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• Post #1849830

  "Mr Dutton said it was the nature of "the adversarial climate" of parliament that there would be robust discussions, and added that the tone had improved in recent years." And right there is the problem. "Adversarial". MPs are not elected to be adversarial. They are elected to represent. To discuss and debate. To govern. All reps, not just the government or opposition or crossbench of the day. In theory. It's party tribalism that m...

• Post #1849829

  With thanks to @DrLiz for recommending this, have recently read it. Broadly, it's a diagnosis I agree with. I quibble with some framing and emphases, but not importantly. It ends on a depressing note, with which I sympathise. The election of the ALP just swapped competent grifters for incompetent grifters. My conclusion, not Turner's. An improvement of sorts, I guess. But not enough. Nowhere near enough. I genuinely appreciate the likes of Turner, John Keane, @timdunlop, @Denis...

• Post #1849828

  Great headline. And apposite and pointed here with the referendum. In USA: Republicans Don’t Mind the Constitution. It’s Democracy They Don’t Like. In AUS: The Coalition doesn't mind the constitution. It's democracy they don't like. Specifically, in both cases, it's the consequences of demographic change they don't like. #auspol #VoicetoParliament https://www.nytimes.com/2023/09/15/opinion/romney-republicans-constitution-democracy.html?smid=nytcore-a...

• Post #1849826

  I have old friends, long standing residents (generations beyond Barners' tenancy), mystified by his appeal. Coz they've met him. From what I understand, it's been the combination of assumptions (a) you can never win against the NP and (b) the electorate is rusted on. Neither is true. Look to Bradfield, Cowper and Groom. Didn't win last fed election but scared the hell out of incumbents. Rightly. Barners is reverting to type. Won't work. #auspol https:/...

• Post #1849824

  The former PM just can't help himself. Always more interested in - tho not especially good at - machine politics than governing. Some humility might have been learned, but, naaah, same ol' same ol'. #auspol https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/morrison-backing-voice-no-campaigner-mundine-for-liberal-senate-spot-sources-20230915-p5e50o.html?btis

• Post #1849822

  At last. An opportunity to learn from an event, our handling of it, and to prepare for the inevitable next one. Something a mature country might want to do. The immediate reaction from McKenzie - demanding a RC, which I seriously doubt her former (ministers in charge of procurement and consultant appointment eg) and some current members (a certain multi-ministerial PM eg) would welcome - is odd. Did she consult or just push the tribalism button? Let's look to the full TOR tomorrow bef...

• Post #1849821

  “And you can call me a conspiracy theorist if you like, but I know the way that these people work and that’s what will end up happening.” Ok. You're a conspiracy theorist. The giveaway, I mean, apart from the company apparently kept: "These people". #auspol #VoicetoParliament #conspiracytheories https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/anti-voice-campaign-director-says-white-people-will-be-paying-to-live-here-if-referendum-succeeds-20230920-p5e68c.html?btis

• Post #1849819

  News' board is Murdoch compliant, so Lachlan M will probably get his way. If the board actually functioned as a board instead of proxies for Murdoch family and Gulf royalty, it would ask itself what skills does this man - who was PM of Australia but has been unable to land a senior corporate responsible role since he was defenestrated - bring to this corporation? It's not clout and network - News hardly needs those. #auspol #MurdochRoyalCommission https://www.smh.com.au/business...

• Post #1849818

  Dutton at Lib Vic conference this weekend: “I believe Australians on the 14th of October are going to stand up for what they believe in.... They’re going to support the position of the Liberal Party because they know that we’ve thought about it.” I'm ok with the former statement. I fear the result, but ok. But the next statement? That jumps the shark. #auspol #liberals https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/anti-voice-crowds-dominated-by-conspiracy-theories-as-neo-nazis-gatecrash-rall...

• Post #1849815

  @fixatedpersonsunit The Coalition strategy was always clear and they've just proved it; the tactics deployed - learnt from GOP and UKIP - can work on a single issue. But am not sure it will work in a general. That group of demographics you mentioned is not enuff to win in Aus. Pretty sure a major party can't win without metro seats. The Libs have what 4, 5 seats left in greater Sydney (?) and Bradfield just voted YES, so count one out. The LNP can't win with just Qld and...

• Post #1849814

  What's the line? Meet the old boss, same as the old boss? I'd like to say I'm surprised. I'm not. Farrell the ALP officer in charge of electoral reform. Parties gotta party #auspol https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/don-farrell-defends-ex-colleague-s-appointment-to-plum-us-post-20231019-p5edha.html?btis