The Forum > Article Comments > Why the Abbott era came to an end > Comments
Why the Abbott era came to an end : Comments
By Don Aitkin, published 24/9/2015Grid iron politics. A tough opposition leader to get the troops into office, when he is replaced by a smooth-talking, all-things-to-all-people facilitator who does his best not to upset the horses.
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Posted by Cobber the hound, Thursday, 24 September 2015 9:27:50 AM
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Is Turnbull an evolutionist? Mainstream voters saw Gillard degenerating which is why they created the holy slogans rituals.
Posted by nicknamenick, Thursday, 24 September 2015 9:49:43 AM
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Turning to Don Aitkin's actual article.
Abbott always walked and talked as if he'd been punched once too often in his boxing days. A dolt really in the way he repeated every point three times in his signature elongated Stutter.. Abbott the wouldbe "tough leader of men" who liked to be photographed with weapons and uniforms while feeling their meddles. He was ill at ease with democratic decision making or social concepts post-1955. Now that Hockey has a sinecure as Ambassador to Washington is Shirley MacLaine available post Peacock? https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Andrew_Peacock#Early_political_career Abbott may become Ambassador to the Vatican for further instructions from Pell or perhaps post Angels and Demons in Hell. Australia and our Parliament would do well to be rid of him - but will he go? Ambassador to the Court of St James (London), always a good gig for failed politicians, might be his destiny. Posted by plantagenet, Thursday, 24 September 2015 9:52:42 AM
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Sorry - Abbott's better, Lord Doona, was made High Commissioner to London only recently
Doona will just have to go. https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_High_Commissioners_of_Australia_to_the_United_Kingdom Posted by plantagenet, Thursday, 24 September 2015 10:09:40 AM
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A good summary of Abbott. Two things in his favour, though: you knew what he thought and what he would do, and he always answered correspondence and emails from plebs like me, and I was critical more often than not. He did believe in open government.
Now, we have a person better suited to leading the Labor Party who is a slippery customer with Leftist views. We might find ourselves much worse off than we were with Abbott. Conservatives have really nothing to look forward to with Turnbull. Posted by ttbn, Thursday, 24 September 2015 10:29:25 AM
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Secular knighthoods were patterned on church tradition. In Britain they are all Protestant including the Order of Garter, Bath and Thistle. In Spain and Austria there is the Order of the Golden Fleece.
The golden fleece of Labor's debt up to the eyes is worth promoting. Sir Philip of Canberra may drop the sword on Tony's ears, arise Sir Jockstrap the Gay. Posted by nicknamenick, Thursday, 24 September 2015 10:56:38 AM
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Why the Abbott era came to an end?
According to Virginia Trioli - it was due to the lack of political vision and leadership in this country; the poor quality standard of political discussion; the poor quality of elected representatives, the utterly uninspiring nature of Australian political life. Finally the cries of frustration echoed throughout communities around this country - and this reflected in the polls. After Mr Abbott lost so badly in over 30 polls in a row - the Liberal Party decided a change of leadership had to be made. I agree with Trioli when she states that - political leaders on both sides since John Howard seem to come from the robot school of leadership training choking on their talking points, speaking to the country as if we are kindergarten children. And as she tells us - It's an absolute mystery how they kid themselves that they are getting away with it. She's right when she says that none of us know if Turnbull can fulfil the promise he has always shown in terms of vision, rhetoric, and leadership. But by any objective measure, within the context of contemporary Australian politicians he is one of a very, very few who appear to see a way through blinkered, craven self-interest and to a greater Australia somewhere beyond. Trioli tells us that like any possible prime minister, Turnbull will have to work within narrow (and narrowing) party-machine politics, and this just might be the thing that knocks that vision out of his system. However judging from all the emails in social media, including twitter and facebook and in media organisations around the country - it seems that the voting public is simply desperate for someone to make an argument for reform that comes to grips with the economic, technological and social changes that threaten to change this country forever. "What do you call a leader with no followers?" Just someone out having a walk. It will be interesting to see who might feel inspired (or despairing) - enough to follow our new leader. Posted by Foxy, Thursday, 24 September 2015 11:32:38 AM
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Climate and Abbott are an example of what was not being done.
Former PM Tony Abbott had to know that IPCC climate associated science has not measured and assessed photosynthesis warmth in ocean algae plant matter, yet he allowed CO2 debate to continue with no public mention or due action about warmth in ocean temperature linked to algae. There should have been debate to trade nutrient and pay householders for their sewage waste, to grow algae to make biogas. Tony Abbott did allow a submission in the Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper, about harvesting water with aqueduct into the Murray Darling system. It will be interesting to see if PM Turnbull will progress or slow that potentially innovative and export revenue generating - new infrastructure project. I think there needs to be less talk and more action, productive action. With Abbott the ideas were there but not the tenacity and focus - leaadership to implement them. Parliament was all talk and no productive export and job and business - development of significance. No action to produce money needed in pockets and purses. I think the public in general could see the lack of actual productive development from Abbott. So the era of public trust and support came to an end. Posted by JF Aus, Thursday, 24 September 2015 11:45:21 AM
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Dear Foxy
Well may you expound on the words of some "lady" called Virginia Trioli (whom I know not) But the article at issue is by one Don Aitkin, a learned man, even more so than I Maybe it is we, the Common folk, who make life for our PMs intolerable With our Tweets, iPhones, torrid clusterf--k sex lives and instant Leadership Surveys 3 days after out Right Honourables become PM Or maybe the gene-pool of pollies has declined since the days Alfred Deakin was special-anonymous political correspondent to the London Morning Post, while Deakin moonlighted as Prime Minister of Australia https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Alfred_Deakin#Journalism In closing, I say unto you, tho you be a Commoner, seize the day Foxy, for Harvie Krumpet* didn't. Yours Poida Lord High Footman to Malcolm the Charming * Harvie http://www.imdb.com/title/tt0382734/ Posted by plantagenet, Thursday, 24 September 2015 12:05:06 PM
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Dear Plantagenet,
Thank You so much for reading my previous post. For your information Virginia Trioli is an Australian journalist and author, and radio and TV personality and presenter. She's received the Walkly Award twice (1995, 2001) and Melbourne's Press Club - Best Columnist award (1999). She has a column - in - The Weekly Review and she is co-host of ABC News Breakfast on ABC1 and ABC News 24, 6-9am weekdays. She also often stand in for Alan Jones on ABC-TV's "Q&A." Her most recent appearance was for the Melbourne Writers Festival episode of the show. She is highly respected in her field. We all have our opinions on why the Abbott era came to an end. I gave hers as another example. It was one that made sense to me and hopefully to others on this forum. As for seizing the day? Thank You for your concern. But there's no need. I always consider what a long way I've come - every day. ;-) It's part and parcel of my professional ethos. Librarians try to add, enrich, stimulate and amplify people's knowledge. They don't always succeed, of course. Posted by Foxy, Thursday, 24 September 2015 1:45:02 PM
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simply hated for being able to do what the regresssives said was impossible. He got rid of the idiotic tax that Turnbull believed in and made fools of the abc/sbs luvvies by stopping the boats. And guess what, Turnbull has put in writing he won't change these things and the regressives are happy because the reminder of the one they called unelectable is out of sight. He did more good in 2 years than what the previous jokers did in setting the nation up for economic diaster. The question is how long will Turnbull be able to control his ego. In past he has believed his own press (especially the morally bereft national broadcasters).
Posted by runner, Thursday, 24 September 2015 2:01:41 PM
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Poida the Podiatric
Maybe it is we, the Common folk, who make life for our PMs intolerable. Nothing can save the polls. The PM checks who has 50% Likes in forums and says they don't matter but we get the figures we deserve. When the common ratings drop the Lord Servants are gone. Posted by nicknamenick, Thursday, 24 September 2015 2:05:40 PM
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Looks like someone fired a shotgun of off threads through this thread:
Foxy, Trioli has always struck me as being supercilious and talks down to the viewer. I find her offensive at times. Jennifer Marohasy blew the whistle on the Bureau of Meterology and their temperature fiddling. They were never able to contradict her so they attacker her in the academic circles. It will be interesting to see if Malcom tries to wriggle out of his agreements with the Nationals. He has been making noise that could be interpreted as a little bit of leaning back on stopping the boats, or doing "something" re the detention centres. I will watch with interest. On AGW the academic rebels have published a peer reviewed paper showing that "global warming" or most of it has been caused by the natural phenomena "The Southern Oscillation Index". I have only read a synopsis of it and likely it would be largely over my head. If this turns out to be correct there will be a massive campaign to attack the authors. The louder the noise the more likely it will be that they are correct. Just imagine the uproar about the hundreds of billions that would have been wasted. Just my mentioning it here will probably give the AGWs high blood pressure. Anyway global warming whether true or not is irrelevant. The coming Debit crash that many financial gurus have been warning us about have had added to their concern that the falling demand for oil will push the whole steaming mess over the cliff. http://tinyurl.com/qggtswm I think it will occur when oil prices make a significant rise in price. Watch this space. Posted by Bazz, Thursday, 24 September 2015 4:03:23 PM
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(blows away shotgun smoke)
um, did someone mention Mr Abbott ? Posted by nicknamenick, Thursday, 24 September 2015 4:55:20 PM
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@ nicknamenick,
From what I experience the common folk are not the media, it is the media making Parliamentary business intolerable. And the leader sometimes bears the brunt of it. Posted by JF Aus, Thursday, 24 September 2015 5:10:42 PM
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Dear Bazz,
People tend to things from a viewpoint of subjectivity - an interpretation based on personal values and experiences. And we have seen that people in different walks of life and different backgrounds may interpret the same phenomenon - whether it is a budget, a Prime Minster's policies, a religious doctrine - in very different ways. You have one opinion, I have another, and I merely presented an example of another given by an award- winning Australian, journalist and TV presenter. Her opinion was based on reading dozens and dozens of emails, and questions she received from people throughout the country - both from "Q&A" mailing, and "New Breakfast" mailing and the mailbags of media organisations around the country. And as she stated - if they are any indication, then the voting public is simply desperate for someone to make an argument for reform that comes to grips with the economic, technological and social changes that threaten this country forever. Mr Abbott was an embarrassment. He was stuck in a time-warp. And not up to the job. Clearly. He is now the Liberal Party's problem - thankfully not ours. Whether like any other possible Prime Minster, as stated earlier, Malcolm Turnbull will be able to work within the narrow (and narrowing) party-machine politics - we shall have to wait and see. None of us really know whether Mr Turnbull can fulfil the promise he has shown us in his victory speech. Where the message that came across was - "Hope not Nope!" I certainly hope he can. Posted by Foxy, Thursday, 24 September 2015 5:35:35 PM
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Peter Sutherland: Global agenda, nationalism & migration
http://www.redicecreations.com/article.php?id=34250 I believe Malcolm is doing a Gillard (both planted by CIA and the Illuminati cabal globalists). We didn’t vote for them, did we? The secret societies hiding in the multi-nationals,EU,UN,IMF, NGO’S inclu OXFAM. The Illuminati. President John F. Kennedy Waldorf-Astoria Hotel, New York City April 27, 1961 http://www.jfklibrary.org/Research/Research-Aids/JFK-Speeches/American-Newspaper-Publishers-Association_19610427.aspx JFK Secret Societies Speech (full version) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zdMbmdFOvTs “The very word 'secrecy' is repugnant in a free and open society; and we are as a people inherently and historically opposed to secret societies, to secret oaths, and to secret proceedings.” John F. Kennedy Goldman Sachs Betrayal Of America (Malcolm Turnbull set it up in Oz) http://www.realzionistnews.com/?p=645 As JFK said, “Everything is a rich man’s trick”. They frickin killed him and bobby for wanting to break the power of the PRIVATE Federal Reserve and stop Israel from going nuclear (which they have heaps and are never investigated – duh?) and for Bobby’s investigation of the Zionist mafia. http://kangaroocourtofaustralia.com/2012/09/09/malcolm-turnbull-the-rain-man-who-speaks-with-forked-tongue/ Malcolm’s ties with the Dirty Digger Murdoch (another traitor and killer) who has a secret family history and is an Israeli citizen. They own practically all of the CONTROLLED media in Oz and about 45% in the rest of the world. They have controlled the media for 100years and taught as a Marxist version of disinformation of our history. It’s been planned for centuries. http://kangaroocourtofaustralia.com/2015/02/08/malcolm-turnbulls-dirty-laundry-of-fraud-theft-will-destroy-the-liberal-party-if-elected-leader/ There was a Zionist campaign of demonization of Abbott. For being old fashioned etc. When he had actually had diverse careers, did community work, saved people from drowning and a fire. But the Commie CORPORTES only want their own, so kick them out.. TURNBULL is a traitor Corporate puppet. When you hear a liberal (libtard) say progress think TYRANNY. This is there trick and they use the clueless useful idiots. But that’s what we get because we live in SUPERFICIAL society of white guilt and emotional blackmail. Warrant Entch was used for the Gay propaganda machine as he was blackmailed by something he did 20yrs ago. Clinton killers: (horrifying) http://www.theforbiddenknowledge.com/hardtruth/clintonbodycount.htm Posted by Constance, Thursday, 24 September 2015 7:10:45 PM
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Of course Abbott's religion was mocked. That's what the devil does. No surprises there. Turnbull and Gillard are the real team -both political puppet machines.
OWING TO THE ZIONIST OCCUPATION of the Western press, not only will crucial news be distorted, but essential news will also be suppressed. • Explosive book reveals 'toxic' culture at Goldman Sachs (MALCOLM TURNBULL – is he another false Christian Crypto?). Pro Phallic (so did witches) worshiper Gay marriage just like his Jew new minister, Josh Frydenberg as resources, energy and northern Australia minister. DISASTER for continuing pillage of CSG mining taking private land and CAUSING CRIMINAL ILL HEALTH ON OUR CHILDREN ESPECIALLY – chemical burns, breathing difficulty etc. And the demonic TTP SECRET trade agreement of the Sons of Trotsky NEO-CONS. Thank you Julian Assange otherwise we would never know. Why do you think they the US Commie govt is after he and Snowden? The suffering of our children and family properties taken by the CORPORATIONS. Never in the Corporate Commie press? Only the Gay marriage propaganda for a tiny mafia minority within a minority? ' Interview With Putin Banned - Read It Here! ' http://www.realjewnews.com/?cat=244 OWING TO THE ZIONIST OCCUPATION of the Western press, not only will crucial news be distorted, but essential news will also be suppressed. The Communist Takeover Of America - 45 Declared Goals (and the West) http://rense.com/general32/americ.htm http://kingworldnews.com/now-months-away-totalitarian-one-world-government/ ISIS In Greater Israel's Scheme https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XGRET8c7xNw Grant Smith: A brief history of unprosecuted Israeli foreign agent, smuggling and espionage cases https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=OZastzZprEQ#t=213 Mark Perry: Mossad poses as CIA? National security reporting https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zy2dA5NCqgI Obama’s Jewish War On Syria http://www.realjewnews.com/?p=827 pjmedia.com/tatler/2015/09/05/guess-how-many-syrian-refugees-have-been-taken-in-by-rich-gulf-arab-states/ http://www.israelvideonetwork.com/woman-beheaded-in-broad-daylight-in-moderate-muslim-nation-while-police-watch/ Most of the Middle East leaders are Crypto J$ws except for Assad and Gaddaffi? http://www.shoah.org.uk/2012/08/19/saudi-royal-family-is-jewish-king-and-prince-are-all-jew/ http://angryarab.blogspot.com.au/ https://www.facebook.com/wikileaks Saudi to Vatican: Help us bring down Assad and we will spare the Christians https://www.wikileaks.org/saudi-cables/doc1949.html http://zioncrimefactory.com/jew-world-order/ http://realjewnews.com/ My Name Is Brother Nathanael Kapner I'm A "Street Evangelist" I Grew Up As A Jew I'm Now An Orthodox Christian I Wish To Warn How Jewry Is Destroying Christianity Throughout The World Posted by Constance, Thursday, 24 September 2015 7:28:14 PM
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@ Bazz,
Attacking someone verbally behind the scenes is akin to a poison pen letter attack, and is also akin to domestic psychological violence. Evidence indicates Jennifer Marohasy did well to blow the whistle on temperature fiddling. MT has to work with the Nationals to determine how to proceed with supporting information to the recently released Agricultural Competitiveness White Paper. That Joyce/Abbott paper is linked to solutions to warmth in ocean algae, changing climate, and dire urgent need for ocean ecosystem management. I invite the academic rebel peers to consider the billions spent on emissions to date has been worthwhile toward improving air quality. However there is need for a re-think because there is another possible cause of warming and climate change, and all causes should be considered and solved. It’s all good. Better in fact. Trade nutrient as well as CO2. Nutrient trading appears possible with householders paid for their sewage nutrients. Nutrient can produce algae to produce biofuel and supply farmers with lower cost fertilizer.. Our rebel peers may do well to consider the Oscillation phenomena they are referring to is actually being driven by algae plant matter and photosynthesis-linked warmth linked to sewage nutrient pollution. Infrared image shows warmth from algae where the tongue of warm current reaches out along the Equator, westward from Mexico and Ecuador. Thanks to NASA: http://earthobservatory.nasa.gov/Features/ElNinoColor/el_nino_color_3.php Academics are only now coming to understand (ref OLO) there is warmth in ocean algae and that such warmth is driving the El Nino “phenomena”. The phenomena is no longer natural because of change due to human activity. F.y.i. The Oscillation Index involves a scientific graph based on data that provides insight to the many eddies that swirl and oscillate outwards and northwards and southwards from the tropical warm waters of the Equator. AGW associated science must be completed where and when possible, urgently. Climate Change is happening. True climate science will stimulate the world food and fibre economy of which the oil economy is an integral component. It’s all good. But is MT capable of leading to achieve due solutions and newly productive opportunities? ………………………………… Posted by JF Aus, Thursday, 24 September 2015 8:02:38 PM
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JF;
>Attacking someone verbally behind the scenes is akin to a poison pen letter attack What is that about ? I don't think the SOI is anything new. It would be interesting to know if the Polynesian navigators were aware of it. Posted by Bazz, Thursday, 24 September 2015 10:37:18 PM
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ttbn,
"...A good summary of Abbott. Two things in his favour, though: you knew what he thought and what he would do..." Lol! Tony ...."there will be "no cuts to education, no cuts to health, no change to pensions, no change to the GST and no cuts to the ABC or SBS" under a Coalition government" ....Abbott He lied and lied and lied - then he lied about lying - and when he wasn't lying, he was standing next to flags and uniforms and rattling off three word slogans - and amassing an enormous collection of losing polls...until his "team" could stand it no longer - so they ditched him. The End Posted by Poirot, Friday, 25 September 2015 1:10:10 AM
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The more that comes about Abbott I think he was an ill man. He had demons in the cranium. To set up an inquiry into BOM, is a strange move. He must have thought the whole world was against him.
Posted by doog, Friday, 25 September 2015 8:40:58 AM
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Bazz,
Attack behind the scenes as I mentioned is about Jennifer Marohasy blowing the whistle on temperature fiddling, never being contradicted, but being attacked behind the scenes in academic circles. I have experienced poison pen letter sent behind the scenes to Canberra search and rescue about people missing and lost at sea. SAR proceedure was later changed to take into account the correct information I had provided. Regarding weather, there is more to the question of temperature measurment as even Marohasy has indicated. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-09-24/government-discussed-bom-investigation-over-climate-change/6799628 SOI data does not include measurement and impact of warmth in ocean algae plant matter. Yet algae and SOI associated water warmth is even linked to warmth in the southerly flowing East Australian Current that is linked to weather on Australia's east coast this very day 25/9/2015. The SOI is not new but I submit need for algae warmth in SOI data is new. And data on warmth in algae and consequent impact on Australian weather is also new and vitally important. I submit the importance is linked to food production because I have been observing four weeks of cloud over waters linked to warmth in ocean algae plant matter. Ask a farmer how crop growth may be affected by weeks of cloud without direct sunlight. I think fiddling relevant temperature date is very dangerous because this is also about sustaining AFFORDABLE food supply to nourish over 7 billion humans DAILY. It is perhaps bad luck for us all that Tony Abbott did not get to finish what he may have started. Posted by JF Aus, Friday, 25 September 2015 9:05:18 AM
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Some media outlets and the taxpayer-funded national broadcaster is among them, are discounting their role in destabilising elected governments and leaders.
Arguably, it is their suddenly experienced weakness - loss of niche through technological change that their arrogance refused to countenance as it was occurring - that has caused the rush to the gutter of tabloid journalism. That will seal their fate of course. It isn't Netflix and kitty videos that will see them dwindle, it is new generations who have different lifestyles and do not have any attachment to the past. Will the aging Boomers that the advertisers say have millions to dispose of continue with their loyalty to existing TV channels and newspapers? Shareholders shouldn't be convinced by that spin. Even getting out now is too late. It is the impending end of the traditional media outlets that overshadows the demise of yet another PM who like other recent targets was rendered into a mere caricature to make cheap 'news' and programs. The federal government needs to review whether it should be investing taxpayer funds so heavily (or at all!) in the outdated and failing business model that is the ABC and SBS. The ABC Board and management have made it rather obvious that they are like the boy who fell out of the aeroplane - they are not in it and can't do any better. Posted by onthebeach, Friday, 25 September 2015 10:32:55 AM
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The media cannot be blamed for destabilising
the Abbott Government. That simply does not wash. The Murdoch press were in the Abbott camp as were the popular shockjocks like - Jones, Bolt, Hadley. Mr Abbott has only himself to blame. Ian McAuley writing for New Matilda tells us that Australian politics has always been robust. However Tony Abbott with his relentless attacks on Labor elevated the conflict to new levels. Mr Abbott saw Labor not as a rival, but as an enemy to be destroyed by whatever means were at hand. That approach as McAuley states may have put Mr Abbott into the top position, but at a terrible cost. Anything that Labor Government did had to be undone. Even to the extent of going against the Liberal Party's own principles. Most notably a market-based approach to reducing greenhouse gas emissions had to be abandoned in favour of the high-cost intervention "direct-action" plan. Sensible approaches to closing the budget deficit, such as taxing "self-funded" retirees and shutting off company car rorts were out of the question because they were "Labor" ideas. As McAuley says - the longer-term problem with the combative model is that politics is not a "zero sum" game. Rather it is a "negative sum," game. In the fight the combatants inflict damage on each other and in so doing bring the whole political process into disrepute. Hence the growing cynicism - particularly among young people. Wouldn't it be great if the politicians would get the message finally that the voters are sick and tired of "trench-warfare," and would like to see - meaningful, civilised, and courteous discussions. With the election of an intelligent and capable new Prime Minister hopes are set to the era of embittered politics. Of course neither Mr Abbott - as we saw from his final speech - where he blamed the media for his downfall, nor his rusted on supporters will get the message. Their blinkered, narrow , rigid views belong on the dust heap of history. Where they should simply with time be blown away. Posted by Foxy, Friday, 25 September 2015 3:06:33 PM
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cont'd ...
Excuse my typo. The closing paragraph should read that with the election of a new Prime Minister - like Malcolm Turnbull - intelligent and capable - hopes are set on an END to the era of embittered politics. Posted by Foxy, Friday, 25 September 2015 3:15:13 PM
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What the Conservative side of the liberal party think, does not matter fortunately. The Abbott era was a gigantic mistake, bought about by lies and lies. Abbott lovers will never support Turnbull, the two are very different. We Australians do not need or want Abbott’s type of politics.
Turnbull is the most likely to be PM for quite some time, the public will decide his tenure. Where as Abbott never stood a chance of a second term, he told lies and lies. He lost his own election in just under 2 years. And with him went his twisted policies. So it is best you make an effort to say Abbott was a lame duck, and Turnbull is what we should have had in the first place. You may find the Abbott hard liners get the short shift at the next election. The liberal party is supposed to be liberal and not infiltrated with outdated and backward Conservatives Posted by doog, Friday, 25 September 2015 3:25:44 PM
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Yes, it is a matter the real Liberal Party, and for that matter the real Labor Party, and the real spirit of Australians and a fair go.
Posted by JF Aus, Friday, 25 September 2015 3:29:44 PM
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I always like to read Don Aitkin's pieces. He's a hard guy to disagree with. Some hard-headed knowledge of politics, especially.
One small quibble. I live in the seat of Wentworth. From uni students (many at UNSW, and undoubtedly many Asian-Australians); ladies who come into David Jones' dripping with diamonds: expats who've returned; middle-aged people with school-aged kids; surfer dads and mums; many of the beautiful people, some still stunning at 50: and the huge single and/ or gay and lesbian population of Surry Hills...it's very diverse. Jews, Catholics, Hindus, Presbyterians, etc. And Malcolm manages to nurture all of them. Not all climate change enthusiasts, but many of us concerned and unimpressed by Abbott who seemed like an educated oaf. And this unimpressive women whom he kept supporting- Cradling and Bishop, (the old slightly batty one.) I haven't met many people who are lamenting his departure. It shows how out of touch the shock jocks are. Posted by Bronte, Friday, 25 September 2015 6:39:32 PM
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Tony Abbott did not lay all blame at the feet of the media. He was right to level some criticism their way.
Many a celebrity or ordinary member of the public who has been used by the media to make sensationalist 'news' for their dumbed-down audiences would empathise with Abbott and second his pleas to the media to fulfill the high ethics the media outlets claim wherever they defend their privileged position in society. Typically the media are very quick to leap on anyone with the temerity to point out the media's obvious failings. That is only to be expected. The attack is quite unprincipled in some cases and grudges are held long. This is what Abbott is reported as saying, <"If there's one piece of advice I can give to the media, it's this: refuse to print self-serving claims that the person making them won't put his or her name to. Refuse to connive at dishonor by acting as the assassin's knife." and, "The nature of politics has changed in the past decade. We have more polls and more commentary than ever before. Mostly sour, bitter, character assassination. Poll-driven panic has produced a revolving door prime ministership which can't be good for our country," he said.> http://edition.cnn.com/2015/09/14/asia/australia-leadership-change/ Tabloids, dinosaurs, made increasingly irrelevant by new (as they might see it!) technology and not in touch with the changed lifestyles of the young and not-so-young. Malcolm Turnbull, you know you should move to sell the taxpayer propped-up national broadcaster while bits of it might still attract a buyer. Posted by onthebeach, Friday, 25 September 2015 10:44:34 PM
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In the end it was down to bad policies badly enacted, incompetence, blatant lies and being totally out of his depth.
Constant fear-and hate mongering doesn't sit well in most societies long term and that's all he had to work with. In the end he still refused to accept responsibility for his own demise, blaming others -including the media that got him into power in the first place. It was down to Social Media to broadcast the truth about what was really happening and despite employing a horde of PR people, they couldn't deal with it. He didn't even make it to "One Term Tony" which is quite an achievement in itself. Posted by wobbles, Saturday, 26 September 2015 4:43:49 PM
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The reason Abbot and his ministers failed was due to the fact that certain portions of the liberal party had simply lost touch with reality. It is simply ridiculous to make a large range of promises before the the election and then do the opposite after the election. People don't expect that governments will be able to achieve all their goals but wholesale dumping of pre election promises is not on. The first budget was perceived as highly unfair and only benefiting the very wealthy, it just did not occur to them that this might be a problem.
Abbot's thinking is seriously out of touch with majority of the Australian population for example he was fixated on building roads which was the the thinking back in the 1930s, but what our cities need now to relieve congestion is a comprehensive transport plan. Again on climate change some 70% of the Australian population believe we should tackle climate change issues, but the out of touch group in the liberals still refuse to believe it is a problem. Actions such as trying to argue that windmills are ugly while praising 19th century coal technology just shows how it of it they were. Worst they successfully stuffed up the renewable power industry. On the financial front they still don't seem to get it that the reason for the governments deteriorating budgets position is a huge reduction in tax from the mining companies. Our new treasurer is going round saying the answer is to cut spending and taxes, sorry but that ain't going to work it has not worked elsewhere. It is inevitable that we will have to find ways to raise more revenue and there are plenty of easy pickings at this stage, such as getting stuck into the international companies who are not paying their fair share and the super benefits that favour the very wealthy. In short the people hope that Liberals under Turnbull might consider what works rather than spin but I doubt if sections of the far right ideologues will let him. Posted by warmair, Saturday, 26 September 2015 4:46:04 PM
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The far right are now the minority in power and another election will see the far right wiped out as it should be.
The far right supporters are only a minor concern, those that want to see Australia turned into a third world, with mega rich upper class. Third world economies are not politically motivated to spread wealth as it is not in the super riches benefit Middle of the road voters can’t fathom what the far right seen in Abbott, both as PM and after PM. The assumption is Abbott would benefit business at the workers expense. Howard tried it with his work choices, [ the choices were take it or leave it ] under the guise of it will benefit all of Australia. Abbott lied himself into the PM’s chair, along with a co-operative treasurer, and immediately bought about a devastating budget that would have bought the working class to their knees. What small business did not realize there would be less spare money to patronize their businesses with. No one was ever going to win, instead it would have transformed Australia into a stay at home community. Turnbull only has one wild card in his line up, Morrison, It will remain to be seen what side he is going down. I suspect under Turnbull’s eye he will be supervised. Australia transformed overnight when Abbott got knifed, a massive glow was seen in the darkness, and getting brighter every day. Investment money’s that were on hold can now be released with confidence and kick-start our miserable .2 % growth figures. Another quarter and we were destined to slip into depression. Australia hit rock bottom, which triggered the over-through of the incumbent PM Abbott. After 22 years of consecutive growth we were on the verge of a downgrading of credit ratings, and banana republicanism Posted by doog, Sunday, 27 September 2015 10:26:57 AM
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"Australia transformed overnight when Abbott got knifed, a massive glow was seen in the darkness, and getting brighter every day"
The 'magic bullet' of a new leader, huh? Why have all of those elected representatives filling the seats in the House of Representatives and the Senate? Cabinet Government? Not needed at all. Your local pollie, just a vacant space as well? It is simply amazing how many geese believe what the spinmasters and lazy editors feed them. While I may not have agreed with Joh Bjelke Peterson at the time, he certainly got that 'feeding the chooks' right, referring to his media briefings. Back then, many of the public would have agreed with Joh's assessment of the media. In the present day, when few journalists would have any idea what 'investigative journalism' entails and regurgitating spin is usual, they nonetheless seem to be meeting the needs of their dumbed down audiences. I am warming to the arguments for voluntary voting, whereas before I would have rejected it out of hand. Posted by onthebeach, Sunday, 27 September 2015 3:30:26 PM
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Dear Don,
A respectable piece until you got into your pet delusion. You wrote; “Tony Abbott beat Malcolm Turnbull by one vote back in November 2009, over Turnbull’s attitude to ‘climate change’. The vote took place just before the fiasco of the Copenhagen climate conference. Malcolm Turnbull has had five years to think about all that. In that time it is likely that some of his belief in the menace of anthropogenic global warming will have waned, if only because there hasn’t been any discernible warming in that time, despite the increase in carbon dioxide in the atmosphere. One of the satellite measures shows no warming now for 18 years and eight months. He will also have noted that governmental enthusiasm around the world for ‘combating climate change’ has greatly subsided.” The world continues to warm old chap and no amount of quibbling will help you. Here is the latest graph from NASA. “http://climate.nasa.gov/interactives/warming_world As to governmental enthusiasm waning; “China to introduce nationwide emissions trading scheme” http://www.smh.com.au/environment/climate-change/china-to-introduce-nationwide-emissions-trading-scheme-20150925-gjuv7a.html It is about time you recognise this is your blind spot (we all have them) and try and not let it pollute your other offerings. Posted by SteeleRedux, Sunday, 27 September 2015 4:34:38 PM
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No spin doctors here it is pure observation. The change in PM is worth billions just because of his middle of the tarmac approach.
That was never going to happen with Abbott the conservative wreaking ball. Turnbull will need every one of his team, as against Toni’s Presidential approach. That is how not to be a PM. Turnbull will be on Probation in the court of public opinion, until he has consolidated his worthiness. All we know at the moment is he has made a good start, he is a likeable man with brainpower. He should have never been exited in favor of Abbott. It has cost this country plenty. The world has turned in favor of Turnbull, Indonesia needs to be smoothed over before we can have normalized relations with neighbors. And not interfere with another country’s laws. We are now lagging considerably in the challenges of global clean up, to cut our Co2 Pollution. Posted by doog, Sunday, 27 September 2015 4:48:33 PM
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What a load of horse you know what. Fred Hoyle was arguing against mainstream ideas until the day he died, he never lost standing in the science community.
It's all in how you approach it. If I put in for a research position at a mainstream uni to disprove evolution I would have a very low likelihood of getting a position.
It would have nothing to do with mainstream science trying to cover up the facts and every thing to do with my ability to accept reality.