The Australian reports the latest Newspoll records a two-party lead for the Coalition for the first time since this term, at 51-49 after a 50-50 result three weeks ago, though both major parties are unchanged on the primary vote, Labor at 31% and the Coalition at 38%. The movement is down to a one-point drop for the Greens to 12% and a one-point increase for One Nation to 7%. Anthony Albanese is down three on approval to 40% and up three on disapproval to 54%, edging out past results in August (41% and 54%) and last November (40% and 53%) as his worst net result for the term. Peter Dutton is respectively up one to 38% and steady at 52%, with preferred prime minister narrowing from 46-37 to 45-37. The poll was conducted Monday to Friday from a sample of 1258.
OC
Here is an interesting discussion that bears, a bit dated but Posen is a great mind, IMO.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPitJ8Rpklc
‘Oakeshott Country says:
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 3:30 pm
BW
I was only half joking when I suggested you take a 10 day tour of China. See if you feel it is a repressed society.
Taking your point on refugee status, this implies that anyone who does not live in the 50 or so democracies in the world will be given refugee status. No wonder the west is in trouble! The UNHCR definition is “ someone who has been forced to flee his or her country because of persecution, war or violence”. This certainly doesn’t apply to most of the 1.4 B who live in China.’
=======================
The trends are that Xi’s paranoia and power concentration are creating that reality for more and more Chinese citizens. The question is how far down that path things go. For example, no one would hesitate to give any NK citizen asylum. They are all persecuted by definition.
I see the Vic Libs James Newbury had his gaggle of closed minded NIMBY’s throwing a tantrum at the thought of neighbourhood inclusion for young renters and apartment owners.
The Vic Govt new zoning policy should be embraced by all Victorians.
Eddy says:
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 4:19 pm
…
They are not a repressed society.
…’
=============
Not repressed? Really?
There are no human rights in China. There is no democracy in China. Liberal values do not obtained. Xi has executed many thousands of his political enemies. There is no freedom of speech or assembly.
The citizens are not repressed until the nanosecond citizens start acting as if they are NOT repressed. Hong Kong, Tiananmin Square…the Uighers… local citizens whose land has been grabbed by local corrupt communist cadres and who try to remonstrate/demonstrate are invariably confronted by dozens, if not hundreds of state security police.
So all Afghans, Palestinians, Syrians, Saudi Arabians, Russians etc, etc, etc are refugees (if they can get out of their countries)?
I have to say that Shellbell will be quite pleased with current proceedings at the MCG, although the Vic’s have done quite well to withstand the excellent NSW bowling performance so far. Excellent pitch.
I have been to China and to Hong Kong, BTW. My extended family has members who are either first or second gen Chinese Australians. A five minute conversation with the latter on the question whether China’s citizens are repressed clarifies the situation very quickly.
If the fate of Xi’s enemies does not do it for you, or the fate of the Uighers, or the fate of Hong Kong democrats, a brief read of what happened to Falun Gong members should clarify whether explicit or implicit repression rules.
‘Oakeshott Country says:
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 4:53 pm
So all Afghans, Palestinians, Syrians, Saudi Arabians, Russians etc, etc, etc are refugees (if they can get out of their countries)?’
===========================
Of course they are!
OC
I am not sure of the depth of your interest but Rudd’s book on Xi is creating enormous interest.
You are saying that 1.4 billion Chinese are unable to live in their country because of persecution, war or violence.
I tend to agree with Eddy that this has a hint of post-colonialism.
“Of course they are”
So, once again, the only valid system of government is Western democracy.
‘Oakeshott Country says:
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 5:04 pm
“Of course they are”
So, once again, the only valid system of government is Western democracy.’
———————————
Ah. I see where you are coming from.
What makes a ‘valid’ system of government?
Do I think that any system of government in which power is virtually arbitrary is ‘valid’?
No, I don’t.
Of your examples, BTW, 8 million people have left Afghanistan, nearly 7 million people have left Syria and there are x million of Russians who have fled Russia.
“ So, once again, the only valid system of government is Western democracy.”
Oakeshott Country, democracy works very well in a cultural and racial homogenous society. Otherwise it’s just the majority murdering the minority.
‘Oakeshott Country says:
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 5:02 pm
You are saying that 1.4 billion Chinese are unable to live in their country because of persecution, war or violence.
….’
============
You do keep misrepresenting me in a quite fundamental way. I am not sure why.
I heartily recommend this discussion. Inter alia it strongly reinforces some of A-E’s posts.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FPitJ8Rpklc
Rex Douglassays:
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 4:49 pm
The Vic Govt new zoning policy should be embraced by all Victorians.
_____________________
We all embraced the Commonwealth Games and the Arden hospital.
What a waste of fucking time that was.
Hi BW
Definition of refugee “one who flees their country because of fear of persecution, violence or war”
You have said all Chinese could successfully apply for refugee status
Ergo, all Chinese are unable to live in their country because of fear of persecution, violence or war.
With regard to valid forms of government, it’s not up to the West to decide- we tried that for 150 yrs and it didn’t end well. Noting that the American alliance has no qualms providing succour for several absolute monarchies.
Thomassays:
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 2:28 pm
Mexicanbeemer says:
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 2:06
I respectfully disagree with that interpretation of my comment – I was simply providing a descriptor of the crowd.
_____________________
Bullshit.
Groupers were obsessed with China and inner city commies. Nothing has changed.
‘Oakeshott Country says:
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 5:32 pm
Hi BW
Definition of refugee “one who flees their country because of fear of persecution, violence or war”
You have said all Chinese could successfully apply for refugee status
Ergo, all Chinese are unable to live in their country because of fear of persecution, violence or war.
With regard to valid forms of government, it’s not up to the West to decide- we tried that for 150 yrs and it didn’t end well. Noting that the American alliance has no qualms providing succour for several absolute monarchies.’
==================
What I actually said was that any Chinese citizen who travels to Australia and applies for asylum on the basis of life in China cannot got back to China without facing persecution.
Any citizen could have applied for asylum for decades on the basis that the Government was persecuting individuals on reproductive rights. And it was. It was systematic.
The open question now is whether the comrades are about to flip with women being persecuted if they do not fill their wombs.
China is the locomotive that dragged the Australian economy through the GFC. Etc, etc, etc. China is the single most important country to Australia’s future. By far.
We will get nowhere near Zero Net Fifty without China.
TaylorMade
Fair point, the Comm Games and Arden hospital were stupid ideas and wasted a ton of money.
But the population growth and the need to house people where the infrastructure is makes rezoning a no-brainer.
This Vic v NSW shield game is high grade test match quality. Brilliant stuff.
The Albanese government has announced more funding to help WA sheep sadists to transition away from their evil live sheep trade. They say that they’re grateful but will keep campaigning.
Dutton says he’ll bring it back if elected. If Dutton was the opposition in Dickensian England, he would be promising to put the little kiddies back up the chimneys.
And to another point, what makes him think he could? No party has had a majority in the Senate since Howard’s Work Choices over reach.
But the population growth and the need to house people where the infrastructure is makes rezoning a no-brainer.
Creates Labor voting slums.
This is a 1940s New Deal idea, build housing towers, fill with welfare moochers, harvest votes.
A good reason why Liberal Party stopped funding the States to build Commission estates, you end up with Inala.
Putting them at transport hubs just provides a easily accessible supply of victims for the denizens.
It’s bad thinking to want to put new housing way out in the middle of nowhere where there’s no jobs or schools or public transport etc etc…
Very reasonable and sensible.
The Opposition have no plans. They’re too busy secretly recording each other and suing each other.
Rex Douglassays:
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 6:05 pm
It’s bad thinking to want to put new housing way out in the middle of nowhere where there’s no jobs or schools or public transport etc etc…
___________________________
I’d like to see more regional development with good PT. Bringing back trams to Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. Reestablishing the line to Wonthaggi.
Yep that’s gotta happen …as well as down to Rosebud.
[I’d like to see more regional development with good PT. Bringing back trams to Geelong, Ballarat and Bendigo. Reestablishing the line to Wonthaggi.]
As the King wishes !
Charles hands appeared red and swollen when greeting his loyal subjects. I wonder if he’s suffering from psoriatic arthritis, or could it be caused by chemotherapy? Anyway he seemed in good spirits. I note that Aunty is referring to Camilla as “The Queen.” The late Queen said she should be referred to as “The Queen Consort.” Then again, you can’t rule from the grave.
I would also like to add my support to the Allen government policy to permit medium and high density housing near public transport. This is beneficial for both the housing tenants and the PT operator.
There are rules like this in many countries that plan PT and housing well. Canada and France have good examples. E.g. In Toronto you can build high density res if the block is within 400 metres of a line haul PT stop. Its a sensible rule that takes the subjectivity out of the decisions.
So Albo had a choice go to the inauguration of Prabowo as Indonesian President or attend Kerry Stokes Telethon in Perth?
Guess which one he picked?
Alan Kohler ABC news tonight.. Carbon Offsets exposé .. a concise & instructive 2min 18 sec explanation.. a shame Alan isn’t PM
https://youtu.be/cdYr89Hw6E0
Where’s the PM tonight, prerecorded… Spicks & Bloody Specks.
Goll, I like the cut of your jib lately. You could have a bright career on here as one of my key underlings.
Charles decided, before the coronation, that Camilla would be titled “Queen”. The warrant to that effect was issued by the Palace in May last year.
“ So Albo had a choice go to the inauguration of Prabowo as Indonesian President or attend Kerry Stokes Telethon in Perth?
Guess which one he picked?”
Lars Von Trier, it’s worth remembering that Indonesia’s new president, ex- general Prabowo Subianto, was the son-in-law of the mass murdering Dictator Suharto and was accused of the abduction and torture of activists, instigating race riots against the Chinese, and later of atrocities in East Timor and West Papua.
Still, they voted for him.
Anyway, Albanese is claiming that he reneged on his pledge to attend the inauguration because of good King Chuck’s visit.
For the haters……
The PM has been in Perth…. on one of his many, many visits to our fair city both as LOTO and PM.
Sour grapes version from the cynics for his visit to Perth was to curry favour with the Stokes outfit.
Too late for this…..The West/7Media outfit is just another part of the LNP cheer squad.
He, and the government’ just chipped in $6 million or so to the local Telethon run by Ch 7 all day today.
We saw next to nothing of Morrison in Perth when he was PM and he was not missed at all.
Luigi Smith:
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 8:16 pm
[‘Charles decided, before the coronation, that Camilla would be titled “Queen”. The warrant to that effect was issued by the Palace in May last year.’]
No doubting that, but QEII was specific in the manner with which Camilla should be referred to after her (QEII’s) death. Charles reneged on his late mother’s agreement.
Mavis, if Camilla survives Charles, can she be de-queened by William?
Chop off her head?
Camilla may be referred to as ‘Queen’ but she’s still a Queen consort as per Queen Elizabeth’s wishes.
Charles hasn’t changed a thing.
She cant be Queen Mother – so what would she be called, perhaps Queen Emeritus or Queen Dowager?
Tricot says:
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 8:28 pm
For the haters……
The PM has been in Perth…. on one of his many, many visits to our fair city both as LOTO and PM.
Sour grapes version from the cynics for his visit to Perth was to curry favour with the Stokes outfit.
Too late for this…..The West/7Media outfit is just another part of the LNP cheer squad.
He, and the government’ just chipped in $6 million or so to the local Telethon run by Ch 7 all day today.
We saw next to nothing of Morrison in Perth when he was PM and he was not missed at all.
————————
Albo will be hoping his visit to Perth for the Telethon will be a PR boost and keep a few more WA voters in the Labor tent. The much larger swing (10%) to Labor in WA last election saw them gain the seats of Swan, Hasluck, Pearce and Tangney which ended up being the difference between majority and minority govt. You’d think the swing back in WA at the upcoming election will be just as steep and Labor will this time also have the Greens targeting them and the underwhelming Patrick Gorman in the seat of Perth.
Yeah Queen Dowager.
This makes it clear (I think)
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/national-international/what-will-be-queen-camillas-title-if-she-outlives-king-charles-iii-heres-what-to-know/5110369/#:~:text=heir%2C%20Prince%20William.-,Camilla's%20current%20official%20title%20is%20queen%2C%20though%20she%20was%20briefly,to%20the%20Royal%20Collection%20Trust.
On China and assorted countries refugee status I think it is dangerous to talk in absolutes.
I am not a China “dove” and, like BW, consider China potentially dangerous at least while Xi is in power. China certainly represses at least some of its citizens, notably but not only the Uighurs.
Yet that does not mean everyone from China would get refugee status. Many would not face the threat of persecution. It depends if you are in one of the repressed groups.
Likewise the other countries mentioned. Things are much worse for a Hazarra in Afghanistan than a Pashtun.
It seems to me that lots of political concepts, including autocracy, the degree of democracy, and free speech, is better thought of as a spectrum from total presence to total absence than “Yes/No”. Most autocracies are further down the spectrum than most democracies.
So to the question of “should anyone from the list of countries mentioned before be granted asylum” my answer is No. it depends on the circumstances.
As for China, I do think that the degree of popular support for Xi’s government will decline rapidly if the economy falters. But we need to learn to live with China, including trade, either way.
dave @ #1836 Sunday, October 20th, 2024 – 7:45 pm
goll, be afraid, be very afraid! 😉
Lars Von Trier:
Sunday, October 20, 2024 at 8:41 pm
[‘Mavis, if Camilla survives Charles, can she be de-queened by William?’]
I know you’re jesting but I think that can only be approved by Parliament. The point is that the late Queen took a fair bit of cajoling to accept Camilla, and there’s evidence she did so with reluctance. Once she warmed a little to her, evidenced by her attending their civil marriage ceremony, Charles obviously worked on his mother to publicly announce that his wife would
be styled as “Queen Consort.” She acceded to his request, but
after her death, the “Consort” bit was surreptitiously dropped.
When I attend the next Australian Monarchist League meeting I’m going to register my misgivings.
Speaking of Camilla, I just love her portrayal in The Windsors.
https://www.youtube.com/shorts/vEJjOsZM6A0
Beatrice and Eugenie are my favourite characters on there though.