Australia General Discussion

[MaxQue]

What an embarrassing statement from Cormann.

Is that really surprising? The only thing the Abbott government is competent in, is bullying.

And even then, really obvious bullying that leaves them further down in the polls.

They didn't lead a poll since early April.

[MaxQue]

are they really reviving the debate over industrial relations? Seeing as it completely sunk a pretty competent Liberal leader, I don't see why Abbott thinks he can do any better...?

This Government has utterly lost the plot. You have to wonder, with all these self-inflicted wounds, if they actually want to win.

No, but they have reached their goal, changing the country. They know ALP is too cowardly to go back on those changes.

[MaxQue]

Well, I heard their hard-right rhetoric, so I assumed the actions went into that direction.

[MaxQue]

Poll on the fairfax websited with over 25,000 votes has a 92% negative reaction to the announcement.

Admittedly, the readership skews left, but still... I think this might be the 'jumped the shark' moment.

The issue is the Prince Philip or the former defense guy?

Also, Happy Australia Day, mates!

[MaxQue]

There's talk about a double dissolution being called due to the Senate's lack of cooperation with the government.

Of course, this would be a suicidal idea. One minister reportedly said that they would have to be 'high on crack' to go ahead with it.

Would that really stop Abbott?

[MaxQue]

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?

It's obvious. Keeping working-class scum at their rightful place of slave labour and making sure university is only for the wealthy elites.

[MaxQue]

Tony Abbott has banned the CEFC funding both wind farms and small-scale solar, in favour of "emerging technologies".

...

Can't some liberal with a brain stab him in the back already?

Anyone with a brain has been purged under Howard.

[MaxQue]

Isn't she an hyper-partisan Speaker expelling Labor MPs as soon they critisize her beloved Tony, anyways?

[MaxQue]

Plebiscites are also non-binding so even if one was held and the vote was overwhelmingly in favour Abbott could still decline to legislate on it for whatever reason. It's all a deceptive ploy.

In most developed democracies plebiscites are considered morally binding and it is "political suicide" to ignore their result. Is that really different in Australia? If so, why?

Well, they do have a habit of ignoring 'em in New Zealand.

Well, it had a very biaised question, too.

[MaxQue]

Plebiscites are also non-binding so even if one was held and the vote was overwhelmingly in favour Abbott could still decline to legislate on it for whatever reason. It's all a deceptive ploy.

In most developed democracies plebiscites are considered morally binding and it is "political suicide" to ignore their result. Is that really different in Australia? If so, why?

Well, they do have a habit of ignoring 'em in New Zealand.

Well, it had a very biaised question, too.

Sure, but 88% of the vote on 56% turnout is about as unambiguous as things can get, biased question or no.

"Should parents be allowed to use violence on their children for corrective purposes?" would get much less votes, I'm sure you would agree.

[MaxQue]

Labor Frontbench Senator Lisa Singh (spokesperson for Climate Change) has lost preselection in favour of union official John Short.

Too bad. It's Helen Polley who should have lost. Labor should make no place to people wasting public money.

But, hey, factionnal nonsense.

[MaxQue]

Singh comes from a political dynasty in the continent.
It's always welcoming to see somebody of ordinary background have a run for public office.

High-ranking union officials are not "ordinary background". They are quite elite.