Well said

Its about time a minister stood up, to speak the truth

Labor has no wishes for change,because if they did this practice would change.

As I have been told question time is just playtime for these idiots,so a full change off government is required.

shame shame shame

TIME TO STAND
TIME FOR CHANGE

MEMBERS AND CANDIDATES WANTED AUSTRALIA WIDE

www.tapp.org.au

when it comes to institutional blindness, mr cohen personifies the problem in his own words. yes, mr c, labor party members are well trained gofers. the whole purpose of a political party is to use bloc-voting to get control of the forum, parliament. the party has been successful in it's aims: the leadership directs,the followership says "baaaa" in chorus.

i have long ago despaired of trying to explain the difference between democracy and pollie-rule to ozzies, but, mr c, your party has done all it can with diseducation and newspeak to create the very character you now profess to despise. i would charge you with cynical hypocrisy except i don't think you're smart enough to know what you're doing.

A very interesting article. It seems to me that Australia is a really good example of how democracy does not work. And we are invading other countries to force them to become more "democratic".
In Australia "democracy" has been reduced to advertising. The party with the biggest advertising budget wins. The unions have abandoned the real needs of their members and are throwing all of their funds and into Labor Party advertising. So they can Bundaberg Australia. And have you noticed how many Labor Party megastars marry each other, promote each other and collect pots and pots of superannuation? Snouts in troughs in every direction. Democracy is not serving the decent, ordinary people of Australia very well at all.
The Bad Apple Bullies website http://www.badapplebullies.com/ supports teachers who are dealing with workplace bullying, harassment, mobbing, victimisation or "payback" etc. You are not alone.

I agree that question time has become a farce, not because of who asks the questions but because of who refuses to anwer them.

How about a truly independent speaker?

Mr Cohens revelations come as no surprise - the matter of control ( almost at all costs) also extends down to branch level - not so much as to what questions get asked but what matters are even brought to the attention senior party members on any real way - control of all things seems to be at the heart of ALP philosophy - and I say that as a former office bearer in a very left wing branch of the ALP in the 80's

And as for Mr Maddens point - what is wrong with havoing a truly independent speaker - a retired judge or even a sitting judge with special responsibilities to the house?

Barry is a good bloke, always was always will be.
And its nothing new the party and I think the conservatives act just this way.
As a rank and filer I must share a story, at a lunch for a NSW great Wran, Beazley and Carr came to our table and said Gday.
Yet those younger on the way up stood only with those who could help get feet on the ladder and did not say Gday or good by to us.
In the days I lived in Barry electorate and even then was a party activist these people had not been born yet they still find a place to use power wrongly in such as this thread brings to our notice.

The ALP has in recent years, been unaccountable and runs roughshod over the rank and file members. One only needs to look to the Hunter Vally in the recent NSW election. Candidates were parachuted into electroates against the wishes of the local branches.

I think this article also raises the issue of question time in general. Question time is, at this point, useless. Questions must be on notice, there is no right of reply, questions are dodged by questionees and Dorothy Dixers waste valuble time.

I really think that question time should be reformed. Each member of the house (not each party) should get a certain number of questions per year (of course ministers and shadow ministers should receive more, but not all of them). There should be a right of reply, and the speaker should have the power to force a questionee to answer the question that is asked, rather than go on about irrelevant tripe.

Question time used to be a valuble way hold governments and members accountable. Between the major parties incompetance and the sillyness of system, have given us a waste.

Well said ChrisC

But there is a problem here, do you expect the labor or liberal party to make change whilst they have power.

Not Going to happen.

One thing also about the Newcastle election, one of the independents wasnt really and independent after all, being a member of the labor party.

Independence for the people, Yeah right

Down right deciet

Change is needed.

www.tapp.org.au

I asked Opposition Ministers to challenge the decision of an acting Minister.

The Opposition Ministers said that they didn’t have the power or resources to investigate individual complaints.

At no time had I asked them to investigate my families complaint, I just asked them to help me to challenge the decision of the acting Minister as his actions were unjust as they were based on lies. They didn’t respond.

The whole system is biased and corrupted and the process is set up to cover up http://jolandachallita.typepad.com/education/

The administration process has been designed to present the picture that they want to present.

First the ALP head office.
Yes , even if a good reason exists to not let the process of selection take place it is wrong to impose head office will so harshly on the party's members.
A very good reason existed in Newcastle, and I can not post here out of respect for the site.
Who do you claim was a ALP member?
Bitterness and miss information is no way to run a party nore fight for political space.
2 very major independents ran, only they and the greens had an impact on the result.
One was Brice the former holder of the seat and a past Labor member.
The other the city's Lord Mayor, strongly rumored to be the Labor candidate for some time.
He ran hard against every one.
Brice had local backing strong support and like the former wanted to win nothing less.
Greens polled strongly , I know of no Labor independent.
I in truth question your balance and understanding of politics.
If you truly want to play some minor roll in politics may I ask that this weekend you re read every post you ever put here?
And re think your anti conservative/Labor stance?
An understanding that kicking in the door of every thread highlighting one or both and refusing to understand 85 to 90% of Australians vote for them is unwise.

Come on Barry and the rest of you. Do any of you take question time seriously? If you hadn't noticed it has been run like this for decades. A farce, a place for political speeches deriding only the other Party. If you are Coalition, then rubbish the other parties. If it's a new Party, really get stuck into them as they are a threat.

This is not going to change if you keep voting for Labor or the Coalition. Why would it, they created it as it is and they love it. Dorothy Dix questions from the government simply to reduce the time available for Opposition questions, lies as usual and more lies, deep as it gets. That's what you will get, only more of it.

To Belly. If you can't say what you know then don't bother mate. Keep your pathetic little non secrets to yourself. You just keep voting Labor and don't think about anything OK. Why are you afraid of anything new by the way?

If this item is about political direction why has the Coalition escaped the blame for doing exactly the same? Prime example? Malcolm Turnbull, yesterday. Announced the water plan would go ahead without Victoria. Within hours he corrected his "view" to match Howard's. No one told him to change his mind did they? Not. Turnbull won't tolerate this for too long you know, he has a brain.

Why is that please Barry?

Could I ask Belly what an "anti conservative/Labor stance" actually is?

Does it mean anything other than people don't trust either of the two big parties?

I don't, who else does?

Could I suggest you actually try to explain to TAPP what is wrong with opposing the corruption, lies and inaction of our government's, both parties, instead of just pretending you "know something" which you can't reveal?

ozzies, do pay attention: oz is not a democracy. it is nothing like a democracy. political parties are not democratic institutions, they are criminal gangs. if they operated in commerce rather than politics you would have no hesitation in labeling them 'stand-over thugs'. their whole purpose is to impose the rule of party leaders on party members with the further aim of ruling society.

so at least stop blaming 'democracy' for the ills of our gang-ruled society, for there is no democracy here. if you can't grasp this, you have succumbed to that sort of brainwashing described so well in '1984' as 'doublethink'. if you do understand it and continue to describe oz as a democracy, then you're the problem- one of the cynical hypocrites who profit from debasing the electorate into political cattle.

the problems oz society faces come not from the failings of democracy but the lack of democracy. in pollie-ruled australia, tweedledum and tweedledee are twins, joined at the hip in their profound belief that 'pollies rule, ok!

In agreement

and the failings have become that of what Mr Rudd has stated

Politics is about Power.

This in itself says it all as this is not what it is about.

The first and foremost it is about representing the people and this great nation of ours.

Not as Ms Gillard has stated
She was honourned to represent the labor party in government.

The people, this is what TAPP is all about.

That is my word, my honour, my self respect, my respect for the people.

Stuart

www.tapp.org.au

Stuart.

Twisting the truth again, when will you give up.

"Politics is about power. It is about the power of the state. It is about the power of the state as applied to individuals, the society in which they live and the economy in which they work. Most critically, our responsibility in this parliament is how that power is used: whether it is used for the benefit of the few or the many."

Kevin Rudd's maiden speech in parliament.

Selectively quoting again.

Next distortion Stu?

The "ticker" belongs to Australia right now.

This will be the most fruitful election Australia will see for a while.

The problems we are facing as a nation are part of a bigger result.

We have a potential outcome, it is serious, and one we must choose to find solutions.

Howard has nothing to loose this time. He has shown himself to be a "tactical" leader. We have learnt a lot from Mr John Howard.

Now however, we get to choose again.

We need a new Federal Government.

We need the continuity of the States and inter-regional institutional reform in Queensland. This includes (we are told) changes within the Local Government framework.

We think about all the governance of these administrations and wonder… how can we make this election effective?

Are these administrations effective?

Is it government or the reform of their administrations that would make a difference?

What do we call effective?

http://www.miacat.com/
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Steve

I would first like to take this opportunity to thank you for allowing me to continue this discussion. I have not lied I have seen this in the eyes of an everyday person that I am.

First words count.

Kevin Rudds First 4 words

Politics is Power

Power of the state

Power how parliament uses this

Well I think Kevin Rudd has this all wrong, he seems to have power on the mind.

This following is an extract from the following article

Stop the presses: the story Rudd tried to kill
Author: Alan Ramsey Date: 31/03/2007
Words: 1662 Source: SMH

What this story is about is a bit of attempted political thuggery. It's the story of the story that Rudd and his minders tried to kill. And when I say kill, I mean kill. Not deferred, or gutted, or rewritten to suit the Labor leader. Gone altogether. Kaput. Never published. They failed. The Sun-Herald published the story three weeks ago, on March 11. It was the edition with a modest pointer, at the bottom of its front page, which said: "Revealed: The family that disputes Kevin Rudd's version of childhood eviction. Pages 10,11."

If you wish i am quite happy to add more off the rudd labor type off power that he uses. This seems that it isnt about the people even with the spashes of individuals and community, but is this the labor/union community or individuals. So we see his power with team sunrise, now team KAK and now its team murdock, we see what power kevin wants.

Also let’s look at the fact dawn service, for one I was disgusted as being Artillery.

We find that either Kevin Rudd is incompetent or just full off himself with “ I Have The Power”.

Oh Steve thank you again for this opportunity, you should read what Belly wrote.

TAPP’s first words

Politics is about People

www.tapp.org.au

A few stones thrown at me here no matter I like a grin.
First that old lemon that I am blindly following the party line!
Gee I can not spell well but can you read?
I have myself done it, posted without reading the other posts but it should be clear you are wrong, even to Tapp.
Now another says no one believes any side of Australian politics ,explain why we return one or the other then.
And last Tapp
no not worth the effort.
Kevin Rudd can not be all things to all men, he however will be elected Prime Minister of Australia this year.
Why? not just workchoices but a whole host of issues such as AWB, subservience to the present leader of the USA and complicity in a war based on lies.
Refusal to understand the long term gains from importing northern water south and the list gos on.
Again Australia needs strong oppositions why have the conservatives not debated the lost state and territory elections?
Why are they unable to see the impending defeat federally and understand policy's not attempts to trash Rudd and truth not worn out lies are needed?

Demos is right, we in Oz do not have true democracy any more than Russia had true communism.
If we had true democracy it would not be a case of Tweedledum and Tweedledummer, we would have Citizen's Referenda, we would not have states versus Federal governments, we would not have minor parties who do nothing to earn their very good living. We would have committees or panels who were answerable to the public and who had to be responsible for stuff ups.
We would have Democracy or as near as it possible to achieve.

Kevin Rudd doesnt need me to trash him, he does that well himself.

Seems like Labor is about big business and now seems to be sucking up to america even after all his australia-american buddy system too much.

AWB

you have forgotten about centenary house and the royal commission that found labor inept.

Labor organised that for the party to get them out of dept and screw the people.

What did that cost australia for those few works from team murdock.

labor for the workers no not anymore.

at least i can say what is wrong and you too scared from expulsion.

www.tapp.org.au

The problem with the system is that as individuals we are worth nothing. The system is not obligated to treat us with compassion and respect. If we have an issue or a problem with the system as individuals our complaints don't count!

In the Ombudsmans Website it explains how they decide what complaints to investigate in part it says:

What happens to my complaint?

We will give your complaint careful attention. In most cases we will telephone the agency or person involved and ask for an explanation. Most complaints are resolved at this stage. If we are not satisfied with the agency's response we may decide to investigate further.

As we do not have the resources to investigate every complaint, we give priority to serious matters - especially if they may affect other people. If there are reasons why we cannot take up your complaint, we will tell you.

http://www.nswombudsman.nsw.gov.au/faq/index.html#whocomp

The Investigatory process has to wait until there are other people seriousy impacted and there is a disaster before they are required to act! The individual is worth nothing.

So much waste.

http://jolandachallita.typepad.com/education/
Our children deserve better.

As expected Belly just rattles on about nothing and states the obvious without actually saying anything.

Any more secrets you are holding to the grave Belly? Just like a schoolkid who shouts "I know something and you dont". Frankly Belly you continue to demonsrate that no matter how much you are taught, how much information you are given, you learn nothing.

Jolanda you are so right and you have a RIGHT to speak-out-rightly about your concerns.

However, please continue to speak up. The point is "individuals" are worth everything. Please do not give up.

Why?

Apathy breeds more Apathy!

Tapp is right about one thing... "Politics is about Power." More to the point ;

Politics is about everyday life. Yes that's right... something we ought not to miss.

Power comes from the BOTTOM not the TOP. Yes that is true. We are being asked to participate, become engaged, responsible.

"Make" communicating with government a two way process. Make your business the govenments business.

With the Complaints office, did you ask to speak to a supervisor. I mean if you are feeling that your complaint needs attention, make sure it gets the attention it needs or deserves.

If that does not work send the complaint to the Attorney General and State or Federal Leaders. Ask to speak to their Policy Advisors or something that you feel might be effective. If you still get no satifaction then go PUBLIC.

I mean it Jolanda, don't give up. The problem we have at present is not only with representations and leadership... it is ADMINISTRATIONS.

For me I see it as "Individual make up Government Administrations, and this is where the major change needs to occur".

Put it another way.... whats the point of having local policies like building capacity, empowerment, self-determination when civilian efforts are nullified.... in all the ways you yourself said.

Good work Jolanda, I felt you made a very important point.

http://www.miacat.com
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Thanks Miacat. The biggest problem is that the process and culture is set up to cover up and to not afford an individual procedural fairness or natural justice so that the Governments reputation and the reputation of those involved is the reputation that is protected, that process is used throughout the system so no matter what you do or who you turn to you cannot get help.

I did contact Opposition Federal Ministers and they said that they didn’t have the power or resources to investigate individual complaints and that because the matter had been closed they could do nothing. It mattered not to them that it had been closed in a manner that was unfair and unjust. I tried a Labor Federal Minister and he told me amongst other things the following:

1. That nobody would believe me because everybody knows that mothers are biased!
2. Not to bother going to a Solicitor, as they would just take my money.
3. It didn’t matter what evidence I had, that it wouldn’t be enough.

What he said has been true. The Solicitor took my money. People choose not to believe me and, although I have the evidence that clearly shows that I am saying the truth, nobody in the system is required to look at it or act on it. The power is with those you accuse, if they don’t confess then nothing happens.

The biggest problem is that my mail was and is being intercepted and sent to those that we allege are responsible in the first instance and then they write to those that I am writing to with their version and with the documents that they want to present. I know this for a fact.

The whole system is a farce. The Media, well they already know and they dont seem to feel it important enough to care. We are ONLY individuals.

Jolanda, if you need an advocate, perhaps I could help.

I totally understand what it feels like to be nullified by the system. No body can solve a problem this way.

I run a small NGO (non government organisation) up here in Cooktown in Cape York. We are tiny, run with virtually no funding, but we do have a strong commuity voice.

If you want an advocates support, perhaps we can help.

You can email me on < candoo@tpg.com.au >.

Maria Altmann
http://www.miacat.com/
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