Following on from the Sunday night polling avalanche, the two pollsters that usually report at this time: the weekly Roy Morgan and the fortnightly Essential Research. Courtesy of The Guardian, Essential Research has Labor up a point to 30%, the Coalition down one to 34% and the Greens steady on 12%, with undecided at 5%. The pollster’s 2PP+ measure has Labor poking its nose in front, up one to 48% with the Coalition steady at 47% and the remainder undecided, without fundamentally upsetting a fine balance that has prevailed in this series for nearly a year.
A semi-regular question on leadership attributes records improvements for Anthony Albanese since February, sustantially so for “out of touch with ordinary people” (down six to 57%), and marginally for decisiveness (up one to 44%) and trustworthiness (up two to 44%). Peter Dutton is up two on out-of-touch to 57%, down three on decisive to 53%, and down one on trustworthy to 41%. In defiance of broadly improving signs for the government, the regular question on national mood finds only 32% rating the country as headed in the right direction, down three on a fortnight ago, with the contrary view up four to 52%. The sample for the poll was 1100 – field work dates and other results will have to wait for the publication of the full report later today.
Roy Morgan’s weekly federal poll series maintains its recent run of strong results for Labor, who lead 53-47 on the headline respondent-allocated two-party measure and 53.5-46.5 based on 2022 election preference flows. The primary votes are Labor 32% (down half), Coalition 35% (down half), Greens 13% (up half) and One Nation 5.5% (up one-and-a-half). The poll was conducted Monday to Sunday from a sample of 1377.
Nine Newspapers also has further results from yesterday’s Resolve Strategic poll showing 60% now believe Donald Trump’s election win has been bad for Australia, up from 40% immediately after his election in November, with only 15% rating it good, down from 29%. Numerous further questions point to a weakening of confidence in the alliance: 34% agreed that Australia should pause or withdraw from the nuclear submarines deal, with 25% disagreeing; 42% agreed Australia should rethink plans to host US nuclear submarines at Australian basis, with 24% disagreeing; 50% said Australia should avoid taking sides in a conflict between the US and China, with 18% disagreeing; 46% felt Australia should retaliate against US tariffs, with 18% disagreeing. Only 35% were clear that China (on 31%) and Russia (on 4%) posed the greater threat to Australia: 17% rated the United States the bigger threat, and 38% opted for “all equally”.
David Rowe
Good Morning! I started the day with a laugh. I read last night’s posts that came in after I went to bed and I found out…pied piper used to be a Public Servant! 😆
It’s looking like ‘Nightmare on Wall St’, isn’t it?
Courtesy of The Guardian, Essential Research has Labor up a point to 30%, the Coalition down one to 34% and the Greens steady on 12%, with undecided at 5%.
———————————————-
Lib/nats Combined primary vote ,
35% Morgan poll
34% Essential poll
The federal lib/nats – losing 5-10 seats
Marc Elias @marcelias.bsky.social
·
37m
BREAKING: Federal court rules that the Pennsylvania date requirement for mail-in ballot violates the First and 14th Amendments. Counties cannot reject ballots from counting undated and wrongly dated mail-in ballots.
“Scottsays:
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 6:22 am
Courtesy of The Guardian, Essential Research has Labor up a point to 30%, the Coalition down one to 34% and the Greens steady on 12%, with undecided at 5%.
———————————————-
Lib/nats Combined primary vote ,
35% Morgan poll
34% Essential poll
The federal lib/nats – losing 5-10 seats”
Coallition closer to 36% in the Essential if you back out the undecideds
I think you are right more generally though. PV at 2022 levels for the Coalition doesn’t get them net seats and just as likely sends them backwards
And recriminations starting..
EXCLUSIVE
‘More work to do’: Coalition worried as leader struggles
Former deputy PM Michael McCormack says it’s clear the Coalition has ‘more work to do’ before getting voters onside by May 3, as Liberal MPs raise concern over recent ‘missteps’ taken by party leadership.
http://www.smearstralian.com.au
Morning all. Some big Asian political news: China, Japan and Korea have announced a joint trade agreement to oppose US tariffs.
https://www.reuters.com/world/asia-pacific/south-korea-china-japan-agree-promote-regional-trade-trump-tariffs-loom-2025-03-30/
So our three biggest trading partners are now opposed to the USA under Trump.
AUKUS is requiring us to spend $368 billion supporting USA contain China. Why?
Whoever wins this election will have to come up with a new Australian foreign policy and defense policy that deals with China, Japan, Korea and USA.
Looking at the highlights of SkyFoxNews ‘PubTest” of Peter Dutton last night
What sort of audience did they manage to gather? This question provides a clue:
The final question of the night went to a viewer wanting to know what the “Coalition would do to tackle woke agendas” being pushed through the education system.
On Climate Change, Dutton was pure Gina:
Directly asked by one participant to detail his “position on the Paris Agreement in regard to net zero emissions by 2050,” Mr Dutton sidestepped the question.
He spoke about the importance of gas and criticised Labor for rising electricity prices, however Mr Dutton’s answer did not mention the Net Zero targets.
“So we’ve got to get the balance right, and I think the views of Australians, my sense, is that this debate is evolving, and I think it will be a very different debate in the coming years as well,” said Mr Dutton.
“Because people are looking at their power bills each month.”
Dutton continued to slag the Teals:
Speaking about the federal election slated for May 3, Mr Dutton said “preferences will matter at this election (on May 3) more than any recent election” due to the rise of the Teals and the Greens.
He also called on incumbent Teal independents, who he said were Greens in disguise, to say before the election who they’d support in the event of a minority government.
“It’s this complete and utter sort of fraud in terms of they, on the one hand, say that they’re all about integrity and honesty and openness, but the reality is that they would only support a Labor government, and that much should be clear to voters when people turn up,” he said.
And in a sign of how Dutton went from being a cop to a multi millionaire, having held 26 properties and with designs on moving in to Kirribilli House – he was asked about housing:
In a moment of levity, Mr Dutton joked about charging his son Harry rent.
“Harry will be embarrassed to hear me call him out, but Harry’s just gone into his second year of apprenticeship as a carpenter,” he said to laughs in the room.
“He’s got a boost in his pay, which means he can start to pay some board at home. I’m not holding my breath for that, but I’ll see.”
Harry, who was watching his father from the audience, was seen laughing on camera.
The quip was in response to a question on how Australia would acquire the tradies to build the 600,000 homes promised by the Coalition through a mix of its housing and migration policies.
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/national/federal-election/peter-dutton-jokes-about-charging-20yo-son-rent-on-paul-murrays-pub-test/news-story/779516539e9ecea96c1be265d2eb9f9d
Sprocket readies for the triumphant Albo re-election.
It’s ironic to see that Trump and his govt are actually helping other govts around the world regain support.
Such is the disdain held for Trump and his cronies.
In any event, whilst it’s all looking grim in the USA in particular.
The Trump show is going to get interesting in ways not imagined.
The wild ride continues
Polymarket has Albo opening up an 18 point lead.
Might be tempted to have a flutter on Dutton at these odds.
https://polymarket.com/event/next-prime-minister-of-australia?tid=1743451949873
‘It took just two months’: Analysts trash Trump as U.S. allies unite with China
Reuters reported Monday that one-time American allies Japan and South Korea joined forces with China to “jointly respond” to tariffs imposed by the United States under President Donald Trump.
Who needs Japan and South Korea on our side when Europe and Canada love us?” sarcastically asked former Homeland Security appointee Eric Columbus.
“It took just two months to drive two of our closest and most important allies into China’s arms,” said commentator Catherine Rampell.
The investor account Citrini remarked, “Do you know what a cosmic-level a–hole one has to be in order to get CHINA, SOUTH KOREA AND JAPAN TO AGREE ON SOMETHING?!”
Temu Trump knows how to win hearts and minds in Victoria. Threaten their funding!
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/dutton-pledges-to-axe-2-2-billion-from-suburban-rail-loop-hoax-20250331-p5lnzg.html?js-chunk-not-found-refresh=true
People should also take a look at the Resolve Strategic poll on Australian attitudes to USA under Trump, AUKUS and basing US submarines in Perth. 50% say we should not take sides in any conflict between USA and China. Only 18% disagree.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/worse-than-russia-voters-fear-trump-s-america-20250331-p5lnzn.html
John Black is a former ALP Queensland Senator, and now an ‘election analyst’ for the AFR.
He does produce a handy summary of the weekend polls:
Black does give most weight to the Freshwater result, and despite his ‘election analyst’ moniker, failed to mention the massive turnaround from the previous months 45/55 outlier.
Unfortunately, he then goes on to draw his conclusions by looking at the seat by seat Sportsbet odds, and arrives at this CenterBet-like observation..
And Sportsbet has those weekend punters having a flutter on the overall outcome backing Labor to win a majority of seats, but those who follow the form in individual seat contests are backing Labor to win 68 seats and the Coalition 71.
This would leave a reduced and more conservative crossbench of 11, according to the punters, minus a couple of teals and Greens and willing to support a Coalition government, which put Dutton in front last weekend.
Or, as chipper Albanese would say, the punters are just taking the piss.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/albanese-wins-anti-trump-vibe-but-dutton-in-front-seat-by-seat-20250330-p5lnoj
Mexicanbeemer says Monday, March 31, 2025 at 9:20 pm
It’s day 3 still not seen a liberal tv ad. That’s some record for slow starts.
_________________________
I saw one from Advance Australia on YouTube.
Telling the world that they really are sick wierdos…
US Cartoons:
Albo is in Adelaide this morning. So SA might get some Federal largesse. (I assume he will steer clear of the shipyard 🙂 ).
Possibly to re-announce funding of a freight bypass that was in the budget. TBH its a pretty marginal project.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-01/south-australia-freight-bypass-truro-murray-bridge-funded-budget/105113918
“In defiance of broadly improving signs for the government, the regular question on national mood finds only 32% rating the country as headed in the right direction, down three on a fortnight ago, with the contrary view up four to 52%.”
I’m getting ads for my local Liberal candidate and for the Trumpets on my YouTube.
I don’t watch that much TV, but I don’t think I have seen Dutton on an Adelaide TV add yet. Clive and the Trumpets are everywhere, including when I watch Youtube videos and podcasts.
#weatheronPB
Uneasy grey sky,
creates tension among us.
We who remember.
Facebook and YouTube are full of ads, from most parties. I’m getting plenty of Katie Allen even though we have been put into Hotham by the redistribution. The libs obviously don’t target Hotham, have seen nothing from them at all for Hotham.
Good Morning! Here’s Your Day 5 Election Campaign News and Views Roundup.
Liberal frontbencher Jason Wood was heckled out of a Melbourne mosque while pledging $6.5 million to upgrade its facilities on Monday, after worshippers became furious their Eid celebrations were being politicised during the federal election campaign.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/watch-liberal-frontbencher-heckled-out-of-melbourne-mosque-20250331-p5lnxt.html
Worse than Russia? Voters fear Trump’s America.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/worse-than-russia-voters-fear-trump-s-america-20250331-p5lnzn.html
Under a Coalition government, the fate of Australia’s central climate policy hangs in the balance
https://theconversation.com/under-a-coalition-government-the-fate-of-australias-central-climate-policy-hangs-in-the-balance-253426
Hosting the UN climate summit is far from ‘madness’ – here’s how Australia stands to benefit
https://theconversation.com/hosting-the-un-climate-summit-is-far-from-madness-heres-how-australia-stands-to-benefit-253423
Election diary: Energy is in the foreground – but climate change is ‘in the shadows’ Michelle Grattan
https://theconversation.com/election-diary-energy-is-in-the-foreground-but-climate-change-is-in-the-shadows-253115
Guardian Essential poll: Albanese’s approval rating takes a hit but Labor inches ahead of Coalition
Voters scored both PM and Peter Dutton poorly on key leadership questions including trust, competence and being out of touch
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/apr/01/guardian-essential-poll-albaneses-approval-rating-takes-a-hit-but-labor-inches-ahead-of-coalition
Labor’s in with a fighting chance, but must work around an unpopular leader. By Chris Wallace
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/04/labors-in-with-a-fighting-chance-but-must-work-around-an-unpopular-leader-pic/
As Anthony Albanese and Peter Dutton hit campaign trail, setting aside more gas for the domestic market or direct subsidies for power bills are the two pitches for energy bill relief. And according to three major polls, Labor has regained the political momentum — so what’s driving the shift?
Patricia Karvelas and Jacob Greber break it all down on Politics Now. Podcast.
https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/politics-now/why-albanese-has-pulled-ahead-in-polls/105118380
Will the US trade war push up the price of medicines in Australia? Will there be drug shortages?
https://johnmenadue.com/
Will things fall apart? Can the centre hold? By Jack Waterford
https://johnmenadue.com/post/2025/04/will-things-fall-apart-can-the-centre-hold-pic-albo-dutton/
Explainer. Independents and minor parties may decide who runs Australia. Who and what will win their support? The polls suggest no party is likely to have a majority after the federal election on 3 May. We asked the current crossbenchers what their priorities would be in that event
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2025/mar/31/independents-and-minor-parties-may-decide-who-runs-australia-who-and-what-will-win-their-support
From yum cha to a mosque: Dutton sells himself as a multicultural champion. Faking it to make it.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/from-yum-cha-to-a-mosque-dutton-sells-himself-as-a-multicultural-champion-20250330-p5lnp9.html
Promises to downsize ‘big Australia’ immigration remain vague. By Abul Rizvi
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/promises-to-downsize-big-australia-immigration-remain-vague,19581
PM Dutton would dodge The Lodge for Kirribilli. Can’t blame him. But is this WFH or WTF?
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pm-dutton-would-dodge-the-lodge-for-kirribilli-can-t-blame-him-but-is-this-wfh-or-wtf-20250331-p5lnup.html
The federal election campaign is in full swing and the tales of stolen corflutes accumulate. It is one of the oldest of political tricks – candidate puts up campaign signs, opponent takes them down. But in the case of Bradfield teal candidate Nicolette Boele, it was not her political rivals who were being mischievous late last week. Rather, several of Boele’s signs seemed to have been swiped … by a Ku-ring-gai council worker.
https://www.smh.com.au/cbd/the-case-of-the-local-council-and-the-disappearing-election-corflutes-20250331-p5lnzf.html
SMH Editorial: This febrile cost-of-living election has turned our political leaders into great friends of the consumer; both men appear happy to ignore the variegated history of their proposals and pitch hard at hip-pocket nerves.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/phantom-issues-and-hiding-details-is-no-way-to-campaign-20250331-p5lnuu.html
The major parties have formally split over the future of the Suburban Rail Loop, with the federal Coalition vowing to scrap all funding for the project and redirect the money to building a rail line to Melbourne Airport.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/dutton-pledges-to-axe-2-2-billion-from-suburban-rail-loop-hoax-20250331-p5lnzg.html
Australians are clear on our biggest threats. But our leaders don’t want to discuss it. By Peter Hartcher
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/australians-are-clear-on-our-biggest-threats-but-our-leaders-don-t-want-to-discuss-it-20250331-p5lnuz.html
Albanese has to hold them, Dutton has to win them back: The battleground seats. This is not just a battle between Labor and the Coalition for the bellwether seats, but a campaign that will be fought on several fronts. By James Massola
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-has-to-hold-them-dutton-has-to-win-them-back-the-battleground-seats-20250216-p5lcj4.html
Here’s where your political leaders are likely to be during the election campaign
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-31/federal-leaders-campaign-trail-map-dutton-albanese/105018036
The tactics of political pressure groups hoping to punish Labor over Israel’s war in Gaza have divided Muslim communities in Sydney’s west, a prominent doctor warning their “sinister plot” will pave the way for a Liberal government unsympathetic to Palestine.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/in-sydney-s-west-division-over-gaza-action-drives-election-debate-20250331-p5lntv.html
Peter Dutton’s gas plan is a superficial solution to a real problem. Australians deserve better. Without more clarity, it is impossible to assess whether the Coalition’s idea would – or even could – meet what is otherwise a sound objective. Tony Wood
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/31/australian-election-2025-peter-dutton-gas-power-plan-comment
Albanese changes tune, Dutton eyes Sydney and another citizenship saga as campaign begins
By Brett Worthington
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-31/week-one-federal-election-modelling-kirribilli-house-china-ship/105116506
What Labor, Liberals, Nationals and the Greens stand for.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-01/pe-major-parties/104985146
Election 2025: See where Labor and the Coalition are promising to spend billions
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-03-28/election-2025-key-promises-labor-coalition/104717394
NSW taxpayers spared cost of keeping giant coal-fired power station open
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/nsw-taxpayers-spared-cost-of-keeping-giant-coal-fired-power-station-open-20250331-p5lnxe.html
‘We love the harbour’: Dutton says he would live in Sydney as prime minister
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/we-love-the-harbour-dutton-says-he-would-live-in-sydney-as-prime-minister-20250331-p5lnvm.html
House prices and rents reached fresh records in March, but CoreLogic expects the growth to moderate over the coming months. The rebound in home prices has been attributed to the Reserve Bank’s decision to cut interest rates in February.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-01/home-prices-recover-to-hit-fresh-record-march-corelogic/105118812
Why the RBA will hold off on a rate cut ahead of Trump’s day of reckoning
By chief business correspondent Ian Verrender
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-01/reserve-bank-unlikely-to-cut-in-april-as-trump-tariffs-loom/105119844
Where MMT Went Wrong, by Jeff McCracken-Hewson
https://www.fabians.org.au/where_mmt_went_wrong
Coalition’s pitch to ‘mortgage prisoners’ as house prices soar. This is counterintuitive.
https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/australian-politics/federal-election-2025/2025/04/01/housing-election
The Trump fire is burning on Wall Street. By Stephen Bartholomeusz
https://www.theage.com.au/business/markets/the-trump-fire-is-burning-on-wall-street-20250331-p5lnrs.html
Albanese government unwilling to buy its way out of Trump tariffs
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-01/government-unwilling-to-buy-trump-tariff-exemption/105119848
Australia should persist with Aukus despite risk of US relationship ‘becoming unstuck’, former defence department secretary says. Dennis Richardson argues biggest hindrance to $368bn deal is budgetary capacity and ‘political will’
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2025/mar/31/dennis-richardson-australia-aukus-submarine-deal-us-former-defence-chief
One is known as the “Oracle of Omaha”, the other as “Superman”. Warren Buffett and Li Ka-shing are the two most revered investors in the West and East. Now that both, in their 90s and just two years apart in age, are hoarding cash, is it an omen of a major financial downturn?
https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/the-oracle-and-superman-are-holding-on-to-their-billions-it-could-be-a-really-bad-sign-20250328-p5lncn.html
Elon Musk has a target on his back. The Economist.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/elon-musk-has-a-target-on-his-back-20250324-p5llzc.html
Far-Right Influencers Are Hosting a $10K-per-Person Matchmaking Weekend to Repopulate the Earth. The Natal Conference, which costs up to $10,000 to attend, features multiple matchmaking strategy sessions and onsite ministers so attendees can get married, WIRED has learned. Sheesh!
https://www.wired.com/story/natal-conference-matchmaking/
Vance’s posturing in Greenland was not just morally wrong. It was strategically disastrous
Timothy Snyder
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/31/trump-greenland-us-morally-wrong-strategy-disastrous
Republicans look to avert humiliation in Florida special election
https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/5220802-republicans-look-to-avert-humiliation-in-florida-special-election/
Communities of faith cringe at Trump’s multiple mockeries. By Alan Austin
https://independentaustralia.net/life/life-display/communities-of-faith-cringe-at-trumps-multiple-mockeries,19582
Americans are beginning to fear dissent. That’s exactly what Trump wants. Robert Reich
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2025/mar/31/americans-dissent-fear-trump
Six Australian universities close Chinese government-linked Confucius Institutes
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2025-04-01/six-australian-universities-close-confucius-institutes/105107638
Le Pen’s dilemma: Seek revenge or help her party. Marine Le Pen has been trying to normalize the National Rally in recent years, but may be tempted to wreak havoc after her guilty verdict.
https://www.politico.eu/article/marine-le-pen-bombshell-verdict-upends-french-politics/
Is Jordan Bardella the new face of Europe? Slick, disciplined and a hit with young voters, the president of France’s National Rally is remaking the far-right party in his image.
https://www.politico.eu/article/jordan-bardella-france-far-right-european-election-2024/
Combative Le Pen vows to fight on for French presidency. Far-right leader conspicuously refused to endorse her second-in-command, Jordan Bardella, after a court banned her from running for public office.
https://www.politico.eu/article/marine-le-pen-not-giving-up-presidential-plans-first-interview-since-guilty-verdict/
Marine Le Pen’s allies in Russia and Hungary lash out at guilty verdict. French court ruling blocks far-right figurehead from 2027 presidential run, stoking conservative outrage around Europe.
https://www.politico.eu/article/marine-le-pen-allies-russia-hungary-lash-out-guilty-verdict/
The time has come to punish Orbán, Germany’s next government says
Friedrich Merz’s incoming coalition wants to press the EU to look at withholding funds and suspending voting rights from Hungary, according to a document seen by POLITICO.
https://www.politico.eu/article/germany-next-coalition-vows-punish-hungary-viktor-orban-friedrich-merz/
Majority of UK’s young adults ‘concerned’ about democracy, new poll says
Survey finds 63 percent of young people believe democracy is “in trouble” — while 27 percent say they’d rather live in a dictatorship.
https://www.politico.eu/article/democracy-majority-of-uk-young-adults-concerned-about-democracy-new-poll-says/
Trump forces Canada to rethink trade and energy flows. Tariff threats prompt provinces to tout “east-west” corridors, rather than “south” to the U.S.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/31/trump-canada-trade-energy-00260191
Rural swaths of the country that helped power Donald Trump to victory are facing serious economic headwinds inflicted by his administration. The results of Wisconsin’s high-stakes Supreme Court race on Tuesday will reveal just how damaging they’re becoming for the president and the GOP.
https://www.politico.com/news/2025/03/31/trump-schimel-rural-voters-wisconsin-00258869
Cartoon Time!
Alan Moir
Cathy Wilcox
Matt Golding
Joe Benke
Matt Davidson
Mark David
Dan Jensen
From the Internet
Enjoy!
C@t “pied piper used to be a Public Servant!” anyone who has worked in local, state or federal govenment will know from PP’s post he/she has never been anywhere near a public sector role. Although, saying that, I have come across a few ex defence folks (think Fubar types) who think along the same lines as some of PP’s posts
Socratessays:
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 7:22 am
Temu Trump knows how to win hearts and minds in Victoria. Threaten their funding!
_____________________
Socrates is happy for his taxes to be rorted by bikies and the CFMEU.
Join the dots.
Socrates @ 8.09am
Alas, I have been submitted to a view of the ‘Clarions for Conspiracy” adds interrupting SBS TV.
I am amused at the add in which Clive trumpets to get rid of all the politicians.
But he concludes with the statement; “Vote 1. The Clarions of Conspiracy”.
Albo in Adelaide splashing the cash:
A $300m health service for Adelaide’s south, providing up to 10,000 extra appointments and training 1300 staff annually, will be kickstarted on Tuesday by Prime Minister Anthony Albanese.
Targeting the Adelaide marginal seat of Boothby on the election campaign’s fifth day, Mr Albanese will announce a re-elected Labor government will spend $150m on a Flinders HealthCARE Centre.
Flinders University, which would match the funding, is touting the centre as transforming health care in southern Adelaide. In another sign of federal Labor’s bid to leverage Premier Peter Malinauskas’s popularity, Mr Albanese said his government was “working with the Malinauskas Labor government to build South Australia’s future”. The 10-storey centre, in Bedford Park’s Flinders Health Precinct, will include three floors of clinical space able to treat 100 patients simultaneously.
Research and training facilities will enable Flinders University to produce an extra 1300 work-ready graduates annually, including more than 490 nurses, 250 social workers, 101 paramedics and 128 occupational therapists and speech pathologists.
Mr Albanese linked the Flinders centre funding to Labor “strengthening Medicare”, touting “the largest-ever investment in more than 40 years”.: https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/prime-minister-anthony-albanese-in-boothby-to-announce-flinders-healthcare-centre/news-story/2a2183a5680c547d26de3892883e9d33?amp
“In defiance of broadly improving signs for the government, the regular question on national mood finds only 32% rating the country as headed in the right direction, down three on a fortnight ago, with the contrary view up four to 52%.”
I assume because of the “Liberation Day” tariffs?
Soc,
Big Health Facility announcement by the PM in SA today.
“Socrates is happy for his taxes to be rorted by bikies and the CFMEU.”
You’re not supposed to say the quiet part out loud. Besides, we’ve moved on to “yoof crime” – keep up with the latest talking points.
World News & Politics Patrol:
Putin to conscript 160,000 more Russians for war with Ukraine: https://www.politico.eu/article/vladimir-putin-ordered-conscript-160000-more-russians-army-spring/
Sweden announces more Ukraine military aid worth $1.6 billion: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/sweden-announces-new-military-aid-package-worth-16-bln-ukraine-2025-03-31/
Marine Le Pen’s allies in Russia and Hungary lash out at guilty verdict: https://www.politico.eu/article/marine-le-pen-allies-russia-hungary-lash-out-guilty-verdict/
Russia has depleted its tank stocks: the industry is not covering combat losses: https://militarnyi.com/en/news/russia-has-depleted-its-tank-stocks-the-industry-is-not-covering-combat-losses/
Russia officially moves to legalize the Taliban: https://www.politico.eu/article/russia-moves-to-legalize-the-taliban-terrorist-group/
Ukraine won’t sign minerals deal with US if it threatens EU membership, Zelensky says: https://kyivindependent.com/ukraine-wont-sign-minerals-deal-with-us-if-it-threatens-eu-membership-zelensky-says/
Israeli troops killed 15 Palestinian medics and buried them in a mass grave, UN says: https://apnews.com/article/gaza-medics-killed-israel-ambulances-f34b6ecc985d9127265a400bd52c72b7
Israel awaits Hamas answer to counterproposal as military pressure mounts: https://www.ynetnews.com/article/rjfm3lo6yl
Sir Keir Starmer says 24,000 people who have ‘no right to be here’ have been returned under Labour: https://news.sky.com/story/sir-keir-starmer-says-24000-people-who-have-no-right-to-be-here-have-been-returned-under-labour-13339113
Britain becomes only G7 country unable to make new steel: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/business/2025/03/27/british-steels-chinese-owners-reject-500m-go-green/
‘What a coincidence’: Musk’s $1 million Wisconsin giveaway won by chair of state’s College Republicans: https://www.dailydot.com/debug/elon-musk-giveaway-wisconsin/
Fox News Fails to Get Stranded Astronauts to Blame Biden for Failed Mission: https://www.thedailybeast.com/fox-news-fails-to-get-stranded-astronauts-sunita-williams-and-butch-wilmore-to-blame-biden-for-failed-mission/
‘Racist’ DOGE Goon Broke Data Sharing Rules and Was Rewarded With Even More Access: https://www.thedailybeast.com/doge-staffer-marko-elez-broke-data-sharing-rules-and-was-rewarded-with-even-more-access/
Trump is plotting the biggest tax rise in global history – The burden for paying the bulk of the president’s Liberation Day tariffs will fall on consumers, potentially at some $600 billion a year: https://www.telegraph.co.uk/us/comment/2025/03/31/trump-plotting-biggest-tax-rise-global-history/
China, Japan, South Korea will jointly respond to US tariffs, Chinese state media says: https://www.reuters.com/world/china-japan-south-korea-will-jointly-respond-us-tariffs-chinese-state-media-says-2025-03-31/
Democrats’ approval remains at low point: https://thehill.com/blogs/blog-briefing-room/news/5224072-democrats-low-approval-rating/
Top Officials Placed on Leave After Denying DOGE Access to Federal Payroll Systems: https://www.wired.com/story/doge-access-federal-payroll-systems-officials-leave-interior/
SEC continuing $150 million lawsuit against Elon Musk over Twitter purchase: https://abcnews.go.com/US/sec-continuing-150-million-lawsuit-elon-musk-twitter/story?id=120343524
Governor Pritzker Signs Memorandum of Understanding Between Mexico and Illinois: https://gov-pritzker-newsroom.prezly.com/governor-pritzker-signs-memorandum-of-understanding-between-mexico-and-illinois
Taylormade says:
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 8:21 am
Socratessays:
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 7:22 am
Temu Trump knows how to win hearts and minds in Victoria. Threaten their funding!
_____________________
Socrates is happy for his taxes to be rorted by bikies and the CFMEU.
Join the dots.
Labor has put the CFMEU into administration. The Liberal stopped them displaying CFMEU flags on cranes.
Look at the picture in article below. See all those high Vis vests. They are not bikies, they are tradies with families that Dutten wants to throw out of work.
https://bigbuild.vic.gov.au/news/north-east-link/tunnel-boring-machines-break-through-at-yallambie
Oh also notice the project is proceeding with vigor.
https://www.google.com/search?client=firefox-b-d&q=rail+loop+tunnel+brekthropugh
https://apple.news/Ah55HfP7XQuutJj3e7RfpSw, SBS on energy/ power bill announcements
Thanks c@t and Holden!
And just a reminder. The party of little no; the Greens opposed Labor putting the CFMEU into administration.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-08-20/workplace-minister-lashes-out-at-greens-over-cfmeu-bill/104245464
Thank you C@t for another interesting news and views roundup for the morning.
A couple of points to ponder.
America under Trusk (a portmanteau I coined combining Trusk and Musk)
It is becoming clearer by the day that there is an increasing shift towards ‘buyers remorse’ (or more correctly ‘voters remorse’) across the United States particularly in those states that have had a large Federal footprint in terms of offices and staff. People are angry. I read somewhere (on PB?) that many MAGA-types are furious that they have been directly impacted by the cuts rather than ‘the illegal immigrants’ or ‘the other people/’
Secondly, we are seeing that the shambolic implementation of tariffs is starting to hit the American consumer and businesses HARD and it will only get worse in coming months. When you have one of the world’s most popular distilleries Jack Daniels reporting that they have lost a significant revenue generator (Canada) it does not bode well.
Thirdly, the fact that many Republicans have gone into literally witness protection, cancelled town hall meetings and so on indicates that there is an increasing undercurrent of simmering rage and tension across the USA. A friend who is across US politics has warned that we may see some serious civil unrest across the US (which is what Trusk wants) by June.
Fourth, I think we might start to see some green shoots from what has been a pretty complicit media with some push back against Trusk, e.g. The Economist for example. I follow the Private Eye in the UK and they are nothing short of horrified as to what is going on although one of the journalists wryly noted that there is so much fertile content for satirists from what we are seeing out of the USA except it is not particularly funny. (If only we had The Goon Show or Monty Python at this point…)
On matters closer to home (i.e. our election)
The overnight announcement that the Liberals will pull $2b from Melbourne’s SRL project and reallocate it to the Airport rail project is political grandstanding pure and simple. I live in Melbourne and have followed the SRL project very closely (disclosure: I will directly benefit from this as it will cut travel times by half). There is CONSIDERABLE commentary in the letters and opinion pages of The Age and Herald Sun from antagonists and protagonists of the SRL in the last 12 months and more. Age columnist Chip Le Grand has taken a particularly anti-SRL stance (not surprising given The Age is pro-roads and anti-public transport generally). It will be interesting to see how this may play out in the next few days and whether there is a ‘bounce’ in polls from Victoria.
Just my thoughts.
Finally, any PB’s come across any April Fool’s ‘fake news’ or advertising in their travels today?
With the federal lib/ nats and propaganda media units having nothing to offer, expect lots and lots of personal attacks against Labor and other non aligned lib/nats party’s/ members
It will be a completely waste of time, because the non lib/nats voters won’t be switching to the lib/nats
Sure, US shares taking a beating. But still at September 2024 levels. It’s bad. No doubt. And it’s almost all due to Trump. But he can spin this as short term pain – for now. And it won’t hit Main Street back pockets yet.
I would note it isn’t necessarily a big deal (in and of itself) that share markets lose value. Corrections happen and Good reforms can do this too. Those on the left advocating significant economic reforms should be careful pointing to this indicator as being overly meaningful.
When it gets worse and filters down, that’s when Trumps loses votes and when his election subversions efforts will take on extraordinary levels (beyond the usual GOP ratbaggery).
Kos Samaras has a go at where votes are moving…
Best way to illustrate what is happening at the moment.
Labor is consolidating its vote, primarily through a noticeable, though not overwhelming, shift from minor left parties and independents. These are mostly voters they lost over the last 18 months.
A smaller, regionally specific group is also moving from the LNP to Labor.
Meanwhile, the LNP is shedding support to minor parties on its right flank.
Most of this movement is occurring within Gen Z and Millennial cohorts, voters who have the weakest values alignment with any major party. That makes this shift highly volatile, with the potential to swing sharply back and decisively reshape the campaign’s trajectory.
Cat
Thanks for the roundup. I see the presence of Trump as POTUS makes April Fools Day jokes inappropriate today.
And yes, Albo funding the health facility at Flinders MC and Uni is a good thing for Adelaide’s southern suburbs. If you are going to promise stuff in an election, at least make it useful stuff.
Where is Dutton going to build the tens of thousands of associated new apartment housing after he withdraws SRL funding ..?
Anyway, I can’t see Victorians taking too well to Dutton telling them what to do. Maybe I’m wrong…
So now the genius which is Nuckleer Pete is promoting the writing of “riskier” loans to get people into housing
Sub prime lending, anyone?
The reason for the GFC, which so decimated the Global economies and saw Share Indices crashing hence interest rates reducing to attempt to stimulate economies was because of sub prime lending
Given the stability of the Australian banks, which retain lender of the last resort in regard deposits of up to $250,000-, I trust that our banks will call out this nonsense for what it is
When assessing loans the criteria is own contribution (giving the lender their security) plus the intent and capacity to service the borrowings (including from joint incomes)
We saw the problems visited by bad and doubtful debts during the S&L crisis of the late 1980’s/early 1990’s when the provisioning for Bad and Doubtful debt all but wiped the Capital and Reserves of both ANZ and Westpac which both nearly failed (and State banks and other lenders did)
Nuckleer Pete is as dangerous to the good order of society as is Trump – and equally incoherent
Post the sub prime lending crisis, there is criteria applying to the structure of Bank Balance Sheets including in regard liquidity
Thomassays:
Tuesday, April 1, 2025 at 8:25 am
“In defiance of broadly improving signs for the government, the regular question on national mood finds only 32% rating the country as headed in the right direction, down three on a fortnight ago, with the contrary view up four to 52%.”
I assume because of the “Liberation Day” tariffs?
=====================================================
Why would any Australian asked about the direction this country is headed be thinking about the “Liberation Day” tariffs?
Yep overnight Trump said Tariffs will apply to all countries he chooses.
Rudd,Albanese ,Wong and labor who slagged Trump off big Time will be responsible for any retribution this week.
“Traitor “ Rudd called him are you kidding??
Still ambassador to USA that is waving a red flag to a bull shows Albo has no respect for Trump and will cost Australia.
More interested in China and sexist and racist quotas than merit Albanese and the national interest comes second.
Dutton needs to make this clear on Thursday.
The BOM is showing Adelaide having a 60% chance of rain on Sunday and Monday!!
Hold on, April 1!!
The Govt should definitely be getting in on the act with China, Japan and Korea. No brainer.
“ Socrates is happy for his taxes to be rorted by bikies and the CFMEU.”
Taylormade happy to tell lies about others, once again.
Thanks Frednk for highlighting the reasons why this was false.