Friday miscellany: redistributions and preselections (open thread)

New South Wales federal boundaries confirmed, post-redistribution musical chairs for the Victorian Liberals, and contenders like up for the Labor preselections to replace Bill Shorten and Brendan O’Connor.

It’s been a busy week on Poll Bludger, which a new thread on the US election joining posts on state polls in Victoria, Western Australia and Queensland. Meanwhile at federal level:

• The federal redistribution for New South Wales has been finalised, with only very minor adjustments made to the boundaries proposed in June, none of which affect my calculations of the new margins by more than 0.1%. Certainly there has been no revision to the abolition of North Sydney, held by teal independent Kylea Tink. The only redistribution process still in train is that for the Northern Territory, charged with drawing a new boundary between its two seats of Solomon and Lingiari, for which a proposal should be published shortly.

• The Liberal candidate for the crucial Melbourne seat of Chisholm will be Katie Allen, who was the member for Higgins from 2019 until her defeat by Labor’s Michelle Ananda-Rajah in 2022. Allen was endorsed on the weekend by the state party’s administrative committee, which was charged with ratifying local party preselection processes that were conducted before new boundaries revealed that Higgins, for which Allen had again won endorsement, was to be abolished. The decision came at the expense of Monash councillor Theo Zographos, who was last year preselected unopposed for Chisholm.

Ronald Mizen of the Financial Review reports the looming preselections for the Melbourne seats of Maribyrnong and Gorton, respectively to be vacated with the retirements of Bill Shorten and Brendan O’Connor, will be shaped by a long-standing agreement that the Left will take Gorton from the Right when O’Connor retires, while the Left will take “the next safe Right seat that becomes available”. The matter will be determined by the party’s national executive, which has again taken over the federal preselection process from the Victorian branch. Maribyrnong is considered likely to go to Jo Briskey, national co-ordinator of the Left faction United Workers Union, although The Age reports she “could face a challenge from Moonee Valley mayor Pierce Tyson”.

• In Gorton, the Labor preselection appears to be developing into a contest between Alice Jordan-Baird, a climate change and water policy expert, and Ranka Rasic, the mayor of Brimbank. The two candidates are back by rival sub-factions of the Right, the former with that of Richard Marles and the Transport Workers Union, the latter with Bill Shorten and the Australian Workers Union. James Massola of The Age reports the matter could be decided by a third Right union, the Shop Distributive and Allied Employees Association, supporting Rasic and the AWU in the interests of checking the rising power of the TWU.

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.

1,032 comments on “Friday miscellany: redistributions and preselections (open thread)”

Comments Page 1 of 21
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  1. “Note he bought the place for 1.175 million back in 2015, so a nice little profit of 700k plus in just 9 years on top of his rentals on top of his parliamentary gig.”

    I now see why they are called Greens. They are Green with envy.

  2. Fear and Loathing in Springfield, Ohio
    —Andrew Egger

    ‘At first, it seemed like this week’s “MAGA accuses Haitian migrants of pet murder in Springfield, Ohio” story would be just a bizarro news blip.

    Then Donald Trump embraced the invented narrative on live TV to an audience of tens of millions during the debate: “They’re eating the dogs, the people that came in, they’re eating the cats . . . The people on television say, my dog was taken and used for food.” And the rest of the Republican spin brigade trudged wearily after him.

    “I’ve heard conflicting reports,” Tennessee Sen. Bill Hagerty said on CNN last night. “There’s a lot of information on the internet that this is happening.”

    Meanwhile, a horde of YouTubers and right-wing influencers have descended on Springfield, all hoping to find smoking-gun evidence of pet-cheffery in order to give proof to the lie they’ve helped launch. What they’ve found is locals echoing back their own rumors to them: “Then I heard that stuff on Facebook,” one Springfield woman told Charlie Kirk’s Turning Point USA, “and I thought, I better watch my dogs!”

    This point bears repeating. What do many residents of Springfield itself have in common with Bill Hagerty, a random shill from two states away? They’re all just repeating nonsense they saw on the internet. Not a single person who has lost a pet of their own has come forward with their story. But plenty of Springfield natives are now convinced that Haitian immigrants one subdivision over are snatching dogs and cats by the truckload.

    Has there ever been a better microcosm of our Trumpified politics? A small town, strained by a wave of new migrants, thrust into the national spotlight by opportunistic politicians and conservative hucksters, churned through a balkanized media ecosystem that lets false rumors spread like weeds. Trump says he wants to protect these communities. He ends up dividing them, inflaming tensions within them, all while using them as political pawns.’

    https://www.thebulwark.com/p/how-trumpism-rots-a-small-city

    I could say the same for Peter Dutton.

  3. [‘Defence welcomes Roberts-Smith to ball

    War criminal Ben Roberts-Smith attended a Defence Force gala dinner to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Special Air Service Regiment five days before the Albanese government stripped officers of their medals over command failures in Afghanistan that allowed soldiers to go rogue. The disgraced Victoria Cross recipient’s attendance at the SAS “Wanderers Ball” sparked controversy within special forces’ ranks and came as the Office of the Special Investigator stepped up its investigation into Roberts-Smith.

    Sources with knowledge of the inquiry said the agency’s probe into Roberts-Smith has ballooned and now includes several additional war crimes on top of the four executions the Federal Court ruled last year had involved the ex-soldier. The investigation is also examining whether he committed other criminal offences, including those relating to his attempts to pervert justice and cover up war crimes. Despite this, the ex-soldier has retained his medals, including his Victoria Cross, Medal for Gallantry and Commendation for Distinguished Service.’] – SMH

  4. Good morning Dawn Patrollers

    On two big policies, the prime minister and opposition leader have reached agreement, but it’s hardly the start of a beautiful friendship, opines David Crowe who examines the relationship between the two leaders. Crowe concludes with, “Aged care, as well as social media, set up two exceptions to the rule. There may be another, if we see a deal to limit gambling advertising, but do not expect any more. Albanese and Dutton may share that bench for now, but it will not last long.”
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-and-dutton-have-agreed-on-something-just-don-t-expect-a-lasting-bromance-20240912-p5k9z2.html
    Older Australians will be given more support to live at home for longer under a major federal policy that offers $4.3 billion to expand in-home services but expects those with greater assets to pay more when they move into residential aged care. David Crowe explains that retirees with more than $500,000 in assets on top of the family home are forecast to pay $13,400 more each year for residential aged care once the new regime takes effect, although there will be a cap on the amount people are required to pay over their lifetime.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/billions-to-keep-boomers-at-home-but-half-will-pay-more-for-aged-care-20240912-p5ka3e.html
    Andrew Tillett quite clearly lays out the changes coming to aged care.
    https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/all-your-questions-about-the-aged-care-overhaul-answered-20240912-p5ka3v
    As does The Conversation.
    https://theconversation.com/the-government-has-a-new-plan-for-residential-aged-care-heres-whats-changing-238765
    Michelle Grattan says the Coalition backed Labor’s heavy lifting on aged care, hoping to reap the benefit down the track.
    https://theconversation.com/grattan-on-friday-coalition-backs-labors-heavy-lifting-on-aged-care-hoping-to-reap-the-benefit-down-the-track-238878
    Federal Opposition Leader Peter Dutton’s takeover of the NSW Liberal Party is under threat from a rearguard action by state leader Mark Speakman and moderate powerbrokers who fear right-wingers will use the move to retain power after the party’s local council registration disaster. Yesterday conservative Liberal officials sent an incendiary letter to party members claiming Speakman “issued a blatant challenge to the leadership of Peter Dutton” in a fiery meeting on Tuesday night, heightening tensions over the intervention that threatens to split the party.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/nsw-liberal-leader-at-war-with-dutton-led-takeover-20240912-p5ka2d.html
    The NSW Liberals have finally read the room. But their problems are not disappearing, writes Alexandra Smith. For all its many faults, the NSW Liberals are finally accepting that it needs women in its ranks if it is to be truly representative of the electorate. Someone should tell that to the federal arm of the party, she says.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/the-nsw-liberals-have-many-problems-but-they-are-finally-fixing-one-20240912-p5ka0m.html
    Nick McKenzie and Matthew Knott tell us that War criminal Ben Roberts-Smith attended a Defence Force gala dinner to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the Special Air Service Regiment, five days before the Albanese government stripped officers of their medals over command failures in Afghanistan that allowed soldiers to go rogue. They say the disgraced Victoria Cross recipient’s attendance at the SAS “Wanderers Ball” sparked controversy within special forces’ ranks and came as the secretive Office of the Special Investigator stepped up its investigation into Roberts-Smith.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/ben-roberts-smith-welcomed-at-defence-party-days-before-marles-strips-officers-medals-20240912-p5ka4r.html
    Defence Minister Richard Marles has stripped distinguished service medals from commanding officers who held senior roles during the war in Afghanistan, taking up the key remaining recommendation of the Brereton inquiry into alleged war crimes by Australian troops. Marles’ long-awaited move, which comes just days after the release of the final royal commission report into veteran suicide, has infuriated veterans groups who say the officers involved are being unfairly punished for others’ alleged wrongdoing.
    https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/national-shame-richard-marles-strips-medals-from-afghanistan-war-commanders-20240911-p5k9te.html
    The Albanese government has stripped distinguished service medals from some commanding officers who held senior roles during the war in Afghanistan in which Australian soldiers killed Afghani citizens. But the most notorious, former SAS corporal Ben Roberts-Smith, keeps his tarnished Victoria Cross, complains the SMH editorial. It points to Roberts-Smith’s “arrogant and stubborn refusal to do the right thing and surrender his medal.”
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/army-retains-sense-of-hubris-despite-stripping-of-medals-20240912-p5ka6y.html
    A $3 billion third runway at Melbourne Airport has been green-lit by the Albanese government on the condition that noise from overhead planes be minimised and shared across different parts of Melbourne. Kieran Rooney reports that federal Transport Minister Catherine King has approved the airport’s major development plan to build its next runway. The airport has been waiting for her decision since February 2023.
    https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/melbourne-airport-s-3-billion-third-runway-cleared-for-take-off-20240912-p5ka68.html
    A year after the premier sought to cap poker machines in the community, the number of pokies in pubs and clubs has risen as venues dust off old pokies to meet demand, write Harriett Alexander and Nigel Gladstone.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/pokies-pulled-from-storage-to-meet-booming-demand-as-profits-soar-20240912-p5ka1f.html
    Carrie Felner reports that scientists are disturbed by the rise of what is now the most rampant “forever chemical” on the planet, with air conditioning and refrigeration believed to be propelling its rapid accumulation in human blood, drinking water, household dust, plant-based food, rain and the oceans. Experts are calling for urgent research into trifluoroacetic acid, which has recently been linked to toxic effects on reproduction, as levels increase “exponentially” across the globe.
    https://www.theage.com.au/national/nsw/it-s-everywhere-the-disturbing-rise-of-the-world-s-most-rampant-forever-chemical-20240906-p5k8fj.html
    The peak body for Jewish Australians says Labor’s new hate crimes bill will not protect them from antisemitic slurs or threatening behaviour as tensions flare over the war in Gaza. The government’s watered-down legislation tabled in parliament yesterday includes criminal penalties for “directly threatening force or violence” towards minority groups. But the bill, which will now be probed by the Senate, does not outlaw vilification or hate speech as the government originally promised, writes Natassia Chrysanthos.
    https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/jewish-leaders-warn-weak-hate-speech-laws-won-t-stop-ugly-threats-chants-and-slurs-20240912-p5ka11.html
    According the Broede Carmody, Treasurer Tim Pallas has ditched Labor’s unpopular idea of giving private investors access to parts of the state’s wholly public births, deaths and marriages registry.
    https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/victoria-s-births-deaths-and-marriages-plan-hatched-then-dispatched-20240912-p5ka03.html
    Anthony Albanese is rejecting demands from the Greens and some Senate crossbenchers to subject development projects to climate-impact assessments and remove forestry’s effective exemption from environmental protection law, as the government negotiates on stalled legislation with parties to the left and right. The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, is in talks with the Greens, crossbenchers and the Coalition over legislation to establish an environment protection authority. But after she appeared to hint on Wednesday that the government could agree to include climate impact among considerations before projects are approved, the prime minister has made it clear from the sidelines that this is not on the table, write Karen Middleton and Lisa Cox.
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/sep/13/labor-stalled-environmental-agenda-under-pressure-left-right-albanese-plibersek-epa
    The Coalition’s ongoing disinformation campaign is increasingly being echoed and amplified by the national broadcaster, writes Michelle Pini.
    https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/abc-trails-coalition-on-its-road-to-nowhere,18972
    NSW has long focused on responding to domestic and family violence. Now it will turn its attention to prevention, writes Alexandra Smith telling us that In its first primary prevention strategy to prevent sexual, domestic and family violence, the Labor government will work with schools, community groups, sporting clubs and workplaces as it grapples with how to deal with the violence epidemic sweeping the country.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/how-nsw-childcare-centres-schools-will-be-used-to-prevent-a-crisis-20240912-p5ka4y.html
    Conservatives are kicking up a fuss after the announcement of gender and sexuality questions being announced for the 2026 Census. John Turnbull explains why this is an important step for Australia.
    https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/census-gender-inclusion-ruffles-right-wing-feathers,18970
    “Is it really just about ‘rubbish and rates’ or are pro-Israel campaigners plotting against the Greens in Sydney’s looming council elections?”, asks Wendy Bacon.
    https://michaelwest.com.au/just-rubbish-rates-or-is-the-israel-war-lobby-interfering-in-australias-local-elections/
    The corporate cop’s probe into big four bank ANZ market trades during a $14 billion government bond sale involves suspected illegality and is more than a “please explain”, its chairman Joe Longo says.
    https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/we-suspect-anz-broke-the-law-in-14b-bond-sale-asic-20240723-p5jvw4
    The number of dementia medication prescriptions has jumped by almost 50% in Australia in the past decade as more people seek out therapies that may slow progression of the disease. Natasha May reports that the latest report on dementia from the Australian Institute of Health and Welfare, to be released today, will reveal that health services for managing dementia have increased to accommodate 411,100 people.
    https://www.theguardian.com/society/2024/sep/13/dementia-prescriptions-jump-46-in-a-decade-as-australia-urged-to-prepare-for-full-impact-of-disease
    The countdown to Mike Sneesby’s exit from Nine Entertainment started the minute his greatest board ally – former chairman Peter Costello – left in June, writes Elizabeth Knight saying it was only a matter of time before Sneesby was out of the door.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/nine-ceo-is-out-the-door-and-it-was-only-a-matter-of-time-20240912-p5ka0n.html
    Denis Muller posits that Sneesby’s resignation from Nine points to host of problems besetting commercial TV networks.
    https://theconversation.com/sneesbys-resignation-from-nine-points-to-host-of-problems-besetting-commercial-tv-networks-238876
    Stephen Bartholomeusz says that for much of this year, markets have been pricing in the implications of a second Trump presidency. After Wednesday’s debate, those “Trump trades” started to unravel.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/how-donald-trump-s-catastrophic-debate-shook-up-markets-20240912-p5k9ya.html
    Lisa Visentin explains why China’s population keeps falling and what it means to the country.
    https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/china-s-baby-bust-women-are-not-having-enough-children-incentives-don-t-help-20240910-p5k9d7.html
    “Kamala Harris was great in the debate. Will that be enough to win?”, writes Bernie Sanders saying that it is important that she continues to define and expose Trump. But it may not be enough to secure a victory, he adds.
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2024/sep/12/kamala-harris-debate-bernie-sanders

    Cartoon Corner

    David Rowe

    David Pope

    Matt Golding




    Cathy Wilcox


    Alan Moir

    Fiona Katauskas

    Glen Le Lievre

    Mark Knight

    Leak

    From the US





















  5. Thanks to William for the constant electoral updates. We political tragics would be lost without it. So took BK’s daily breakfast media show. Kudos to you both.

  6. BK @ #7 Friday, September 13th, 2024 – 7:20 am

    Anthony Albanese is rejecting demands from the Greens and some Senate crossbenchers to subject development projects to climate-impact assessments and remove forestry’s effective exemption from environmental protection law, as the government negotiates on stalled legislation with parties to the left and right. The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, is in talks with the Greens, crossbenchers and the Coalition over legislation to establish an environment protection authority. But after she appeared to hint on Wednesday that the government could agree to include climate impact among considerations before projects are approved, the prime minister has made it clear from the sidelines that this is not on the table, write Karen Middleton and Lisa Cox.
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2024/sep/13/labor-stalled-environmental-agenda-under-pressure-left-right-albanese-plibersek-epa

    “We will decide who destroys our environment, and the manner in which it will be destroyed”.

    Great.

  7. ‘Conservatives are kicking up a fuss after the announcement of gender and sexuality questions being announced for the 2026 Census. John Turnbull explains why this is an important step for Australia.
    https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/census-gender-inclusion-ruffles-right-wing-feathers,18970
    ———————-
    Four weeks on and the whackers are STILL keeping it alive. Nothing like a culture warrior with a bone!

    Like there is nothing more important on the whole planet than a census question that people will refuse to answer.

  8. Albo has been ordinary but criticizing him making a capital gain on his property is just silly and if he does use some of it on his wedding then good luck to him.

  9. Robin Hood would be sitting on a fortune in capital gains on his inner urban Melbourne property.
    Steals from the poor and gives to himself.

  10. Good to see that P1 has realized that she has hoist herself on her own petard.

    I repeat. If there is a climate trigger there will be no further tourist developments.

  11. What’s with these politicians . One shadow minister says X about a given policy then the leader says no no you misread what was said, our position is XY .Now Plibezeck says the Government will consider adding climate change impact assessments to a new EPA, but next day Albo rules that out. Same happened with the Census. Are these people actually talking to each other before they negotiate with other parties or do annouceables ? Untidy governance damages public confidence in competence. Not a good look. Forget about Albos Dulwich property sale. It is things like a perception of mixed or confused messages that damages your brand, and it sticks. Just ask Bill Shorten..

  12. Australia’s new American-made M1A2 tanks are on the floor at a Melbourne weapons expo, the first batch to arrive in the country. The M1A2 will replace an older fleet of tanks bought in 2007 by the Australian government but never deployed.
    The first batch of Australia’s new American-made tanks has arrived in the country and gone on public display at the conference, but it remains unclear whether army’s soon-to-be-retired older Abrams fleet will be donated to Ukraine.
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-13/australian-new-american-made-battle-tank-goes-on-display-army/104346024

  13. Good Morning C@tmomma.
    The two Maccas, from Norvoca, were pleased to attend the Terrigal CWA Hall to vote, yesterday.
    We know have a face to match your postings.
    We were pleased to “Vote below the Line” and award you our 1st preference votes.
    An interesting array of faces.
    One could suggest a rogues gallery of candidates.
    I have been always suspicious of local council contestants running under banners such as “Team – Central Coast”.
    I wasn’t disappointed with that one: a former soccer coach & Mayor, a former Liberal MP ( who was spruiking for One Nation, at the last Federal Election) .

  14. The assistant treasurer, Stephen Jones, has said Elon Musk labelling the Australian government as “fascists” is “crackpot stuff”. Speaking to ABC News Breakfast, Jones said the government’s new bill on misinformation and disinformation was about “sovereignty”. And whether it’s the Australian government or any other government around the world, we assert our right to pass laws which will keep Australians safe – safe from scammers, safe from criminals.
    And, for the life of me, I can’t see how Elon Musk or anyone else, in the name of free speech, thinks it is OK to have social media platforms publishing scam content, which is robbing Australians of billions of dollars every year. Publishing deepfake material, publishing child pornography. Livestreaming murder scenes. I mean is this what he thinks free speech is all about?

  15. Of course the usual suspects are going to get jealous of Albo making a big capital gain off a spare property during a housing crisis. Politics of envy much? I guess they’d prefer him to wait a year til he’s not PM anymore, but then he’d just make an even bigger gain.

  16. Boerwar @ #18 Friday, September 13th, 2024 – 8:13 am

    Good to see that P1 has realized that she has hoist herself on her own petard.

    I repeat. If there is a climate trigger there will be no further tourist developments.

    Like everything else you post, you will repeat it ad nauseam, whether it is true or not.

    How about you save us all a heap of scrolling and make a list to help you remember what nonsense you have already posted?

    Or perhaps you do that already but then accidentally post the lists?

  17. https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-12/retiring-wa-labor-mp-chris-tallentire-worried-about-epa-changes/104342746

    WA Labor MP Chris Tallentire breaks ranks over environmental protection laws

    “A WA Labor MP has broken ranks to raise concerns about “a concerted effort by interest groups” to influence state and federal environmental protection laws.

    It comes as the federal government continued to face backlash from industry over the prospect of a deal with the Greens on its “nature positive” laws.

    Outgoing MLA Chris Tallentire, who is retiring at next year’s state election, made the comments in parliament while speaking about his concerns regarding the WA Labor government’s new Environmental Protection Authority (EPA) legislation.”

    This wouldnt have anything to do with the Minerals Council dinner earlier this week where both of the big 2 took turns claiming they loved mining more then the other?

    It wouldnt have anything to do with $790,705 given to Labor and $ 546,500 to the Libs in donations from mining and fossil fuel industry heads right?

    I look forward to the almost inevtible breaking ranks from Josh Burns and other Labor members in left wing “tight” margined seats on this.

  18. [‘It points to Roberts-Smith’s “arrogant and stubborn refusal to do the right thing and surrender his medal.”]

    Roberts-Smith has an appeal in train with the Full Court of the Federal Court, which incidentally is dragging the chain – it was heard in early February. If he doesn’t get up, he can seek leave to appeal in the High Court. If he surrendered his VC in this period it would be tantamount to admitting he did murder unarmed Afghans, though it would have no legal consequences. And even if his appeal fails, it’s highly unlikely he’d surrender his VC for Australia as there is precedent holding that subsequent criminal conduct does not negate the circumstances that gave rise to the award of a medal for valour.

  19. Morning all. Thanks for the multiple threads this week William. There has been a lot happening in the political world and your detailed descriptions of it are as good as any.

    Thanks BK for the roundup. Great to see the compromises on aged care and social media. I’d be even more pleased if this extends to gambling advertising, and industry singularly lacking in any economic justification for protecting. I suspect the main barriers to action there are within the Labor Party.

    As for the new Abrams tanks, I still think that they were an unnecessary purchase but since they are here it would be fantastic if Australia could donate the current 59 tanks to Ukraine. That would get my vote, and probably win Albo and Marles some international credit.
    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-09-13/australian-new-american-made-battle-tank-goes-on-display-army/104346024

  20. Mavis @ #28 Friday, September 13th, 2024 – 8:44 am

    [‘It points to Roberts-Smith’s “arrogant and stubborn refusal to do the right thing and surrender his medal.”]

    Roberts-Smith has an appeal in train with the Full Court of the Federal Court, which incidentally is dragging the chain – it was heard in early February. If he doesn’t get up, he can seek leave to appeal in the High Court. If he surrendered his VC in this period it would be tantamount to admitting he did murder unarmed Afghans, though it would have no legal consequences. And even if his appeal fails, it’s highly unlikely he’d surrender his VC for Australia as there is precedent holding that subsequent criminal conduct does not negate the circumstances that gave rise to the award of a medal for valour.

    What makes you think he didn’t murder people prior to his dubious ‘valour’?

  21. “We’ve boundless plains to share
    With courage let us all combine”

    Does any of this happen, occur or even exist in any form in
    “Our land abounds in nature’s gifts”
    “We’ve boundless plains to share”.

    It’s all become just one “shit” fight at a multitude of levels.
    A “grab fest” of greed , corruption, misinformation and inequality in the “boundless plains to share”.

    Voters are forced to pick the lesser evil depending on tribal affiliations and tribal tenets.
    What would have Cleisthenes of Athens made of modern Australia ?

  22. “The environment minister, Tanya Plibersek, is in talks with the Greens, crossbenchers and the Coalition over legislation to establish an environment protection authority.

    But after she appeared to hint on Wednesday that the government could agree to include climate impact among considerations before projects are approved, the prime minister has made it clear from the sidelines that this is not on the table.

    Although the Greens remain hopeful of further compromise, Albanese has indicated to various parties in the negotiations that he wants a deal struck with the Coalition. He appears prepared to wait, having prioritised other legislation such as changes to aged care.”

    Bravo Albo, I bet the left wing in your party are thrilled…

  23. The Guardian reports Grump has ruled out doing another debate with Kamala Harris for the presidential election. No surprises here, but it would have been to watch him cop another can of whoop-ass on national television.

  24. Socrates says:
    Friday, September 13, 2024 at 8:58 am

    As for the new Abrams tanks, I still think that they were an unnecessary purchase

    You’re kidding? On what basis? The fact that every simulation shows that Tanks are battlefield multipliers – reducing friendly casualties? The fact that Tanks are still one of the most potent battlefield weapons – there is a reason Ukraine keeps asking for them (and, yes, our old M!A!s should go to them ASAP).

  25. The Land Warfare Conference demonstrators in Melbourne have suffered a bit of a setback. The silly person who smashed car windscreens this morning has done a lot to destroy public sympathy for their cause.

    It’ll be open slather for the rozzers now. Land warfare at its finest.

  26. FUBAR

    Our existing Abrams were only 15 years old. They weren’t due for replacement for another 15 years. Morrison just went whoopee! with the money saved by not building any subs ($2 billion/year x 2 years).

    It should, have been obvious then he had no intention of honoring his AUKUS promise to build anything in Adelaide. And now Albo is shovelling any spare cash to Perth to hold on to Labor marginal seats.

  27. Luigi Smith @ #38 Friday, September 13th, 2024 – 9:21 am

    The Land Warfare Conference demonstrators in Melbourne have suffered a bit of a setback. The silly person who smashed car windscreens this morning has done a lot to destroy public sympathy for their cause.

    It’ll be open slather for the rozzers now. Land warfare at its finest.

    So, remind me, who has the violent mindset again? 😐

  28. For the record I made clear yesterday I do not support those who are protesting at the Land Warfare exhibition. They are a violent rabble.

    If they weren’t protesting against defense they would be at an anti-vax protest.

  29. I think that folk should be allowed to demonstrate for whatever takes their fancy. Apply to the police for a permit; get allocated a time in a public park to voice their concerns. Everybody happy.

  30. Socrates says:
    Friday, September 13, 2024 at 9:29 am

    For the record I made clear yesterday I do not support those who are protesting at the Land Warfare exhibition. They are a violent rabble.

    If they weren’t protesting against defense they would be at an anti-vax protest.
    __________________
    Well, I supported them up until some of them decided to deploy violence.

    I think protesting a global annual military spend of over 2 trillion dollars is a good idea.

    Ironies abound of course. Protesters using violence as they protest against killing machines. Promoters of killing machines condemning protesters for using violence.

  31. Socrates, you just can’t get the Anti AUKUS burr from under your saddle. Here, let me help you remove it:

    Premier Peter Malinauskas has announced a new program with America’s largest shipbuilder HII to help South Australian companies enter the global supply chain for nuclear-powered submarines.
    The Premier announced the new program with HII while touring HII’s Newport News Shipbuilding division in Virginia in the United States, where the defence giant builds Virginia Class submarines.

    The agreement connects the South Australian Government to HII’s Supplier Capability Uplift Program, enabling selected SA suppliers to participate in the nuclear-powered conventionally armed submarine supply chain.

    Given the highly specialised and technical nature of the work to build Virginia Class submarines, participating companies will be evaluated by HII using the same requirements applied to its existing U.S. suppliers.

    HII will undertake reviews of South Australian companies that provide design and engineering, equipment integration, advanced manufacturing, welding, fabrication, and quality services.

    On completion of the review process, participating companies will receive a tailored report outlining recommendations for capability development and improvement activities required to compete for work on the Virginia Class Submarine Program.

    Participating SA businesses will be able to apply for matched funding to address the recommendations arising from their review report.

    Information gathered through the program will further support the SA Government’s industry development activities which aim to enable more South Australian companies to compete for work in international supply chains. This means they could potentially enter the supply chain for the Virginia Class.

    Ultimately it is the goal of the program to have these South Australian companies positioned to enter the supply chain for the AUKUS nuclear-powered submarines to be built at Osborne in Adelaide.

    This follows the Malinauskas Government signing a Memorandum of Understanding with HII Nuclear Australia Pty Ltd in November last year.

    https://www.premier.sa.gov.au/media-releases/news-archive/new-deal-to-get-sa-suppliers-ready-for-aukus

    The Albanese Government is ensuring local jobs and Australian industry are at the heart of our next generation submarines with the announcement today of Australia’s Sovereign Submarine Build Partner and Sovereign Submarine Sustainment Partner.

    Today’s announcement is a critical step towards the construction of Australia’s SSN‑AUKUS submarines at Osborne, South Australia, and sustainment of our nuclear‑powered submarines, including through Submarine Rotational Force-West, in Western Australia.

    By bringing ASC and BAE together, the Albanese Government has determined the best structure for the build of our SSN-AUKUS submarines. Importantly, it enables Australia’s Sovereign Submarine Build Partners to develop and expand an Australian industrial base and supply chain for long-term submarine construction in Osborne, South Australia.

    https://www.minister.defence.gov.au/media-releases/2024-03-22/aukus-build-and-sustainment-partners-announced

    Sounds like SA AND WA getting the work. But hey, conspiracy theory about marginal seats in WA. 😐

  32. One must pay tax at the marginal rate on 50% of a capital gain, after making allowance for legitimate costs and depreciation.

    There are ways to avoid it. If one has owned a property for 15 years or more, tax can be avoided.

    And to spark concern or hope, depending on one’s point of view, one can also avoid the capital gain tax if a property is sold as part of a financial restructuring at the point of retirement.

  33. Albo gave his tenant a big rent cut during COVID and left it there without raising the rent until he sold the place. I thought it was pretty shit for the tenant to still try and pressure him about the whole thing through the media to take advantage of the politics of housing despite acknowledging that Albo had given him more than a fair deal. Is Albo meant to be required to own the house forever? Are people demanding that Albo had to keep being a landlord? The mind boggles.

  34. Does Albo have a Family Trust?
    Silly question.
    He’ll buy something else somewhere else.
    Overseas?
    I’ll miss Albo, apart from being a joker in QT, he hasn’t gone after Family Trusts or scapegoated much.

  35. Cat

    Despite those AUKUS “announcables” there isn’t a single job in sub construction in Adelaide now and there won’t be for ten years. All the money has gone to Perth for political reasons.

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