Today’s Guest Poster is Paul G. Dellit, from The Australian Independent Media Network. It is a good summary much of what many us have been thinking and saying for a long time.
(Image Credit: Otiose94)
Well, we may well have reached the tipping point between genuine democracy in Australia and the beginnings of creeping fascism. You may think this to be one of those ‘shock-horror’ attention-grabbing opening sentences. It is. And I also believe it to be an unalloyed statement of the danger we now face.
History is littered with hindsight surprise that those with power and those who might have opposed those with power didn’t take action to avoid an obviously looming disaster. Of course, the ‘loomingness’ of disasters is often not appreciated by its contemporaries. It would be naïve to expect otherwise. Couldn’t they see that the South Sea Bubble would burst? Couldn’t they see that a grossly overheated investment market populated with stocks that were either massively overvalued or worthless would result in ever-widening ripples of market failures and a worldwide Great Depression. Couldn’t they see you don’t fix Depressions by reducing the size of economies. Obviously they couldn’t see any of those things. And with the dawning optimism of a new century, they couldn’t even remember them, or if they could, they were playing that ‘main chance’ game of ‘I’ll make what I can make out of this and bugger all of the rest of them who lose the lot’.
Prime Minister Abbott and his acolytes, Ministers Dutton and Morrison, propose the passing of a law that would create a precedent for the end of the rule of law in this country. It would invest a Minister with the powers of policeman, judge and jury to act upon an untested suspicion of guilt to deprive an Australian of his/her citizenship. Following current LNP practice, the reasons for stripping someone of their citizenship would be deemed secret for security reasons. So this Ministerial power would be exercised covertly and absolutely beyond judicial or other form of independent review. The Minister would be required to form his suspicions on the basis of the intelligence provided to him. The name Dr. Haneef immediately springs to mind. But even if our security organisations and the foreign security organisations with whom they trade information were as infallible as our PM believes the Pope to be, and even if they had no self-interested agendas, the Minister invested with this power could exercise it to suit his own ends – say, just before an election – to manufacture a terrorist scare and then appear to be the ‘man of the hour’ who restores our peace of mind (coincidentally winning the votes of a few more undecided Alan Jones listeners to save his marginal seat).
The proponents of changing Australia from a common law country, based upon the separation of powers, to rule by ministerial fiat, as their proposal would enable through the precedent it would establish, argue that they are honourable men who would exercise their new powers dispassionately, wisely, and in the public interest. Of course, this is irrelevant. Laws are not made to fit the character of current holders of high office. They are intended to safeguard against, as far as possible, abuse by those who are partisan, stupid, and prone to act in their own self-interest.
The proposed new law deliberately excludes those safeguards.
Consequently, we need some way of ensuring that the current and all subsequent Ministers, thus empowered, will ensure the intelligence they receive is impeccable, and will interpret that intelligence dispassionately, wisely, and in the public interest.
So let’s run an eye over the proponents of the new law, just for starters.
Malcolm Fraser considered Tony Abbott to be perhaps the most dangerous politician in Australian history. You may have thought that a little hyperbolic. I did. There can be little doubt that our current Prime Minister is the least equipped for high office since Sir William McMahon. And the record also shows that Prime Minister Abbott was able to pass through one of Australia’s finest schools and one of England’s finest universities untouched by exposure to academic research methods, the principles of logic and dispassionate evaluation, the values-free acquisition of knowledge, and even by the evidence that compassion and empathy are fundamental to social cohesion. It is apparent that his academic success is based upon often uncomprehended rote learning, the way he learned and then recited his Catechism as a small child. These are flaws in the makeup of the man that speak to his lack of intelligence and general incompetence.
But as we began to see in the run up to the most recent election, and as more information about Tony Abbott’s past was revealed, we began to understand that Malcolm Fraser’s assessment of him was, if anything, an understatement. We began to see his pathological need to win, we read of his violence against a woman when he lost, we observed his relentless, dishonest, misogynistic attacks upon Julia Gillard as part of his strategy to win office, we heard the litany of lies he told to win office, and the lies he has told about lying and about anything else to suit his purpose, after he had won office.
How could we ever contemplate granting power without safeguards to a person with such a pathological need to win, to get his own way, and to retain power regardless of the consequences for anyone else? Can we imagine Peter Dutton having the stomach to independently exercise his discretion against the wishes of Tony Abbott? It wouldn’t matter if he did. Tony Abbott has the Captain’s right to sack him and bestow that office upon himself if he needed to to get his own way. And can we imagine Scott Morrison doing anything that would compromise his leadership ambitions? Smug self-satisfaction was his only reaction to the human tragedy unfolding daily as the result of the exercise of his Ministerial discretion?
It was some small relief to know that the more intelligent members of Cabinet objected to the extreme Abbott proposal that second generation Australians could be stripped of their citizenship based on nothing more than a Minister’s suspicion, as we have said, covertly exercised and beyond judicial or other independent review.
But now, two thirds of the LNP Back Bench have signed a letter in support of the proposed Abbott law. They may be distinguished as a group for being considered not good enough to serve on the most incompetent Front Bench since Federation, but they may just give Tony the support he needs to make another ‘Captain’s Call’.
If Prime Minister Abbott does cross this Rubicon, so will Australia and God help Australian democracy when Ministers of any stripe use the precedent set by this law to expand its operation into other aspects of our lives to suit their own personal ends.
THE PUB 
Good morning Dawn Patrollers.
I have to agree with this assessment of last night’s Q and A.
http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/jack-charles-tells-qa-australia-has-come-of-age-on-samesex-marriage-20150602-gheib2.html
Peter Martin on how politicians hide the costs of their policies. A clarion call from Peter.
http://www.theage.com.au/comment/how-politicians-hide-the-cost-of-their-promises-20150601-ghdplx
There is a distinct stench emanating from the government’s submarine replacement process.
http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2015/jun/01/government-sought-no-written-advice-from-department-before-submarine-decision
More fun and games involving the NSW police and the A-G?
http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/nsw-bugging-scandal-set-to-reignite-after-leak-of–information-about-deputy-police-commissioner-nick-kaldas-20150601-ghe0pd.html
Australia prepares for a global grilling on our green credentials.
https://newmatilda.com/2015/06/01/australia-prepares-global-grilling-our-green-credentials
Michelle Grattan sys Abbott was singed as a result of the leaked cabinet debacle.
https://theconversation.com/can-abbott-deliver-what-his-backbench-is-demanding-on-citizenship-42643
Is Morris Iemma poised for a comeback and into the federal arena?
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/morris-iemma-sets-sights-on-federal-parliament-with-run-for-barton-seat-20150601-ghe8i8.html
The budget is still unfair say these two academics.
https://theconversation.com/looking-inside-the-sausage-machine-the-budget-is-still-unfair-42407
Tony Abbott, the “selfie” PM.
https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/tony-abbott-the-selfie-pm,7776
Work longer so we can sack your workmates” public servants are told.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/public-service/work-longer-so-we-can-sack-your-colleagues-public-servants-told-20150601-ghdtow.html
Section 2 . . .
Stephen Koukoulas pulls the rug out from under the government and its spending explosion.
http://thekouk.com/blog/the-abbott-government-s-spending-explosion.html
More than 150 accused of abuse are still in Defence.
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/more-than-150-serving-defence-staff-accused-of-abuse-but-none-have-faced-action-yet-20150601-ghedih.html
Abbott’s strange comments on the housing bubble.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/i-do-hope-our-housing-prices-are-increasing-tony-abbott-quizzed-on-housing-bubble-20150601-ghe3y1.html
Mark Kenny accuses both leaders of playing politics over SSM.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/tony-abbott-and-bill-shorten-both-playing-politics-on-samesex-marriage-20150601-ghe2e3.html
The Ombudsman slams our asylum seeker detention periods.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/ombudsman-slams-government-for-long-detention-rates-20150601-ghe3i9.html
Pell’s heavy-handed comments ignore the pain of abuse victims.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/samesex-marriage-churches-miss-signs-of–publics-hope-for-change-20150601-ghds1h
So much for Joe’s budget!
http://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/business-expectations-down-despite-businessfriendly-federal-budget-dun–bradstreet-20150601-ghduyq.html
“View from the Street” says our brief glimpse of bipartisanship is over.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/view-from-the-street/view-from-the-street-our-brief-nightmare-of-potential-bipartisanship-is-over-20150601-ghea70.html
Paul Bongiorno – citizens’ rights sacrificed on the altar of politics.
http://thenewdaily.com.au/news/2015/06/01/citizens-rights-sacrificed-altar-politics/
Where the churches stand on SSM.
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/samesex-marriage-churches-miss-signs-of–publics-hope-for-change-20150601-ghds1h
Section 3 . . .
Judith Ireland on the attitudes of key Liberal electorates regarding SSM.
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/samesex-marriage-coalition-voters-in-key-seats-back-free-vote-20150601-ghe5qd.html
So who IS going to pick up the ball and investigate the usurious credit card interest rates?
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/high-credit-card-interest-rates-need-to-be-investigated-treasury-and-rba-officials-say-20150601-ghe5m1.html
Alan Moir having a dark day.
Cathy Wilcox is a bit confused over Sydney’s integrated transport plan.
Andrew Dyson is suggesting Abbott’s leadership tenure is a little fraught.
Ouch! Ron Tandberg at a church sermon.
Matt Golding on the politics of SSM.
David Pope and Liberal power games.
Here’s Mark Knight and Bill’s bill.
How good is this one from David Rowe!
How bloody tiresome!
Mark Kenny toes the line:
When all else fails tell your readers “They’re all as bad as each other. Just more politicians!”
So Abbott has “begun a process”.
On what basis does Kenny make this claim? That Abbott “indicated” he “might” “shift ground”, but there’s “no committment”?
This man Kenny is supposed to be possessed of The Savvy, isn’t he? Does he believe – really believe – that Abbott would abandon the teachings of his faith (as he sees them) and be not only the enabler of SSM in Australia, but actually open the gate for it… and be the gate too?
Holy shit. We are poorly served by our media.
But this is all based on the idea that Bill Shorten is a wrecker. Doesn’t Bill know that the Press Gallery has rules about these kinds of things? You aren’t allowed to upset Tony Abbott. Ever.
For his whole life Abbott has been intimidating people into not upsetting him. First it was his family. His sister’s plaintive plea not to embarrass him on SSM is but the latest version of that. Then the SRC at Sydney University copped the Abbott magic. Then government.
Now as Prime Minister, Abbott makes it known he has a long memory, and never forgives or forgets. He’s not just satisfied with beating his enemies, he buries and cremates them too, demolishes their legacy and razes any institution they created or were part of into the dust. This goes double for pissant journos. Ask Peter Hartcher. Ask Tony Jones. Ask any of the others who’ve also been cut off the drip.
But in the middle of Kenny’s piece is its own contradiction: “Shorten’s private member’s bill helped force the pace”.
So, did Shorten do the wrong, immoral thing, or the right thing? You’d have to have some idea of just where Kenny stands on Same Sex Marriage to know the answer to THAT question. Asking it and finding an answer would require Kenny dipping his toe into the pond of morality and actual policy analysis, and expressing an opinion all of his own on something more than the play-by-play version of politics that he promotes. Not a good look for a Savvy pundit, though.
So, we’ll probably never know exactly what Kenny, deep down, thinks of Bill Shorten’s “forcing the pace”. Gee, if that’s what Bill wanted to do – as Anthony Albanese last night said, “Give it a nudge” – and if he didn’t really think the bill might have been passed into law this week – like all the pundits are insinuating he did – and if all he wanted to do was nudge Abbott in the right direction (or more particularly his MPs) then it might just be “Mission Accomplished” (or at least commenced).
But implying any kind of political smarts to a man the Gallery has branded ironically as “Zinger Bill” – a boring underachiever with no policies they feel are worth reporting, who just happens to have kept his party in polling supremacy for the last umpteen months by some kind of fluke of nature that’s better simply ignored – well, that might be going too far at the present time.
After all, there’s Tony Abbott’s “face” to be saved. We wouldn’t want to embarrass him… or be removed from the drip, would we?
2 June 1982:
It’s a good day.
Some replacement RAF Harriers have arrived by ship. More important is that the 5th Brigade who arrived in San Carlos Water yesterday are now assembled past the beach. The ‘mop up’ force is welcome as asking the Para’s and Commando’s to walk back after they’ve taken Stanley is a bit much.
Yesterday an Argentian C-130 shot down near Stanley now confirmed.. Lots of gun fire support going on from the Task Force escort.
Land transport is still a problem – the Argentinians have looted every 4-wheel drive, tractor and trailer from the locals.
(contemporary addition: Not enough helicopters available. The Army disassembling Rapier Missile systems and carrying them. They were desinged to be towed intact. Even the missile itself weighs 45kg.)
Tony Abbott has lived, thrived, sustained his “appeal” all on the strength of his own assurance that he ;” can deliver strong leadership”…you can almost hear his voice echo down the corridors of time..; “…I…CAN….DELIVER…trust me!”.
But he cannot…he never could…not on his own.
That ship of fools that is the Canberra Press Gallery has rowed Tony’s boat for so long, with such investment on the strength of that lie that they do not see the approaching falls…
History has already writen the first draft of the “Abbott years”…and the MSM. get a chapter all of it’s own…it is a dark chapter.
Sun up in Canberra: -ve5.5C.
A little chilly.
I only read this because George Mega recommended it, and he is right it is very good. Oh and I thought George’s comment was right too. (I use Firefox, and open in private window, which doesn’t show a click for the GG. It is also my way of reading links to The Saturday Paper, so that I can read more than 3 articles if they are worth it.)
The new poster from http://abbottsolutelynot.com/
One never hears emotional sympathy in respect to deceased LNP. leaders…now why is that?
Nailed it –
“George Megalogenis tweeting that crowds would have been more welcoming to Goodes 20 years ago because Paul Keating was a better leader than Tony Abbott.”
That’s it, exactly. Abbott didn’t approve of Goodes being made Australian of the Year, he would have preferred some aged white male donor to the Liberal Party, but he didn’t get a say. Goodes never received one of Abbott’s ‘special’ two-hander handshakes, or that matey arm around the shoulders. Abbott kept his distance on the big day.
You might think that a self-designated Prime Minister for Indigenous Affairs would have welcomed the decision, but Abbott spent Goodes’ term denigrating the man at every opportunity. You might have noticed that it’s the Liberal Party toadies who have been critical of Goodes for over a year now – the McGuires, the Bolts, the Hadleys, the Fordhams and the rest. Again, picking up on Abbott’s ‘leadership’. His red-neck followers are just picking up on the racist vibes from their adored leader and his chief spruikers. All of them were outraged by Mega’s tweet. Here’s Ben Fordham and Tim Blair having a whinge.
http://www.2gb.com/article/ben-fordham-%E2%80%93-tony-abbott-blamed-adam-goodes-incident
I’m not sure if the crowd would have been less aggressive in Keating’s time, I’d like to think so. I do know that poor/weak/divisive leaders bring on all sorts of trouble, that includes everyone from primary school principals to prime ministers. A leader sets up the way the flock will think, feel, react. A leader like Abbott sets us up to be nasty, racist, intolerant bigots.
Think you’ve had a bad day ? Check out this truckie in Russia . What happens when you run into the back of a road marking truck ? Now we know. Driver was OK.
I don’t see any problem with Goodes doing a war cry across a football ground. All types of football, netball and the like are aggressive sport.
You have to bear into account that Tones is not even a first generation Australian.
‘Hello’ Tones it’s not the England S-E.
CTar1
I have no probs either but Goodes should remember that things like the kiwi haka or the Tongan sipi tau etc are challenges to the opposition , not the crowd.
Amazes me though how much of a fuss such a non event created though . The rabies infected racists sure don’t need much to fire up.
http://dictionary.reference.com/browse/modest
‘Modest’ is not a word you would use to describe Tony Abbott, so why is the NE so fond of the word? Is he trying to con us into believing he is something he so blatantly is not? Yesterday he hoped to see continuing ‘modest increases’ in house prices, just the latest appearance of his favourite word – after ‘Nope’ that is. It’s been going on since he was LOTO. Pardon the lack of links here, if you want links then google ‘Tony Abbott modest’, you will find them all.
In 2012 he proposed a ‘modest levy’ (aka a ‘great big new tax’) to fund his extravagant PPL.
In August 2013 he promised ‘some more modest’ policies in addition to ones already released.
Just before the election he promised ‘modest’ industrial reforms.
He promised a ‘relatively modest contribution’ of $5 million to the Brisbane Broncos.
Once he became PM he announced he was choosing ‘modest’ accommodation with the AFP cadets.
Paul Kelly, following Abbott’s lead, declared our new PM to be a ‘modest man’ in September 2013, despite there being no evidence to prove that claim.
When he sent the troops back to Iraq he said his government had ‘modest’ ambitions’ in the Middle East.
He described his backflip on defence pay as a ‘modest catch-up’.
We have had ‘modest reductions’ in the foreign aid budget, a ‘modest’ $11 billion.
There’s much more, too much more.
The MSM have been sucked in, they keep referring to this vain, money-grubbing, lying, arrogant bastard as a ‘modest’ man. Would someone give them, and Abbott, a thesaurus, please. This ‘modest’ bulldust is becoming too much to bear.
You might like to read the Paul Kelly piece from September 2013 – it will either make you laugh or hurl something heavy at your monitor. Or just hurl.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/abbott-team-goes-back-to-basics/story-e6frg74x-1226721246569
kk
The opposition crowds have chucked lots of sh#t at him on a continuous basis.
Many things about Tony are modest, starting with his degree of intelligence, of empathy, of understanding, of judgement, etc. He also has a very modest-size heart and brain.
kk
No offence meant by the ‘not even a first generation Australian’ crack.
I’m old fashioned enough to count NZ’ers as ‘Us’.
CTar1
I do not follow AFL but one thing I do know about Goodes is that he cops a lot of crap from the crowds.
A few tv commentators have mentioned the haka and that is “aggressive” but is an accepted part of rugby etc. Given me a few chuckles. If only they knew what the words of the traditional AB haka mean and the story that inspired it.
Written in the early 1800’s by the famous chief Te Rauparaha it celebrates his escape from what looked certain death when trapped by enemy forces searching for him. He hid in a hole and had a women in skirts sit over it. Not very Rambo eh? Maori also value quick wits in battle so outfoxing an enemy is highly regarded. His survival meant he won.
So rather than anything gory and blood thirsty the kamate haka is a celebration of the joy of survival. The opening bit he is asking if it is to be death or will it be life for him. It ends with him climbing out into the bright sun. He lives ! So I suppose the message to those that do it is never give up, even when it looks hopeless.
gigilene
So very true
Must read:
http://bilbo.economicoutlook.net/blog/?p=30392
George Christensen is at it again, attention-seeking, as always.
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/conservative-mps-push-back-as-support-for-samesex-marriage-gains-momentum-20150602-ghemu0.html
The comparisons between the McMahon government and the Abbott government remain eerily tight. Both led by schemers. Both intellectually not up to the challenge of running a visionary agenda. Both consumed by the daily entrails. Both with a penchant to use the media for personal gain ahead of the collective, and bugger the outcome.
Leaks, incompetence, blindness and gamesmanship remain the defining hallmarks.
Just watch it continue.
Fiona
“when the current Conservative government took office in Australia we were told that “At last, the grown-ups are back in charge”. ”
.
That message terrified me. It was exactly what the US Republican cheer squad were saying when G. Dubya Shrub won his first election . Tones is our Dubya.
Delicious:
http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/kirribilli-house-lifestyle-blinds-tony-abbott-to-the-cost-of-australias-housing-bubble-20150601-ghekoj.html
Brussel sprout is now a regular in cartoons, accompanying Abbott. One with a fish mouth, the other with a dog mouth.
Hope this works..
http://www.truthdig.com/report/item/karl_marx_was_right_20150531
Tony says cabinet leaks were ‘bad’. And he makes threats, as if that will stop the leakers. More likely to get them even more riled up.
http://www.businessinsider.com.au/tony-abbott-has-warned-his-party-after-the-devastating-leak-of-a-cabinet-row-2015-6
I do enjoy Andrew Street:
http://www.smh.com.au/comment/view-from-the-street/view-from-the-street-our-brief-nightmare-of-potential-bipartisanship-is-over-20150601-ghea70.html
BK, thank you as always for your lovely links.
More – what a hoot. Cabinet members leaking about Abbott’s comments about the last lot of leaks.
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/politics-news/abbott-rebukes-cabinet-colleagues-for-citizenship-reform-leak/story-fn59nqld-1227379390090
Stand by for more leaks about the cabinet meeting held about the leaks last night and then the leaks ftrom cabinet meetings ……….
l2
Tones fighting the last war.
It’s really a matter of how bad it will get. Some of this mitigated by no obvious replacement.
He can stop them from crossing the floor but he can’t stop them leaking. All he can do now is threatening them.
What’s Abbott going to do when they keep leaking? Punch more walls?
Why are we not hearing about chaos in the government ranks over all this?
Maybe he could ask Julia Gillard on how to deal with leaks. He might learn from the way she dealt with them in such a calm and dignified way.
“Why are we not hearing about chaos in the government ranks over all this?”
Because it isn’t Labor chaos.
At least, the Opposition have called it for what it is: “a chaotic govt”.
Just what the IPA wanted –
Australia is replacing more jobs than it is losing, but the work is significantly lower-paying
http://www.businessinsider.com.au/australia-is-replacing-more-jobs-than-it-is-losing-but-the-work-is-significantly-lower-paying-2015-6
The consequences are grim.
“Should this trend continue, it will likely impact on consumption and taxable income; two areas both the government and RBA would like to see accelerating given persistent softness in other areas of the economy”
Meanwhile, as HoJo beavers away at the books –
Canberra rate payers money at work here. A blocked drain that got one days attention yesterday from a ‘Hydro Blaster’ has now been dug up.
They’ve dumped the standard Canberra yellow clay on my lawn.
Such an attractive couple . . .
I’d like to call this shameful behaviour on the part of the Commonwealth Bank – but that particular institution is shameless:
http://www.theage.com.au/business/comment-and-analysis/commonwealth-banks-80yearold-victim–not-dead-but-alive-and-kicking-20150601-ghe7az.html
http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/jun/02/the-herschel-backpack-how-generation-y-carries-capitalisms-mythologies
More on the leaks – The Idiot thinks he is Jesus.
Tony Abbott: Cabinet fight a ‘come to Jesus moment’
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-cabinet-fight-a-come-to-jesus-moment-20150602-gher34.html
“come-to-Jesus moment
An epiphany in which one realizes the truth of a matter; a sudden, intuitive perception of or insight into the reality or essential meaning of something; coming clean and admitting failures; realizing the true weight or impact of a negative situation or fact; acknowledgment that one must get back to core values; moment of realization; an aha moment; moment of decision; moment of truth; critical moment; moment of reassessment of priorities; turning point; life-changing moment.”
http://www.urbandictionary.com/define.php?term=come-to-Jesus+moment
Essential poll – no change. Still 52/48 to Labor.
http://www.essentialvision.com.au/category/essentialreport
The final comparison between the attributes of Shorten and Abbott is interesting. Abbott has lifted his scores, but not by much.
“Tony Abbott is much more likely to be considered narrow-minded (+29), intolerant (+24), out of touch with ordinary people (+23) and arrogant (+23).
Bill Shorten is regarded by more respondents to be someone who understands the problems facing Australia (-11) and intelligent (-10).
The gap on “a capable leader has reduced from 13 points to 3 points – Tony Abbott up 6% and bill Shorten down 4%”
I thought it might have been the moment when you lose your mind and start believing in imaginary things.
I’m waiting for him to become “a Daniel come to judgement”.