http://www.businessspectator.com.au/bs.nsf/Article/Treasury-refuses-to-release-costings-of-Greens-pol-pd20120725-WJQZC?OpenDocument&src=hp10
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/greens-contradict-own-rules-on-fois/story-fn59niix-1226436190589
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/opinion/we-can-see-clearly-now-through-transparency-lie/story-e6frgd0x-1226436174218
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/treasury/labor-buries-greens-costings-as-joel-fitzgibbon-opposes-treasury-secrecy/story-fn59nsif-1226435233070

Greens senators Christine Milne and Lee Rhiannon, who have built their careers demanding openness and transparency, argue that official Treasury costings of the party's policies must remain secret despite the process being funded by taxpayers.

The greens trademark is calling for transparency for others, but keeping their business secret. The closed party meetings etc. Just another case of breathtaking hypocrisy. This time their government alliance partner is backing them up.

The libs are good at that also.

So is Labor, Labor has never submitted its policies for costing in opposition.

SM

Don't take notice of anything printed in a Murdoch fish wrapper. Do you have anything from a reliable source.

Paul,

I know that the greens hate most of the free media incl Fairfax and Newscorp for not publishing the Greens version of the truth, but perhaps you could explain which of these points raised in these articles are not correct:

The greens have continually called for transparency and the release of costings.
The greens with the help of labor have ensured that the greens costings remain a secret.
The conclusion that the greens are hypocrites is self evident.

Can you show any different?

Come on SM, you are referring to costings in relation to the recent state by election for the seat of Melbourne. It was not a decision taken by the Greens but one by the Labor government after being given independent advice. The story was only picked up by the Merdoch fish wrapper no one else in the media was interested in the story. Your bloke was looking for some dirt, sorry none to be found. What we really need to know is Coalition policy and costings well before the next election. Will it be like last time when the Coalition would not give Treasury the necessary information to do costings?
P/s We all know heads would roll at Nonewscorp Ltd if they started publishing the true, sorry I must apologise they do publish some truths they get the footy score right most of the time and who won last nights races at Dapto dogs. When it comes to truth, Murdoch's fish wrappers should stick to what the do best, football and dog racing. I'll give you some credit at least you didn't point me to a story by that pimply faced teeenybopper from The Daily Telecrap, Gemma Jones or some dribble by Piles Akerman.

Paul,

You can't have your cake and eat it. Either the greens stand for transparency or not. Actions speak louder than words, and their actions say that transparency is not for the greens.

As for the election costings, Labor and the coalition had an agreement to submit costings to an independent body, as treasury has a tendency to leak to the incumbent government, and treasury rarely reveals the assumptions upon which it does the costings.

It will probably be like the last 10 times labor was in opposition when they refused to have their policies costed at all.

Note that it was labor that refused to have its costings evaluated by an independent body.

SM

My interpretation of what you are saying. You are absolutely correct you can't trust Liberal or Labor, who can you trust, The Greens of course. As you can testify to, I am total unbiased when it comes to political comment on this forum. I can tip the bucket on Labor as easily as on your mob.
We are taking on Labor and Liberal in the up coming council elections in September. In my ward may preference the Liberal put Labor last type stuff, big chance the Liberal will get up. True. Its all happening election wise for us at the moment. 2 stste by elections and council elections busy, busy.

Paul,

Trust the greens? You must be joking. They are the one party that has never produced costings.

I support the Liberals and Labor in preferencing them last.

SM,

The put The Greens last is certainly, at local council level a bit to simplistic to be workable. If that was to be the case the Libs know we would direct preferences to the ALP even though they to put us last/ The result would be a Labor dominated council, Lib don't want that. So a preference deal where we direct to small l Libs in some wards and ALP or independents in other wards results in a hung council and a bit of power sharing. A deal to share the mayoral duties around the 3 parties is always on.
I was only being a bit light hearted about you trusting us Greens.

How can anyone expect the Greens to come up with any costings when they don't know what's needed ?
It's all good & great to say we want a better society whilst doing exactly the same as all the others. If you want to make a difference then you need to be different. Admittedly it comes at a hell of a cost but if you stick to your principles & keep pushing them all will come good. But, to push a principle it's got to be one that is of benefit to all not just a close circle of hangers-on.
I for one keep pushing for non-military National Service & flat Tax because I know that these two policies will eventuate through sheer necessity. How do I know ? History tells us ! Common sense with all it's scarcity will make a comeback.

individual,

You are quick to criticise Green policy but you promote this 'non-military National Service' notion. Please explain how will it work, the who, the when and the why of it. Is there a working model you can point to?. What would it cost Australia?

I heard mention of this National Sevice idea from a young bloke who I had seen as quite sensible. I would fight like hell to aviod being forced into some form of slavery by the government right when I was working my way towards my career goals. If you want to vulunteer to help the comunity make friends work on your CV then fine. If you cant figger out what to do for work then there is compulsory work for the dole. What kind of Fasist system forces young people to work for the state against thier will? I know the Greens are totalitarians but I reckon even they would baulk at that.

Mark you say "I heard mention of this National Sevice idea from a young bloke who I had seen as quite sensible." The perception of 'sensibility' of the young bloke is dependent on your 'sensibility'. With your assertion that you know "the Greens are totalitarians". Such a statement on your part leads me to question your 'sensibility'. Where is your evidence The Greens are totalitarians. Before using such big words one should know the meaning.

Totalitarianism: Of, relating to, being, or imposing a form of government in which the political authority exercises absolute and centralized control over all aspects of life, the individual is subordinated to the state, and opposing political and cultural expression is suppressed.

Evidence please.

By sensible I meant an econimics student who espoused a Adam Smith view of microeconimics and an Ayn Rand Libertarian view of his personal philosophy.

By totalitarian I mean forcing people to take a year out to work at things against own thier free choice. What would you have em do ? Plant trees ? Bugger that ! I would be burning that draft card !

Mark, I am not the one with the notion of 'Non-military national service' that honor belongs to Individual. I assume you were asking me "What would you have em do ? Plant trees ?" Nothing to do with me or Greens policy. Should direct your question to Individual. My 2 bobs worth is I always favor planting tree over planting land mines.