selzer).

    So even a majority of Republicans (in Iowa) don’t want Trump. Prefer a non-Trump option.

    But watch out Biden, unstoppable Trump is coming for you. So sayeth the media and quite a few individual commentators as well. 🙄

  32. a r,
    Do you think Biden has a chance against Haley or DeSantis? He did quite well in the last election campaign. Beyond many peoples expectations. But was that just because of the time (Covid) or how miserable the other guy was at governing and his insane campaign style?

    I note that the few polls so far on Biden v Haley has her way exceeding Trumps lead. Both Marquette and Siena/NYT have her in double digit leads in Wisconsin. If Republican think Biden will be the Dem candidate and think that Haley could win by those margins….. there will be movement at the station.

  33. ”Albo has put out a very balanced statement on the Israel- Hamas war, in which he supports a two state solution for Palestine.”

    Which Dutton will characterise as supporting terrorists, as with anything less than full-throated unconditional support for Israel.

  34. Stronger-than-expected population growth is helping to prop up business pricing power at the same time as it is putting a lid on wages growth, according to the Reserve Bank. In its latest statement on monetary policy, the Reserve Bank updated its economic forecasts, which explain why it raised interest rates this month.
    As expected, the bank dramatically increased its short-term inflation forecasts in response to the most recent Consumer Price Index data from the ABS, which showed inflation accelerating in the September quarter. The RBA now expects both the headline and its preferred measure of trimmed mean inflation to come in at 4.5 per cent for the year to December, which is a 0.6 percentage point upgrade to that core measure. Moreover, it expects inflation to remain close to 4 per cent through to the middle of next year, before gradually drifting back just under the top of its 2-3 per cent target range by the end of 2025.
    These forecasts were based on the market pricing for interest rates, which had factored in Tuesday’s cash rate increase to 4.35 per cent. More interesting are the dynamics driving this persistent inflation, and how this affects which sections of society bear the greatest cost from it. “Output growth this year has had a bit more momentum than was expected three months ago, which is partly the result of stronger-than-expected growth in population, as well as more strength in the growth of private and public investment,” the bank’s economists noted. “Business investment and public demand are expected to continue to contribute to output growth in coming quarters, supported by strong population growth, an easing in supply constraints and a large pipeline of projects, including for public infrastructure.” The bank noted the staffing and materials constraints holding back, and pushing up the cost of, many public and private infrastructure projects, particularly in transport and renewable energy, and the IMF recently called for some of these public projects to be delayed to take some demand out of the economy right now.
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-11-10/reserve-bank-interest-rates-statement-on-monetary-policy-nov-23/103088858

  35. According to a new survey by @retailaustralia and Roy Morgan, 30% of shoppers will cut their #Christmas gifting budgets in 2023, while 61% will maintain last year’s spending and 9% intend to spend more .

  36. Ven ”In my honest view both-sideism and balanced reporting are no longer applicable in political climate of AUKUS countries because the Tory side is mostly corrupted, living on lies, behaving like authoritarians and a lot of them bordering on evil.”

    And some cross the border…

    It is a real worry. In discussions regarding Earth sciences, geography, astronomy, etc etc we don’t give equal time to flat Earthers or geocentrists. Should one get a look-in, we don’t give their opinions equal weight. Why, because their opinions were thoroughly debunked centuries ago.

    Climate denial is now in a similar category. The science is in, let those who believe we should not do anything honestly put their case or be called out for bullshitting.

    Then you have lies being weaponised by the Right. Obvious lies should be called out. The less obvious ones? Well, we just have to check everything before broadcasting it.

  37. Holdenhillbilly @ #74 Friday, November 10th, 2023 – 10:56 am

    Tens of thousands of South Australian school students, TAFE trainees and teachers will be recruited into science, technology, engineering and maths education pathways under a plan to make the state a defence industry powerhouse.

    It’s “Back to the 80’s” time folks!

    And how well did it all turn out back then?

  38. Labour lead up to 24 points in latest YouGov poll for The Times (Fieldwork 7 – 8 November)

    LAB 47 (+3)
    CON 23 (=)
    LIB DEM 10 (+1)
    REF UK 8 (-1)
    GREEN 7 (-2)

  39. Team Katich @ #86 Friday, November 10th, 2023 – 10:47 am

    a r,
    Do you think Biden has a chance against Haley or DeSantis? He did quite well in the last election campaign. Beyond many peoples expectations. But was that just because of the time (Covid) or how miserable the other guy was at governing and his insane campaign style?

    I’m generally of the opinion that the biggest threat to Biden is the GOP nominating anybody other than Trump. Maybe not DeSantis (his Florida shenanigans are brazenly authoritarian in a way I think even most Republicans will reject). But definitely Haley. Especially if she’s given breathing room to put forward a more moderate stance on abortion, at least in the general election campaign.

    By the same token, the biggest threat to Trump is the Dems fielding virtually anyone other than Biden.

    None of which is to say that Biden wasn’t/isn’t an effective campaigner, or that his administration and the US economic situation is half as bad as most of the mainstream commentary (and all of the right-wing commentary) tries to paint it.

    But people look at Biden and just see “too old”, against a backdrop of geriatric Congress members, several of whom (8 since 2020!) have literally dropped dead. And they look at Trump and see “too crazy*”, against a backdrop of alternate-reality, science-denying nonsense with a heaping side-order of casual racism.

    Ultimately in a fight between “too old” and “too crazy”, I expect “too old” to win. It’s basically a rehash of 2020; Biden won not because everyone was super enthusiastic about President Biden, rather because everyone got a chance to see what President Trump really was about, and found it unacceptable (especially given his insane management/response to covid that year, yes).

    But really I think at this point a huge chunk of the electorate just wants (at least somewhat) young and (at least somewhat) sane. The first party to a field a candidate ticking those boxes wins. I’m kind of surprised that, at least so far, it looks like neither party is even going to try.

    * Among many, many other things. Including also old.

    If Republican think Biden will be the Dem candidate and think that Haley could win by those margins….. there will be movement at the station.

    Not really seeing much evidence of that so far. But I kind of hope so. The primary goal should be Trump, gone. If that means President Haley, fine.

  40. Candidates will also be required to sign an agreement not to speak out against the party line, which was likely prompted by Archer’s outspokenness on issues such as the party’s push in parliament for a royal commission into child sex abuse.

    The party of ‘freedom’ indeed.

  41. Kos Samaras from RedBridge Group offers further results from its poll last week showing 34% consider the Albanese government has the right priorities compared with 50% who disagree, while 30% believe “the Coalition led by Peter Dutton” is ready for government and 50% think otherwise.

    There it is. The two party duopoly is coming to an end.

  42. Over in the UK it is getting interesting. The Home Secretary Suealla Braveman is going rough on a whole host of issues. She said being homeless is a lifestyle choice earlier in the week and suggested punishing charities that give out blankets and tents to rough sleepers.

    Now she is complaining the police are too soft on Pro-Palestinian protesters in an article in the Times. She has basically encouraged violence to occur this weekend (Armistice Day) by right wing groups against them. Sunak’s press secretary has stated that she is not speaking on behalf of the government for much of this.

    From the look of things, she is trying to get Rishi Sunak to sack her that way post election she will be able to position herself as the leading Right wing leadership contender. But if that is what she wants, will Sunak go for it? Is she better off inside or outside the tent. Neither is really good for him.

  43. post election she will be able to position herself as the leading Right wing leadership contender

    She’s delusional. She’ll never lead anything with “being homeless is a lifestyle choice” on record against her.

  44. I mentioned on Wednesday that I would be staying with my long time provider Optus.

    I have however decided to defect to another provider due to the poor response of the CEO and tricky ‘compensation’ offered. Not good enough and rather insulting.

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