The Australian politics thread

[howardj]

Originally Posted by Jono

Liberals keen on asassinating Oakeshott.

Corrected

WAC

[howardj]

He just looks like a sissy, doesn't he.

LIke you could knock him down with a wet bus ticket.

[Burgey]

Originally Posted by howardj

He just looks like a sissy, doesn't he.

LIke you could knock him down with a wet bus ticket.

How's Chris Pyne doing mate?

[Jono]

Lol

[howardj]

Would have been good if Pyne went the same way as Tuckey tbh.

Good to see the Mad Uncle went out with a spray though.

[Jono]

Lol yep was a classic spray.

[Redbacks]

Originally Posted by howardj

Would have been good if Pyne went the same way as Tuckey tbh.

Good to see the Mad Uncle went out with a spray though.

Pyne is from my former electorate and he put in the yards for the entire previous term which probably helps people to not feel so bad about getting letters at election time. He knew water was a decent issue so made made himself available at local comunity meetings + targeted his correspondance to age demographic. Not suprisingly it paid off and he beat the swing across SA towards Labor.

[Redbacks]

Got to discussing the supposed motel in Darwin that ACA were harping on about on Friday with a friend of mine. He pointed to similar events that occured some 30 years ago with regards to Greeks suspected of getting false compensation and how the Fraser government responded. Some suggestions that simply having a Greek last name and going to one of the said doctors resulted in having benefits scrubbed.

Australian Institute of Criminology - Chapter 6: The great social security conspiracy case

When identification photographs were taken of the arrestees, a number included a sign with the word 'Greece' written on it. Many of the suspects were detained in police custody for a number of hours until friends or relatives were able to arrange bail money. The task of raising $1,000 cash on a weekend is daunting enough for an invalid pensioner. It was even more difficult for those whose bank passbooks had been confiscated. Without having been convicted of any crime, they were subjected to treatment which could only be regarded as punitive.

The condition of the cell was disgusting. The cell was overcrowded. There was insufficient room for him to sit or lie down with any measure of comfort. The cell was putrid. It did not contain private toilet facilities nor was he given access to private toilet facilities. Some of those in the cell had the appearance of a vagrant or common drunk (Australia 1986, p. 56).

The experience of incarceration, combined with the uncertainty regarding one's future income, not to mention the outcome of the criminal process, was to take its toll. Prior to 'Don's Party', the typical suspect

had been nervous and anxious. After his arrest his condition immediately took a turn for the worse. He was extremely frightened of anyone in authority. He was acutely and severely apprehensive for his well being and that of his family. He was stricken by grief. The change in his mental health was sufficiently grave to require treatment additional to that which he had been having at the time of his arrest.
[H]e is a man who is insecure. He anxiously anticipates the reaction of those in authority whenever he comes into contact with them in his day-to-day affairs. Seeing a policeman reminds him of what occurred in the conspiracy proceedings (Australia 1986, pp. 59-60).

One person, who had been receiving psychiatric treatment at the time of his arrest, committed suicide. The experience of those who were not the subject of criminal charges, but whose benefit payments were suspended nonetheless, was almost as traumatic. On 1 April 1978 the Director-General of Social Security gave directions to suspend payments to those pensioners whose names appeared on a list prepared by COMPOL. The suspensions were sudden and unheralded. They were implemented without the recipients having been accorded any opportunity to defend themselves against allegations of impropriety. The administrative procedures which underlay many of these suspensions were of questionable legality. Some pensioners were left without any source of income for as long as eight months. The standard procedure of giving three months' notice of cancellation and the continuation of payments pending the outcome of an appeal, were not followed. As a result, many of those whose benefits were cancelled faced severe financial hardship, and some had to resort to scavenging in garbage cans in order to survive (Cashman 1985, pp. 228-9). Tenants were threatened with eviction, and home-owners, unable to meet mortgage payments, were forced to sell their homes. Subsequent medical examinations of those pensioners who had returned to Greece were based upon criteria more restrictive than those applying in Australia at the time. Many were unable to afford the cost of returning to Australia to avail themselves of the right of appeal.

[stephen]

I really like this political play by Abbott here. Staying cool calm and collected in the face of a bitter election loss. He's really looking like a mature leader.

Tony Abbott to lead 'party of ideas' | News.com.au

The real temptation is to lash out, but a good leader has attack dogs to do that for him. He is not throwing the toys out of the cot and is setting himself and the coalition up for the next election.

[Son Of Coco]

He was just on TV the other day saying Gillard shouldn't have accepted being sworn in as Prime Minister if she didn't think she could get her plans through senate (when the Libs would be in the same position), but apart from that he has been pretty quiet yes.

[howardj]

Oak****head has made an absolute **** of himself Re the Speaker's role.

[stephen]

I believe that the best strategy for the Libs going forward to to make targetted attacks on specific policy differences and aim for cut through on those issues. Pretty much paint as small a target as possible, while at the same time try to peg any minority government craziness on Gillard's head. The key will to appear to be cooperative and not like a carping opposition, but a genuine government alternative while not sacrificing the key policy differences.

[howardj]

I think the role of an opposition - at least for the first two years of a term - is to give the government hell. Sock it to 'em. Put the spotlight on their failings.

The touchy/feely constructive approach of a Neilsen/Turnbull got the Liberals nowhere.

It's an adversarial system - and it works best that way, plus it plays to Abbott's strengths.

I really only think you need to appear as an alternative Gov maybe a few months out from an election.

I think it will be tough for Abbott to make it to 2013. It's instructive that the only three successful opposition leaders of the past 30 years! (Hawke, Rudd and Howard) all had terms of no more than about one year as Opposition leaders before they became PM. (Howard Jan 95-Mar 96, Rudd Dec 06-Nov07, Hawke - just the campaign itself).

Long term Opposition leaders are very rarely successful. I think Abbott should attack like crazy for two years, and then maybe hand over to a fresh face that exudes competence/steadiness - maybe...Hockey/Fletcher/Hunt????

Or god forbid Turnbull.

[Matt79]

Tend to agree with Stephen given in all likelihood we could be back at the polls with twelve months. When this ragtag minority government falls to pieces and we get dragged back to the polls, Abbott will want to be looking like the guy who can provide stability.

[howardj]

Tone Breaks Promise

It was written down too!