The Australian politics thread

[Ausage]

Originally Posted by Burgey

And that, mate, is the only game in town.

If you want one comment encompassing why western democracies are experiencing fast growing apathy at their political processes this my friends is it.

[age_master]

Originally Posted by Burgey

And that, mate, is the only game in town.

Haha - Nicola Roxoff with golf balls as props in QT - gold.

haha that was great. I loved the way you could see them passing it around the back benches over the next couple of questions, they all wanted a look.

[Matt79]

Originally Posted by Ausage

If you want one comment encompassing why western democracies are experiencing fast growing apathy at their political processes this my friends is it.

Can't implement good policy from the opposition benches.

[James90]

I do tend to think that the Libs are the natural party of Government in Canberra.

Considering that the feds are mostly responsible for taxation and immigration issues, it's not surprising that the public is happy to stick with grossly conservative leaders who pander to people's fears and run negative campaigns about how a Labor Government will waste your money on pointless things like health and education and infrastructure. People are much happier with low taxes and zero population growth even if the country goes backwards on the world map and doesn't invest in the labour market or new technology.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by Ausage

If you want one comment encompassing why western democracies are experiencing fast growing apathy at their political processes this my friends is it.

It's been the only game in town since political parties were invented. It's hardly a new phenomenon, or one endemic only to Labor.

You think people like Georgiou, Vanstone etc were happy with Howard running the line he did on kids overboard? Of course not, but they pretty well shut up because it was going to help them politically. It's not right, but "that's the game - and you either play or get played" - Omar, The Wire.

[Craig]

And still expect the Government to still provide services for them.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by Craig

And still expect the Government to still provide services for them.

Yeah, because the provision of services to people by the government, if they do it well, helps them get re-elected.

Which probably explains why Labor in NSW won't be, despite having a hottie as Premier.

[Craig]

Originally Posted by Burgey

Yeah, because the provision of services to people by the government, if they do it well, helps them get re-elected.

Which probably explains why Labor in NSW won't be, despite having a hottie as Premier.

The best description I heard is that people want low taxes as well as tax cuts and still expect the Government to provide everything for them. I guess that is Capitalism for you.

[morgieb]

Originally Posted by James90

I do tend to think that the Libs are the natural party of Government in Canberra.

Considering that the feds are mostly responsible for taxation and immigration issues, it's not surprising that the public is happy to stick with grossly conservative leaders who pander to people's fears and run negative campaigns about how a Labor Government will waste your money on pointless things like health and education and infrastructure. People are much happier with low taxes and zero population growth even if the country goes backwards on the world map and doesn't invest in the labour market or new technology.

. Possibly the most dumbest thing I ever read. Do you think that people are that right-wing to feel this way?

And yeah I realise that Stedders probably wasn't being serious, but still.....

[Craig]

Originally Posted by morgieb

. Possibly the most dumbest thing I ever read. Do you think that people are that right-wing to feel this way?

And yeah I realise that Stedders probably wasn't being serious, but still.....

Stedders is also a member of the Queensland branch of the ALP.

[Burgey]

If anyone gets a chance, have a look at the question the Member for Fadden asked Rudd today in QT, and the answer. Then try and remember it actually wasn't a Dorothy Dixer. Incredible.

Edit: and even the gallery is getting the ****s with Abbott's censure motions. From Latika Burke in the gallery, via Twitter:

"@latikambourke: not another ****ing censure motion? Seriously? #qt"

"sorry for the language but honestly, the number of censures these days is almost equal to Barnaby's stuff-ups. #qt "

[social]

Originally Posted by James90

I do tend to think that the Libs are the natural party of Government in Canberra.

Considering that the feds are mostly responsible for taxation and immigration issues, it's not surprising that the public is happy to stick with grossly conservative leaders who pander to people's fears and run negative campaigns about how a Labor Government will waste your money on pointless things like health and education and infrastructure. People are much happier with low taxes and zero population growth even if the country goes backwards on the world map and doesn't invest in the labour market or new technology.

People want some level of confidence that the people in Canberra are not hosing their tax monies up against the wall and that their standard of living is not being eroded

Unfortunately, a succession of ALP governments have not done much to warrant such confidence and "minor" (in terms of financial cost) issues like the insulation problem and the $900 handout simply reinforce the notion of "****, here we go again."

[Jono]

Think Malcolm Fraser said everything that needed to be said about the modern day Liberal Party and their views on immigration and race.

[social]

Originally Posted by Jono

Think Malcolm Fraser said everything that needed to be said about the modern day Liberal Party and their views on immigration and race.

Fraser is a bitter and twisted old fart who is trying to compensate for his disastrous spell as PM

[howardj]

Originally Posted by social

Fraser is a bitter and twisted old fart who is trying to compensate for his disastrous spell as PM

Seems that way, doesn't it mate.

Fraser, ever since he has retired, has made it his life long ambition to suck up to and be accepted by the Labor party. Shades of Turnbull for the last 6 months if you ask me - MT just so desperately wants to distinguish himself from the Liberal party and, moreover, wants to be recognised by Rudd. Meanwhile, Rudd and Labor just laugh at how meek and pathetic Turnbull and Fraser are anyway.

At least Straight Talker knows that Labor are the evil enemy who must be exterminated.