Australia General Discussion

[BaconBacon96]

I'm surprised Bandt wasn't kept on as a Deputy.

[BaconBacon96]

If this budget does go down as poor as the first and Abbott's polling crashes, expect renewed leadership tensions. This time they may actually lead to something happening.

[BaconBacon96]

Well that was a lot of fluff.

[BaconBacon96]

What is the actual point of tuition deregulation, besides causing needless suffering to those who pay the fees? Does it save the government money or something?

[BaconBacon96]

Abbott's gaining ground in the polls.

God knows why.

[BaconBacon96]

An early election? I could see Abbott going for it, while the government's popularity has rebounded a bit and to starve off any movement for leadership change in the Liberal Party.

[BaconBacon96]

I wonder how many Liberals will vote for marriage equality and how many Labor against. I'd expect the Nationals to be near universally against.

[BaconBacon96]

I wonder how many Liberals will vote for marriage equality and how many Labor against. I'd expect the Nationals to be near universally against.

I don't know that the Liberals have committed to holding a conscience vote, so you'd expect all of them to vote against it?

Abbott's been saying recently that if the party room wants a conscience vote he will grant one. I have a gut feeling he may allow it this time.

[BaconBacon96]

Out of sheer curiosity, does anyone know why Family First do particularly well in South Australia compared to other states?

[BaconBacon96]

Out of sheer curiosity, does anyone know why Family First do particularly well in South Australia compared to other states?

Old, suburban protestants.

Do they exist in larger numbers in Adelaide or something? Or perhaps is it cause FF have a hold on the religious right vote that's more widely distributed in other states.

[BaconBacon96]

Alan Bond has passed away, following major heart surgery. R.I.P.

RIP corrupt businessman.

[BaconBacon96]

The union campaign at the next federal election is going to be massive. Bigger than 2007.

What makes you say this?

[BaconBacon96]

I wouldn't be surprised if Abbott's obsession with boats and national security in general might be what destroys him.

[BaconBacon96]

Labor is pretty much stuck with Shorten unless he resigns under these new rules imposed by Rudd.

[BaconBacon96]

Is it true that in order to join the Labor Party one must also join a union?

[BaconBacon96]

WTF: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-australia-33358009

Abbott hates the ABC because they're the only major network to regularly call him out on his bullsh*t. He's found his chance for revenge.

[BaconBacon96]

Yeah she's one of the most blatantly biased Speakers I've ever seen.

But that aside, I do wonder why this is getting more attention than most instances of politicians inappropriately claiming taxpayer funded travel.

[BaconBacon96]

Yeah she's one of the most blatantly biased Speakers I've ever seen.

But that aside, I do wonder why this is getting more attention than most instances of politicians inappropriately claiming taxpayer funded travel.

Frankly, because of the idea of chartering a chopper to Geelong.

Yeah that is pretty absurd in of itself.

[BaconBacon96]

Western Australian Liberal MP Don Randall has died, suspected heart attack.

He was one of the MPs who moved the spill motion against Abbott in February.

[BaconBacon96]

The smart thing to do would be to get her to resign and let the government move on...but that's never been the Abbott way.

[BaconBacon96]

And she's resigned.

I wonder who her successor will be.

[BaconBacon96]

Did Abbott ever really gain back control of his backbench after the February crisis- probably not. No wonder he can't control the narrative if he can't control the party room.

[BaconBacon96]

Given his slight improvement in the polls,  I've been thinking that Abbott would probably survive given his slight improvement in the polls. That was until this latest scandal.

Now I'm not so sure since once again the competency of his leadership has come under scrutiny. The next few weeks might be vital towards the future of his Prime Ministership.

[BaconBacon96]

Tony Smith elected as the new Speaker.

[BaconBacon96]

While obviously it's an idiotic stance, we must remember that Abbott is trying to balance both sides on the issue. I recall there were reports a couple of months or so back of anti-SSM members threatening Abbott's leadership if he granted a free vote.

Of course what this only does is piss off moderate Liberals who may otherwise have been supportive of his leadership, like potentially Pyne for example. Pyne of course is one of Abbott's closest allies, so to have him offside is a very precarious position.

Abbott might also be attempting to frame this along factional lines. The February revolt had no clear leader or any clear factional allegiance, with both moderates and hardline conservatives opposing him. Abbott's logic could be that if he wins over the loyalty of one faction again he'll be able to starve off the opponents in another.