Australia General Discussion

[checkers]

RIP to a hero. The Guardian has good collection of images, tributes, etc., and even an article about the dismissal from 1975. I had no idea that Australia once had the highest level of unionism in the world.

[BaconBacon96]

A great man and a great Prime Minister. RIP

[Wake Me Up When The Hard Border Ends]

R.I.P.

[Filuwaúrdjan]

Sad, but he was extremely old. Too much of a cliché to call him a flawed giant? He made some mistakes - good God did he make some mistakes - but in certain respects he made Australia a more civilised place. RIP.

[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.

[Phony Moderate]

RIP, FF.

[Mordecai]

RIP.

He had a very short premiership, but he lived a long life and was by far the greatest Prime Minister of Australia.

[NewYorkExpress]

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/protester-wears-ku-klux-klan-outfit-to-oppose-burqas-at-parliament-house-20141027-11ca5b.html

A group of men attempted to enter Parliament wearing a Ku Klux Klan Hat, a Motorcycle Helmet and a Niqab in an attempt to protest the recent overruling of a ban on the burqa being worn in public galleries in Parliament and the "Political Ideology of Islam".

[BaconBacon96]

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/protester-wears-ku-klux-klan-outfit-to-oppose-burqas-at-parliament-house-20141027-11ca5b.html

A group of men attempted to enter Parliament wearing a Ku Klux Klan Hat, a Motorcycle Helmet and a Niqab in an attempt to protest the recent overruling of a ban on the burqa being worn in public galleries in Parliament and the "Political Ideology of Islam".

The growing intolerance for Islam in this country disturbs me greatly.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/protester-wears-ku-klux-klan-outfit-to-oppose-burqas-at-parliament-house-20141027-11ca5b.html

A group of men attempted to enter Parliament wearing a Ku Klux Klan Hat, a Motorcycle Helmet and a Niqab in an attempt to protest the recent overruling of a ban on the burqa being worn in public galleries in Parliament and the "Political Ideology of Islam".

The growing intolerance for Islam in this country disturbs me greatly.

Indeed.

[morgieb]

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/protester-wears-ku-klux-klan-outfit-to-oppose-burqas-at-parliament-house-20141027-11ca5b.html

A group of men attempted to enter Parliament wearing a Ku Klux Klan Hat, a Motorcycle Helmet and a Niqab in an attempt to protest the recent overruling of a ban on the burqa being worn in public galleries in Parliament and the "Political Ideology of Islam".

The growing intolerance for Islam in this country disturbs me greatly.

Indeed.

It should disturb anyone with half a heart.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Greens reforming internally, namely in forming a centralised Executive council. As with most internal reforms with the Australian Greens, this is causing some bickering and accusations of selling-out within the unruly NSW branch. (the NSW Greens are notoriously left-wing, and a constant source of anguish for people like Bob Brown and Christine Milne)

[Platypus]

There's a fleet of Russian warships off the coast of Queensland ahead of the G20, and while I know I'm playing into various people's hands... I'm offended. Really offended. How dare Russia attempt to put fear into Australian hearts after our (generally idiotic) leaders refuse to roll over on the death of 38 of us after the plane was shot down.

Abbott, you pugilistic SOB, you now have my permission to eschew diplomacy and to shirtfront Putin in a way he won't forget.

[Simfan34]

There's a fleet of Russian warships off the coast of Queensland ahead of the G20, and while I know I'm playing into various people's hands... I'm offended. Really offended. How dare Russia attempt to put fear into Australian hearts after our (generally idiotic) leaders refuse to roll over on the death of 38 of us after the plane was shot down.

Abbott, you pugilistic SOB, you now have my permission to eschew diplomacy and to shirtfront Putin in a way he won't forget.

The shirt fronting has been delegated to the Koalas:



But Russian ships off of Australia- the hell?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Animals are known good judges of character... neither want to be where they are.

[RogueBeaver]

Reg Withers has died at 90. RIP.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Dissident PUP Tasmania senator Jacqui Lambie leaves party to become indie.

[BaconBacon96]

Dissident PUP Tasmania senator Jacqui Lambie leaves party to become indie.

I wonder how much permanent damage this spat left on the Palmer brand long term.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

I really can't fathom the Abbott governments strategy with this GP fee. Is it still a thing? Why is it being passed off as a budget-balancing matter if it is earmarked for medical research? Why does not nobody in government seem to know what the future of the fee is? Like all my bitching about Abbott aside, wtf is going on?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I really can't fathom the Abbott governments strategy with this GP fee. Is it still a thing? Why is it being passed off as a budget-balancing matter if it is earmarked for medical research? Why does not nobody in government seem to know what the future of the fee is? Like all my bitching about Abbott aside, wtf is going on?

That's kind of the problem... you have the PM's office briefing that it was being removed... then senior ministers seemingly having no idea what was going on.

This is Rudd all over again.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

Both Palmer MP's in the Northern Territory quit the party and call it a disgrace. This means one of the them has now left three parties in her time in office.

Abbott has not had a great week by any account, with ministers and backbenchers contradicting each other on all sorts of issues, the Defence Minister cussing out an Australian submarine manufacturer, a brazenly weird attempt to deny that he promised no ABC cuts, ongoing attacks on his G20 stewardship and the premature sinking of the Victoria state Liberals. However, despite all that what made me laugh was in a discussion about nuclear power, Abbott announcing he was not "theologically opposed" to nuclear plants. What a weirdo  

[You kip if you want to...]

Any sign of a spill against Newman in QLD? His numbers are shocking.

[morgieb]

How long before Abbott gets knifed?

Although he's a liability, I tend to think that would do more harm than good at this stage.

[🦀🎂🦀🎂]

I don't think he needs to go, but he urgently needs a reshuffle. Demote Johnston for his comments, Hockey for becoming toxic, Dutton for contradicting him and Pyne for rubbish messaging. Bring in some women, promote new backbenchers, clear all the dead wood and reward the few somewhat successful ministers in cabinet (like the Trade Minister, Morrison, and Bishop).

[Knives]

I really cannot see how the Liberals can keep Abbott until the next election, I mean he's a disaster and drags the government down so much. However, there only viable alternative is Bishop but she's so successful because she's been able to distance herself from the Libs. I feel like the Vic results have changed the game,  I mean it has really put all governments on notice. Campbell Newman must be incredibly nervous seeing those results and his numbers in polling despite the ridiculous amount of seats he holds.