It seems trite to start with anything like “We are all Ukrainians now”. However, in so many ways, we are. We are all little people, doing our best to get on with our lives, looking after those dear to us.
Then life as we’ve known it explodes, and we are shattered into devastating uncertainties – precisely what’s happening to everyone in Ukraine.
To backtrack 60 years, my parents were remarkably open with me from my earliest days about social issues, e.g., cancer and smoking, sexuality, religion, racism, politics – local and world – and everything in between. I knew about the Holocaust, I knew about Anne Frank and so many other victims, I knew about the nuclear bombing of Japan, Yet I don’t recall ANYTHING about the Cuban Missile Crisis.
I do wonder – and now wish I’d asked them – if they’d decided to adopt media silence as far as I was concerned (I was only 6 years old but was already aware of the dangers of cigarettes and often cried myself to sleep thinking about mum’s smoking.
I was well-aware of the Malaysian/Indonesian war. I knew about the Korean war. I most certainly knew about the Vietnam war. And – unbeknownst to them – I had listened to a dramatisation of the Nuremberg Trials.
The only reason I can imagine is that, for them, it was an existential crisis, and they didn’t want me to know about it until it might have affected Australia.
And I weep for all Ukrainians, all of whom have been children, and for all and every Ukrainian child.
THE PUB 
About fracking time!
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
The Prime Minister’s election timetable has been called into question after the High Court agreed to hear the case for an extraordinary legal challenge to the federal intervention in NSW pre-selections this afternoon.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/i-will-call-it-soon-prime-minister-expected-to-call-election-as-soon-as-friday-20220407-p5abll.html
Waleed Aly sort of defends Morrison here about the claims of racism. I think he misses the point that the PM has become so much on the nose and allegations can be more readily seen as being plausible.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/accused-pm-faces-the-judgment-of-voter-impressions-20220407-p5abhz.html
Michells Grattan muses over what might happen to the public service and its heads under a Labor government.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-08/election-public-service-changes/100975658
Lisa Visentin writes that, as Morrison and Albanese prepare to fight an election campaign on character, trust and leadership, they have intensified their media schedules in an effort to court every last vote among the disengaged, uninterested or undecided.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/courting-the-undecided-voter-morrison-and-albanese-tune-in-to-breakfast-tv-radio-20220404-p5aani.html
The editorial in the SMH reckons the widely seen pensioner spray will cost the PM dearly.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7691294/pensioner-spray-will-cost-the-pm-dearly/?cs=27763
Phil Coorey says that Scott Morrison has become a punching bag for Labor and Liberals alike.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/scott-morrison-becomes-a-punching-bag-for-labor-and-liberals-alike-20220407-p5abk3
The extraordinary power of the independent movement, especially the teal-coloured candidates backed by Climate 200, is sapping attention from the Greens, writes David Crowe.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/greens-struggle-for-attention-as-independents-fight-to-change-the-game-20220407-p5abn6.html
Every major bank believes rates will start going up just weeks after next month’s election. For one million people, it would be their first rate rise.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/big-banks-predict-four-or-five-interest-rate-rises-in-next-six-months-20220407-p5abmk.html
But the SMH editorial says the coming federal election is sure to have plenty of drama but it could face a new complication in a few weeks in the form of an increase in mortgage interest rates right in the middle of the campaign. That has become a real possibility this week after the Reserve Bank of Australia sent some clear signals that it had brought forward its schedule for lifting official rates from the emergency level 0.1 per cent where they have sat since November 2020.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/election-must-not-influence-rba-s-timing-of-interest-rate-rises-20220407-p5abro.html
Josh Gordon explains why he thinks the Andrews government may not be praying for an Albanese win.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/why-the-andrews-government-may-not-be-praying-for-an-albanese-win-20220407-p5abjo.html
The recent budget has underscored that the Coalition government has abandoned the needy, and the nation’s future. Whether an Australian is hunting for a job or displaced from disaster-wrecked town, they should expect almost nothing from our leaders, writes Lucy Hamilton who refers to Scott Morrison’s constant disingenuous role play as tradesman and labourer.
https://johnmenadue.com/scott-morrisons-constant-disingenuous-role-play-as-tradesman-and-labourer/
The Liberal Party looks set to be forced to preferences in the blue-ribbon Sydney seat of Mackellar, as a new poll shows backbencher Jason Falinski faces a strong challenge from independent candidate Sophie Scamps, writes Tom McIlroy.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/independent-sophie-scamps-to-force-liberal-mp-to-preferences-poll-20220407-p5abod
Clay Lucas and Pauk Sakkal tell us that Labor is targeting disaffected Liberals in tilt for Higgins heartland. The say Liberal incumbent moderate Katie Allen concedes the unpopularity of Prime Minister Scott Morrison is likely to weigh against her in the wealthy electorate.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/labor-targets-disaffected-liberals-in-tilt-for-higgins-heartland-20220407-p5abje.html
Here is part 3 of 4 on the defence of Australia.’
https://johnmenadue.com/admiral-plumedefending-australia-part-3-of-4-what-sort-of-adf-do-we-need/
As borders open to migrant workers, the issue of underpayment is expected to become more prominent, warns Stephen Clibborn.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace/temporary-migrant-workers-remain-vulnerable-to-workplace-exploitation-20220404-p5aana.html
The opposition will announce plans to end the nation’s dependence on short-term visa holders and make it easier for foreign workers to gain permanent residency, reports Matthew Knott.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/labor-vows-to-stop-australia-from-becoming-guest-worker-nation-20220407-p5abr4.html
Jonathan Holmes argues that, in real terms, the ABC is still going backwards.
https://johnmenadue.com/jonathan-holmes-in-real-terms-the-abc-is-still-going-backwards/
Christopher Knaus reveals that Craig Kelly is being investigated for billing taxpayers to fly to anti-vaccine mandate, anti-lockdown rallies in Melbourne.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/08/craig-kelly-billed-taxpayers-to-fly-to-melbourne-anti-lockdown-rallies
The next government must begin reforming the Australian economy, according to Roger Corbett, but the major parties are riddled by factionalism that holds back change.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/riddled-with-factionalism-ex-rba-board-and-liberal-member-blasts-both-parties-20220407-p5abio.html
Whoever wins this election will have to find a way to escape Australia’s ludicrous, arbitrary cap on tax as a percentage of GDP. That’s because government spending will have to rise faster than GDP on defence, aged care, child care, health care, disability care and climate change, explains Alan Kohler who says the secret to happiness is more taxation.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2022/04/07/tax-more-happiness-alan-kohler/
Katina Curtis examines the Senate inquiry report that, within its 19 recommendations, says it wants a royal commission to be held by whichever government is in power.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/senior-labor-figure-wants-the-party-to-call-a-covid-royal-commission-20220407-p5abq4.html
Australia’s logistics industry is in a belated rush to try to improve the share of freight carried by rail. The frenzied activity in Sydney’s west exemplifies the shift, explains Jennifer Hewett.
https://www.afr.com/companies/infrastructure/revolution-in-freight-finally-on-track-20220407-p5abnh
Scott Morrison has bowed to pressure and agreed to another $385 million in flood funding for Queensland, after being lobbied by some of his own MPs fearful of the electoral consequences, writes Phil Coorey.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/pm-gives-in-on-flood-assistance-as-election-pressure-grows-20220407-p5abk0
According to Troy Bramston, Joe Hockey believed he had a deal with Tony Abbott to hand him the prime ministership at some point during the Coalition’s time in government, but the arrangement was thwarted when Malcolm Turnbull seized the Liberal leadership in September 2015.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/nation/tony-abbott-made-deal-to-make-me-prime-minister-joe-hockey/news-story/e7206235896e5ae8ab185cf1b07aea14
For those interested, Lisa Visentin looks at Clive Palmer’s appearance at the NPC.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/palmer-to-splash-40-million-on-uap-advertising-during-election-campaign-20220407-p5abpj.html
David Crowe writes that a NineFax survey shows that 81 per cent of Australians back the federal government’s decision to send medical equipment and other supplies to Ukraine while 75 per cent want to send non-lethal military equipment and 77 per cent favour personal sanctions on Russian leaders.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/australians-back-support-for-ukraine-but-not-ready-to-send-soldiers-20220407-p5abqp.html
The Greens will pressure Labor to return the retirement age to 65 if it wins the federal election, a move that would cost $5.6 billion over the next four years in additional pension payments.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/greens-want-retirement-age-dropped-back-to-65-20220407-p5ablk.html
Owners of ageing coal-fired power plants would be required to give at least five years’ notice before shutting under a last-minute rule change proposed by Angus Taylor shortly before the federal election is expected to be called. Who would have thought?
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/07/angus-taylor-in-pre-election-move-to-make-coal-plants-give-five-years-notice-before-closing
The Morrison government has spent years bringing in a law supposed to ensure electricity retailers pass on lower prices to customers. Yet so far that law appear to have achieved nothing, except add to regulatory red tape, laments Kelly Burns.
https://theconversation.com/what-has-morrisons-big-stick-to-cut-power-bills-achieved-nothing-as-far-we-can-tell-180683
Anthony Albanese has promised to give South Australia its full share of freshwater under the Murray Darling Basin Plan and revive the abolished National Water Commission if he wins the federal election. Visiting Adelaide on Thursday, Mr Albanese revealed his new “five-point plan” for the Murray Darling Basin. The top priority of his plan is restoring 450GL to South Australia for the environment.
https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/albanese-promises-sa-a-murray-darling-basin-fix/news-story/db8bb9928430ab9bb255a0fa9e08296e?amp
The head of Sydney Airport has apologised after passengers reported long delays catching flights on Thursday night. They ascribed a big portion of the blame on large numbers of travellers. FFS they would have known well in advance from ticket sales!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/just-bedlam-passengers-wait-hours-at-sydney-airport-in-long-queues-20220407-p5abu0.html
Meanwhile, Elizabeth Knight tells us Qantas has apologised to its customers and begun to hire 750 additional call centre operators to manage a customer service nightmare that has left travellers waiting on the end of the phone line for several hours.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/pack-a-lunch-it-will-be-a-long-wait-before-qantas-answers-the-phone-20220407-p5abpg.html
Australians looking to renew their passports face a wait of up to six weeks as the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade (DFAT) deals with a backlog of applications. The delays are caused by would-be travellers who put off renewing their travel documents while pandemic travel restrictions were still in place.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/life/travel/2022/04/07/passport-renewal-backlog-australia/
The definition of what makes a bank a bank has never been more important as National Australia Bank starts to quietly downgrade branches to cashless services, writes Dale Webster.
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/nab-downgrades-branches-to-cashless-services,16236
Josh Taylor reports that Australian Border Force officials searched 822 travellers’ mobile phones in 2021, despite admitting it has no power to force arrivals to give them the passcode to their devices.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/08/australian-border-force-searched-822-phones-in-2021-despite-having-no-power-to-demand-passcodes
Michaela Whitbourn writes that a top lawyer at the Star Entertainment Group he told the inquiry that he should have done more to stop a Chinese gambling operator with alleged links to organised crime from conducting banned cash transactions inside the group’s Sydney casino. He alluded to a culture within the casino giant that favoured business goals over regulatory compliance. Well fancy that!
https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/i-should-have-done-more-star-lawyer-gives-emotional-evidence-at-casino-inquiry-20220407-p5abkt.html
Bianca Hall examines the cold-hearted calculus behind the Park Hotel prison now the last of its refugee residents have been released into the community.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-cold-hearted-calculus-behind-the-park-hotel-prison-20220407-p5absm.html
Rob Harris reports that Russia has become just the second country to be suspended from the United Nations human rights body over allegations Putin’s army committed horrific war crimes in Ukraine, including the rape and murder of hundreds of civilians. China, Belarus, Syria and Iran were among the nations that attempted to block the resolution.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/russia-suspended-from-un-human-rights-body-in-rare-move-20220408-p5abuw.html
Tony Wright tells us about the Irish who are actively boycotting the Russian embassy there to great effect.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/as-russian-agents-spread-lies-australians-could-learn-from-the-irish-20220407-p5ablf.html
After days of bitterly divided Senate confirmation hearings, President Joe Biden’s chosen nominee was confirmed with a final vote of 53 to 47, mostly along partisan lines.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/history-made-in-us-supreme-court-as-senate-confirms-ketanji-brown-jackson-20220408-p5abut.html
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
David Rowe
Matt Golding
John Shakespeare
Cathy Wilcox
Peter Broelman
Andrew Dyson
Glen Le Lievre
Mark Knight
Leak
From the US
Every journalist, especially the clueless James Massola and his sidekick, Angus Thompson, seems to think Scovid will call the election this weekend for 14 May because the legal challenge to his take-over of NSW pre-selections will, they hope, be over.
Am I the only one who believes he will hang on until the last possible day and call it for 21 May? If he does that he has until 18 April to call the election.
I believe he is now so deep into whatever mental illness possesses him (something much more complex than just narcissism) that he will hold off until the last possible day for the election, in the hope his dark god will perform a miracle and grant him another term. .
He has form. He did exactly the same thing in 2019.when he waited until almost the last possible day to call the election – he called it on 11 April, it had to be done by 15 April. That election was held on the last possible day – 18 May.
He has given us a big clue, repeating his claim that this government will go full term, and this time, maybe for the first time ever, he may not be lying.
Their ABC also cut off Penny Wong speaking on Ukraine – she is potentially Australia’s Foreign Minister and deserves better than being edited out of the discussion.
That ABC failure to cover news items of importance for South Australia and southern NSW and Victoria should not go unnoticed/punished.
Get rid of Sydney-based news desks
They ‘lost’ the feed of Julia Gillards pressers all the time, but never Tony Abbott’s. It stuck out like dog’s conkers.
The Greens want to lower the retirement age to 65, good but doesn’t go far enough
In the 1960s women could access aged pension from age 60.
This was when women’s careers were restricted to factory worker, shop assistant, secretary, data entry operator, teacher and nurse.
In those days the common industrial injuries
factory workers – damaged shoulders aged 50
shop assistant – lose looks around age 50
secretary – usually married & out of work force
data entry operator – excellent at age 18, RSI by age 25
teacher – only unmarried women were permanents
nurse – lower back injuries lifting patients – before widespread obesity
These days women and men work as long as they can
1. people who can’t work punished by low job seeker rate & humiliating job search requirements
2. older people are taking work from young people who can’t establish themselves in a career, delaying settle with life partner, buy house & have children
Interesting thread from Georgie Dent based on research from Monash University
@georgiedent
A thread on a piece of @MonashUni research that ought to make us all weep, retch, explode with white rage & demand better.
‘Between 2001-2018 middle-aged women have gone from a place of relative mental calm, to reporting the highest level of serious mental distress.’
An interesting thread from David McBride on how the Prayer Room shenanigans compromised the Defense Minister and determined our defence policy
Including the US of A direction. Would help get those ‘gouge and rob’ arms contracts we keep signing up for with the US to get signed quicker.
friendlyjordies –
Seth Meyers –
Stephen Colbert –
Jimmy Kimmel –
Chris Hayes –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUee2Q79nb8
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=CtaEpoRrdbM
Brian Tyler Cohen –
Craig Kelly gets egged – and I bet we paid for his airfare to Melbourne.
Victoria police have issued a statement following an “incident” in Fawkner Park where Craig Kelly was egged earlier this afternoon.
“Police are investigating reports a 58-year-old man was assaulted in South Yarra on Friday, 8 April.
It was understood two women were involved in an incident where eggs were smashed onto the man’s head at Fawkner Park about 1.25pm, before running to a vehicle which was believed to be waiting nearby.
The man, from NSW, was not injured.
A witness on a pushbike followed the women, parking his bike in front of the car. It is alleged the male driver ran over the cyclist’s foot. He sustained minor injuries.
The cyclist then followed the vehicle, which stopped nearby on Toorak Road. The driver gave his details to the cyclist. The driver and two women then left the scene in the vehicle.
Investigations into the identity of those involved remain ongoing”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/live/2022/apr/08/australia-news-live-update-federal-election-2022-scott-morrison-anthony-albanese-weather-nsw-floods-coronavirus-covid-labor-liberal-party
I hope the perpetrators get a medal for service to the community.
If only they had used Emu eggs.
KK – Waste of good Australian potential!
F.M –
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/08/thank-goodness-its-time-for-another-episode-of-nothing-terrible-happens
Now there is video of Kelly’s egging – not much sympathy for him in the responses.
Good morning Dawn Patrollers and here’s your Saturday Special!
For Albanese to succeed the PM had to fail, and Scott Morrison did not disappoint, writes Peter Hartcher who says it’s time for Anthony Albanese to get some credit. This is an excellent read.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/for-albanese-to-succeed-the-pm-had-to-fail-scott-morrison-did-not-disappoint-20220408-p5ac59.html
Laura Tingle looks at what we know about the Morrison government. She compares Morrison to SA’s Peter Malinauskas who she says is all fresh-faced enthusiasm and big ideas. Scott Morrison, like his government, just looks tired and, quite a lot of the time, petulant.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-09/federal-election-eve-what-we-know-about-morrison-government/100978652
George Megalogenis says that Scott Morrison had the race card turned against him by a Lebanese Australian this week, and it hurt the Prime Minister – not just personally but politically.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-race-card-with-a-twist-towke-turned-the-table-on-morrison-and-it-hurt-20220408-p5ac2j.html
For three years the prime minister has schemed and strategised. “Can Australians stomach any more?”, wonders Katherine Murphy who says, “If the problem with Anthony Albanese is that he’s an unknown quantity, then the problem with Scott Morrison is that we know him all too well”.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/09/for-three-years-the-prime-minister-has-schemed-and-strategised-can-australians-stomach-any-more
Paul Bongiorno’s contribution to The Saturday Paper this week is simply headlined, “They know he’s a bullshitter”. It’s an entertaining read.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2022/04/09/they-know-hes-bullshitter/164942640013676
Karen Middleton comes up with another scoop in which she reveals fresh details in the Morrison preselection saga.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2022/04/09/exclusive-fresh-details-morrison-preselection-saga/164942640013665
‘Effectively an internal party coup, breathtaking in its scope and audacity’: Former Cook MP Stephen Mutch unloads on how Scott Morrison became a tin-pot dictator. Ouch!
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2022/04/09/how-scott-morrison-became-tin-pot-dictator/164942640013667
John Hewson says that the government has not learned from the many demonstrations that, in politics, disunity is death.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/opinion/topic/2022/04/09/disunity-still-death/164942640013677
This week three angry men, Michael Towke, Matthew Camenzuli and Raymond Drury, made small but notable contributions to the undeclared campaign’s obsession: the prime minister’s character, writes Aaron Patrick.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/three-angry-men-and-the-question-of-morrison-s-character-20220407-p5abkm
Peter van Onselen calls out the Coalition boasting its superior economic credentials as “complete bullshit” and then prosecutes his assertion.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/looking-for-economic-vision-in-this-election-campaign-forget-it/news-story/9217d078e8c1a362e2e5d83340e21cb5
As Josh Frydenberg outlined the lowest unemployment figures in almost half a century, he failed to note that the increase in jobs had been accompanied by a decrease in real wages, explains Mike Seccombe.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2022/04/09/fact-check-frydenbergs-record-employment-figures/164942640013666
Paul Kelly has a whine about “New ‘independents’ promoting false reality in a fog of moralism”.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/election-2022-new-independents-promote-false-reality-in-a-fog-of-moralism/news-story/ab9553538f165533bcfbe7007b6c61bc
The Morrison government has appointed more than 30 former Coalition ministers, MPs, staffers and donors to taxpayer-funded jobs in the last six months alone. Paul Karp reports that Scott Morrison and senior ministers have defended the appointments, but Labor has argued it’s a case of history repeating after a large number of partisan appointments before the 2019 election and stacking of the administrative appeals tribunal with 85 people linked to the Coalition since 2013. Scandalous!
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/09/government-defends-flurry-of-appointments-to-key-roles-of-former-coalition-staffers-and-mps
After cutting funding to the overwhelmed Administrative Appeals Tribunal in last month’s budget, the Morrison government has appointed 19 new members and deputy presidents to it, almost half of whom have links to the Liberal Party or conservative politics, writes Rick Morton.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2022/04/09/coalition-stacking-liberals-across-the-boards/164942640013668
And here he is! Dear old Gerard Henderson crying, “There is an additional factor affecting Morrison. This is the overwhelming hostility to him by large sections of the media, in the Canberra press gallery and elsewhere. This is led by the ABC, Guardian Australia, The Saturday Paper, Crikey and The New Daily with support from sections of Nine newspapers (The Age and The Sydney Morning Herald). Then there is Network Ten’s The Project.”.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/pm-takes-a-public-pummelling-in-a-media-pileon/news-story/ab9236b3cb94a14cbad5134595766923
David Crowe says that Morrison is not playing a defensive game. He is on the offensive in a world of coal mines, power stations and factories where he thinks he has a chance. He took the risk of an ear-bashing in a blue-collar seat, and he got one. But he has to take the risk.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/two-paths-to-election-glory-both-with-hurdles-20220408-p5abw3.html
While most public servants would likely welcome a change of government, there will be a few high profile, and immediate, casualties if Scott Morrison is swept from power next month, predicts Michelle Grattan.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/broom-service-sweeping-changes-await-bureaucracy-if-morrison-gets-cleaned-up-20220408-p5abvy.html
The SMH editorial explains why Sydney’s lousy weather is an issue for the federal election.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/why-sydney-s-lousy-weather-is-an-issue-for-the-federal-election-20220408-p5ac4n.html
A High Court decision on citizenship, seen as being as important as Mabo, is being recontested in what some experts say is an attempt at an American-style politicisation of the judiciary, explains Kieran Pender.
https://www.thesaturdaypaper.com.au/news/politics/2022/04/09/immigration-case-raises-concerns-over-high-court-politicisation
Michael Koziol believes that In sun-loving Sydney, La Nina’s endless rain has sucked its soul dry.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/in-sun-loving-sydney-la-nina-s-endless-rain-has-sucked-our-soul-dry-20220408-p5abxp.html
As the Reserve Bank prepares for a rate rise, it says house prices could fall by up to 15 per cent – but it says most people should be able to manage higher repayments, writes Shane Wright.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/rate-rise-could-wipe-15-per-cent-from-home-prices-rba-20220408-p5abwy.html
An exiled Liberal Party member’s legal challenge that threatened to sabotage Prime Minister Scott Morrison’s election campaign has been thrown out by the High Court, reports Angus Thompson. Arise, the Morrison Liberal Party of NSW!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/procedural-quagmire-pm-s-lawyers-say-high-court-challenge-will-create-drawn-out-dispute-20220408-p5ac30.html
James Robertson tells us about Scott Morrison, asbestos victims and the mystery of James Hardie’s donations to NSW Liberals.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/news/politics/2022/04/08/morrison-james-hardie-donations/?breaking_live_scroll=1
He might be the second most important man in our government, but Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is still learning the basics about important aspects of his portfolio, such as who pays who for what and what exists and doesn’t yet, write Elizabeth Minter and Sarah Russell who wonder if he understands how the aged-care sector works or how it is funded.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/josh-frydenberg-aged-care-gaffes-on-abc-insiders/
Make your vote count, implores John Lord who says the importance of this election is such that it will determine our future for better or for worse.
https://theaimn.com/make-your-vote-count-the-importance-of-this-election-is-such-that-it-will-determine-our-future-for-better-or-for-worse/
Greg Sheridan examines Joe Biden’s presidency so far. Worth reading.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/has-joe-biden-got-the-right-stuff/news-story/004f19f8ba1cee0917844b116e116684
Anthony Galloway introduces us to Australia’s first female spy boss, Rachel Noble.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/from-knitting-to-code-breaking-the-life-and-career-of-australia-s-first-female-intelligence-agency-boss-20220408-p5abwm.html
The newest ads by a conservative right-wing activist group have earned it a second complaint to the Australian Electoral Commission over a potential breach of electoral laws on social media. The ads were described as “smear campaigning” and spreading “misleading information and lies” by one of their new targets, former Wallaby and now independent Senate candidate in the ACT, David Pocock.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7692974/pocock-files-complaint-over-more-advance-australia-smear-ads/?cs=14329
Ross Gittins looks at the economic upsides of wars, floods and pestilence.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/the-economy/wars-floods-and-pestilence-these-horrors-do-have-an-economic-upside-20220407-p5abte.html
Here is article 4 of 4 on Australia’s defence.
https://johnmenadue.com/admiral-plumedefending-australia-part-4-of-4-people-and-process/
Voters will be kept in the dark on how Scott Morrison’s government selected three potential bases for Australia’s planned nuclear-powered submarines, after the advice was blocked from release. With the prime minister preparing to formally call the election within days, Labor demanded the government reveal how it shortlisted the locations to prove the announcement was “not just a marketing ploy”.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/09/defence-blocks-access-to-advice-on-location-choice-for-australias-nuclear-submarines-base
Qantas chief executive Alan Joyce has walked back his criticism of passengers for contributing to the mass delays at Sydney Airport, amid a critical shortage of security screening staff during one of the busiest ever Easter school holiday periods. What a shambles!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/qantas-ceo-blames-passengers-for-sydney-airport-delays-amid-shortage-of-security-staff-20220408-p5abyd.html
NSW is likely over the peak of the latest Omicron wave, paving the way for the state government to ease isolation rules.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/nsw-likely-passed-omicron-peak-as-officials-weigh-isolation-changes-20220408-p5ac1h.html
The NSW government’s controversial multi-billion-dollar rail corporation should be dismantled due to risks it poses to the state budget and the safety of the railways, a powerful parliamentary committee has warned. In a stinging report released on Friday, the public accountability committee said the government failed to properly consider safety, accountability and risk mitigation before giving the green light to create the Transport Asset Holding Entity in 2015. Kapow!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/safety-budget-risks-spark-call-to-dismantle-nsw-rail-corporation-20220407-p5abtw.html
Michaela Whitbourn reports that the three newspapers defending a defamation suit brought against them by war veteran Ben Roberts-Smith have alleged the decorated former soldier and four of his prospective witnesses appear to have colluded to give false evidence in the case.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/roberts-smith-may-have-colluded-with-witnesses-in-defamation-case-court-told-20220408-p5aby5.html
Critically unpacking customer service in hospitality and equalising the playing field to be responsive to workers is needed now more than ever, writes Navishkar Ram.
https://independentaustralia.net/business/business-display/rethinking-customer-relationships-in-australian-hospitality,16240
Australia’s second biggest schools chaplaincy provider imposes a code that discriminates against staff based on relationship status and sexual conduct, a whistleblower has alleged. Caragh Larsen, a former Schools Ministry Group chaplain at two Adelaide public primary schools, said the code banning “cohabitation” and “sexually intrusive” behaviour left unmarried and LGBTQ+ staff vulnerable.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/09/schools-chaplaincy-provider-bans-cohabitation-and-sexually-intrusive-behaviour-in-staffs-private-life
Boris Johnson has pledged to approve up to eight new nuclear power plants in the next eight years as Britain seeks to end its dependence on foreign oil and gas, and dramatically cut its emissions and lower household energy costs.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/boris-johnson-goes-nuclear-on-britain-s-energy-needs-pledges-eight-new-plants-20220408-p5abuy.html
Putin still has friends in the west – and they’re gaining ground, writes Jonathan Freedland.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/08/vladimir-putin-viktor-orban-eu-marine-le-pen
Diana Reid laments the meteoric rise of instant delivery services which, she says, take the fun out of inconvenience.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/remember-how-fun-inconvenience-could-be-the-problem-with-our-uber-convenient-home-delivery-world-20220407-p5abrq.html
Indonesians may be wary of Australia, but they trust China even less – and we should embrace their independent spirit, argue Ben Bland and Natasha Kassam.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/asia/indonesians-may-be-wary-of-australia-but-they-trust-china-even-less-and-we-should-embrace-their-independent-spirit-20220407-p5abia.html
Brand or church? How Hillsong is facing a day of reckoning. Another case of fools and money being easily parted.
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/08/brand-or-church-how-hillsong-is-facing-a-day-of-reckoning
According to Moira Donegan, we are witnessing the final days of reproductive freedom in America.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/08/oklahomas-move-to-ban-abortions-is-a-prelude-of-america-without-roe-v-wade
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
Alan Moir
David Rowe
Matt Golding
Jon Kudelka
Glen Le Lievre
Jim Pavlidis
Fiona Katauskas
Mark David
Simon Letch
Andrew Dyson
John Shakespeare
Mark Knight
Leak
From the US
From the faux campaign trail a pic asking for a caption.
That kid absolutely refused to even look at Scovid, so good on him. You know what they say about kids being good judges of character …..
Bill Maher – (new rules 44:00)
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ulV1AkAAh2E
Overtime –
Chris Hayes –
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1JVHUlrL0g8
Brian Tyler Cohen –
I agree with Tim Dunlop 110%. The MSM – and I include the ABC and The Guardian in that – are a disgrace.
from @RonniSalt
Our Country
I loathe a Scott-burnt country,
A land devoid of brains,
Of lying, rorting bastards
Ignoring drought & flooding rains
There are no far horizons,
Just your empty, inward pleas
But soon our own good people
Will set this wide brown land free
But wait, there is another one.
I think my blood pressure just reached stratospheric levels, if anyone has words could I borrow some please because I have none to describe my thoughts on this piece of total crap –
***Scott Morrison takes credit for saving 40,000 lives from Covid in social media pitch for re-election***
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/09/scott-morrison-takes-credit-for-saving-40000-lives-from-covid-in-social-media-pitch-for-re-election
I refuse to link the actual vid but if you can stomach it there is a link in the article.
I’m not game to check my blood pressure after reading that.
Scovid’s minders have made up a lie and the ever-devoted media, as usual, are repeating it.
How this very dodgy number worked out?
So far Australia has had 4,831,045 cases of Covid -that we know about. The actual number would be much higher. There have been 6550 deaths, more over this year than all the rest of the time of the pandemic. How many lives could have been saved if this rotten government had ordered vaccines (the right ones, not the el cheapo ones that turned out to be useless) in time and had been faster rolling them out?
Boasting about fabricated lives “saved” is just going to remind people of the way Scovid and Grunt botched the whole handling of the pandemic. If it had not been for the states we would have been in a far worse state, but the media STILL tell us how well Scovid and his incompetent government managed the pandemic. On which planet would that be?
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Katina Curtis takes us through the 20 seats that will decide the outcome of this election.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-20-seats-that-will-decide-the-outcome-of-this-election-20220405-p5ab4m.html
Dave Sharma has deleted a Friday night tweet attacking the ABC over links between some of the broadcaster’s former personnel and his independent challenger Allegra Spender.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/sharma-withdraws-attack-on-abc-spender-over-alberici-campaign-link-20220409-p5ac7t.html
Jacqui Maley wonders why we’re riveted by politicians’ unscripted encounters.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/did-the-pm-pass-the-pub-test-why-we-re-riveted-by-politicians-unscripted-encounters-20220408-p5ac14.html
Inner west Sydney Liberal MP Fiona Martin says she is being targeted by conservatives within her own party who are bitter about her stance on progressive issues and called on them to end factional infighting ahead of the federal election.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/liberal-mp-says-she-s-being-targeted-by-conservatives-urges-end-to-infighting-20220408-p5ac1q.html
James Massola points out how the Morrison and Albanese media strategies target NSW and Queensland but ignore Victoria.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/morrison-albanese-media-strategies-target-nsw-queensland-but-ignore-victoria-20220331-p5a9u0.html
Scott Morrison, has taken the credit for saving the lives of 40,000 Australians from Covid-19 in a social media pitch for re-election. Morrison on Saturday released an atmospheric video titled “Scott Morrison: Why I love Australia”, attempting to cast himself as a safe pair of hands in uncertain times. What a lot of tosh! No mention of the states.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/09/scott-morrison-takes-credit-for-saving-40000-lives-from-covid-in-social-media-pitch-for-re-election
Max Marsden writes on how the PM’s state of disarray in NSW was an avoidable debacle.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/pms-state-of-disarray-an-avoidable-debacle/news-story/45634f3e9236e805bde9ec91d1da8605
Ronald Mizen tells us about the week when RBA interest rate hikes became real.
https://www.afr.com/policy/economy/the-week-the-rba-turned-hawkish-20220408-p5abw4
The NSW government has stepped in to exempt aviation workers from close COVID-19 contact rules in a bid to relieve pressure on Sydney Airport over the Easter holidays as passengers on Saturday endured a third day of long queues.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/sydney-airport-workers-exempted-from-covid-rule-after-passenger-chaos-20220409-p5ac8z.html
In this contribution, Stephen Brook writes, “ . . . I am sticking up for politicians because I am sticking up for democracy. And you can’t have one without the other. However, we need better politicians to make our political system better.”
https://www.smh.com.au/opinion/kimberley-kitching-and-i-planned-to-have-a-drink-and-then-she-died-20220407-p5abs5.html
Portions are getting smaller, but cost the same? Some worry official inflation figures will fail to capture this sneaky pricing tactic and understate true price pressures. But fear not. The boffins are onto it, writes Jess Irvine about “shrinkflation”.
https://www.theage.com.au/money/planning-and-budgeting/your-guide-to-beating-shrinkflation-20220408-p5abxd.html
After delivering thousands of free meals to vulnerable Victorians stuck at home during the COVID-19 pandemic, and to interstate flood victims, Victoria’s Sikh volunteers need a bigger kitchen. Today federal Labor will pledge to help fund a new centre.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/this-is-what-we-live-for-sikh-volunteers-get-funds-pledge-for-kitchen-upgrade-20220409-p5ac7j.html
Peter FitzSimons has interviewed Peter Garrett whose only regret is that he wished he’d got in earlier and stayed longer.
https://www.smh.com.au/culture/music/peter-garrett-s-only-regret-in-politics-i-wish-i-d-got-in-earlier-and-stayed-longer-20220407-p5abmr.html
Commissioner for LGBTIQ+ Communities, Todd Fernando, argues that gender-affirming care doesn’t ‘turn’ anyone trans.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/victoria/gender-affirming-care-doesn-t-turn-anyone-trans-20220408-p5abyo.html
Supply chain issues related to COVID-19 are being blamed for a blowout in the number of out-of-order public chargers, just as increasing numbers of drivers are making the transition to electric vehicles.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/broken-chargers-a-headache-for-electric-vehicle-owners-20220329-p5a8ye.html
The New South Wales government has abandoned its plan to ban dark roofs – aimed at reducing temperatures and energy costs for new homes – as the state’s new planning minister walks back ambitious sustainability measures announced by his predecessor.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/09/plan-to-ban-dark-roofs-abandoned-as-nsw-government-walks-back-sustainability-measures
We must discuss the need for a social contract that restores our trust in democracy and decent governance, declares Eva Cox.
https://johnmenadue.com/the-missing-social-trustworthiness-factor-in-the-budget-and-everywhere/
Many of the buy now, pay later firms that sought to replicate Afterpay’s success on the ASX have fallen on hard times. And analysts are forecasting more pain is on the way for these groups. I am not shedding any tears over this.
https://www.theage.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/bye-now-party-s-over-afterpay-s-clones-are-unravelling-in-australia-20220407-p5abm9.html
The founder of Hillsong, Brian Houston, has accused the megachurch of “losing its soul” and says his wife has been made redundant by the church’s board “through no choice of her own”. Our hearts bleed!
https://www.theguardian.com/world/2022/apr/09/hillsong-founder-brian-houston-says-megachurch-losing-its-soul-after-it-makes-his-wife-redundant
A 26-year-old woman has been charged with murder in Texas after authorities said she caused “the death of an individual by self-induced abortion”, in a state that has the most restrictive abortion laws in the US.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/09/texas-woman-26-charged-murder-self-induced-abortion
Republicans are coming after same-sex marriage – and won’t stop there, warns Mahdawi.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/09/republicans-are-coming-after-same-sex-marriage-and-wont-stop-there
Cartoon Corner
Matt Golding
From the US
Fear not for the people in The Cave. We know exactly who tried to make us into a plague ridden State and we watched from afar what happens when people listened to Bullshit Man. Just as we also know who actually stopped that happening. So when we hear such a ‘40,000’ lives’ claim it goes CLANG!!! . Rather than appeal it will serve as a reminder to people of what Bullshit Man did.
Exactly. Just look at what a disaster NSW has been, first with Gladys and now with Domicron both trying to suck up to Scovid by obeying his daft commands to “open up and live with the virus”.
Re the SASR ,did Timor lead to Afghanistan ? Looks another case of people who did the right thing in Timor end up being the ones who suffered punishment rather than the actual arseholes.
https://www.abc.net.au/4corners/ghosts-of-timor-part-2/13830136
Hillsong has/had a soul? Who knew?
The same “church” run by ageing white chaps with the only aim being to enrich Houston and to a lesser degree, themselves?,
https://hillsong.com/leadership/board/
The same “church” that used to advocate mandatory aversion therapy for gay men and teenagers?
https://www.pinknews.co.uk/2019/02/11/hillsong-church-anti-lgbt/
The same “church” that supported through board member Nabi Saleh and church member Peter Irvine the running of a Mercy Ministries home for unmarried mothers and girls with other problems, where young women had their social security payments confiscated, were told they were possessed by demons and given inadequate care?
https://www.smh.com.au/national/why-mercy-ministries-was-godsent-for-hillsong-20080318-gds5oz.html
The same “church” that forced its members to give at a minimum 10% of their total income to Houston (for his further enrichment) then subjected congregations to further appeals for money at every service?
That false “church”?
Well, Scovid has finally visited the GG and as I predicted the election will be on 21 May, the last possible day, at least for a half-senate election.
Only hours before Scovid finally called the election the truly vile Teena McQueen (Liberal Party federal vice-president) thinks her party looks like losing two crucial seats and has blamed “leftie” Liberals for this.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/senior-liberals-fear-party-warfare-could-cost-key-seats-20220408-p5ac5x.html.
What “core philosophy” would that be? Hating everyone who is not white, wealthy and (sorry Teens) male?
I was bounced off the electoral roll in a previous election
Check you are still on the electoral roll here,
https://check.aec.gov.au/
Thank you for the heads-up, Billie. Just checked: still enrolled.
Thanks, Billie. I’m still there.
An older link below for a bit of light reading on something else.
So we are off and running! I hope this is the beginning of the end of the Scomo government and the end of the beginning of a new ALP era.
If Mali in SA is anything to go by, it will be a welcome change.
I hope invading Ukraine is the of the end of Butcher Putin.
. 😆 From the man who thinks it’s always all about him……..Scotty told us. “‘This election is about you’
Scotty, this election IS all about you! Baseball bats are in short supply.
On the bright side, Puffy, there are plenty of golf clubs and cricket bats available.
Not as many rolling pins as in former times, but still quite a few …
Nothing wrong with a nice, heavy saucepan either. Or a frying pan.
I have a cast iron frying pan. It would make an excellent substitute for the rolling pin wot I don’t have 🙂
ABC VoteCompass is up, I don’t think it has been weighted for 2022 election promises yet
https://votecompass.abc.net.au/
Another blood boiler, make sure you have a few beta blockers or the like on hand before waching.
Honest government ad –
😆 Oh gawd. Headline top of the page in The Daily Tellsmecrap.
From Katharine 1820 AEST
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/10/settle-in-for-a-long-grind-election-is-going-to-be-core-brutal-scott-morrison
Reasonably simple, I would have thought (Don’t tell Adam Bandt!)
Pre-polling starts 9 May. Anyone think of a good place to go for 12 days after that?
Friendlyjordies has a video up in reaction to the election being called.
Over the years, pretty well every time I see Imran Khan’s name mentioned my mind immediately recalls watching him bat and bowl at that famous World Cup match in Brisbane in 1992.
That was the one where Jonty Rhodes famously ran out Inzamam Ul Haq by diving at the wickets and hitting them in mid air with the ball still in his hand.
I was privileged to have been seated amongst a group of South African Indians which made the match even more enjoyable to watch. We were seated adjacent to that wicket and got a first hand view of it. I was speechless witnessing that but the Indians were so excited they were all talking at once. Very funny to experience.
.Imran Khan was the Captain of Pakistan in that semi-final match against South Africa in Brisbane. Pakistan went through to beat England in the final at the SCG.
https://cdn.newsapi.com.au/image/v1/6b5aa710c07ca581c009a1dff4836108?width=320
Good morning Dawn Patrollers
Simon Benson in The Australian declares, “It’s game on as parties are no longer polls apart in Newspoll”.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/election-2022-its-game-on-as-parties-are-no-longer-polls-apart-in-newspoll/news-story/958f761d078ee101bac215af11be6d17
Dennis Shanahan is not so upbeat, saying Morrison will need a bigger “miracle” than last time.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/election-history-says-morrison-needs-bigger-miracle/news-story/7c6c66f8513f7f16bd7a66fd6240744f
Settle in for a long grind: this federal election is going to be core, brutal Morrison, predicts Katherine Murphy.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2022/apr/10/settle-in-for-a-long-grind-election-is-going-to-be-core-brutal-scott-morrison
Chris Wallace lays out how Labor can win the 2022 election. She makes some very good points.
https://theconversation.com/how-the-coalition-can-win-the-2022-election-179942
Mark Kenny does the same.
https://theconversation.com/how-labor-can-win-the-2022-election-179750
Labor may be streets ahead in the polls but Scott Morrison is now in his element. His government is a shambles but, with the three major media houses backing him, and the ABC and others truckling to their daily news agendas, Anthony Albanese will have to win this thing, not wait for Scott Morrison to lose it, writes Michael West about what he describes as “the dirty election”.
https://www.michaelwest.com.au/the-dirty-election-how-the-cards-are-stacked-in-favour-of-scott-morrison/
In an election following years of disasters, Australians need more than campaign trail soundbites, says Lenore Taylor.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2022/apr/10/in-an-election-following-years-of-disasters-australians-need-more-than-campaign-trail-soundbites
The AFR editorial says that public and media pressure should press both Labor and Coalition over the next six weeks to clearly articulate and distinguish their approaches to the challenges Australia faces. Yes, please!
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/election-should-be-about-a-mandate-for-budget-repair-20220407-p5abt7
Alan Kohler outlines the three challenges for whoever wins the election.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2022/04/11/alan-kohler-the-three-challenges-for-whoever-wins-the-election/
Peter Martin tells us that top economists care about climate change more than any other election issue.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/finance-news/2022/04/11/election-economists-climate-change/
Michelle Grattan looks at the leaders’ opening pitches.
https://theconversation.com/view-from-the-hill-morrison-talks-risk-albanese-spruiks-opportunity-in-opening-pitches-181039
“As the election campaign begins, what do the polls say, and can we trust them this time?”, asks Adrian Beaumont.
https://theconversation.com/as-the-election-campaign-begins-what-do-the-polls-say-and-can-we-trust-them-this-time-180318
Sean Kelly refers to Morrison saying people are tired of politics and writes that hid habits that are too long to list, but that might be summed up by the belief that there is no mistake a government might make that can’t be fixed with a good photo op, a sharp ad and a few artfully deflected questions.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/careful-they-might-hear-a-splash-20220409-p5ac8t.html
Scott Morrison has told voters he might be unpopular but is still their best bet. Anthony Albanese urges them to lift their ambitions, writes Phil Coorey.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/morrison-and-albanese-come-out-swinging-20220410-p5acby
Coorey reckons character will be the main game on May 21.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/character-not-policy-will-be-the-main-game-on-may-21-20220405-p5aav2
David Crowe reckons we have seen an underwhelming campaign start as the parties follow old election templates.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/underwhelming-campaign-start-as-parties-follow-old-election-template-20220410-p5acdy.html
Paul Kelly frames Election 202 as “Unknown Albanese v a scrapping underdog in Scott Morrison”.
https://amp.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/election-2022-unknown-albanese-v-a-scrapping-underdog-in-scott-morrison/news-story/0fc9b00e64e47581383c0cc247188749
No one in the Prime Minister’s camp puts it quite this way, but they are relying on the deeper divisions within the electorate to save the government from itself, writes George Megalogenis.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/scott-morrison-s-last-best-hope-an-electorate-divided-and-disengaged-20220407-p5abnl.html
With the start of the federal election campaign, Scott Morrison is now free to concentrate on doing what he does best. Making announcements, writes Peter Hartcher who thinks the whole election will come down to trust.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/leaders-trading-on-trust-as-announcement-season-begins-20220410-p5acf9.html
Tony Wright tells us how Anthony Albanese emerged from the shadows to become a leader in the spotlight.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/how-anthony-albanese-emerged-from-the-shadows-to-become-a-leader-in-the-spotlight-20220401-p5aa64.html
The SMH editorial says that the election campaign should be about issues and not image.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/election-campaign-should-be-about-issues-and-not-image-20220410-p5acek.html
The Coalition’s strongholds of Queensland and Western Australia are in danger, with new research showing the vote has dropped significantly since the 2019 election, writes David Crowe.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/voters-deserting-coalition-in-queensland-and-wa-resolve-survey-20220410-p5acdx.html
The economy is in astonishing shape but not all voters feel it – and neither party is confronting the deeper questions, argues Jo Masters.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-economy-s-in-astonishing-shape-but-not-all-voters-feel-it-and-neither-party-is-confronting-the-deeper-questions-20220410-p5acdm.html
Going ahead with stage 3 tax cuts would be irresponsible, declares Ross Gittins who poibts to the undeniable fact that they will be “unfunded”.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/going-ahead-with-stage-3-tax-cuts-would-be-irresponsible-20220410-p5acc4.html
Andrew Probyn says Morrison is galloping into a race where he is already a furlong behind his patient rival.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2022-04-10/morrison-albanese-federal-election-campaigns-defined/100980796
An ombudsman has dismissed claims from the Prime Minister’s Department that national cabinet documents are secret and exempt from freedom of information laws, saying the argument is “defective”.
https://www.canberratimes.com.au/story/7693006/pmc-claims-of-cabinet-confidentiality-defective-sa-ombudsman/?cs=14329
The PM is having a bit of trouble with Tudge’s position now and if he wins. Who will take Health is also an issue for him to handle.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/pm-says-alan-tudge-still-in-cabinet-despite-standing-aside-from-ministerial-role-20220410-p5acdp.html
Jon Faine says, “We must save Melbourne from becoming a donut city”.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/we-must-save-melbourne-from-becoming-a-donut-city-20220408-p5abyt.html
Former Deputy Premier of NSW, John Watkins, describes his journey with Parkinson’s Disease.
https://www.smh.com.au/healthcare/the-crappiest-lucky-dip-my-parkinson-s-journey-by-a-former-deputy-premier-20220410-p5acbq.html
Australia’s dentists have reported a huge increase in the number of patients who’ve damaged their teeth by repeatedly grinding them during two years of COVID-19 lockdowns.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/covid-grind-causes-new-pandemic-of-broken-teeth-dentists-warn-20220406-p5aba0.html
Alexander Bortnikov, head of the Russian security service, was close to President Vladimir Putin but Ukrainian intelligence says the pair have fallen out, writes Monica Attard.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/might-this-be-the-man-to-lead-a-coup-against-putin-20220409-p5ac9m.html
Exit polls after the first round of voting in the French presidential elections yesterday show President Emmanuel Macron and far-right candidate Marine Le Pen are on track for a second-round shootout.
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/exit-polls-show-macron-and-le-pen-on-track-for-second-round-shootout-20220411-p5ach4.html
A key Republican on the House January 6 committee disputed a report which said the panel was split over whether to refer Donald Trump to the Department of Justice for criminal charges regarding his attempt to overturn the 2020 election, leading to the Capitol attack.
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2022/apr/10/liz-cheney-disputes-report-january-6-panel-split-trump-criminal-referral
Biden needs to start going after large corporations if he wants to win again, argues Robert Reich.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2022/apr/10/biden-large-corporations-2024-election
Cartoon Corner
David Rowe
Peter Broelman
Matt Golding
Joe Benke
Jim Pavlidis
Mark Knight
Badiucao
Leak
From the US
On the lie about no-one knowing who Albo is – it works both ways. I do not find this at all surprising. Too many Australians are so politically ignorant they have no idea who is who or in some cases which party is in government.
Antony Green says, DO NOT postal vote. No guarantee that your vote will be counted due poor postal reliance.
Welcome to the 3rd World Australia
Too bad. I applied for a postal vote yesterday and intend to use it.
If my vote doesn’t get through I will have the perfect excuse for not voting.
My vote does not count anyway – safe Nats seat where our useless MP will be running again and will, once re-elected, continue to do nothing for his electorate.
Scovid, if returned (God forbid!) definitely WILL roll out the CDC to everyone on any form of social security.
They can lie and deny this all they like, but the legislation is already in place.
https://guides.dss.gov.au/social-security-guide/11/2/5/10
Scovid, Anne Ruston and the likes of ON are now scared of the effect this will have on voters and are lying desperately in an attempt to persuade voters this will not happen. Hanson has been telling her fans she never voted for this card – she did, every time, and Hansard proves that. How many will actually do that research though? Very few.
If there are (allegedly) no plans to expand and make the CDC permanent for EVERYONE on social security why has the government recently done so much work to restrict use of the card in places like RSL and bowls clubs, places popular with pensioners?
Here is the current list of places where card use is banned –
https://cdc.indue.com.au/cardholder/where-can-i-shop/?fbclid=IwAR1sAY_i3EI5H9wzTOtyETp4A_4WLD9_8lqUpjEOqxQzH-_v2FjGJ8cJMw8
Just one example of how this will affect people –
Pensioners and others who will end up on the CDC will no longer be able to pay bills via BPay at Australia Post – something that is very popular with people who don’t use internet banking or Centrepay.
Another example –
Many older people, especially men, buy cheap meals at their local club every night rather than cook for themselves. They will no longer be able to do this.
You might say “But they have 20% of their income accessible through their normal bank account so why not use that? Simple answer – that money is eaten up paying bills that cannot be paid via the card.
ack up your bags. It’s all over for Albo. The Daily Tellsmecrap hath spoken 😆
https://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/opinion/anthony-albanese-clanger-hardly-fatal-but-wounding-and-wildly-embarrassing/news-story/2104fa9f148b1835d4806efa9758a508