The Australian reports the final Newspoll of the year has Labor recovering a 52-48 lead after the previous poll three weeks ago found the Coalition drawing level. The primary votes are Labor 33% (up two), Coalition 36% (down two), Greens 13% (steady) and One Nation 7% (up one). Anthony Albanese is up two on approval to 42% and down three on disapproval to 50%, while Peter Dutton scores his highest approval rating of the term with a two-point gain to 39%, with his disapproval down two to 48%. Albanese’s lead as preferred prime minister is unchanged at 46-35. The poll was conducted Monday to Friday from a sample of 1219.
The News Corp tabloids also reported today on a RedBridge Group poll showing Labor leading 52.8-47.2, on which more details should be available tomorrow.
UPDATE (Freshwater Strategy): The Financial Review has a Freshwater Strategy poll, conducted Friday to Sunday from a sample of 1109, which records a 50-50 tie on two-party preferred, from primary votes of Labor 31%, Coalition 39% and Greens 13%. This is the fourth federal poll from this outfit this term, and like the first two it has Labor’s two-party share two to three points lower than the most proximate Newspoll. It also credits Anthony Albanese with a relatively narrow 43-39 lead over Peter Dutton as preferred prime minister.
The poll further includes approval and disapproval ratings for a range of public figures, which find Anthony Albanese on 37% approval and 42% disapproval and Peter Dutton on 34% approval and 36% approval, with a respective 1% and 5% saying they had never heard of them. Penny Wong had the best numbers for Labor with 35% approval and 30% disapproval, with the others canvassed each having non-recognition ratings of around a quarter: Jim Chalmers at 22% approval and 21% disapproval, Tanya Plibersek at 21% and 23%, and Chris Bowen has 16% and 22%.
Two Liberals other than Dutton were canvassed, with Sussan Ley at 16% on both approval and disapproval and 37% on non-recognition, and Angus Taylor respectively at 15%, 13% and 39%. The two best results for Coalition figures were recorded by Nationals: Jacinta Price had 28% approval, 21% approval and 17% non-recognition, while party leader David Littleproud was respectively at 20%, 17% and 29%. Barnaby Joyce did less well, with 25% approval, 42% disapproval and 8% non-recognition.
Also featured was a question on issue salience that allowed the respondents to pick multiple options. Immigration was number eight with a bullet, having increased five points to 13% since September, while the cost of living remained well clear at the top of the table with 71%, albeit that this was down six points. Immigration was also the weakest issue area for Labor as best party to manage, down six to 23% with the Coalition up two to 36%. However, Labor widened its lead on job security and unemployment, up one to 35% with the Coalition down two to 30%, and holds a commanding lead of 40% to 24% on welfare and benefits.
Lip-reader Mr Reedy
Not dissimilar from my dentist named Crentist
Dr Reedy is impressive.
The same geniuses who hiked up domestic gas prices, raked in the profits and left Australia with bupkis to show for it are trying to convince us (once again) that Australia has a gas supply shortage requiring huge taxpayer subsidies.
I guess it depends on how you define ‘a gas supply shortage’. But it sounds terrible, so it must be. I guess.
Except that the federal government haven’t been saying that Australia has a domestic gas supply shortage at all, or only in so far as they called the bluff of the LNG exporters and forced them to supply the gas they were extracting, to the domestic market by negotiating an agreement with them:
Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism
The Australian Domestic Gas Security Mechanism (ADGSM) ensures there is sufficient natural gas supply to meet the needs of Australian energy users. The ADGSM is a measure of last resort.
If a gas supply shortfall is forecast for Australia, liquefied natural gas (LNG) projects may need to limit exports or find new gas sources.
The Minister for Resources is responsible for determining whether a shortfall market exists. Their decision is informed by expert advice and information from:
the Australian Energy Market Operator (AEMO)
the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC)
industry and other government sources.
The government has agreed a Heads of Agreement with east coast LNG gas exporters to safeguard Australia’s domestic supplies.
https://www.industry.gov.au/sites/default/files/2022-09/heads_of_agreement_the_australian_east_coast_domestic_gas_supply_commitment.pdf
The Minister for Resources and east coast LNG exporters negotiated the Heads of Agreement in good faith. It is in place until 1 January 2026.
The objective of the agreement is to prevent a gas supply shortfall through access to secure and competitively priced gas for the east coast domestic market. Under the agreement, the East Coast LNG exporters commit to supply sufficient, competitively priced gas to Australian users.
https://www.industry.gov.au/mining-oil-and-gas/oil-and-gas/securing-australian-domestic-gas-supply
Facts are inconvenient to a made-up story, aren’t they, Irene?
A high profile Melbourne figure charged with raping a woman has won a gag order protecting his identity after a court heard he was so traumatised by his arrest that he suffers PTSD.
The man, in his 60s, has spent the past four months fighting to stop his identity from being revealed after he was charged with four sex offences in August.
On Tuesday, the Melbourne Magistrates Court granted a media ban on his name and job after hearing four medical experts speak about the “significant risk” to his mental health if he became publicly linked to the criminal allegations. It comes after the court heard police arrested the man at his home in March following a report by a woman over an alleged sexual assault.
The man’s in-demand defence barrister, Dermot Dann KC, who fought for the suppression order, said there had been “drug use, alcohol use” that night, and that the alleged victim described “a physical altercation” and that she’d sustained an injury by the accused man. He was later charged with four offences, including two counts of rape, one of sexual assault and one of attempted rape.
The Melbourne identity was locked in a police cell for up to four hours following his arrest on March 24, and later told his GP he felt “humiliated” at having to be escorted by officers if he needed to go to the toilet. His “experience with being arrested was torture”, Dr Michael Olenski told the court in November, stating his patient told him police used “intimidation tactics” in interviewing him about the alleged rape.
Another lie that Irene has put out there in her contribution @ 5.36pm is that Further Tamboran Resources, the business Labor wants to donate $3.5billion of our taxes to
The only mention of $3.5 Billion in relation to Tamboran Resources that I could find is the claim that $3.5 Billion will go to the NT government in revenue from the Middle Arm project:
Sydney, Sep 11, 2023 AEST (ABN Newswire) – Tamboran Resources Limited vision is to play a role in the global energy transition by responsibly investing in the development of low-reservoir CO2 natural gas resources in the Beetaloo Basin of the Northern Territory of Australia.
Under Tamboran’s 2030 proposed plan to deliver >1.5 BCFD from the Beetaloo Basin, the Northern Territory is expected to receive significant economic benefits, including:
– >$220 million increase in net real income for the NT.
– >13,000 full time jobs (incl. indirect employment).
– >$3.5 billion in additional revenue for the NT Government and Traditional Owners over 25-years (~$140 million per annum)
*To view the presentation, please visit:
https://abnnewswire.net/lnk/5FPO0G91
About Tamboran Resources Limited
Tamboran Resources Ltd Tamboran Resources Ltd (ASX:TBN) is a natural gas company that intends to play a constructive role in the global energy transition towards a lower carbon future by developing low CO2 unconventional natural gas resources in the Beetaloo Sub-basin within the Greater McArthur Basin in the Northern Territory of Australia. Tamboran’s key assets are a 25% working interest in EP 161 and a 100% working interest in EP 136, EP 143 and EP(A) 197 which are located in the Beetaloo Sub-basin.
https://www.abnnewswire.net/press/en/120318/Tamboran-Resources-Limited-(ASX-TBN)-Beetaloo-Basin-Site-Tour-Presentation.html
Australia’s first trial to test foreign interference laws has resulted in a guilty verdict over a $37,000 hospital donation. Victorian businessman Di Sanh Duong, 68, faced a month-long jury trial in Melbourne’s County Court, accused of preparing for or planning foreign interference.
He became the first person charged under federal laws created in 2018 that ban covert foreign interference in domestic politics.
Prosecutors argued at the trial that Duong planned to gain political influence by cultivating a relationship with former federal multicultural affairs minister Alan Tudge on behalf of the Chinese Communist Party.
He did so by arranging for Tudge to receive a $37,450 donation on behalf of the Royal Melbourne Hospital, money he had raised as president of the Oceania Federation of Chinese Organisations, the jury was told.
Duong started raising the money for COVID-19 supplies, including gloves and masks, to be exported from China, but he was unable to secure shipment and instead handed over a cheque.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/former-liberal-candidate-guilty-over-chinese-influence-plan-20231219-p5esjn.html
These non publications orders are out of control
A female Bowerbird has flown in from the verandah onto the end of the kitchen bench, opposite wide open doors, three times in as many days. There’s a bit of looking around, a open beaked squark, and then off we go out again. We made eye contact today.
The bower is not far from the house. Is it pre or post coital. Or hunger. Or even a young male locked out of the action.
Actually, I have a nest (as brilliant a piece of construction as the bower) on the long hall table, with other weird and wonderful bush collectables. I found it a few weeks ago, upside down under a big gum (wind, or goanna), a few metres from the bower. Surely it’s not looking for the nest, and knows who’s done gone took it.
Donation to charity coming up if old mate, and friend of PB, Shane Dowling has not put himself in the frame again.
Argy-Bargysays:
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 4:50 pm
In case it hasn’t already been posted, the recording of FB’s cross examination will be available on the Fed Court’s site tomorrow at 10.15 am.
_____________________
Contain your excitement Yabba and just make sure you get a good night’s rest.
You have a big day ahead of you tomorrow.
Hmm.
Reedy said he believed CCTV footage showed Higgins being “plied with alcohol” he saw a segment of the footage in which Lehrmann lined up drinks for her on the corner of the table. The court also heard that Reedy’s transcript of the CCTV had Lehrmann saying “drink that all now” and Higgins saying “I don’t want to”.
Justice Lee ruled the lip-reading evidence was admissible, although it is “not an exact science”.
(The Guardian)
Holdenhillbilly
Former footballer?
Speaking of which, are you going to apologise, Taylormade, for the disgusting comment you made about Brittany Higgins and David Sharaz earlier today?
*crickets* ?
Actually, I have a nest (as brilliant a piece of construction as the bower) on the long hall table, with other weird and wonderful bush collectables. I found it a few weeks ago, upside down under a big gum (wind, or goanna), a few metres from the bower. Surely it’s not looking for the nest, and knows who’s done gone took it.
It appears you have become a bower bird yourself! 😀
Shellbell
I wonder how the Melbourne man on sexual assault charges would fare in Justice Lee’s courtroom.
Lee certainly wasn’t buying what counsel for Fiona Brown was selling.
His only concession was to stop the live broadcast, presumably to avoid Ms Brown having the warned-of panic attack on live TV.
But barring the media and public was not on.
And nor should it be.
C@tmomma @ #564 Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 – 6:26 pm
Kinda maybe. This bird is amazing. With doors open a lot, birds do fly in but usually get stuck, trying to get out a window. This one’s not falling for that trap. Just turns around and flies back out after the quick hello. Three days in a row.
Rossmcg
It is just a free for all.
It’s modern root was the non-publication over Pell’s trials and then the ridiculous prosecution for breach of the orders.
C@tmomma says:
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 5:57 pm
———
https://australiainstitute.org.au/post/australia-is-about-to-get-ripped-off-by-the-gas-industry-and-its-not-the-first-time/
It is from The Australia Institute. Who don’t fool people like the Labor, Liberal and National politicians.
And if you aren’t aware that donations from this and similar big companies drive policy decisions for these MPs, you are more naive than I thought.
But facts, when criticism of the Labor Party is made, turn in your mind into fake stories.
I have a bridge to sell you.
Funny I might have thought a person who supports Australia and Australians would feel we citizens deserve a fair price for our gas and minerals?
Silly me.
Labor (and Liberal and Nationals ) is lucky to have your uncritical support. What they count on, fooling voters like you.
This is not on, no matter which political party you represent, and it is a further example of the infiltration of American politics into Australia:
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/19/mp-anne-webster-death-threats-trial-simon-geoffrey-raymond-sentence-good-behaviour-bond
Ivanka Trump slammed for posting pictures with Kim Kardashian. The reason is…
Ivanka Trump shared some pictures with Kim Kardashian from an event in Las Vegas. But a large part of the internet was not all happy with it.
https://www.indiatoday.in/trending-news/story/ivanka-trump-trolled-for-posting-pictures-with-kim-kardashian-2477495-2023-12-18
“Here’s why Ivanka Trump got trolled
The backlash stems from a rift between Kardashian and Donald Trump. Despite their previous collaboration on prison reform initiatives, Trump reportedly turned his back on Kardashian after she allegedly supported Joe Biden in the 2020 presidential election. The tension escalated to a point where Trump is said to have hung up on Kardashian during a phone call when she reached out for assistance on a clemency plea.
This isn’t the first time the friendship between Trump and Kardashian has raised eyebrows. In October, Kardashian celebrated her birthday with a gathering of high-profile friends, including Ivanka Trump. Sharing the festivities on social media, Kardashian expressed her gratitude for her friends, which included Ivanka. However, this display of camaraderie drew criticism from Trump’s opponents, who questioned Kardashian’s association with the Trump family.”
I thought you’d go there, Irene, and use The Australia Institute as your cover, again. So here’s a copy of the submission by The Australia Institute about the Middle Arm Industrial Precinct:
file:///C:/Users/Miles/Downloads/67.%20Australia%20Institute%20Middle%20Arm%20Inquiry%20submission.pdf
Even they haven’t come out with the garbage you’ve been spouting since 5.36pm. Alleging corrupt practices by the major political parties and the federal government is a pretty big call. Especially when you have produced ‘bupkis’ by way of hard evidence.
C@tmomma @ #595 Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 – 6:23 pm
They said on the news he admitted he’s not a qualified lip reader. For whatever is worth and whatever that means.
‘ItzaDream says:
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 6:13 pm
A female Bowerbird has flown in from the verandah onto the end of the kitchen bench, opposite wide open doors, three times in as many days. There’s a bit of looking around, a open beaked squark, and then off we go out again. We made eye contact today.
The bower is not far from the house. Is it pre or post coital. Or hunger. Or even a young male locked out of the action.
Actually, I have a nest (as brilliant a piece of construction as the bower) on the long hall table, with other weird and wonderful bush collectables. I found it a few weeks ago, upside down under a big gum (wind, or goanna), a few metres from the bower. Surely it’s not looking for the nest, and knows who’s done gone took it.’
——————-
FWIW. Young males look like very like females. (Reasonably expert bird voyeurs can tell the difference from plumage alone).
Young males often build ‘practice’ bowers not far from the established bowers of dominant males.
The dominant males quite often raid and destroy the bowers put up by young males.
It is your typical Coalition policy decision making process.
Has Irene praised Bill Shorten for the single biggest social reform since the Whitlam Government?
No?
What a piker!
”
Holdenhillbillysays:
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 6:05 pm
A high profile Melbourne figure charged with raping a woman has won a gag order protecting his identity after a court heard he was so traumatised by his arrest that he suffers PTSD.
The man, in his 60s, has spent the past four months fighting to stop his identity from being revealed after he was charged with four sex offences in August.
”
Does the HPM figure any way linked to Liberal party?
Boerwar @ #573 Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 – 6:46 pm
Yes, I actually think it could well be a young male locked out of the action. It’s very very inquisitive, and bold.
Ahh the hypocrisy of another left bias forum reveals itself again. A Labor chief minister resigns over the very same issue that caused controversy only a couple months ago and the mental backflips to justify the ‘honest mistake’ are rife. 6 premiers and now a chief minister all gone and no lasting legacies beyond inflated state debts, a grossly inept public service that is filled with comrades filling the workplace with public service corruption, a housing crisis where labor/green voters are the main blockers to zone redevelopment in our cities, add on immigration that is outstripping housing supply that has created the lowest levels of housing affordability since Keating was in charge and now a federal government that refuses to make unpopular decisions to reduce the longevity of inflation within the Australia economy and you would think the forum should be able to identify their own delusion.
And like all other places that have strong left wing sentiment, those that attempt to call it out are out manoeuvred by overwhelming sloganeering(advertising) or a good ol’fashioned ban (nath) as to not disrupt the peace of the eutopia they have built(see above paragraph).
Funny how the people who claim to champion responsible government don’t know who to take responsibility.
My own view is that the Teals, especially the Melbourne ones, will romp in at the next election – if Dutton is LNP leader.
Read the room – the traditional old money Liberals tolerated ScoMo – but Dutton is a bridge too far.
Did Fyles fail to file her files?
Or were they eaten by crocodiles?
You’ll never never know.
Why the ABC canned The Drum (and Ita saved Q+A)… behind SMH paywall..
The simple principle that should apply.. anyone that worked for Rupert or Packer has suspect judgment.
Ita appointed to emasculate the ABC.. succeeded beyond the Liberals wildest dreams
How has the Liberal Party sunk so low?
To piss off the wealthiest suburbs in Sydney and Melbourne so far that they vote in Independents?
Just think about donations, influence, op-eds from this cohort who from before Menzies days supported the Big Money Conservative ideal.
Yep. Go for the white bogans in the outer suburbs. Good job Angus!
When will the guillotine fall on the Dud Spud ™ ? How long can Murdoch keep this no hoper afloat?
‘Astro_turf says:
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 6:59 pm
Ahh the hypocrisy of another left bias forum reveals itself again. A Labor chief minister resigns over the very same issue that caused controversy only a couple months ago and the mental backflips to justify the ‘honest mistake’ are rife. 6 premiers and now a chief minister all gone and no lasting legacies beyond inflated state debts, a grossly inept public service that is filled with comrades filling the workplace with public service corruption, a housing crisis where labor/green voters are the main blockers to zone redevelopment in our cities, add on immigration that is outstripping housing supply that has created the lowest levels of housing affordability since Keating was in charge and now a federal government that refuses to make unpopular decisions to reduce the longevity of inflation within the Australia economy and you would think the forum should be able to identify their own delusion.
And like all other places that have strong left wing sentiment, those that attempt to call it out are out manoeuvred by overwhelming sloganeering(advertising) or a good ol’fashioned ban (nath) as to not disrupt the peace of the eutopia they have built(see above paragraph).’
Funny how the people who claim to champion responsible government don’t know who to take responsibility.
===================================
Quite a few lies in this pathetic gish gallop. Evil is banal.
This seems to me to be a reasonable effort:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2BHnijL9xYc
William, Re cathamas, thanks for wiping all of that crap. I was hoping that would happen. And re Taylrmde andhis mate, at least my little reaction stayed up long enough to get some +1’s
@boerwar your sloganeering is noted.
Hey Astro
Why should we worried about the globalists?
@Astro_turf
Oh, care to tell us of the lasting legacy of right wing governments in the past 20 years?
Such as what did Barnett achieve in his government in WA from 2008-2017 compared to what Labor has done after they were tossed out?
Or indeed what Terry Mills and Adam Giles achieved in government in NT from 2012-2016?
Or what Campbell Newman achieved in government in Queensland from 2012 to… oh, only 2015? Other than pissing off the electorate so much that they kept on re-electing Labor in increasing majorities?
Or what Steven Marshall achieved in government in SA from 2018 to 2022?
Or what Ted Baillieu and Denis Napthine achieved in government in Victoria from 2010 to 2014?
Or what indeed the positive legacy of the Federal Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison government of 2013 to 2022 was, other than shitting on everything the previous Labor government did?
Or what the ACT Liberals achieved other than being so unelectable that they failed to win government in this new century?
NSW and Tasmania I’ll give you that, their state Labor parties have been pretty crap in the past decade.
‘Astro_turf says:
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 7:17 pm
@boerwar your sloganeering is noted.’
——————-
Your lies are barely worth scanning.
Dutton’s darlings do lies.
Like their boss.
@kirsdrake
the fact libs win any elections at all is an indictment on the labor party. With Labor policies such as ‘we will give you everything you want’ and ‘its not your fault things are bad, we’ll blame someone else for you and make them pay’ just demonstrate absolute incompetence of left-wing ideology.
@Astro_turf
Ah, okay, so you’re just full of shit. Thanks for clearing that up.
‘Astro_turf says:
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 7:28 pm
@kirsdrake
the fact libs win any elections at all is…’
—————–
… a reflection on their ability to lie, their ability to dogwhistle racism, their ability to get Murdoch, Stokes, Costello and Buttrose to amplify those lies, and their ability to get thirty party campaigns by crony capitalists off the ground.
Not forgetting their ability to get a small crowd of hacks, wannabes, sleeve tuggers and main chancers to do their dirty work.
The internet is no longer sending us their best trolls.
When I was asked to be a witness in Perth I was offered airfare, hotel accom and double my (presumed) wage for a week
Astro
Christopher Pyne said “we are an election winning machine “
What happened?
Astro Turf,
nath was given a break from the blog because he made a really nasty comment about me. Not bothering to mention that does your cause no good as far as the rest of your assertions. But hey, when the truth will not suffice, I guess being condescending towards Progressives is the go to for the Conservative unable to mount a convincing case for their Conservatism, eh? 😐
sprocket_says:
Tuesday, December 19, 2023 at 7:05 pm
My own view is that the Teals, especially the Melbourne ones, will romp in at the next election – if Dutton is LNP leader.
Read the room – the traditional old money Liberals tolerated ScoMo – but Dutton is a bridge too far.
—————–
Zoe would be favored but Monique’s fate could depend on who the Liberals run and the boundaries.
Speaking of the desperate Victorian Liberals, I saw John Pesutto on the TV the other day finding common cause with the UFU! That would be the Firies Union that Taylormade spent years attempting to vilify on this blog. 😆
SA: Urgent action is being demanded to stamp out sexual harassment in state parliament after top officials tire of inaction, years after a scathing report uncovered serious allegations of indecent exposure, physical assault and sexually suggestive comments from MPs and staff. In a historic move, Speaker Dan Cregan and Legislative Council President Terry Stephens have directed the “urgent completion” of work to give “full and complete effect” to recommendations of the 2021 report that concluded “ “sexual and discriminatory harassment is prevalent in the parliamentary workplace”. The investigation, which was conducted by former acting Equal Opportunity Commissioner “ (EOC) Emily Strickland, in March, 2021, made 16 recommendations to combat bad behaviour within the corridors of Parliament House, and in ministerial and MPs’ electorate offices. Urgent action is being demanded to stamp out sexual harassment in state parliament after top officials tire of inaction, years after a scathing report uncovered serious allegations of indecent exposure, physical assault and sexually suggestive comments from MPs and staff.
The inquiry heard of once instance of a male exposing himself in front of co-workers. It also revealed that complaints made against MPs were handled poorly and victims were often left to develop their own “protective strategies”.
Almost three years later, Mr Cregan and Mr Stephens have recommended and directed the appointment of an Executive Officer of the parliament of South Australia to oversee substantial and urgent changes.
In a letter to clerks of parliament’s upper and lower houses, the duo demand all policies and procedures now being considered as a response to the 2021 report be “released and implemented without delay, and by no later than March 31, 2024”.
The executive officer’s role – a historic change to parliament’s internal hierarchy – would include “the completion of the vital program of work now underway, giving full and complete effect to the recommendations of the EOC Report, so far as they relate to the parliament”. This role also would include “the adoption of workplace processes and practices consistent with the wider public sector” – a move designed to haul parliament into line with modern workplace practices.
‘Remember’.
That was all their negative corflute had to say over a picture of Rudd and Gillard kissing on the floor of the House of Representatives.
Sure, Abbott lied.
What’s more, everybody knew he was lying.
But they remembered and didn’t care.
Tell yourself it was everybody else’s fault if it makes you feel good.
Astro_turf @ #584 Tuesday, December 19th, 2023 – 7:28 pm
That would be the Labor Party that, in 2019, had policies that would have TAKEN AWAY by severely modifying, Franking Credits, Negative Gearing and Capital Gains Tax concessions. Who have also repeatedly stated in government that they can’t give everyone what they want. And the Coalition that GAVE AWAY tens of billions of taxpayers dollars to their mates in the business sector during the pandemic. Okay, got it. 😐