Bribe night is upon us and this will be the Coalitions major last throw of the dice to win over the voters. If they get little or no bounce in the polls even they must come to the conclusion they are gone.
Make no mistake though they will go hard aided of course by newscorp/shockjocks and most other media companies that want to keep there puppets in power.
Hang on folks and remember the main attack game hasn’t started yet.
THE PUB 
Speaking of reduced government spending –
Are Bill Shorten and the ALP in power?
Shorten makes a mistake during a presser and it’s media headlines for two days.
Meanwhile fAuxMo, Fraudenberg and their coleagues lie constantly all day every day and the media never calls them to account. They just repeat the lies as facts.
I’m sick of it.
When do we get real journalists who give us factual reporting and decent political coverage instead of bought and paid for shills who always, no matter what, support this farce of a government.
Leone,
When we have real independent media that are not beholden to commercial-political interests?
The action starts 26 April. I wouldn’t even rate this current stuff as foreplay.
Ducky,
If this is foreplay, it’s off, fellas. Not even because it’s not on.
That’s the general rule. The media get excited when:
1. Shorten gets something wrong
2. Morrison gets something right
It may simply be because those two events are so rare as to be newsworthy. It’s more likely though that political journalism is just so terrible these days. Finding something ‘sensational’ to shift the narrative is all they’re interested in, and any whiff of it has them all running around in circles. My guess is that this frantic scrabbling about to find something, anything, to even up the polls will last a couple more weeks before the media pack realise its not going to work. They’re dedicated to it now because they’ve virtually told us the polls are narrowing on no evidence whatsoever, and they feel an obligation to the idea. Reality will (as it always does) catch up with them. Then they’ll likely revert to more rational reportage.
Watch the betting market. It had a little flicker in Budget Week, before reverting back to odds formidably in Labor’s favour. And hasn’t shifted since. There was definitely a sense that ‘Budget Surplus!’ and the supposed goodies Frydenberg was offering would drag the polls back to parity. In reality, that was the Coalition’s last shot; they’re supposed to be piggybacking off it now, and instead they’re reduced to looking for some new line of attack.
Some supposed gaffe by Shorten on a subject most people couldn’t give a rats about isn’t going to do anything, no matter how much of a kick along the media give it.
Jonathan Pie –
Very swollen fingers he has there – must be all that beer he keeps guzzling.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers.
Shane Wright reports that Labor has decided to sacrifice further tax cuts for more than 1.5 million workers in favour of promising bigger budget surpluses than the Coalition, in a fresh bid to win a crucial pre-election contest over economic management.
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/labor-opts-against-last-minute-tax-relief-for-average-full-time-workers-in-bid-to-boost-budget-credentials-20190417-p51f30.html
State and territory Labor Treasurers have demanded that Josh Frydenberg guarantee no cuts to essential services in order to fund tax cuts, after analysis found $40 billion in annual cuts would be needed.
https://www.outline.com/buthyy
Michelle Grattan tells how once again, the public servants are trying to force the politicians to do things by the book. But the government would prefer to cut the inconvenient corner.
https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-those-tax-cuts-should-follow-proper-process-officials-tell-government-115665
An unhappy Jess Irvine says that the tax stoush is no substitute for real reform.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/tax-stoush-no-substitute-for-real-reform-20190417-p51f43.html
Michael Pascoe says the latest Reserve Bank board minutes represent another step in the central bank’s march towards again cutting interest rates – an event that would mean the Australian economy is in trouble, whatever Scott Morrison says about six years of Coalition management.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/money/finance-news/2019/04/17/reserve-bank-iron-economy-trouble/
Paul Karp writes that high-income earners will receive at least $77bn from the Coalition’s 10-year income tax package, shrinking the proportion of the overall tax burden shouldered by the rich, according to a new analysis.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/apr/18/high-income-earners-would-receive-77bn-in-tax-cuts-under-liberal-plan
And he looks at the claim that the Coalition is going to have to make $40b of spending cuts over the 10 year forecast period.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/apr/18/explainer-is-the-coalition-planning-40bn-of-secret-spending-cuts
Jericho’s article supports his assertion that we really don’t know just how bad the level of wealth inequality in this county is.
https://www.theguardian.com/business/grogonomics/2019/apr/18/we-really-dont-know-just-how-bad-the-level-of-wealth-inequality-in-this-county-is
The AFR says that underlying the election battle between Labor and the Coalition over taxes and climate change is an intergenerational fight over income, wealth and the future.
https://www.outline.com/4AKWfx
Phil Coorey reckons that Labor is suddenly looking exposed.
https://www.outline.com/EhaeR5
According to David Wroe the heat is on Manilla George.
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/member-for-manila-mp-puts-overseas-travel-before-key-campaign-slogan-20190417-p51f59.html
Moody’s predicts that Banks will be pushed to compete more fiercely for home loan customers from early next year due to a new data-sharing regime that will come into force.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/home-loan-competition-to-heat-up-with-open-banking-moody-s-20190417-p51f1f.html
David Crowe says that Bill Shorten is counting on a surge in spending on international carbon permits to meet an election pledge to grow the economy by 23 per cent under his climate change policy, sparking new attacks from the Coalition and the Greens over the scheme.
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/like-paying-someone-else-to-go-on-a-diet-labor-s-carbon-permit-policy-attacked-from-both-sides-20190417-p51f62.html
Meanwhile leading company directors have expressed widespread concern over energy and climate change policy, and have warned the lack of clear direction is affecting investment and affordability.
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/company-directors-urge-very-clear-action-on-climate-energy-policies-20190416-p51ero.html
Richard Dennis opines that Liberal governments use tax cuts for high-income earners to hide the simple truth that they love taxes – just not on their friends.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2019/apr/17/politicians-are-like-magicians-tricking-us-into-looking-at-the-wrong-things
Michael Koziol tells us how Morrison tells us he is perfect.
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/people-often-doubt-me-and-i-prove-them-wrong-scott-morrison-20190417-p51f3j.html
Here’s a taste of the what The Australian is going to give us until the election.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/
The Age’s editorial says that we can’t afford to be complacent about gun laws.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/we-can-t-afford-to-be-complacent-about-gun-laws-20190416-p51ert.html
Industry sources say the big supermarket chains are threatening to cut off suppliers who are seeking price rises to cover costs. Is war about to break out?
https://www.outline.com/g3j5Ae
Tony Walker writes that Melissa Parke’s decision to step aside over her comments about Israel makes one query the boundary between acceptable criticism and alleged prejudice.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/middle-east/melissa-parke-incident-raises-difficult-questions-about-israel-20190417-p51f1y.html
Jacqui Maley reports that the conservative lobby group Advance Australia has made a complaint to Queensland police about a reported death threat made to its “satirical superhero” Captain GetUp.
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/conservative-lobby-group-makes-police-complaint-of-death-threat-against-unmasked-captain-getup-20190417-p51f2p.html
Tim Storer is bowing out of politics. It’s a pity as he behaved like a senator should.
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/what-this-means-for-my-young-family-senator-tim-storer-quits-20190417-p51f73.html
David Crowe reports that Labor is exposed to a Senate veto of its $30 billion plan to raise tax revenue from superannuation, as experts warn against another round of “tinkering” with the system. A Labor government would struggle to secure the votes needed from Centre Alliance, Pauline Hanson’s One Nation and other crossbenchers to pass the tougher rules, after the groups expressed scepticism or hostility to the changes.
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/senate-veto-threatens-labor-s-30-billion-super-changes-20190417-p51f5n.html
David Crowe writes that Jim Molan has gone rogue in his bid to remain a senator for NSW.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/6076388/jim-molan-goes-rogue-in-nsw-bid/?cs=14350
The truth about expired food – how best-before dates create a waste mountain.
https://www.theguardian.com/food/2019/apr/17/the-truth-about-expired-food-how-best-before-dates-create-a-waste-mountain
A new study has found that family violence is often poorly understood in faith communities.
https://theconversation.com/new-study-finds-family-violence-is-often-poorly-understood-in-faith-communities-115562
This guy eminently qualifies for nomination for “Arsehole of the Week”.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/arrogant-and-supercilious-court-extends-lawyer-s-ban-over-diamond-trade-20190417-p51ex3.html
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe and Shorten’s gaffe.
Cathy Wilcox and Israel Falau.
David Pope has some concerns about the Coalitions 10 year plan.
From Matt Golding.
Matt Davison gets it right.
And Zanetti’s bile is really flowing this week!
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/D4YZcDPU4AAdrp8,jpg
Nice work from Glen Le Lievre.
Sean Leahy takes us on the election trail.
Jon Kudelka in the carrot field with Morrison.
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/427f15959f4b81ee3acda8dbcec78f66?width=1024
From the US
The media want us to talk about tax and nothing but tax, a subject that most voters could not care less about.
No-one cares. No-one gives a rat’s arse about what Shorten did or didn’t say about superannuation or what FauxMo’s tax plans are.
While the media focus only on tax other important things are happening, but we don’t get to hear much about them. The MSM studiously avoid them.
Here’s one story that should be headline news, but won’t be because it does not fit the media agenda. It completely destroys all the reasons for offshore detention our politicians keep on dragging out.
The former President of Nauru, Sprent Dabwido is now i in Australia and seeking asylum. He is receiving medical treatment for cancer and is about to die.
His words on his decision to allow Nauru to become an off-shore processing centtre are honest. He now regrets his actions.He is black-listed by Nauru, even though he says he would return there if Australia asked that, he would not be allowed back in.
https://tenplay.com.au/channel-ten/the-project/extra/season-10/former-president-of-nauru-calls-his-deal-to-accept-refugees-a-deal-with-the-devil
If only our politicians could be as honest.
Honest, yes, but only when it directly concerns his health.
Honest in saying the agreement he made with Australia was evil
Bill is good, but gee! the LNP and the journos are sooo obnoxious!
Something else that should be getting more attention – the influence of the IPA on Liberal politicians.
Coalition MPs urged to sell the ABC and support a flat tax in IPA call
https://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/coalition-mps-urged-to-sell-the-abc-and-support-a-flat-tax-in-ipa-call-20190416-p51enu.html
Should be headline news during this election campaign, but won’t be.
Bill Shorten and others in Darwin, this morning, on Labor’s plans to invest more in hospitals and Indigenous health.
These videos are more about the responses to the idiot questions from the media than about Labor policy. Bill handles them well, unlike FauxMo, who always shuts down a presser and runs away when the questions get a bit tricky.
I wish I knew who’s vault the golden echidna is hidden in, as you deserve it for giving us Bill Shorten’s press meetings. This lot in particular at least had some sensible questions.
Good thought, Gravel!
Empress Leone,
It is your humble servant’s privilege to present you with The Pub’s highest honour:
This news should help finish the Adani project.
Adani did not ‘accept in full’ changes sought by scientists during approval stages, meeting notes show
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-04-18/adani-geosciences-approval-meeting-documents/11025724
Guess who is responsible for this –
I’m posting this tweet, mainly to see if anyone knows what the emoji next to the hashtag means?
Could it be a “democracy sausage”?
And where do I get one?
Definitely a democracy sausage. (Ugh!)
It’s permanently attached to #auspol now, because everything is in election mode.
My 2 cents worth from afar
Looks like labor are taking a fuck you approach to newsLtd/sky? murdoch and the greens.
They are going to get a hammering BUT if they win more than 1 seat than they will have a mandate and hopefully start to break the aforementioned so called influence on Australian elections.
How’s Ned and Syd going? Hope all is well with your lot. I’m feeling very pessimistic, but then that is normal for me. Fingers crossed.
New thread.
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