Australia General Discussion 2.0

[Talleyrand]

Looks like Turnbull will be sworn in today, so Abbott was PM for 1 year, 362 days- the shortest tenure since Billy McMahon (1971-1972).

Ironically, he ended up being the 4th longest serving leader of the Liberal Party, with almost 6 years at the helm. He was only behind Menzies, Howard, and Fraser.

...Of course I suspect Turnbull will be the longest serving PM since Howard, and probably last at least the rest of the decade.

[Talleyrand]

Malcolm Turnbull has officially been sworn in as Australia's 29th Prime Minister.

[Talleyrand]

Reports that Dutton has resigned, but Turbull has yet to accept it.

Dutton resigns what? Cabinet, the party, the House?

...The Cabinet obviously. The PM doesn't have to accept a resignation from the party or the House.

[Talleyrand]

He is probably grandstanding, but hardline rightwing South Australia Liberal Senator Cory Bernardi is not ruling out forming a new conservative party. And he has the support of Melbourne-based shock jock Andrew Bolt.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/cory-bernardi-doesnt-rule-out-quitting-the-liberal-party-following-malcolm-turnbulls-elevation-20150915-gjnjkr.html


Also, Abbott has announced he will not resign from Parliament.

[Talleyrand]

In other news, a seal has been spotted riding a whale off the NSW coast.

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/seal-rides-on-the-back-of-a-whale-on-the-nsw-south-coast-20150916-gjo732.html

[Talleyrand]

LOL

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/tony-abbott-goes-topless-at-wild-farewell-party-after-being-ousted-by-new-pm-malcolm-turnbull/story-fnii5s3y-1227535045623

[Talleyrand]

Joe Hockey is resigning from parliament, creating a byelection in North Sydney.

Apparently he is soon expected to be named Ambassador to the U.S., replacing Kim Beazley.

In other news, Knights and Dames are being scrapped!

[Talleyrand]

In other news, that LOSER Andrew Bolt is continuing his hatchetjob on the new PM, pretending that he has not provided a dramatic change in the government's fortunes. He, Cory Bernardi, and Alan Jones should really be put in a chaff bag and thrown in the Tasman Sea, to use the latter's words! They are already trying to bring down Turnbull and cannot handle his success.

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/new-prime-minister-is-malcolm-turnbull-the-liberal-partys-julia-gillard/story-fnj45fva-1227535945680

[Talleyrand]

Bronwyn Bishop confirmed to have abandoned Abbott last week over Choppergate.

Beyond embarrassing, and I say that as a strong Turnbull supporter. The only reason she ever became Speaker after her failed career in parliament was Abbott's personal friendship with her; he stood up for her again and again, even when literally almost everyone (including Turnbull) wanted to triage her ASAP during Choppergate.

Looks like she's getting an earful from the local party though! I hope she's deselected; she should retire, but her ego won't let her.

You must be logged in to read this quote.

http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/sep/21/tony-abbott-party-resignations-and-bad-blood-in-liberal-heartland-after-coup

[Talleyrand]

Talleyrand wtf is going on?

I've switched my (previously reluctant) support for the inept and feckless Labor Party under Sleazy Shorten to the Malcolm Turnbull's Liberals. He is a proven success story and fierce fighter for the downtrodden who will be a unifying leader for Australia after the disgrace of Abbott. He will make the country a Republic, pass gay marriage, enforce a balanced budget, have a reasonable immigration policy, take on the union bosses, and make progress in the fight against climate change.

As Keating said, the man is absolutely brilliant and absolutely fearless. I suspect he will be PM for quite some time to come (possibly a decade or more, at least 5 years) and bring dignity back into the public sphere after the utter disgrace that has been the last 5-6 years.

I look forward to his landslide victory within the year.

[Talleyrand]

Talleyrand wtf is going on?

As Keating said, the man is absolutely brilliant and absolutely fearless.

You left out the "no judgement" part.

Turnbull has consistently shown excellent judgment in his personal, political, and business life. Keating is a good judge of character, but that was an instance of him trying to score cheap political points.

[Talleyrand]

The NSW ALP continues to make a strong recovery.


TPP
Coalition- 56% (+2)
Labor- 44% (-2)

Primary
Coalition- 47% (+1)
Labor- 33% (-1)
Greens- 11% (+1)
Otherd- 9% (-1)

Mike Baird Favorability
Approval- 63% (+6)
Disapproval- 23% (-6)

Luke Foley Favorability
Approval- 35% (-3)
Disapproval- 37% (0)

Preferred Premier
Baird- 57% (+3)
Foley- 19% (-8)

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2015/09/25/newspoll-56-44-to-coalition-in-nsw-3/

[Talleyrand]

Decent approval ratings for Queensland Premier Annastacia Palaszczuk, though nowhere near Baird levels.


TPP
Labor- 53% (+2)
LNP- 47% (-2)

It should be noted that this result is from using a number of past election preferences; if preferences went like they did in January, this would be 55-45.

Primary
Labor- 41% (+3)
Coalition- 38% (-3)
Greens- 9% (+1)
Others- 12% (-1)

Annastacia Palaszczuk Favorability
Approval- 53%
Disapproval- 33%

Lawrence Springborg Favorability
Approval- 34%
Disapproval- 43%

Preferred Premier
Palaszczuk- 49%
Springborg- 28%

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2015/09/28/newspoll-53-47-to-labor-in-queensland-2/

Makes one wonder if she'll go to an early election if she continues to get decentish results like this one. I assume she'll wait until after a federal election though if she goes that route.

[Talleyrand]

Apparently the LNP is planning to roll Springborg already.

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/springborg-fends-off-lnp-spill-speculation-20150928-gjwlcx.html

[Talleyrand]

Anyone else see Labor's attack on Mal Brough and the Prime Minister in QT on Thursday?

Unbelievable that this man is the one in charge of "government integrity". What a joke!

The 11th was the 40th anniversary of the Dismissal of Gough Whitlam.

Kind of hard to think now that both Gough and Fraser were both livin just over a year ago. How time flies...

[Talleyrand]

A new poll conducted for News Corp. has Dick Smith leading Bronwyn Bishop by 33 points on the primary vote in Mackellar. Not buying it, but LOL.

http://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/would-you-vote-for-dick-smith-poll-shows-hed-easily-take-bronwyn-bishops-seat/news-story/6e245f9320580e8b53125941557bd33e