Wagga Wagga bye-bye election

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The Wagga Wagga by-election has reached its conclusion.

Background

In the by-election on 14 December 1957, on the death of Eddie Graham (Labor), Wal Fife (Liberal) won the seat of Wagga Wagga.

The seat was held by the Liberals till 2018. At the 28 March 2015 election, the seat was won by Daryl Maguire with 53.8% first preferences and beating Dan Hayes (Labor) by 62.9% to 37.1% on preferences.

In July 2018, Maguire was drawn into an inquiry by the NSW Independent Commission Against Corruption regarding possible corruption involving the former Canterbury Council, through his association with former councillor Michael Hawatt. It was alleged that Maguire had acted on behalf of a “mega big” Chinese client, asking for help in buying into development-approved projects, in return for a commission from the developer for both himself and Hawatt. As a consequence, Maguire resigned from the Liberal Party, and from his roles as Parliamentary Secretary for the Centenary of ANZAC, Counter Terrorism, Corrections and Veterans. After initially refusing to resign from Parliament, he announced he would do so before its next sitting. Maguire tendered his resignation to the Speaker of the Legislative of Assembly on the afternoon of 3 August 2018.

Writs were issued on 17 August for a by-election on  8 September.

The candidates

At the close of nominations, the candidates, in ballot paper order, were

  • Seb McDonagh (Shooters, Fishers and Farmers)
  • Julia Ham (Liberal)
  • Joe McGirr (Independent)
  • Ray Goodlass (Greens)
  • Tom Arentz (Christian Democratic Party)
  • Paul Funnell (Independent)
  • Dan Hayes (Labor)

The count

The voting system was optional preferential, which is why the total votes decreased as preferences were distributed or exhausted.

Wagga Wagga 2018 by-election preference count.png

Erratum: 844 should be 13443 and 3650 should be 42574

The result

Interesting that Ham held her lead until preferences for Funnell and Hayes were distributed. In the end, McGirr won with a whopping 59.6% to Ham’s 40.4%.

The Liberals’ first preferences dropped from 53.8% to 25.5%; two-party preferred from 62.9% to 40.4%.

690 thoughts on “Wagga Wagga bye-bye election”

  1. Hard to be behind the eight ball.

    The Labor conference, dismay to the Corbin-hates-Jews mob, was a picnic.

    EU needs to “get serious” on negotiations, Raab says

    The Brexit secretary, Dominic Raab, has had some tough words for Brussels in his speech to conference, saying the EU had not matched the UK’s “ambition and pragmatism” at the Salzburg informal summit.

    He told the hall:

    Our prime minister has been constructive and respectful. In return we heard jibes from senior leaders. And we saw a starkly one-sided approach to negotiation, where the EU’s theological approach allows no room for serious compromise.

    And yet we are expected to cast aside the territorial integrity of our own country. If the EU want a deal, they need to get serious. And they need to do it now.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2018/oct/01/conservative-conference-hammond-says-johnson-will-never-be-pm-politics-live

    • You’ve been very busy tonight, tlbd. Keep it up. Twitter is letting me down the last couple of days, no really good funny videos to post. See you all tomorrow, between waking up, doctors and housework.

  4. Turnbull’s ‘miserable ghosts’ comment shows that a stopped clock is right twice a day.

  6. Q&A

    Monday 1st October at 9:35 pm (66 minutes)

    Simon Birmingham, Amanda Rishworth, Sarah Hanson-young, John Butler And Sali Miftari: The show that holds politicians and opinion leaders to account returns with Simon Birmingham, Amanda Rishworth, Sarah Hanson-Young, John Butler and people’s panellist Sali Miftari joining Tony Jones in Melbourne.

    Everyone wants a musician and a WTF on what is supposed to be a quality interrogation of politicians.

  8. Good morning Dawn Patrollers. There’s plenty to ponder in this lot!

    Bevan Shields reports that Neil Brown, a minister in the Fraser government and a deputy Liberal leader under John Howard, also launched a stinging attack on Mitch Fifield, accusing the Communications Minister of “making a fool of himself” by repeatedly ignoring advice from the panel. This is rather explosive.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/more-honoured-in-the-abuse-than-application-abc-panel-member-hits-out-at-board-appointments-20180930-p506zy.html
    And Fairfax reveals that it was former ABC chairman Jim Spiegelman who was advising Michelle Guthrie on her 11-page insurance policy which ended Justin Milne’s reign as ABC chairman.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-man-advising-michelle-guthrie-on-her-explosive-dossier-20181001-p5074s.html
    Aaron Patrick writes that Emma Alberici stands tall at ABC as Michelle Guthrie and Justin Milne tumble.
    https://www.outline.com/Ck9PJy
    Bang! Greg Jericho says Australia’s emissions data would shame the Coalition, if such a thing were possible.
    https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2018/oct/01/australias-emissions-data-would-shame-the-coalition-if-such-a-thing-were-possible
    The renewable energy construction boom in Victoria is on track to create more than 6,000 annual jobs, according to a new analysis.
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/01/victorias-renewable-energy-boom-set-to-create-thousands-of-jobs
    David Crowe writes that Rudd has quickly retorted to Turnbull’s characterisation of him as a “miserable ghost”.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/a-quick-reality-check-rudd-hits-back-after-turnbull-s-miserable-ghosts-criticism-20181001-p50763.html
    And Paul Bongiorno begins his contribution in the subject with “If Scott Morrison had his way, the political past of himself and his government would no longer exist. He puts it this way: “I will leave all ghosts in the past. That’s where they deserve to be.” The problem is, like Banquo’s ghost, Mr Morrison’s ghosts keep appearing to spoil his feast. The latest manifestation was from his immediate predecessor Malcolm Turnbull.”
    https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/national/2018/10/01/scott-morrison-ghost-haunt/
    Simon Benson says Bill Shorten will stare down a push from Labor Left colleagues and will commit to keep the Home Affairs department intact.
    https://outline.com/EdwRwr
    In a sober contribution Peter Hartcher writes that there is nothing normal or natural about the recovery in the US and world economies. Everything that has happened, all the recovery and growth, has been done with a decade’s worth of free money. This situation is abnormal, unnatural and without precedent in at least 5000 years.
    https://www.smh.com.au/money/borrowing/reality-check-the-era-of-interest-rates-at-5000-year-lows-is-ending-20181001-p5072n.html
    The International Monetary Fund is poised to cut its forecast for global growth as Managing Director Christine Lagarde warns trade wars and tighter credit are darkening the outlook.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/devastating-effects-imf-chief-sends-warning-on-trade-wars-20181002-p50771.html
    Elizabeth Knight explores the concerns that the fallout from the royal commission will turbocharge the declines in property prices and that the downturn will last longer.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/fears-royal-commission-fallout-could-turbocharge-property-falls-20181001-p50742.html
    Meanwhile whistelblower Jeff Morris has written that what we are getting from the banking commission in effect is a quick thunderstorm that will wash away the surface filth, when what we need is Noah’s flood to scour the industry clean.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/noah-s-flood-needed-to-reach-the-dirt-buried-deep-in-banking-20180930-p506ww.html
    Small businesses told the royal commission into financial services they felt powerless when dealing with big institutions, but Friday’s interim report indicated no big changes would be made to fix this.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/small-business/won-t-make-it-better-small-businesses-say-commission-report-ignores-them-20181001-p5072y.html
    The AFR’S James Frost reports that ASIC will launch the first legal action related to the Hayne royal commission against AMP within weeks over the fees-for-no-service scandal as the regulator looks to make an example of the financial services giant for taking money it wasn’t entitled to and then lying about it.
    https://www.outline.com/exVcbZ
    The federal government was warned about the problems at the corporate regulator three years ago but buried a report that was only released when former chairman Greg Medcraft was re-appointed with a $127 million package to be the “tough cop on the beat” in an effort to fight off a royal commission. Not a good look!
    https://www.outline.com/5sSdvq
    Michelle Grattan reports that Labor will flush out more victims of the banks and other financial institutions by holding a series of roundtables in cities and towns that have not been visited by the royal commission. She also looks at the current GST debate.
    https://theconversation.com/labor-to-hold-its-own-hearings-for-bank-victims-104170
    Samuel Robinson says that in a situation that is looking fragile oil has surged to its highest price since 2014 as global supply concerns mount.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/situation-looks-fragile-oil-surges-to-highest-since-2014-as-global-supply-concerns-mount-20181002-p5076y.html
    This US professor explodes some of the five myths underpinning capitalism.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/five-myths-about-capitalism-20180929-p506vl.html
    Ian Warden writes that Morrison is a credulous Pentecostalist. His rapture-propelled sect is known for the ways members of its congregation break into tongues when the spirit moves them. He concludes the article by saying in these difficult coming months we should pray for a probing, alert, agnostic parliamentary press gallery that faithfully reports any iniquities and hypocrisies of our elected Pharisees.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/slippery-pharisees-fill-hearts-with-unease-20180831-p50124.html
    Can religious zealotry ever be compatible with national leadership in a secular democracy? Stephen Williams discusses PM Morrison’s “freedom of religion” stance.
    https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/pentecostal-morrisons-blunder-of-biblical-proportions,11950
    Morrison is facing objections from the eastern states over his plan to legislate a new funding formula for the GST, with treasurers warning they would be potentially worse off as the price of quelling West Australians’ fury over their low share of revenue.
    https://outline.com/EzVEUp
    Erik Tucker tells us about what is likely to be uncovered by the FBI investigation into Kavanaugh.
    https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/yale-classmate-recalls-kavanaugh-as-frequent-heavy-drinker-20181002-p5076s.html
    The Washington Post outlines the changes in the new trade agreement that will replace NAFTA.
    https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/what-s-in-sweeping-new-nafta-deal-between-us-canada-and-mexico-20181001-p5076q.html
    The former New South Wales anti-corruption commissioner David Ipp has warned that any move to override state bans on property developer donations would be a “dreadful step backwards”. Looking after the maaates perhaps?
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/02/coalitions-changes-to-finance-laws-could-be-a-dreadful-step-backwards
    Troy Bramston opines that it is bordering on contempt that the US has not installed an ambassador in Australia for nearly two years.
    https://outline.com/tsLAfz
    Norm Abjorensen says that it’s 50 years on and governments are still luring voters with state aid for private and religious schools.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/50-years-on-and-still-luring-voters-with-state-aid-20180927-p506cu.html
    Professor Jenny Stewart writes that the EU was hugely beneficial for Britons. They will now need to discover new strengths. Will they be up to it, she asks. If I were living in the UK I’d be worried.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/brexit-is-britain-up-to-it-20180925-p505w9.html
    The SMH editorial hammers the NSW government for not releasing a report into youth detention.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/release-report-on-youth-detention-20181001-p5072l.html
    Transport specialist Marion Terrill says that expensive new infrastructure is not the only fix for population growth and that instead of making “congestion-busting” election pledges, governments should not announce any projects before rigorously establishing their net benefits.
    https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/expensive-new-infrastructure-is-not-the-only-fix-for-population-growth-20181001-p5075e.html
    Richard Mulgan tells us how the Commonwealth’s tiny law-enforcement integrity agency has failed to keep up with the demands put upon it.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/who-s-afraid-of-a-starving-watchdog-20180926-p5063z.html
    Regarding the big APS review being undertaken at the moment John Mellors says that Martin Parkinson should spend less time disparaging critics and more time making thoughtful contributions.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/reviewing-the-public-service-review-20180929-p506vs.html
    EU diplomats have rejected Theresa May’s conference pitch that Brussels must move first to break the deadlock over negotiations as Jean-Claude Juncker said British people were only “finding out now” about the scale of the problems caused by Brexit.
    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/01/eu-brussels-rejects-plea-from-theresa-may-to-break-brexit-deadlock
    Peter Hannam reports that Kerryn Phelps would push to ban political donations from fossil fuel companies and require federal MPs disclose their meetings with such firms and their lobbyists if elected.
    https://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/phelps-would-ban-fossil-fuel-firms-political-donations-oppose-adani-20181001-p50731.html
    Is it time we cut the apron strings and replaced the outdated Queen’s Birthday occasion with a day that celebrates Australian achievements?
    https://independentaustralia.net/australia/australia-display/paving-the-way-for-independence-citizens-day-instead-of-queens-birthday,11953
    Professor Robin Shreeve says that a new national set of priorities for VET would make great social and economic sense.
    https://theconversation.com/a-new-national-set-of-priorities-for-vet-would-make-great-social-and-economic-sense-101516
    The UK Guardian has a piece headed “Tin-eared, blockheaded: Theresa May’s party is laying waste to its own voters”.
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/01/theresa-may-voters-tory-policies-labour
    The value of Australia’s coal exports is forecast to decline sharply over the next 18 months as thermal coal prices drop 25% and metallurgical coal prices fall 23%.
    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2018/oct/02/value-of-australian-coal-exports-tipped-to-decline-sharply-over-next-18-months
    Mark Thomas puts it to us that Australian intellectuals realised long ago they are not welcome in our parliaments.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/why-do-our-useful-idiots-steer-clear-of-politics-20180929-p506vh.html
    Four South Australian crossbench senators want the Morrison Government to torpedo former prime minister Malcolm Turnbull’s deal to buy 12 Adelaide-built submarines from France’s Naval Group.
    https://outline.com/Nr4fx8
    It’s a sector which reaps large profits from a tax loophole, much of these profits from government and NGOs. Its companies beat most others on the share market. They are big lenders, yet disclose few of their fees and commissions. Michael West reports on the salary packaging and leasing stocks, a sector where consumers are buying financial products in the dark.
    https://www.michaelwest.com.au/of-leasing-rips-and-tax-loopholes-salary-packagers-sail-under-the-consumer-radar/
    Several iPhone XS and XS Max users are reporting teething issues with their new smartphones almost two weeks after purchasing them. Users across the web are complaining that some of Apple’s latest smartphones are experiencing charging and network connectivity issues.
    https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/tech/2018/10/01/iphone-xs-issues/
    And today’s nomination for “Arsehole of the Week” goes to . . .
    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-mother-had-sex-with-her-young-children-to-win-over-men-online-20181001-p5074r.html

    Cartoon Corner.

    David Rowe brings out the ghosts.

    Peter Broelman goes to Collingwood territory.

    Here’s Zanetti’s characterisation of the ABC.

    From the US. Quite startling.

    A nice one from Alan Moir.

    David Pope brings in the miserable ghosts.
    https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_828/t_resize_width/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/fbdef2802a8d73f804eef029a825315de57101c6
    More in here. Thankfully Matt Golding is back!
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/best-of-fairfax-cartoons-october-2-2018-20181001-h163qq.html

    • The Spam Monster seems to be getting more aggressive, or hungrier, maybe. It ate Leroy’s posts last night.

      I take a night off to do family stuff (had a very nice time) and the damn monster runs amok.

    • No, not the Greens. Just a group that likes to satirise politics.

      It’s true, that bit about both major parties voting against a National Integrity Commission, though we might not like it.

      Over many years, from around 2009, the Greens have been introducing bills on the need for a National Integrity Commission and Labor consistently voted with the Coalition against all of them. The latest attempts were supported by NXT and Derryn Hinch, and Labor still voted with the government against them.

      It’s only in the last couple of years Labor has changed their tune. Before the 2016 election a senate committee was looking int having this commission but that committee was disbanded when Turnbull prorogued parliament. Labor promised to restore it and carry on the process if they won government. Labor’s promise to establish a National Integrity Commission when it returns to government was made in January this year.

      Sometimes Labor does deserve to be satirised.

  13. Seem that frat culture is being examined very closely in the Kavanaugh hearings and its not being appreciated (what happens at college stats at college). As a Fresher and Sophomore at St Andrews (SU) in the early 70s I am embarrassed at my behaviour and attitudes, largely done by wanting to be something I really wasn’t.
    Recent stories of the issues at St Pauls tell me it has gotten far worse even as the rest of the world has moved into much higher standards. A kind of seige mentality is making the remnants behave in more exaggerated ways ? Don’t know but surely the US investigation is shining light under rocks that should have been turned over years ago.

    • Planet Janet does not even apologise for the fact that
      1. Selection panel composed of failed Liberal candidates
      2. Board currently composed of people with close ties to Liberal Party
      3. No mention that she is married to Liberal Party functionary

      IE Liberals think they own the ABC

      PS like others who read Emma Alberici I could find factual errors or opinion. OK it was an opinion piece because it had graphs and quoted eminent respected economists to put the kybosh on trickle down economics and the argument that lowering company tax rates will increase wages

  18. Scummo attended the NRL grand final on Sunday but declined to be involved in the awards presentation.

    It’s usual for the PM to not only watch the game but to attend the awards presentation as part of the official party, to present the winning team with their trophy and commiserate with the losers.

    This is usually used as a chance to boo the PM, it’s pretty much a tradition now. Other PMs have carried off the booing with good humour. Howard was booed, so was Rudd and then Abbott.

    Turnbull was heartily booed in 2015, just after he became PM, but after that he declined to take part in the awards presentation, even though he attended the game. Obviously he thought why bother, if he wasn’t going to be cheered and showered with rose petals by an adoring crowd.

    It seems Scummo is following in Turnbull’s footsteps.

    So why didn’t Scummo bother? Was he afraid he too would be booed? Did his minders suggest he stay out of it or was it his idea? was he sulking because his (allegedly) adored Sharks were not taking part? Or is he so lacking in confidence that he couldn’t bear the thought of a few boos bruising his gigantic ego?

  19. ‘A failure of governance’: Bill Shorten turns against embattled ABC board

    What do they know and when did they know it?” Mr Shorten asked of the board.

    “Are we assuming Justin Milne was a lone wolf operating here in issuing edicts to Michelle Guthrie? What is the job of the board? Are they just there for a biscuit and a cup of tea?

    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/a-failure-of-governance-bill-shorten-turns-against-embattled-abc-board-20181002-p50797.html

  20. Shorten on Tuesday accused the government of interfering in the public broadcaster and linked the issue with a need for a national integrity commission.

    “They interfere with the choice of directors, they cut the funding of the ABC, they appoint their mates and that doesn’t work out, and then they just blame the ABC for everything that is going wrong,” he said.

    “This is a failure of governance, it’s a failure of politics, it’s a failure of the government. This is why we should have a national integrity commission. I do not know why [Scott] Morrison is opposing setting up an anti-corruption commission nationally, because I think that would provide reassurance to Australians that the political system is not broken.”

    …

    But he saved his most scathing attack for the communications minister. Last week, Guardian Australia revealed Fifield had either circumvented or ignored the independent panel’s recommendations for the last five appointments he has made to the board.

    Fifield has previously said he took the panel’s recommendations on board but followed the process that allows for the government to make the final decision.

    “It is a legislative requirement that panel process be gone through,” Fifield told a Senate estimates hearing last year. “Recommendations are made and then it is up to the government to accept some of those recommendations.”

    Shorten said that left the blame for last week’s chaos at Fifield’s door.

    “That guy has got more lives than a cat – you know, nothing ever sticks to this fella,” he said. “The reality is that he’s the communication minister, where you’ve got the chairman miraculously, telepathically apparently, understanding the wishes of the government and wants to see journalists sacked.”

    https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/oct/02/bill-shorten-calls-for-fifields-head-and-says-abc-board-must-be-depoliticised

  21. The Tories are still having fun

    Much of the talk about a possible UK-US trade deal has focused on whether or not British consumers would be willing to buy chlorine-washed chicken – chicken treated by a process banned in the EU not because it is dangerous to consumers (it isn’t, even though chlorine sounds like something you would not want to ingest), but because it could excuse lower animal welfare standards.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2018/oct/02/tory-conference-theresa-may-boris-johnson-gives-details-of-post-brexit-immigration-policy-politics-live#comments

  22. Sound familiar?

    We are raising the level of language proficiency expected for adults seeking to naturalise as British citizens. Language ability is a key skill which aids the effective integration of adults and their families into the UK and promotes positive outcomes. We want to see people who want to become citizens to make a commitment to their integration by investing in the skills they need to integrate as quickly as possible …

    There is [currently] no difference in the English language requirement for settlement and for citizenship … This fails to recognise the greater significance of British citizenship, or give the incentive for those who have settled here to continue developing their English language skills.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/blog/live/2018/oct/02/tory-conference-theresa-may-boris-johnson-gives-details-of-post-brexit-immigration-policy-politics-live#comments

  23. You know what they say – if his lips are moving, he’s lying.

    We can add to that for Scummo – on the rare occasions his lips aren’t moving (Does this guy ever shut up?) it’s only because he’s figuring out his next lie.

    https://outline.com/mNzczM

  25. Any doubt about Milne …

    Former ABC chairman Justin Milne wanted to hire pop queen Kylie Minogue to sing about the public broadcaster as part of a multimillion-dollar advertising campaign.

    Multiple sources have told Fairfax Media the idea was shot down by senior ABC management, including former managing director Michelle Guthrie, because the singer’s $750,000 price tag was deemed too expensive.

    Ms Guthrie is understood to have “hit the roof” when she discovered the proposal.

    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/justin-milne-wanted-kylie-minogue-to-sing-about-the-abc-with-a-potential-price-tag-of-750-000-20181002-p507b4.html

  26. Indeed

    Senior EU figures have attacked Theresa May’s post-Brexit immigration plan with the president of the European commission, Jean-Claude Juncker, signalling that he expects a row with the British prime minister at an upcoming “moment of truth” summit.

    As May sketched out her plans to end freedom of movement and adopt a skills-based migration policy during a Tuesday morning tour of radio and TV studios, there were demands for a tit-for-tat response during a debate in the European parliament.

    The plan to curb low-skilled immigration was seized upon by Manfred Weber, the German leader of the centre-right EPP group and a leading candidate to be the next European commission president. He said the UK’s plan to end free movement illustrated the need to stay united against attempts to pick off the benefits of EU membership.

    It was not about “punishment”, Weber said, but leaving the EU would have to mean “less growth, less certainty”, for the UK and the Brexiters would now have to face the consequences.

    “Brexit means leaving the EU and this means losing the advantages of this union and that is the simple principle,” he added.

    https://www.theguardian.com/uk-news/2018/oct/02/eu-anger-over-mays-post-brexit-immigration-plan

  27. Tessa doesn’t have many friends left

    The Democratic Unionist party has threatened to pull the plug on Theresa May’s government, warning it is not bluffing when it says it will not accept a border in the Irish Sea.

    Nigel Dodds, the leader of the DUP in the House of Commons, said the party would vote against May if she returned from Brussels with a deal that involved new checks on goods coming into Northern Ireland from Britain.

    “We will vote against it. We will vote for our red lines,” he told the Guardian.

    The DUP leader, Arlene Foster, had earlier said the party’s confidence and supply arrangement with the Conservatives was “party to party” and not with May herself, while the European commission accused Westminster decision-makers of being “completely irresponsible” over Northern Ireland.

    https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2018/oct/02/brexit-eu-hits-out-irresponsible-uk-northern-ireland

  28. Good morning Dawn Patrollers. 49th wedding anniversary today – I can believe how quickly that time has flown!

    Ross Gittins gives us a very good insight of the messages company directors received last week. It’s a very good read!
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/terrifying-wake-up-call-good-news-from-a-bad-week-for-the-ruling-class-20181002-p50788.html
    Stephen Bartholomeusz distils Hayne’s interim report and explains the underlying principles proposed for the way ahead. Another good read.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/could-the-royal-commission-produce-a-fuzzy-outcome-20181002-p5079z.html
    David Crowe details how Paul Keating has accused Malcolm Turnbull of capitulating to conservatives in the fight for a republic, launching an extraordinary denunciation of the recently toppled leader and declaring Australians would need a “microscope” to find his true beliefs.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/you-would-need-a-microscope-to-find-his-true-beliefs-paul-keating-savages-malcolm-turnbull-20181002-p507dz.html
    Kevin Rudd has really hit out at Murdoch and his media and how the ABC has become politicised.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/culture-of-fear-murdoch-the-abc-and-how-to-fix-a-media-in-crisis-20181001-p5073f.html
    Phil Coorey previews the inevitable stoush that will occur when Morrison and Frydenberg face down the premiers over the GST distribution at a meeting today.
    https://www.outline.com/3buPpK
    Gay Alcorn looks at how crime came to dominate Victoria’s election in what has become a virtual law and order auction.
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/03/law-and-order-auction-crime-victoria-election
    Michael Koziol has more on the reign of Justin Milne. And it’s not good.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/justin-milne-wanted-kylie-minogue-to-sing-about-the-abc-with-a-potential-price-tag-of-750-000-20181002-p507b4.html
    Bevan Shields tells us how the ABC scandal is a significant issue in the Wentworth by-election.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/a-front-and-centre-issue-abc-board-scandal-bites-in-wentworth-byelection-20181002-p507cm.html
    The Independent Australia says that tmes are dangerous for the ABC, at least to those who appreciate fair, independent journalism.
    https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/emma-alberici-the-coalition-and-some-inconvenient-tax-cuts-data,11951
    Amy Remeikis writes that Shorten has upped the ante on the ABC issue and has called for Fifield’s dismissal and for the board to be depoliticised.
    https://www.theguardian.com/media/2018/oct/02/bill-shorten-calls-for-fifields-head-and-says-abc-board-must-be-depoliticised
    Cinddy Ealy says that the Coalition wants the ABC furore to blow over but its fingerprints are all over this mess.
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/02/the-coalition-wants-the-abc-furore-to-blow-over-but-its-fingerprints-are-all-over-this-mess
    Eryk Bagshaw reports on progress on taxing digital assets, used by multinationals to make billions of dollars in profit. I hope it’s successful.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/government-moves-closer-to-massive-new-digital-tax-20181002-p507bc.html
    Mark Stears says Scott Morrison’s ‘daggy dad’ act is driven by a total collapse of faith in politics.
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/02/scott-morrisons-daggy-dad-act-is-driven-by-a-total-collapse-of-faith-in-politics
    Academic Ian Cook says that Australia’s obsession with opinion polls is eroding political leadership.
    https://theconversation.com/australias-obsession-with-opinion-polls-is-eroding-political-leadership-103343
    The Australian’s Rick Morton writes that an $8 million advertising campaign spruiking the Coalition’s aged-care budget and 20,000 new home-care packages was spent when the federal government knew older Australians could not access the support for years.
    https://outline.com/zeDVsT
    The New Daily says that Morrison is either lying about carbon emissions or he is just plain ignorant.
    https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/finance-news/2018/10/02/scott-morrison-carbon-emissions-claim-not-true/
    All over Australia labour-hire companies are big business, hiring mainly casual and temporary workers on behalf of big organisations. Are vulnerable workers being exploited?
    https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/are-australian-labour-hire-companies-exploiting-vulnerable-workers,11954
    A guard dog tamed by thieves. That is the unflattering picture of the Australian Securities and Investments Commission painted by the banking royal commission. But is it true?
    https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/finance-news/2018/10/02/asic-failing-to-regulate-banks/
    The SMH editorial thinks Trump is starting to see sense on trade policy.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/trump-starts-to-see-sense-on-trade-policy-20181002-p507au.html
    The sexual-assault allegations against Supreme Court nominee Brett Kavanaugh have sparked a wave of unbridled anger and anxiety from many Republican men, who say they are in danger of being swept up by false accusers who are biased against them.
    https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/a-scary-time-for-young-men-male-fury-and-fear-rises-in-gop-20181003-p507em.html
    Bill McKibben writes that the Trump administration knows the planet is going to boil but it doesn’t care.
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/02/trump-administration-planet-boil-refugee-camps
    Adele Ferguson examines the fake honey issue and reports that one in five samples of local honey sourced along the eastern seaboard of Australia, including boutique brands, has been found to be fake, deepening the global scandal over the impurity of honey.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/fake-honey-scandal-widens-to-australian-sourced-brands-20181002-p507ar.html
    Australia’s new minister for decentralisation Bridgit McKenzie says she wants to shift the conversation to the private sector, as public service departments wait to find if they will be forced to move. What could possibly go wrong?
    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/national/act/new-minister-wants-to-expand-decentralisation-to-the-private-sector-20180927-p506gj.html
    Latika Bourke reports on how Boris Johnson has urged May to ditch Chequers ‘cheat’ in veiled leadership pitch.
    https://www.theage.com.au/world/europe/johnson-urges-may-to-chuck-chequers-cheat-in-veiled-leadership-pitch-20181002-p507eb.html
    Fergus Hunter reports that Labor MPs worried about the concentration of power within the Department of Home Affairs will agitate for strict safeguards against ministerial overreach and for immigration to be split from national security after Bill Shorten signalled he would stick with the super-ministry ushered in by Peter Dutton.
    https://www.canberratimes.com.au/politics/federal/labor-mps-to-mobilise-on-concentration-of-power-with-home-affairs-minister-20181002-p507a5.html
    Jennifer Hewett looks at the politics around the banking royal commission now its first report has come out.
    https://outline.com/LP5hs9
    Investment expert Marcus Padley tells us why pessimists don’t make money.
    https://www.smh.com.au/money/investing/why-pessimists-don-t-make-money-20181002-p5079u.html
    Scott Phillips explains why even the best financial plans can fail.
    https://www.smh.com.au/money/investing/why-even-the-best-financial-plans-can-fail-20181002-p507bp.html
    The AFR says that investors will need strong stomachs for cheap bank stocks.
    https://outline.com/HZwbD9
    An increasingly popular strategy of DIY super funds borrowing to invest in property is having the rug pulled from under it as major lenders withdraw from the market.
    https://www.smh.com.au/money/borrowing/smsf-property-royal-commission-diy-super-20180926-p5061w.html
    Subdued consumer spending has seen the collapse of another retail business, the upmarket chian Max Brenner.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/chocolate-chain-max-brenner-collapses-citing-costs-and-sluggish-sales-20181002-p507at.html
    Environmental expert Brad Searle laments the fact that NSW lags behind Queensland and Victoria on approving recycling facilities.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/no-wonder-we-are-losing-the-war-on-waste-20181002-p507be.html
    In an interesting development industry super fund REST is facing a new federal court legal battle over claims it breached its trustee duties by failing to properly factor climate change-related risks into its investment decisions.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/super-fund-alleged-to-have-breached-duties-over-climate-change-risk-20181002-p507a3.html
    The once great company General Electric has seen its share price fall 80% and it is still facing downward pressure.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/an-american-icon-s-us500-billion-wipeout-20181002-p507aa.html
    Cole Latimer reports that households could cut their power bills by 20 per cent if they shopped around, according to a new report.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/consumer-affairs/bill-shock-households-could-be-paying-20-percent-more-than-needed-for-power-20181002-p507cz.html
    Esther Han warns that, in NSW at least, M\most people with disability ineligible for NDIS, may lose all support within two years.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/disability-ineligible-ndis-support-nsw-alliance-20181002-p507as.html
    Jenna Price gives Channel Nine some advice on what to put in place to cover the axing of the ridiculous (NRL) Footy Show.
    https://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/now-it-s-axed-the-footy-show-here-s-what-nine-should-do-next-20181002-p507cx.html
    Brazil’s business class is quietly rooting for a far-right controversial presidential candidate to win the nation’s highest office next week, fearful of a return to leftist rule in Latin America’s largest economy.
    https://www.smh.com.au/world/south-america/why-some-in-brazil-are-warming-to-a-far-right-flamethrower-for-president-20181002-p507cs.html
    Trump went troppo in the Rose Garden and inexplicably berated a female ABC reporter.
    https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/youre-not-thinking-you-never-do-trump-tells-female-reporter-20181002-p5078p.html
    Inside Brett Kavanaugh’s ultra-privileged life.
    https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/world/2018/10/02/private-life-brett-kavanaugh/
    And here’s today’s nomination for “Arsehole of the Week”.
    https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/man-behind-tyre-dump-put-behind-bars-20181002-p507a8.html
    Then again . . . .
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/02/gold-coast-man-who-stood-to-gain-14m-life-insurance-payout-encouraged-wifes-suicide

    Cartoon Corner

    David Rowe and the comprehensive FBI investigation into Kavanaugh.

    Beautiful work from Alan Moir.

    Fiona Katauskas takes us on a new Parliament House tour.

    Glen Le Lievre launches a new board game.

    A couple from Sean Leahy.


    David Pope hits the spot with this one.
    https://static.ffx.io/images/$width_828/t_resize_width/t_sharpen%2Cq_auto%2Cf_auto/10fb1acb24a3fe132c87d4337d96522095820dee
    More in here – mostly from Matt Golding.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/best-of-fairfax-cartoons-october-3-2018-20181002-h1653y.html

  30. Congratulations to You and Mrs BK ! As you waltzed down the aisle Mick Jagger was belting this out as the no.1 song in Australia.

  37. Pubsters, we need your memory. A little while back, Dan Andrews announced something. Everyone raved about it, people were ringing and saying they would vote Labor at the next state election. Razz and I have been racking our brains and cannot remember what it was. Jon Faine didn’t like it, which stunned us, only one caller disagreed with Dan. All the texts were positive.

    Gippy Labour, if you are around, you might remember.

  40. I suppose an advertising campaign is something but shouldn’t they put something into looking after the victims?

    Federal and state governments will launch the second phase of a taxpayer-funded advertising campaign to combat domestic violence at a national summit in Adelaide on Wednesday.

    Scott Morrison last month cancelled the Council of Australian Governments meeting originally scheduled for this week, with the October premiers’ meeting a casualty of the leadership upheaval.

    But the national summit on reducing violence against women and their children, scheduled to coincide with that Coag meeting, is proceeding, and the second phase of the national advertising campaign will be launched by the federal minister for women, Kelly O’Dwyer.

    https://www.theguardian.com/society/2018/oct/03/kelly-odwyer-to-launch-taxpayer-funded-ad-campaign-to-reduce-domestic-violence

  41. Well, they got Capone …

    New York state tax authorities are investigating after the New York Times reported that Donald Trump engaged in “dubious tax schemes during the 1990s, including instances of outright fraud”, as he and his siblings took control of a real estate empire built by Fred C Trump, the president’s late father.

    “The tax department is reviewing the allegations in the NYT article and is vigorously pursuing all appropriate avenues of investigation,” the state taxation authority told the Washington Post.

    In a blockbuster investigative report built on interviews with the elder Trump’s former employees and more than 100,000 pages of documents including tens of thousands of pages of confidential records, the Times unfolds the story of how Trump “received the equivalent today of at least $413m from his father’s real estate empire, starting when he was a toddler and continuing to this day”.

    Little of the information had previously come to light. Its publication, which was subject to blanket denials by a lawyer for the president and by the White House but which was not refuted in detail, fundamentally alters the visible facts establishing the centerpoint of Trump’s identity: his wealth.

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/02/trump-helped-parents-hide-money-on-tax-returns-new-york-times

  42. tlbd

    Thank you so much, yes that was it. Unlike the so called fast train to Traralgon, Geelong and Ballarat that the opposition here in Vic have just announced.

    • Just like the other rail projects that the Libs have delivered such as the Doncaster rail line and the Airp…. OH WAIT THEY DIDN’T.

      Are they also funding the Traralgon train tunnel that the Nats promised.

    • I nearly choked as I still remember Liberal Premier Jeff Kennet dismantling country passenger services and trying to close the suburban Sandringham train line in 1992. Do the Liberals think we have forgotten? In 2011 Liberal Louise Asher demanded the first level crossing removal was at New St on the Sandringham line which was planned as a tunnel. After being closed for 3 years the manned level crossing was replaced with boom gates and No Left turn off Beach Road – engineers explained that tunnelling under New Street was too expensive as the water table is currently at 1.2m and rising

      The Public Transport lobby group noted that you can’t run high speed trains over the existing tracks, high speed trains run on straight tracks and gentle cambered curved tracks. The Libs are talking tunnels. Really high speed trains and trains in long tunnels must be electric. There is confusion about a new standard gauge track from Bonnybrook??? to Geelong There is a discussion about elevated rail through farmland

      The cynic in me reckons the trucking industry is totting up their fuel costs and plans to take trucks off the road when the rail networks are established.

      The Nationals are all about decentralisation, until when they change their minds again

  44. Totally unsuitable

    Hundreds of US law professors are urging the Senate to reject Brett Kavanaugh’s supreme court nomination because of his conduct at last week’s hearing on sexual misconduct allegations.

    Signatures are being collected for two letters arguing that Kavanaugh disqualified himself with his angry and tearful remarks to the Senate judiciary committee. Kavanaugh claimed an allegation that he committed a sexual assault aged 17 was “a calculated and orchestrated political hit” by Democrats.

    The professors say in their letters that Kavanaugh displayed contempt towards members of Congress, a political bias that could call into question his future rulings, and a temperament unsuited to a lifetime position on the highest court.

    Citing both federal law and the American Bar Association’s code of judicial conduct, the academics note that Kavanaugh is obliged to promote “public confidence in the independence, integrity, and impartiality of the judiciary” and will be required to step aside from a case if he is at risk of being perceived as unfair.

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2018/oct/02/brett-kavanaugh-reject-supreme-court-nomination-law-professor-letter

  47. Conversations in the bars and corridors of political conferences often start with a question about how the event is going. “A shitstorm, total clusterfuck,” replied one former cabinet minister at the Tory gathering in Birmingham. “Simply awful,” said a current minister this week. “Like a three-day advertisement for the Labour party,” responded another morosely as we rode up an escalator.

    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2018/oct/02/theresa-may-brexit-prime-minister-deal-tory

  48. Bribing people seems to be the only idea the Victorian Libs have.

    They want to bribe people to join the party by offering them discount chocolates and cheaper gear form R M Williams.

    That brainfart must have come from the same crew that told Matthew Guy offering free zoo tickets in school holidays was a definite vote winner.

    https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/party-animals-libs-hang-with-lemurs-to-pledge-free-zoo-entry-for-kids-20181001-p50749.html

    Maybe some actual policies might be a good idea.

  49. Gippy Laborite

    Right on. Big big protests here in Bairnsdale when they shut it down. If I were a lib/nat mentioning trains would be a real no no up this end of Vic.

    • Being analytic about the Liberal promise to reintroduce passenger services to country Victoria, who is it aimed at

      The Mallee – safe LNP
      The Wimmera – safe LNP
      Western District – the train line to Warrnambool was privatised and is quite well patronised
      Geelong – Sarah Henderson holds very marginal seat, growing population with short memories
      Shepparton – no direct trains
      Bendigo – more commuters, double track torn up because overseas manufactured carriages too wide for stations
      Ballarat – more commuters
      Wangaratta, Seymour, Wodonga – slow trains due to badly laid track
      Ovens Valley – not going to get their trains back
      Gippsland – more commuters on Melbourne side, cheap housing in La Trobe valley because no work

      summary: the Liberal policy is aimed at aspirational commuters living on Melbourne’s fringes and cheaper regional towns who still work in Melbourne. Their target voter probably doesn’t remember the havoc wreaked by Jeff Kennett in the 1990s

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