The biggest electoral news of the week was probably the annual release of electoral donations disclosures, which has been widely covered elsewhere. From the more narrow concerns of this site, there is the following:
• Ben Small, who served in the Senate from November 2020 to June 2022, has emerged as the only nominee for Liberal preselection in the regional Western Australian seat of Forrest. The seat will be vacated at the next election with the retirement of Nola Marino, who has held it safely for the Liberals since 2007. The West Australian also reports Mark Wales, an SAS veteran, Survivor winner and former McKinsey consultant, plans to nominate for Tangney, a normally comfortable Liberal seat that fell to Labor in 2022. Others known to be interested are Canning mayor Patrick Hall and IT consultant Harold Ong.
• The Liberal National Party has chosen its candidates for the looming Queensland state by-elections for the safe Labor seats of Inala and Ipswich West, respectively being vacated by Annastacia Palaszczuk and Jim Madden: Trang Yen, a 28-year-old public servant in the Department of State Development, and Darren Zanow, president of the Ipswich Show Society. The by-elections will be held concurrently with local government elections on March 16.
• With former South Australian Premier Steven Marshall saying he will formally resign from parliament “in the coming months”, the Liberals have preselected lawyer and former ministerial adviser Anna Finizio for the looming by-election for his seat of Dunstan, which once had the more instructive name of Norwood. Labor is again running with its candidate from March 2023, Cressida O’Hanlon, a family dispute resolution practitioner.
15k to watch minnows like West Indies, on a Friday with kids now back at school is a fair crowd. Especially as the main part of the season has now finished. Cricket isn’t dying out. Our grounds hold crowds bigger than most in the world. Big Bash’s ‘hit and giggle’ get massive crowds because fans can barrack for their teams like in soccer or league.
And the aust open is once a year. Big difference
ODI cricket on a school day in the first week of term is not going to draw crowds.
ODI cricket is largely a TV game outside the world cup.
Small tennis tournaments outside the majors also have small crowds.
In cricket the big dollars and interest are in the shortest form of the game. Becoming an Olympic sport will make it even bigger.
C@tmommasays:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 7:02 am
I guess we’re in the countdown to Newspoll tomorrow night now?
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51:49 ALP
‘Ven says:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 9:59 am
P1@9:27 am
You discussed today about CCS. Here is the natural CCS called Amazon forest, which is destroyed.
Climate change behind extreme Amazon drought: study
https://phys-org.cdn.ampproject.org/v/s/phys.org/news/2024-01-climate-extreme-amazon-drought.amp?amp_gsa=1&_js_v=a9&usqp=mq331AQGsAEggAID#amp_tf=From%20%251%24s&aoh=17069114472202&csi=0&referrer=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.google.com&share=https%3A%2F%2Fphys.org%2Fnews%2F2024-01-climate-extreme-amazon-drought.html
“The historic agricultural drought affected millions of people across the Amazon basin, stoking huge wildfires, shrinking key waterways and taking a calamitous toll on wildlife.
Some experts have suggested that the arrival of the naturally occurring El Niño weather phenomenon was behind the tinderbox conditions.
But a new study from scientists at the World Weather Attribution (WWA) group, published Wednesday, found that climate change caused by humanity’s planet-heating carbon pollution was the main culprit. They said it had made the drought 30 times more likely from June to November 2023.
And they warned that the situation would only get worse as the climate warms, pushing the Amazon towards a climate “tipping point”.
Scientists fear that climate change and deforestation combined could intensify drying and warming in the Amazon. They say that would trigger an accelerating transition from tropical forest to savannah and reduce its capacity to store carbon.
The Amazon is estimated to store more than 100 billion tonnes of carbon in its trees and soils, over twice the worldwide annual emissions from all sources.
“The Amazon could make or break our fight against climate change,” said Regina Rodrigues, Professor of Physical Oceanography and Climate at the Federal University of Santa Catarina.
“If we protect the forest, it will continue to act as the world’s largest land-based carbon sink”’
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It depends on what you mean by ‘sink’ and what time frame you are using but the land-based permafrost holds much more carbon than the Amazon. My advice would be to fly to the Amazon and enjoy its various tourism experiences. Just in case they don’t last until global renewables kick in.
I thought craven was a fair adjective MacArthur, but I am a reasonable person I would be prepared to substitute supine for craven if that helps.
Not quite the same thing, but germane, perhaps:
https://www.businessinsider.com/attendance-sports-leagues-world-2015-5
MelbourneMammothsays:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 8:08 am
A hot day today and an even hotter one tomorrow here in Melbourne, I’m not looking forward to it.
So far the hottest day in summer here has only been 34 degrees – mild by our standards.
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Nice weather to gerni the driveway, clean the windows and give the house a good hose down.
lols
Supine/craven -distinctions without a difference
Taylormade says:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:16 am
C@tmommasays:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 7:02 am
I guess we’re in the countdown to Newspoll tomorrow night now?
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51:49 ALP
What happens if it blows out to 53, is that the end of Dutton?
Scrolling back some way — and nothing terribly new:
I’m not sure that Mike Baird is any quick solution for a party otherwise bereft of talent, policies, or 21C ideology, let alone street cred. It was their policy failures (women, social justice, climate), played out against bumbling incompetence and indifferent obnoxiousness to the country’s plight (bar their own and their donors self-interest), that rightly saw the teal coloured independents get themselves elected, with their genuine public persona of reasonableness, likability, and work ethic. Putting dimples on the leader is, well, pig and lipstick comes to mind. A step in the right direction certainly, and better than, say, Hastie, to be sure.
Lars Von Triersays:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:24 am
I thought craven was a fair adjective MacArthur, but I am a reasonable person I would be prepared to substitute supine for craven if that helps.
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I don’t think it does, one could say it only doubles down on the original taunt. I’m sorry your attempt to lift yourself out of the sewer and into the gutter appears to have failed. Keep trying though, as striving to be better than our base nature is the only hope we have.
Larsie waxing lyrical from the dispatch box in his cultured lair, sending them running with their bat and ball back to their king street lofts.
I think there is leftie.
Supine suggests merely submissive. Craven implies submissive whilst attempting to curry favour with the dominant personality.
On reflection supine may be generous.
JenAuthor @ #51 Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 – 10:14 am
Spot on. Plus people in the sub continent would be stunned at the suggestion cricket is dying out.
Lars your worldly and sophisticated grammatical depository pushes me to be better and learn more
Sports popularity as measured using website analysis:
https://www.topendsports.com/world/lists/popular-sport/fans.htm
Itza:
Baird would just be putting lipstick on the pig. As you say, without addressing the fundamental and structural issues the Liberal and National parties have had for a couple decades now, no individual leader can make headway for anything other than a short term sugar boost.
Having said that, I do think the Liberals should divorce the Nationals, and do this by contesting in Nationals seats. Quickest way to kill off the Nats without too much fanfare.
US-China Tensions: 3 US Aircraft Carriers, B-52 Bombers ‘Flex Muscle’ In Indo-Pacific Over PLA Hostilities
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/us-china-tensions-3-us-aircraft-carriers-b-52-bombers/amp/
“This move, aimed at deterring potential threats from China and North Korea, is unfolding against growing concerns about the specter of broader conflicts in the Middle East.
The USS Carl Vinson is carrying out a training exercise in the Philippine Sea alongside the USS Theodore Roosevelt and the Japanese helicopter destroyer JS Ise.
The Japan Maritime Self-Defense Force confirmed the participation of nine additional vessels in this coordinated display of naval strength. The USS Ronald Reagan, stationed in Yokosuka, Japan, remains at its home port, resulting in three out of the eleven US carriers strategically positioned in the Indo-Pacific.
Previously, in 2020, the US Navy deployed its three aircraft carriers, namely the USS Theodore Roosevelt, USS Nimitz, and USS Ronald Reagan, to the Pacific Ocean, sparking a strong reaction from China’s state-sponsored media, which asserted that Beijing would stand firm in safeguarding its interests in the region.”
The Nationals have had a habit of being killed off without being dead, buried and cremated.
Never underestimate the powers of repair and rejuvenation a potential Baird tilt could have on the Libs if in concert with a cleaned out and more acceptable moderate cohort in the caucus.
Confessions @ #46 Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 – 10:01 am
That’s interesting, and a clever expansive use of the facilities, and revenue ramps up. I suppose it also increases the general ‘buzz’ and acts as a fan recruitment tool, if one is necessary. I remember the other day GG saying they went to the races and there was lots of things for kids to do, so something similar, I guess. I’m a wowser, and don’t like horse racing, to put it very mildly, and gambling is a curse. I think recruiting kids into the scene is a Jesuitical bastard act. But horses for courses, ha.
Well leftie its an interesting theme submission which runs here on PB.
For example our own Boer has on occasion mused whether he would be a collaborator in the event of a foreign takeover of Australia.
Of course there is an element of fever dream to foreign invasion/takeover. But its true to say crisis does reveal the true character of the individual.
‘Ven says:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:44 am
US-China Tensions: 3 US Aircraft Carriers, B-52 Bombers ‘Flex Muscle’ In Indo-Pacific Over PLA Hostilities
https://www.eurasiantimes.com/us-china-tensions-3-us-aircraft-carriers-b-52-bombers/amp/‘
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Basically saying to Beijing ‘We may be busy in the ME but there is still enough to go around.’
Confessions @ #67 Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 – 10:42 am
Quickest way to kill of the lot of them I thought you were going to say.
Lars Von Trier says:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:46 am
Well leftie its an interesting theme submission which runs here on PB.
For example our own Boer has on occasion mused whether he would be a collaborator in the event of a foreign takeover of Australia.
Of course there is an element of fever dream to foreign invasion/takeover. But its true to say crisis does reveal the true character of the individual.’
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Meh. Louche Lars lounge lizards do well whatever the circumstances.
leftieBrawler @ #65 Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 – 10:41 am
Do you mean your or you’re?
leftieBrawler @ #70 Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 – 10:44 am
if in concert with a cleaned out and more acceptable moderate cohort in the caucus.
That’s the bit we were talking about. That’s some ‘if’.
On sport’s popularity I would have thought it was more accurate to say that West Indies cricket was dying out, mainly for financial reasons. Elsewhere cricket is booming in both player and spectator numbers.
If I had to nominate two dying sports the obvious ones would be golf and horse racing/equestrian in general. Both are anachronistic. One wastes urban space and the other harms animals and preys on gambling addicts.
Mike Baird’s father is very ill right now, I somehow doubt Mike is running for Cook.
leftieBrawlersays:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:41 am
Lars your worldly and sophisticated grammatical depository pushes me to be better and learn more
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You could begin by learning how to use a thesaurus. Which technically is the only talent Lars has actually shown today.
Itza:
Yes, that’s what AO have done. The CEO was also talking about future plans including using people’s mobiles to track them throughout the precinct, allow them to order food and beverages through an app, and have that food delivered to them via drone, choose seating and attend other ‘experiences’.
Socrates @ #78 Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 – 10:55 am
Boxing! Who in their modern day right mind goes to watch people with the ethos of Tony Abbott hit each other stupid till one falls over, and can’t get up again. Such fun.
(disclaimer: I grew up with a father singing the praises of Les Darcy day in day out)
Lars and Leftie, you guys ever watch Enough Rope back in the day?
‘Socrates says:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:55 am
On sport’s popularity I would have thought it was more accurate to say that West Indies cricket was dying out, mainly for financial reasons. Elsewhere cricket is booming in both player and spectator numbers.
If I had to nominate two dying sports the obvious ones would be golf and horse racing/equestrian in general. Both are anachronistic. One wastes urban space and the other harms animals and preys on gambling addicts.’
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Skiing!
Following on from last night…
New York Times Pitchbot
@DougJBalloon
·
3h
English Pubs, Conservative Style
With the NFL ruined by Taylor Swift, American beer too woke, and burgers rumored to contain plant-based products, these Republicans are sipping bitters, eating fish-and-chips, and watching Premier League soccer.
New York Times Pitchbot
@DougJBalloon
·
3h
The fact that Trump spent $50 million on lawyers in 2023 proves that he is creating jobs even when he’s out of office.
5 years of litigation including eight days of court time to determine if persons were members of the Rooty Hill and District Pigeon Racing Association
https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/18d5d6b8cb768d5285597429
frednksays:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:30 am
Taylormade says:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 10:16
51:49 ALP
What happens if it blows out to 53, is that the end of Dutton?
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I doubt it. He is keeping the pressure on.
He has got Wong on the hop. She doesn’t know whether she is Arthur or Martha at the minute with the UN funding.
I’ll tell you what, i would be pissed off if my hard earned taxes are being used to fund terrorism.
Confessions @ #81 Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 – 11:01 am
Track them throughout the precinct. Not sure I’m made on that idea. Mobiles and QR codes and ordering food is everywhere now, as I’m sure you now. My bitch about the cafe at the Pool the other day was about having sat at the table for 10 mins, and then asking, nicely I hasten to add, the waiter walking past if we could see a menu and order, he snapped back: ‘We don’t do table service’. He could have left the word ‘table’ out.
What’s wrong with skiing? Unless you can’t.
The polls would have to be 53 or better in Albo’s favour for the masterstroke to be considered a validated masterstroke.
The ongoing viability of golf surprises me. A golf course occupies an area the size of a small suburb, about 160 acres on average, say 800 building blocks @ half a million each —> $400 million. That’s a conservative estimate, it’s probably closer to a billion.
‘ItzaDream says:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 11:09 am
What’s wrong with skiing? Unless you can’t.’
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Climate change. Other than that downhill skiing would have to be the acme of all that is destructive about tourism.
fess,
The other considerations to individuals switching from the shallow pool of State politics to Federal is that the responsibilities and issues are different and the skill set that makes a successful State politician do not necessarily translate/transfer to the other realm. Also, Mike Baird might be popular/notorious in NSW. But, for most in other States and territories he’s just another polly in a suit that knows bugger all about the the real issues confronting the locals.
This faux cosplay of,” Will he or won’t he go to Canberra as the new Sherriff tasked to restore law and order to a troubled Party and Nation that just needs a bit of hard love and a clean out of Politicians they don’t like” reeks of a bad pantomime. The voters will see straight through that BS.
Yes, for sure you can pick away bit by bit at my subtle grammatical faux pas.
Lars you could add atrophy in to the PLA welcoming party on north head as the ships roll in with all the other usual suspects
Boerwar @ #92 Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 – 11:13 am
I thought you’d be heading in the tourism direction! But it’s walking on snow, so serves some purpose.
‘shellbell says:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 11:04 am
5 years of litigation including eight days of court time to determine if persons were members of the Rooty Hill and District Pigeon Racing Association
https://www.caselaw.nsw.gov.au/decision/18d5d6b8cb768d5285597429‘
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Back in the day… if a bird won a big race its eggs would be in big demand. Some race winners became prodigious fertilizers of eggs or egg layers.
We used regularly to see lost or tired racing pigeons. They would usually spend a few days recuperating and then move right along home.
I never see them at all anymore.
But there is hope for the sport yet: gentrification.
https://www.marketwatch.com/story/talk-about-a-nest-egg-a-belgian-racing-pigeon-just-sold-for-a-record-1-9-million-01605550287
How bad must Dunkley internal polling be for Dutton?. How desperate does Dutton’s attempt to remedy this look?
“Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s $900 million proposed Frankston rail upgrade has derailed on its first day, with Victorian Labor rejecting it out of hand and the state opposition stopping short of backing it.”
The internal polling appears to be so bad that Dutton is going of half-cocked. Coming up with $900 million pledge which even the Victorian Liberal party was unwilling to back. You would think at least he would check he had the Victorian Liberals on side before announcing it. Yet he didn’t, which really smells of desperation. Possibly it only required a few days of discussion with them to get them on track with him. Which would have only delayed the announcement by a similar time period. Yet Dutton in his desperation appears to have steamed ahead without doing this little bit of due diligence. This is actions of man that is very desperate and is panicking, thus making poor decisions on the run.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/peter-dutton-s-900m-frankston-train-line-pledge-derails-on-day-one-20240202-p5f203.html
shellbell,
Weren’t there two implacably opposed factions (The Stoolies and The Mother Flockers)?
Steve777 @ #91 Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 – 11:13 am
Hello Moore Park golf course, once on the poor sandy wastelands on the far edge of the city, now on the edge on high density urban redevelopment. The determined push by Clover Moore (sic) to see that public course reconfigured from 18 to 9 holes, releasing half of it for general public use has been met with the usual squeals, until Mr Minns came onto the radar, and gave it his stamp of approval. The resistance fighters continue, and I don’t know where it is up to at the mo.
‘ItzaDream says:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 11:16 am
Boerwar @ #92 Saturday, February 3rd, 2024 – 11:13 am
‘ItzaDream says:
Saturday, February 3, 2024 at 11:09 am
What’s wrong with skiing? Unless you can’t.’
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Climate change. Other than that downhill skiing would have to be the acme of all that is destructive about tourism.
I thought you’d be heading in the tourism direction! But it’s walking on snow, so serves some purpose.’
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I have two second cuzzes in the tourism skiing industry. One is a specialist chair lift mechanic. It takes all kinds. Snow-making machines are mostly managing to stretch the seasons out long enough but they reckon there is a limit to even what the machines can do. The niftier operators are looking to transmute into providers of summer experiences.