The Australian politics thread

[FaaipDeOiad]

Originally Posted by howardj

Neither of these guys come across too well on the TV. I'd imagine the worm, when either of these guys speak, will go through the bottom of the TV and crawl along the carpet. Anyway, I like Costello. For all his faults, he is incredibly bright (nobody could bluff their way through 11 years of scrutiny as Treasurer) and is one of the few politicians with a killer sense of humour. He also doesn't mind telling a joke at his own expense.

Yeah, I agree that he's bright and occasionally funny. I think he's got a filthy sense of humour that befits someone without much of a soul, but he pulls off the smarmy arsehole gig quite well and is genuinely funny at times. A bit like Paul Keating in some ways, who is someone I genuinely love even though he's not as close to my political views as many other ALP members I could think of.

[Jono]

Midnight Oil are/were awesome btw. Just thought I'd throw that in.

Will never get enough of "Beds are Burning", great track. The video clip for The Power and The Passion is brilliant too!

[howardj]

The hits just keep on comin': http://www.news.com.au/business/stor...-31037,00.html

The whole year is rigged.

Conspiracy on a grand scale.

[Bracken]

I think it's pretty safe to say that if November 7 is a bad day for the government, they can start planning for Howard's retirement party.

[Craig]

Why isn't oil supplies for the future not a big topic now? It's going to run out eventually or the demand will be simply to great for the supply and everything will be very expensive and we all will be screwed.

Perhaps not as fashionable in the last few years on being 'green'. Most scientists agree (or from what I've seen and heard) that come 2020 things will start to get worse and yet it will come a big topic of interest in a few years and there will not be enough time to make relevant changes.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by FaaipDeOiad

Yeah, I agree that he's bright and occasionally funny. I think he's got a filthy sense of humour that befits someone without much of a soul, but he pulls off the smarmy arsehole gig quite well and is genuinely funny at times. A bit like Paul Keating in some ways, who is someone I genuinely love even though he's not as close to my political views as many other ALP members I could think of.

Keating was the master of the political put down. Costello is one of the better apprentices. To illustrate (and yes, I've posted it before):

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aaLLP4sc_6Q

[James90]

Originally Posted by Craig

Why isn't oil supplies for the future not a big topic now? It's going to run out eventually or the demand will be simply to great for the supply and everything will be very expensive and we all will be screwed.

Perhaps not as fashionable in the last few years on being 'green'. Most scientists agree (or from what I've seen and heard) that come 2020 things will start to get worse and yet it will come a big topic of interest in a few years and there will not be enough time to make relevant changes.

Peak Oil in 2015 apparently. According to my Geography notes petrol will be $5/litre.

You make a good point.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by James90

Peak Oil in 2015 apparently. According to my Geography notes petrol will be $5/litre.

You make a good point.

Yeah I think it is just as much of an issue as Global Warming IMO.

[Son Of Coco]

Originally Posted by Craig

Why isn't oil supplies for the future not a big topic now? It's going to run out eventually or the demand will be simply to great for the supply and everything will be very expensive and we all will be screwed.

Perhaps not as fashionable in the last few years on being 'green'. Most scientists agree (or from what I've seen and heard) that come 2020 things will start to get worse and yet it will come a big topic of interest in a few years and there will not be enough time to make relevant changes.

Isn't this the exact same thing that's happening with energy supplies now (nuclear etc etc)? I'd say what'll probably happen is nothing will be done until it becomes clear something has to be, and then instead of a bunch of alternative options we'll have one which will be continually thrust at us even though it doesn't seem to be a great option.

Although, I'm a bit of a conspiracy theorist when it comes to the oil...I think the only reason an alternative option hasn't been found now is that there's too many people benefiting from the sale of oil and it's big business. I have heard of other options being raised that haven't seemed to see the light of day so...I think we'll be ok.

[Son Of Coco]

Originally Posted by Craig

Yeah I think it is just as much of an issue as Global Warming IMO.

Except, of course, that if we can't run our cars anymore that would actually help global warming.

[James90]

The current government still believes there's more oil out there yet to be discovered iirc.

[Son Of Coco]

Originally Posted by James90

The current government still believes there's more oil out there yet to be discovered iirc.

Yeah, it's in the oil company's storage sheds being slowly released to us so we think there's a shortage

[James90]

I just noticed the poll on the school portals

Question: If you could vote in the federal election, who would you vote for?
Liberal 138 votes (38%)
Labor 111 votes (31%)
Greens 69 votes (20%)

You'd think that a lot of that would reflect the way their parents are going to vote. I suppose my school is in the electorate of Ryan which is one of the most comfortable Liberal seats in the country but I still thought the results were very interesting.

[howardj]

Originally Posted by FaaipDeOiad

Yeah, I agree that he's bright and occasionally funny. I think he's got a filthy sense of humour that befits someone without much of a soul, but he pulls off the smarmy arsehole gig quite well and is genuinely funny at times. A bit like Paul Keating in some ways, who is someone I genuinely love even though he's not as close to my political views as many other ALP members I could think of.

Yeah, Keating was and still is incredibly passionate. And I welcome former PM's getting into the current day debates - they have much to contribute. The only thing I find a bit sad I guess, is when former PM's really get stuck into the current day politicians on a more direct/personal level. But, by all means, they should feel free to contribute to debate. I respect all former PM's. It's a fantastic achievement to lead the country, no matter what your political stripe.

My favourite Keating moment in Parliament was when Howard re-assumed the leadership in 1995 and Keating said to him: "You can't fool me John, I know where the skeletons are in your closet".

I think, in the same sitting, he said to Downer (who, after standing down in favour of Howard, was no longer sitting in the Opposition Leader's chair) 'how you doing over there curly; old darling".

It's on YouTube somewhere. Cbf looking it up right now.

[Matt79]

Originally Posted by Craig

Yeah I think it is just as much of an issue as Global Warming IMO.

Same issue largely IMO - we need to find a renewable, non-polluting energy source.