The White House - Polnut Administration

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

The President has decided to not make an endorsement for the presidency, until a debate has taken place.

While it is clear the President has options, he expected a debate to have taken place by this time.

He apologies to the candidates, but considering how difficult a decision this is for him, he wants to make sure it is the right one, not the easiest one.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

The President made a brief comment on the reduction in national unemployment numbers.

"This is good news, but it shows that there is more that we need to do. The results are uneven and the inflation numbers are still higher than we'd like to see.

But the Atlasian economy is recovering, and we should be proud of that."

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

TRANSCRIPT

East Room Press Briefing - Syria


Thanks guys,

What's happening in Syria is deeply troubling and upsetting to me. We had hoped that the Assad Regime would enter a functioning ceasefire for no other reason than to restore stability to their country.

Unfortunately, it is clear now that the Syrian Government is not serious about this ceasefire, and if the far more powerful and better equipped state forces are not serious, why should the opposing forces be so either. It's a very precarious situation, not just for Syria, but for the region.

Earlier today, I sent the Secretary of External Affairs to Moscow to meet with officials there to determine what they are prepared to do to see stability restored in this country for the sake of the innocent civilians. Too many have died and it needs to stop.

I want to make this message clear to President Assad, 'you continue to act with willful disregard to both the well-being of your own people, as well as the international community, clearly because you don't see any consequences to doing so. Let me say, consequences are on the table, and you need to think very carefully if you continue down this path'.

I'll take a few questions...

Reporter: Mr President, does that mean you are not ruling out military intervention?

President: Look, there remains a multitude of options before the military option is entertained.

Reporter: Mr President, by sending the Secretary to Moscow, what message are you trying to send to both Damascus, and those who are supporting their actions?

President: I don't want to categorise Russia as supportive of the Assad regime's actions. They certainly have greater channels to Damascus than we do. The message to Assad should be that this is a domestic tragedy for his country that he compounding by his actions. He had an opportunity for international good-will, but he's completely blown that opportunity.

We have verified evidence of children being used as human shields, women and children being tortured and murdered. This cannot stand, and I urge all the international community to condemn these actions and this regime.

Thanks, guys.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

The President made a brief statement earlier about case being brought against the IDS.

"The section in question creates an alternative legal tender in the region. Whether or not they define it as 'not currency' in the bill is irrelevant, it is minted by the regional government, assigned a monetary value and able to be provided in exchange for goods and services. It is, by those very definitions, currency."

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

The President held emergency meetings late tonight with the Attorney General.

A statement was released:

"The President is very clear that the current IDS laws do violate the Constitution. However, this issue needs to be resolved without further drama or risk to life.

The Federal Government will defend the Constitution, and also the viability of our national currency, and will be pursuing this matter through the courts. The President expects all parties to respect the will of the Judiciary on this matter.

The President is fully prepared to engage in a positive dialogue with the Emperor of the IDS, however, the 'dibble' as it stands cannot remain in place."

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I should have said "I believe"...

It's in the best interests of the people of the IDS to allow this matter to be handled in court, and we agree on that and I'm happy to work with you and let this matter be handled by the appropriate channels.

I won't endorse any action beyond that by the Federal Government.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

The President is pleased, that with the passage of the new Health reform Bill, the Budget looks to be heading towards a surplus.

This economic record is something the president is proud of and thanks the Senate for the diligence on this issue. The working relationship between this Senate, on the while, and the administration has enabled a government for the Atlasian people which is functional and strong.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

The President has asked the Vice President to act as his negotiator with the IDS.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

The President will be working from Camp David until Tuesday, so will be of only limited availability.

In the event of an emergency, contact via PM.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

The President has recently made a comment in relation to the upcoming Presidential Race.

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[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

The President will on a private family vacation until Friday 29 June. He will still retain authority over the signing of Bills and the issuing of Executive Orders. The Vice President will assume authority over issues not related to the passage of legislation and Executive Orders.

In the event of an emergency, contact via PM.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Have fun!

Skiing in NZ - how elitist and out of touch of me!

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I encourage the President to sign this bill which should have been passed in his first term.

Which Bill is this?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

The President will be making a farewell address to the Atlasian people on Wednesday 4 July.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

The President will be visiting Colorado early next week, conditions permitting, to show his support for those battling the wildfires as well as those directly affected.

The President also wishes to extend his support to the Senators who upheld his veto on the private education tax credit Bill. The Bill created numerous loopholes and was far too simplistic, ignored issues of accreditation and undermined the regional prerogative on education. As someone who was educated entirely in the public education system, he resents attempts to make public education as the 'worst-case scenario' for parents. If the Senate was serious about this issue why not help to make public education stronger - in reality not through an ideological default.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

This issue should be pursued through the regions. I do have a problem with the state saying (which it would through this Bill) private education is the best option... rather than making sure parents and students are equally served through the public system.

Even if we stood aside - the Bill is a disaster for legal challenges and abuse of the system.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

The President has instructed all required resources be made available to defend the integrity of the last presidential election.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE AND LEGISLATIVE REQUEST

The President is deeply distressed by the significant backlog in veterans support applications being approved. This is not however an issue of 'bureaucracy', but a combination of an increased number of veterans with severe injuries and other related needs and the conditions we have placed on them. The onus of proof for these applications is on the veteran to provide considerable paperwork, which requires equally time-consuming processing. With applicants waiting up to a year for even a response, this is a crisis in support for those who have given of themselves for their fellow citizens.

Considering that most tax returns are accepted and processed with almost no overt investigation, but with the threat of audit there to promote honesty in this process, there is no reason why this kind of system should not be applied to veteran support service applications.

Therefore the President request the Senate debate and pass with all due haste this Bill.

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The Veteran Support Reform Bill 2012

From 1 January 2013 all applications through any Federal Government veteran support payment or service will be made in the same format as Federal Income Taxation, accepted with audit threat.

This will require support for the relevant agencies, in both resources and the development of  processing soft and hardware. This Bill will appropriate $15 million over the next 2 years to install new computer equipment and the engagement of appropriate staff, although re-assignment from existing employment pools will be given priority.

From 1 January 2013, all applications will be made up of an application, either on paper, or electronic, with a letter from a registered medical official or other registered related official to verify the claim. The applicant should be prepared to provide additional documentation, if the application is insufficient. An audit process of a random 2% of applications will be made annually.

Until 1 January 2013, new standards will be applied from 1 August 2012 to any existing or new applications.
* The applicant must be a verified service member, with claim-related conditions being registered on their service file
* The applicant must provide a letter from a registered official outlining their condition and needs
* If the application meets those two basic criteria, the claim will be paid within 30 days
* An audit of 2% of all applications received until 31 December 2012 will be held and severe penalties, including the cessation of payment and possible criminal prosecution will be incurred from any fraudulent activities.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

A reminder that The President will be making his farewell address to the Atlasian people at 8pm eastern tomorrow night.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

PRESS RELEASE

The President has amended his plan, and will deliver his address at 8pm on Thursday 5 July 2012.

The President also has seen the decisions of the Supreme Court and thanks them for ruling in a way that maintains the integrity of our democracy and our Constitution.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]