I, for one, never take any notice of Political Promises.

For some strange reason ;-) everybody in Australia seems to misinterpreted just what was meant by the Promise made at the time. Or, It wasn’t a Core Promise, or, circumstances have changed, or, the other Party lied to us & now we know the real position. Oh, another one. It’s no longer a Critical Issue & can be left for a later date. (never going to happen.)

Here’s how to secretly spruik the biggest fibber we’ve ever had as a PM, while pretending it’s all about truthfulness

Start off with a innocuous thesis: it aint about left of right anymore, it’s about who is honest and who’s not.

Give banner prominence to the story that Republican Paul Ryan is deceitful.
Give the second paragraph over to a similar charge against Mitt Romney.

Rebadge your sources so they sound objective:
Mother Jones a left-wing magazine becomes an “Alternative news outlet”
And,PolitiScoop a left-wing blog becomes s an “ Influential website”

Fail to mention any similar stories about Obama or the Democrats.


Then, comment how difficult it is, to position leaders on the political spectrum. Mention that even our own Malcolm Fraser was “characterised as a right-wing extremist”.Fail to mention that it’s a common charge against liberal leaders.

To make it appear that you are unbiased run off a list of names of politicians of all persuasions whom you declare to be honest

Now cut to the chase:
“John Howard was called a "Lying Rodent". “several [of his] assertions …were shown not to have been truthful” [guilty]

Then a concede that Julia Gillard has been characterised …as "Ju-liar" [but hedge] “Whether or not there are excuses for this based on the election outcome – which did not deliver a Labor majority – seems a matter of hotly-contested opinion. [unproven]

i) “The Opposition Leader … now well-documented…lied point blank to ABC Lateline's Tony Jones in response to a question about a meeting with Cardinal George Pell” [guilty]

ii) “Later, [The Opposition Leader] changed his own position on carbon emissions from what was once clearly in favour of "a simple carbon tax". Why?” [guilty]
iii) “Mr Abbott's struggles with the truth were discussed at some length in a memorable interview with Kerrie O'Brien in May 2010.” [ guilty ]
iv) “Yet they have continued. Just last week, veteran journalist Laurie Oakes in the Herald Sun commenced his column with the withering opener: "Let's not beat about the bush. Tony Abbott tells lies” [guilty]

Yep. The new paradigm might be all about truthfulness …but journalism still has a ways to go

Good morning all. Hello again. Thanks for these responses.

SPQR, welcome aboard.

Now, the question is: “Can you identify any point blank lies – like those, above, from Tony Abbott and John Howard – from Simon Crean, Brendan Nelson, Malcolm Turnbull, Bob Brown or Kevin Rudd? Or Julia Gillard? I mean actual staring-down-the-barrel-of-the-camera bare-faced lies – not just unfulfilled promises.”

I have read carefully your responses, Jayb and SPQR. I take it the answer is No.

No?

Cheers, AA

Hello Alan,

<< Now, the question is: “Can you identify any point blank lies…I mean actual staring-down-the-barrel-of-the-camera bare-faced lies” >>

Here you go, Alan, can't get much more staring-down-the-barrel-of-the-camera than this: : http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCNYb3XWVTE

Footnote: As much has you would like it (and no doubt fantasize about it) we will NOT appoint/designate/coronate you some kind of word-pontiff.

The word “lie” has a meaning –and fortunately-- Alan Austin is not sole arbiter as its meaning (nice try though!)

lie .
1. A false statement deliberately presented as being true; a falsehood.
2. Something meant to deceive or give a wrong impression.
v. lied, ly•ing (l ng), lies
v.intr.
1. To present false information with the intention of deceiving.
2. To convey a false image or impression: Appearances often lie.
v.tr.
To cause to be in a specific condition or affect in a specific way by telling falsehoods: You have lied yourself into trouble.
Idiom:
lie through one's teeth
To lie outrageously or brazenly.
http://www.thefreedictionary.com/Lie

Hi again SPQR,

Yes, those are helpful definitions. No problems with any of those. Thanks.

Now, which statement in that series of clips to do you regard as a blatant lie, SPQR?

Couldn't spot one myself - as in a statement the PM knew to be false when she made it.

Do you have any others? Not including aspirations which were expected to be fufilled at the time they were expressed. Not including matters of personal opinion on climate change. Not complex definitions such as what 'power sharing deal' may technically mean. Not speculation about unknowables such as future party leadership ballots.

The examples in those clips all tend to prove the general point made in the article: all political leaders express aspirations and intentions should they gain power. Often these are not delivered - for a range of reasons.

But as you know, Ms Gillard did not succeed in gaining power at the last election as leader of a majority Labor Government.

No leader will ever be capable of delivering everything they want in a hung parliament, will they?

And all MPs have a range of personal opinions on contentious issues - many of which will be contested by others with differing opinions.

Those examples tend to support the claim that the present Government has actually been remarkably free of blatant untruths, don't you think, SPQR?

So do you have an example of an actual direct lie from the PM - a statement she made which she knew at the time was untrue? Like the numerous ones on the record from John Howard and Tony Abbott.

Thanks, SPQR.

Cheers, AA