The Office of Former President & Senator Polnut - Deregistration

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Having served as Secretary of External Affairs and as Commander-in-Chief of our armed forces, I understand the grave decisions that go into sending young men and women into harm's way.

As president, I saw an overhaul of our military spending, a corner-stone of which was the creation of a new mental health support system for veterans. We have, for too long, ignored the real and long-term dangers of post-traumatic stress. Veterans have an unforgivably high suicide rate and have a tremendous threat of homelessness stemming from mental illness. This program was designed to fix that and I am proud of that. But what happens once the support is there?

Let's look at the issue that is staring us in the face, veterans are facing inexcusable waiting times for their claims to be assessed. Some in excess of two years, now, this isn't to get support, this is to get their claim for support approved or denied. We know that veterans have died because support wasn't provided fast enough, veterans and their families have become homeless. After their sacrifices, and the sacrifices borne by their families, they deserve better.

Therefore, I will be pursuing a re-vamp of the way claims for veterans support are assessed. We present tax returns, which are normally checked for abnormalities and approved or sent for further assessment if something looks wrong. This has cut the processing time for federal tax returns by more than 50%. We need to institute this for veterans support claims.

But this is only one part, the other is to work through the current backlog, while putting new claims through the electronic system. We need to provide more resources, with strong oversight, to those who are making these assessments to ensure they do not apply unnecessary delays.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Yankee... have I ever not done my duty?

You have my word, or if I can't you will know in advance.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I again would like to offer the floor to any questions people have

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Zilker Park, Austin TX


Good evening!

I'm told that's it's still 97 degrees, so the fact that anyone is here today is a bit of a surprise, although a very pleasant one.

Ladies and gentlemen, I don't shirk from a contest, and I believe this race for Senate will be a strong contest all the way to end. So I'm here to ask for your vote but most importantly your enthusiasm for what we can do together.

Now, my long history in Atlasia has been noted by my opponents, and I acknowledge, I've been around a long time. But unlike some in the past who have hopped from position to position, experience should be a means to an end, not the end itself.

My years as a Governor, an Assemblyman, a Speaker, a President and as a Cabinet Secretary have given me the opportunity to see how good and bad laws are made and executed in his country. I agree that being around a long time and being active does not equal success, what equals success is using your time, leaning from your mistakes, working hard and most of all, producing results.

I will put my record of achievement up to public scrutiny, there are things I wish I had handled better, things I wish I had focused on more, but overall, I look back at my record with a degree of satisfaction. But not complacency.

I'm not running to be the Labor candidate, I'm not running to be the progressive candidate, I'm not running because of ego. I'm running because I believe we have much more to do together and I'm not out of energy or ideas.

Yesterday, I released my position on veteran's support, making sure that we overhaul the way support applications are managed and vetted. We owe them so much more, but it is something we can do and if you elect me, we will do.

As President I worked to reduce small business taxation and in a depressed time, to get our biggest group of employers confident and active again. I want to do more. I believe we can protect worker's rights and ensure that the businesses they work for can thrive. I want to talk with small business to know what you think, not what a politician speaking for you thinks, will help your businesses to grow into the future.

I have a history of irritating people on my own side of politics because I want to seek out common ground, so I'm serious, no option is off the table. I want to open the door to small business and have a serious discussion, with the condition that I will not undermine the protections of Atlasian workers in fact, I want to put them on a stronger footing. I know this can be done.

Ladies and gentlemen, I am here asking for your vote because I know I still have more to offer this country and I wouldn't be here otherwise. I have knowledge and experience as to how things get done. But most important of all, my record is there to let you know that I will hard for you every single day and that is directed to all Atlasians.

Thank you all!

 

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

STATEMENT

I have noted with sadness the demise today of the Liberal Party. Despite my issues with them over the last few months, as an early member and the first Liberal president, this is a sad time.

I wish the membership and leadership well and for those who have joined us in the Labor Party, welcome.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

What is your quest?

duh...

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

University of Colorado, Boulder


Good evening Boulder!

Thank you all for coming out tonight, giving up your Friday night.

I'm here to talk to you about an important issue for all of us, energy.

We have had a lot of discussion, especially in the IDS about energy production over the past year and it's an important issue, indeed a vital one. I believe that we need to balance those needs of a growing economy and population, as well as doing what we can to reduce emissions and develop advanced technology.

I'll make this clear, it will be my policy to create a moratorium for three years on building new coal-powered power stations. Until we stop thinking that answer is to just keep digging and keep drilling, we will not give these alternative power sources a chance. Now, we have enough though our established grid to keep us going. This can be done if we're going to be serious about energy-efficiency too. There is no silver bullet, this has to be multi-faceted and I believe the Federal Government, in association with the regions need to get this going.

I know nuclear is a word that sends people into a bit of tizz, let's be honest. Now, it's not by any means my preferred alternative source. But I believe we should be focusing on developing our capacity and utilising what we already have for the short to medium term.

Let's think about the fact that we are making world class components of solar and wind technology, then exporting to other countries to allow them to generate technology, and despite our investments, we are still asking whether or not it can work.

This is reality, our investments so far have not been focusing on getting the confidence in these technologies up. There are vested interests who need to tell people, it can't work, it's too expensive. We will not see broad-scale renewables as part of base-load for a little while yet. But until we start being serious about it, we can't really start the countdown.

It will be my policy to get the discussion out there, to base it on reality, not vested interests. This doesn't even need to be about climate change, but about investment in innovation and jobs.

We can do it, and but we can't achieve anything until we get moving and start taking this issue seriously.

I need your help and I need your vote to make this happen.

Thank you all!!

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

If elected, what approach would you take to the Judicial Tenure Amendment?


Also, what direction would like to see the Education Bill take?

Thank you Senator for the question...

I made a comment during the discussions earlier in the year that I would never do anything to that would lead to the politicisation of the court. So, I would completely oppose any suggestion of electing the justices. The issue of tenure is tricky and I admit being a little torn as the best way to approach it.

I was strongly opposed to the attempts to clear the court but I agree that stagnation could be a weakness, I would be open to perhaps some kind of term, say 3-4 years when the term is up, the justice's position would be up for a renewal.


Now, the Education Bill.

This is an important issue to me and it's an necessary discussion to be having. The discussion in the Senate brought up some things that I think need some consideration.

* the standardised testing issue worries me, I don't believe that there should be any direct connection between test scores and funding levels. I agreed with Senator Hagrid's position that if anything, lower test scores suggest the need for more funding, not less. But your suggestion of perhaps a period of testing to determine improvement would be better than one year.

* I also worry that the Bill is too detailed. Surely the role of the Senate is to provide an education framework and maybe some kind of idea of standards and expectations. So, I disagree with the idea of Senate outlining how many hours a day each student should be in the classrooms.

* I also agree with Snowguy, I think this is too much about the teacher unions and detail that we don't really have an understanding of. So my view is this Bill should be streamlined as much as a possible with a clearer idea as to what it is designed to achieved.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Balboa Park, San Diego


Thank you all very much for coming out this evening...

Next weekend, we will all be headed to polls to make an important decision. Who has the experience and knowledge to hit the ground running, working to get real reforms done.

As I'm in the Pacific, I think it's important for me to discuss the issue at the forefront of your minds. Getting your regional government working again, delivering the services you need, the services you pay taxes to receive.

I was strongly opposed to the decision of the council to undertake such drastic action. Now, I understand why they felt compelled to do something, but I was, honestly, furious about the disregard for many of you shown by the council you elected to serve your best interests.

This decision to dissolve the government  put thousands of jobs immediately in jeopardy and risk the region's economy and through that, the wider national economy. We have been going so well to get our economy back on track, we cannot afford this issue to keep going.

While, throwing this decision to Federal Government to fix, is something that I think was irresponsible, the fact is, the situation is here now and while the Pacific is very slowly coming back to life, it is an issue we need to address. We need to make sure that this never happens again. I will support Senate measures to underpin the reformed Pacific Government, but work to form some kind of Constitutional mechanism that can override a region who fails to perform their basic functions.

I have supported numerous measures that maintain regional integrity and sovereignty, but there comes a time when the Federal Government needs to be able to step in to make sure the rights and freedoms of the people of a region are not weakened or undermined.


Finally, this election is shaping up to be a real race, as I always expected it to be. The Federalists are motivated and excited after the close presidential race, they are fired up but I want you to know, I am ready for this fight. I am looking forward to a debate with the Federalist candidate next week. We are returning to a two-party system, which I think is sad, but this is the new reality. But I hope all will look at the candidates on their qualities, their experience and their visions, not purely by whatever is next to their name.

We have a week to go and I need your help and your vote, thank you all!!

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

That is an important point. My first elected office was Governor of the Mideast, when the Governor just vanished. For a long time, I was the entirety of the Mideast Government - it was hard.

Issue of regional activity are hard to manage, as I said, I completely understand the reasoning behind your moves, I just don't think they were well considered. Plus, after this excitement has worn off, what happens next. You can't just keep dissolving the regional government and causing chaos.

Hopefully, the upside of this drama is that it wakes people up to the importance of regional government.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

The Pacific, like all the other regions, do not exist in a bubble. The near-collapse of the economy of one-quarter of the country has impacts.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

That is entirely beside the point. Why do regional governments need to exist?

So that was behind the actions?

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I admit being initially sceptical of the Committee system when it was first established. While I think it does have some shortcomings, I think it did highlight some things we should be taking advantage of.

I would oppose the dissolution of the system myself, but I think a reform which creates two Committees with broader remits, which I hope would have a committee which is more reflective of  the Senate and can filter through legislation, so the Senate debates those which have the support of a Committee.

I do support the continuation of giving the VP responsibility of certain Bills. I don't see any particular downside to justifying undoing it.

I think the only reason for a Bill to not be considered by the Senate were it not to receive enough support in the relevant committee. Beyond that, each Senator should have equal access and priority.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

CAMPAIGN SCHEDULE

Sunday 21 July: Miami, Florida - Atlanta, Georgia

Monday 22 July - Nashville, Tennessee - Louisville, Kentucky

Tuesday 23 July - Indianapolis, Indiana - Chicago, Illinois

Wednesday 24 July - Milwaukee, Wisconsin - Minneapolis, Minnesota

Thursday 25 July - Lawrence, Kansas - Tulsa, Oklahoma

Friday 26 July - Fairfax, Virginia - Trenton, New Jersey

Saturday 27 July - Bangor, Maine - Concord, New Hampshire - Boston, Massachusetts


There will be major policy announcements on:
* Healthcare and social security
* The economy
* Climate change

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Would you support having the bills that lacked committee support got fast tracked to an up or down final vote like I have been doing with the largely unsupported Drug bills in slot five?

I think there should be clear processes. I would support some kind of fast-track mechanism in time of emergency or something that requires that the Senate's attention and committee processes would be too lengthy.

One of the reasons I support fewer but larger committees, is to create fewer situations where the will of the committees is considerably different to the larger body. Therefore, I would support such a situation when it's clear the committee is not reflecting the will of the Senate.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

MINIMUM INCOME

I have been briefed on the discussions currently in the Senate on a Bill guaranteeing a minimum income for all Atlasians. The President was a strong advocate for such an action during the campaign.

While I agree that focusing on the impacts on the deficit and debt is myopic, the degree that such a program would add to it, deserves attention through that prism. This is no a small amount of money, and we need to be serious about how its paid for. The virtue of such a program does not undermine the need to ask some basic questions.

I would need to double-check, but I'm pretty sure, one cannot receive back as a tax refund, more than one has paid in taxes. I would imagine a $10k tax credit would create such a situation. That risks opening up a new loophole for the wealthy to exploit.

I support a basic guaranteed income, I'm just concerned about the implementation and administration being suggested. I don't think this is as straight-forward as it is being argued at the moment. I hope to see further development of the underpinning of this program and making sure it doesn't just trigger a cash drain.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

What is the federal deficit and debt right now btw?

I believe we've had about a $90b turnaround in the Budget from about $60b in the black to $30b in the red and the debt is somewhere around $12-13 trillion. This isn't my overriding, be-all-end-all concern, but considering the potential impacts, you have to ask the serious questions.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Centennial Olympic Park, Atlanta GA


Ladies and gentlemen, I'm thrilled to be back in Atlanta.

We have a lot pressing issues in this country, we have tremendous opportunities and serious problems. So in the Senate, we need people who can capitalise on those opportunities and have the proven ability to create solutions for our problems.

I've been getting a lot of questions about our national economy and what my views are and what I would be pursuing should I be elected next weekend.

Having been president for two-terms, hopefully, many of you have an idea of what my personal economic views are, but I'll repeat my basic mantra - I've no time for ideology, I want to do what works. We hear too much about 'if we just cut taxes' and 'if we increased taxes' and not enough of 'we know this works, so let's do that'.

As president, I supported tax cuts for lower and middle income families. I did this with a purpose, not with some ideological view that taxes should always go down, because at a time when the economy was depressed, you need to put money in the hands of the people who need it to spend. Tax cuts require strategy, they require a scalpel, not a machete. Across the board tax cuts, driven by ideology, focus almost all of their supposed benefits on the richest. Evidence shows that they don't spend it, they don't add liquidity or significant activity to the economy. Now, let's be clear, punitive tax rates on anyone is a block on economic activity, but I want lower and middle income families to get any tax cuts before people like me.

I believe in the system of free-enterprise, driven by entrepreneurs and those with a good idea and dream to achieve and build something. This is the corner-stone of our economy and I will always support that. This was a big reason why I advocated for small-business tax cuts during my first term. 

The other issue is how we respond to crises. As we are currently seeing in the Pacific, the regional economy is verging on collapse. As we know, I strongly opposed the direction taken by the Pacific Council, but for the sake of the people who were not responsible nor consulted on this step, they need the help of their Federal Government. This isn't a point of political principle, is this a practical reality, and those who know me well, know that pragmatism drives me.

Let's look in the aftermath of the Global Financial Crisis. It demonstrates two very different approaches to this kind of fundamental economic shock. Many countries engaged in direct stimulus of the economy others cut public spending and engaged in austerity. What worked? This is what matters to me. My view is that in times of economic recession and even mild depression, you are not going to get business confidence up by sucking liquidity out of the market, what happens when there's no money in the market to spend? Evidence shows, direct stimulation worked. Those countries who said 'we're going to put money into the system, because it needs to be there' are the ones who are currently thriving, while we're seeing mass unemployment and double-dip recessions in Europe. I believe in doing what works, not something that a libertarian pamphlet tells me I should.

We need to manage spending, we need to balance our needs with our wants. Being prudent does not necessitate being extreme or drastic. Look what we did over my last term as president and that of my successor, we reduced bloated overheads, cut taxes on the lower rates and increased spending in a number of vital areas. We did what worked, and what happened? We had a surplus two years ahead of schedule. We are going through another rough patch and we need people in the Senate with experience and pragmatism to do what works.

Thank you all, thank you Atlanta, I need your vote and I need your support next weekend!

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I believe in doing what works, not something that a libertarian pamphlet tells me I should.

Going negative so soon?

My views on libertarian economics are well known, it was not directed at anyone.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

I will be providing responses to those questions shortly.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

In relation to the President's questions, I'm going to  list the currently debated Bills and how I'd vote and my reasoning, including those I've already discussed.

1. Income guarantee - I could not comfortably vote for it until savings or additional revenues to pay for it, as well as some administrative issues are cleared. I'm not a nay, but at present, I'm an abstain.

2. Education modernisation - I support a lot of element of the Bill, but as I mentioned there's a lot, in fact, too much detail. There's more about teachers than there is really is about students and how to better structure the system to benefit them. I admit being torn on the issue of federal vs local oversight. I would want to see clear national standards, even a basic national curriculum with regional and local input. The problem with such a detailed Bill, is there's a lot I like in it, and lot I would not be comfortable voting for. I would lean nay, but only to have the opportunity to re-structure and re-focus the Bill.

3. Regional exception - easy, yea.

4. Mental Health Reform - I have had to go back a LONG way to get a real understanding of what the intent is. When I was Mideast Governor, I put in place a regional mental health plan and it's an issue I care a lot about. Again, I'm concerned that contingencies are outweighing what a more streamlined Bill could achieve. But, I'd lean aye, with reservations.

5. Canabanoid - I do have issues with the legalisation of this particular synthetic, as the health impacts are believed to be much worse than marijuana. However, I would support the current incarnation which required FDA approval. Aye. 

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

As to the Bills suggested by Senator TNF... I know how passionate the Senator is about worker's rights and ensuring that people receive fair compensation for their labour.

There are elements in these Bills that I think are well overdue, that highlight significant short-comings in our system of industrial and workplace relations. I believe there are a lot of elements that would be unworkable, let alone being applied in a universal setting.

For example, one Bill orders that all people who work on Saturday or Sunday must be paid at time and a half. Now, I fully support penalty rates for working on weekends. But there circumstances where a store might be closed on Sunday and Monday, in order to take advantage of Saturday custom. I wouldn't expect, considering they're having as essentially part of their weekend, to be paid at a higher rate on a Saturday. But I do support in principle penalty rates for people working outside of normal hours.

I also don't think it's appropriate to determine what the frequency of wages payments should be. I know it varies from weekly to every two weeks to monthly. I believe that should be down to a arrangement between the employer and the employee.

But I do agree that anyone who works outside of their contracted hours, should be paid overtime. Paid leave entitlements are important. People should not fear getting sick in case they lose their jobs. Everyone needs and opportunity to wind down, everyone needs the opportunity to recover if they're unwell.

For me, it is those staff welfare issues in the Bills that I see the best opportunities for something concrete to come from.

I know there MANY other elements in the Bills, and if you have specific questions about them, I'd be happy to answer.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Millennium Park, Chicago IL



Thank you all, Chicago is one of the places in Atlasia I call home, so it's great to be back...

We are only a few days away from the beginning of voting, and each and every one of us has that most valuable of gifts and important of responsibilities, making that determination as to who you think is ready to hit the ground running from day one  and work hard for you and represent you.

I've been talking about a number of issues over the last week and there's one that's been mentioned before but that I want to get into a little more deeply, climate change.

I'm aware that people out there, including some on my side of politics, are still not sold on the idea that 98% of climate scientists believe is the case. That is, the Earth has been on a warming trend for the last century, our climate is changing and our activities are a primary driver of that change.

Now, I've never been part of the 'Day After Tomorrow' school, that suggests this will bring about the end of the world, but I do believe it will change our world, and if we don't do what we can to address it, locally, nationally and globally, I don't believe it will be for the better.

We have had a lot of discussion in the past about the mitigation exercise, we have a carbon tax in place to send a price signal out there to let people know that if they're going to emit large amounts of carbon, then there will be a cost.

But, I wanted to deal with other elements of this issue, namely adaptation. How do we deal with the change that is unavoidable? The impacts of issues like more severe storms are numerous. How do we best deal with damage to vital costal infrastructure? Our roads, our railways and our airport are vulnerable. Our shipping ports are vulnerable. Our nuclear facilities are vulnerable.

This also has knock-on effects of endangering land values and economic sustainability if we don't make the right calls and get started now.

I will be pursuing a policy to encourage greater research of adaptation issues, gaps in our coverage and what resourcing will be needed to protect what we can. Investment now, saves us money in the future if we only deal with problems once they occur. For example, building a retaining wall along a coastal road, will cost a lot less than having to rebuild and protect the new road after a disaster.

This initial stage will not be expensive and it will lay down the groundwork for future planning and development.

I'm here to ask for you support in this agenda, by coming out and voting for me this weekend. The balance of the Senate is at stake here, and in order for a pragmatic and progressive Atlasia to move forward, we need those voices in the Senate. I'm proud of my progressive record but I believe I and we have more to do.

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

University of Wisconsin - Milwaukee


Thank you all for coming out this morning,

While two weeks ago, we didn't know this election was going to happen, it does not change the fact this is this an important election. We all have a choice to make, it starts with asking a lot of questions - who is ready? who has the record? who can work across the aisles to get something done?

I should stress, I have nothing personal against whomever my opponent will be, they both bring talents and unique perspectives.

I am running for this seat because I believe I bring the experience and the record to the Senate we need to deal with our challenges. I have been laying out my vision and my agenda for the future and how I intend to proceed if given the honour of representing you in the Senate.

My beliefs, my values and my political views are no secret to anyone. What you see is what you get. The advantage of having been around a long time is that you've ear-bashed the Atlasian people so often, that there are not going to be any surprises.

I believe in compromises when they need to be made, but I will never compromise my views or my values to win. I have often irritated my own party because I have held to my principles, when it would have been easier to buckle. But I didn't, I can guarantee all of you, my job will be to represent you, you won't always be happy with me, but you can always be assured that I will be working for you.

I am running for this seat, not as a place-holder, I am running to advocate for pragmatic solutions to the problems we face. I am running to win. But more importantly, I am running to serve you and use my experience and knowledge for those ends.

I need your drive and your enthusiasm, I need your vote... thank you all!!

[Fmr President & Senator Polnut]

Boarding plane in Lawrence, Kansas

Ladies and gentlemen thank you for coming out today to see me and I have a talk about what this election means for the future of this country.

It won't be long before voting starts, this race will be close, I always said it would, I'm going to need every single one of you that believes in true progressive courses and pragmatic solutions to get out and vote. I congratulate Governor Maxwell on winning the primary are welcome Fuzzy to the race, this gives us cleat choices maybe not as the stark as people think, but i believe they are.

I want to talk tonight about our national insurance schemes  for health care and for social security. I've said before that I believe in doing what works not what I believe should work. The view of many that the government having anything to do with health care is flawed is a flawed idea in itself. I fully support the health system put in place under the President Fritz, In fact the changes that started on the my presidency and then seen through by my successor, but criticized by the left were designed to make sure that generations have access to this care.

To me that's what universal health care is about, not just about treatment but  guaranteed access to treatment. Countries that decades ago introduced universal health care have records to be proud of and I intend that we will join the list of those nations. It cost less to run, the health outcomes are better and it says a lot about how we value each and every one of us.

Universal healthcare works. I believe in doing what works, I refuse to be dictated to by ideology and my positions on this and other issues are clear.

We also have the system of national insurance to make sure that in times of difficulty, when people get sick and when  people no longer work, that they can enjoy a decent life. It is the position of some that this system should be, in essence, privatised. They want to risk your money, the money that you and your family will need to the whims of the stock market. Why? Because they believe the market will make things work better, without any evidence to support it. Again doing what people feel they should do versus operating on the evidence and experience.

We are seeing some more difficult economic times ahead. There will be pressure on the federal budget. We cannot afford to have our national insurance systems threatened. Whoever is elected at this election will have a crucial vote. I am pledging right now I will not allow these programs become victims of cost-cutting. I am pledging to protect these programs. I urge my opponents in this race to do the same.

Thank you all, I need your support I need your vote. Every vote and every second preference will make a difference.