Australia General Discussion

[Barnes]

What an embarrassing statement from Cormann.

Is that really surprising? The only thing the Abbott government is competent in, is bullying.

And even then, really obvious bullying that leaves them further down in the polls.

[Barnes]

To me the 1970s in generally the most fascinating decade to study politically in modern times right around the world.  For Australia, Gough Whitlam is the driving factor for that deep interest and fascination.

His government's reforms (whether or not one might approve of all of them) profoundly changed Australia and continue to have a deep impact on Australian daily life today.  He will be greatly missed.

[Barnes]

I should think that the Liberals learned at least enough from the constant Labor leadership debacle that it's best to avoid these things if possible. What I'm getting at mainly is that Abbott would probably pull a Kev and attempt to undermine whomever replaces him at every corner.

[Barnes]

That was quite tragic, indeed.

[Barnes]

Gunman reportedly holding a cafe hostage in Sydney.

I hope all of our Aussie friends are ok down there.

[Barnes]

An announcement that NSW Labor leader, John Robertson, is stepping down appears imminent.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-23/john-robertson-facing-internal-pressure-to-resign-monis-letter/5985316

[Barnes]

LOL Palmer

Lol, it's all kind of a farce anyway.

[Barnes]

The date has bet set as 31 January: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/queensland-election-to-be-held-on-january-31-20150105-12iduw.html

Nice to have another election to follow so soon!

[Barnes]

I think he wants to throw Labor off guard with this early date.

That's certainly the intention, and the slippage in the polls seems to have stabilized for the LNP; not that being tied with Labor is the preferable situation, but I guess they think it's now or never.

Labor, of course, is claiming that they're ready to go, and one would hope - it's pretty naive to plan only for a March election in a state without fixed terms.

[Barnes]

I know that the ALP was ready for it to be called straight after the G20 for an election on 21 December. But I do know they thought the likely date was going to be 22 February... so it doesn't really change too much for them. It'll just be a case of dragging the party staff off leave.

Interesting, I didn't see that before.  Now that I think about it, it makes sense why they would think that.  And I do like quick election periods - gives everything a fast pace, so to speak.

[Barnes]

I have a copy of The Thorn Birds that I've been meaning to read for two years. RIP, of course.


Along with the election in Queensland today, we also have the Davenport by-election in South Australia today. Expectations of a pretty big wing back to the ALP.

[Barnes]

Mal Brough urged to challenge Tony Abbott for leadership -- if the election today goes badly, that is.

[Barnes]

Abbott's National Press Club speech should be pretty interesting to hear now...

[Barnes]

Apparently the Sunday Telegraph is reporting that Bishop personally assured Abbott a few days ago that she won't be challenging.

[Barnes]

I was reading online that there's the possibility of a snap election this year if Abbott gets dumped. We'll see how the popularity boost transpires (if at all) when that happens. I would think that Labor is at least talking about the possibility.

[Barnes]

Abbott's speech will be geo-block free online through ABC News 24, FYI.

[Barnes]

Just tuned in, did Abbott really not talk about Queensland at all? Lol.

[Barnes]

Just got back from dinner. What's Abbott talking about, exactly?

Very little.  He just turned a question on unemployment into a rant against the Victorian Government and the East-West Link.

[Barnes]

Just tuned in, did Abbott really not talk about Queensland at all? Lol.

0 mentions, literally.

He did mention "minor administrative changes" on the state level.

He wasn't talking about the 'administration' as in Government, he was talking about the administration of the GST.

And, this was a horrid speech... and the media is letting him off the hook.

Ah, missed it.

He did ask what sort of madness possesses people to vote for ALP governments. Insulting the electorate isn't really the way to go right now.

That, and criticizing a government for fulfilling an election promise (re: EWLink) is hilarious in itself.

[Barnes]

I'm less certain that there will be a challenge in the near future.  There is a growing minority in the backbenches that want Abbott gone now, but I just have a feeling that the Liberals have learned something from the last government.

As has been said before, the best option would be for Abbott to bow out and let new leadership come in without a challenge.  That obviously will not happen, so for the moment, the potential challengers want to avoid messy leadership challenges.

[Barnes]

Who was the last Australian Prime Minister who didn't have some sort of glaring personality defect that noticeably affected their ability to do their job? Was it Hawke or Fraser? I honestly think it might have been either Hawke or Fraser.

Well, if you listen to Paul Keating, Hawke was asleep at the wheel for most of the '80s.

[Barnes]

Shorten will be giving a response to Abbott's speech shortly.

[Barnes]

Oh believe me, I know the reasons for the spat in 2010 thanks to Julia's book!

But I absolutely agree that Abbott doesn't understand that.  The government's policies are dreadfully unpopular, and changing the leadership won't easily fix that, absolutely.

[Barnes]

Shorten's on now, by the way.

[Barnes]

Thinking about it, that combination makes the most sense.  I can't see a majority of the caucus ever being able to vote for Turnbull.  Morrison in Foreign Affairs would be dismal, I agree.