Quote
"Bill Shorten wants quotas to boost number of gay politicians in Parliament"

further to that "He says the party should consider quotas for Indigenous Australians and the lesbian, gay, bixsexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community."

Is this the start of a new POLITICALLY CORRECT push by Shorten, if it is I think it will backfire.

Fear not!

There are plenty of heterosexual weddings taking place.

Here's one which excited George Brandis and Barnaby Joyce so much that they charged the taxpayers for their travel expenses to attend it.

http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/brandis-joyce-attended-wedding-on-taxpayers-tab-20130928-2ulgn.html

" The Attorney-General claimed $1700, including more than $1000 on return flights, $143 on a hire car and the overnight ''official business'' allowance designed to cover accommodation and incidentals.

He told Fairfax Media on Saturday that he regarded the wedding as a chance to ''foster collaboration'' over Smith's work on covering Ms Gillard and the Craig Thomson scandal and was therefore ''primarily a professional rather than a social engagement''

''These were both matters of significant national interest on which I spoke frequently in Parliament and the media,'' he said in a written statement."

"significant national interest"...is this guy for real?

Dear Poirot,

You mean this is the same attorney-general, George Brandis
who was the Opposition's "attack dog"
going after Slipper, Thomson, et al, for the misuse
of taxpayer's funds? And isn't he the man who's now going to
be writing the code of behaviour that pollies are supposed
to follow? Goodness me! There should definitely be an
investigation into all this, plus they should both pay back
the money - as Tony Abbott was forced to do with his misappropriation
of funds while promoting his book, "Battlelines."

I wonder who this man is to the Coalition - whose daughter's
wedding they both attended? What's the connection?

Interesting. Perhaps this incident won't be swept under the carpet -
like their asylum seeker problems. So much for a "no surprises"
government. I don't think people realised that when they were
told "We'll stop the boats," they meant, "We'll stop talking
about the boats."

Labor don't appear to have caught up with the changing facts of life yet.

The old days of buy one & get one free, politically, are gone. Where they could buy a vote from some ratbag fringe dwelling group, with out it affecting the votes of normal people in the past, it no longer works that way.

In fact it is now probably a negative in their overall vote. More are turned off by their rabid attempts to hoover up the ratbag vote than they gain. More people are waking up to the fact that so many Labor policies are chosen to win a minority, all too often to the detriment of the majority.

Labor's boat people policy is a prime example. Letting them in, while pretending not to, was designed to shore up their Muslim vote. They expected only minor repercussions in the main vote. Too late Rudd realised their mistake, & came up with the bound to fail PNG bit of fluff. It cost them dearly.

The stupid thing is that Labor are now running around upsetting "proper" Ozzies, to buy the ratbags they all ready own. Every vote they buy costs them more than a vote in the larger community. Although we still have a few here, the old time rusted on voter, for the old time Labor are a dying bread. So many are disillusioned daily & jump ship, that those left are getting lonely.

Lets hope this fool Shorten gets his way. It will be another stake in the heart of this rabble, masquerading as the once great & useful party.

Shoring up the Muslim vote Hasbeen?
Gee, there are barely 1% of Muslims in Australia, so I doubt their vote meant much!

Shall we talk about Abbotts push for the Catholic votes?
Now there is a good lot of votes amongst that holy lot!

Suseonline - Quote "Gee, there are barely 1% of Muslims in Australia, so I doubt their vote meant much!"

But congregated in 1 or a few electorates that 1% of the population extrapolates out to very large percentage.

Dear Philip S.,

Don't fret. The Libs can always attempt another
"Lindsay pamphlet scandal" as they did prior to
the 2007 election if they get really worried
about the election outcomes. Or alternatively,
they could set up a "slush fund" as Mr Abbott
did when he feared the threat of Pauline Hanson.
And I'm sure that News Ltd's editors, its senior
correspondents in the Canberra Press Gallery,
and political commentators will willingly become
parties to whatever ludicrous scams will be on offer.
Utegate was one such example.

So, cheer up.

Foxy,

Brilliant Broelman cartoon..."The Cheshire Prime Minister"

https://twitter.com/Broelman/status/383971460529672192/photo/1

(Worth a copy and paste)

: )

Dear Poirot,

Thanks.

Will copy and paste.

Brilliant!

Suseonline, "Gee, there are barely 1% of Muslims in Australia, so I doubt their vote meant much!"

You must have your tongue planted firmly in your cheek after very recent headlines like this,

<Grand Mufti threatened Labor over Israel ‘bias’

Australia’s senior Islamic cleric threatened to withdraw community support for federal Labor in Western Sydney if union leader Paul Howes replaced Bob Carr in the Senate, a leaked email reveals>

- from the Financial Review

Another article,

http://tinyurl.com/mufti-threatens-Labor

That leaves no doubt at all that the ethnic tail swings the Labor dog in its pre-selections and in Labor policies too.

It is simply amazing how blind you are to Islam, yet you are constantly denouncing the Christian religion.

<"How is it that the Collingwood Football Club can get 80,000 people to join and we can get 45,000," Mr Shorten said during an interview on the ABC's Insiders program today.

Asked whether any recommendations from the so-called Faulkner, Bracks, Carr review - commissioned after the party narrowly scraped through the 2010 federal election - would be implemented, Mr Shorten said:

"I think the most pressing overhaul of the membership is to make the party bigger.

............
Mr Shorten also said he wants to introduce quotas to boost the number of gay and lesbian politicians in Parliament, a move welcomed by Rainbow Labor, the group that represents the party's lesbian, gay, bisexual, transgender and intersex members>
http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-29/shorten-says-alp-must-grow-party-membership/4987526

So Shorten is obviously opposed to stopping the corruption in NSW Labor and instead he is going for spin to recruit new members. The biscuit for the new gay members is that he will manipulate pre-selections to give them a leg-up into parliament.

This is the Party that Rudd rightly said needed to become more democratic and accountable. Of course that will never happen. Any wonder they want to force Rudd out of Parliament too, despite the fact that electors put him there.

Here's Bill Shorten on this morning's "Insiders"
(29/09/13) program - and what he actually did say:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-29/bill-shorten-joins-insiders/4987552

there are barely 1% of Muslims in Australia, so I doubt their vote meant much!
Suseonline,
Is this what you're trying to keep away from us ?
Islam in Australia is a minority religious group. According to the 2011 census, 476,291 people, or 2.2%[1] of the total Australian population were Muslims. This made Islam the fourth largest religious grouping,A major new study by the US-based Pew Research Centre has forecast a global surge in the Muslim population, with Australia and New Zealand among the nations expected to see the biggest rises.

In Australia, the Muslim community will grow from about 399,000 to 714,000 by 2030, an increase of 80 per cent.

In that time the non-Muslim population will increase by about 18 per cent.

This trend is even more dramatic in New Zealand, where there will be a 150 per cent rise in residents who adhere to Islam.

Dear Individual,

Why do I get the feeling when I read your
recent posts that someone else is driving...
(putting it as politely as possible).

individual,

"In Australia, the Muslim community will grow from about 399,000 to 714,000 by 2030, an increase of 80 per cent.

In that time the non-Muslim population will increase by about 18 per cent."

By "2030" that gives you a "non-Muslim" population of around 27 million to a Muslim population of 714,000.

Yup.....be a while before they take over.

I get the feeling when I read your
recent posts that someone else is driving...
Foxy,
wrong again as usual. Not someone else, my experience is in control of this vehicle.
If you want to dismiss my experience then I suggest you get out of your comfy library chair & get some experience yourself. Real life is somewhat different to reading books.

Looks like another 'bright idea' coming from this generation of Labor.

Yep, with 1.2% of homosexuals in the community there is a dire need to have a quota system to ensure homosexuals are represented. I am not sure if Shorten means just Labor candidates or if he wants designated parliamentary seats for homosexuals.

You could say the same for buddists, hindus, muslims and all the other minority groups as well.

What is wrong with each party in electorates selecting the best candidate they can find, irrespective of the group he/she belongs to.

Shorten may have to think a little harder about Labor party reform.

[Deleted for unacceptable language.]

Why such a long and repetitious title for this discussion? Any one of those two words would suffice!

Lol Tony Lavis!
Love your work :)

I don't know what all the gnashing of teeth over 'token' homosexual politicians is about.
What does it matter how or who each politician has sex with in the privacy of their own bedrooms?
Nothing about knowledge of who, or who isn't, homosexual will affect politics in any way really.

If the Coalition supporters are the ones most loudly expressing their horror on this subject, then they should open their eyes and realise there are already high ranking Gay politicians amongst the houses of holy already...

Tony Lavis,
What are you trying to proof with your ignorance ?

Foxy, good interview by Shorten. This 'shock jock' wedding Brandis and Joyce attended, was it the Alan Jones wedding? Was it in New Zealand or France?
This "Minchin Protocol" these tax thieves are applying, can bank robbers apply the same principle? if so I might take up a new profession.

All my long life the left have been fighting against "Discrimination" now it seems that is all OK if it's their pets who are given the advantage.
Another thing why is that the numbers of homosexuals blah, blah, blah overstated and the number of muslims understated? Just asking.

Does this mean Bill Shortone is gay or is Penny Pong leading up the garden path. Next thing will be a call for more Muslim in parliment. Will they be gay ones too.
Bring back Bob Bottom at least we knew where he stood or sat or laid.

Susie,
It doesn't really matter if a politician is part of a minority group or not. But some people are very serious about their beliefs. Hence foxy, and others, often referring to religion and casting aspersions about Tony Abbott's ability to not be influenced. They see a political gain from making a connection.

While Shorten may well be angling for the support of homosexuals, he could well be shooting himself in the foot, as many Labot party members may have more traditional views.

Shorten himself raised the matter and, in my view, not a good move for one who aspires for leadership. Many will wonder just how strong is his support for homosexuals and will he consider their desires before that of the general public.

Banjo, what 'desires' of homosexuals would be detrimental to the majority of the electorate?

If you are talking about Gay marriage, well that won't affect anyone else.
Gay people are already in politics, so I can't see what dastardly changes you, or Bill Shorten, are expecting.

To my mind, ALL people should be able to run for politics and be chosen on their own merits.
The only problem I see is that old-fashioned middle to old aged white Christian male politicians may refuse to give anyone else a fighting chance, after their domination of politics for so long.

Recent surveys have shown that over 60 per cent of
Australian voters are in favour of same-sex marriage.
Perhaps Bill Shorten is simply reflecting his Party's
stand on the issue. After-all Labor is supposed to
represent the vunerable in our society. And perhaps
a Referendum on the issue might just be the way to
settle this matter. Let the people decide what they
want.

I shall repeat what I've posted in the past -
Each society views its own patterns of marriage,
family, and kinship as self-evidently right and
proper, and usually God given as well. Much of the
current concern about the fate of marriage, family,
and kinship stems from this kind of ethnocentrism.

If we assume that there is only one "right" marriage,
family, and kinship form, then naturally any change
will be interpreted as heralding the doom of the
whole institution. John Howard had the Marriage Act
amended to suit his conservative views. It is
something that can now be amended again to reflect
the views of the community. It is important
to recognise, therefore, that there is an immense
range in marriage, family, and kinship patterns; that
each of these patterns may be, at least in its own
context, perfectly viable; and above all, that marriage,
family, and kinship, like any other social institution,
must inevitably change through time, in our own society,
as in all others.

Bill Shorten needs to understand that politics in Australia rise and fall on intellectual capacity to suggest any sector has greater capacity than another and is entitled to special treatment is ignoring the principle 'promotion on merit'

The first two words that come to mind are...OH DEAR!

Dear rehctub,

Venison for dinner? Oh deer!

Susie,you said, "Banjo, what 'desires' of homosexuals would be detrimental to the majority of the electorate?"

Many people have strong views on homosexuality so many will see marriage as detrimental to our society, as well as adoption by homosexual couples.

It does not matter what you and I personally think and I strongly doubt foxy's figure of 60% approve. That is hardly an overwhelming majority for a single issue anyway. It is what ALP members think.

Mind you while Rudd and Abbott may have personal misgivings about it, Gillard would have introduced it, if she thought it would win votes.

No, Shorten may regret that he put forward the idea of a quota for parliamentary representation. On what criteria do homosexuals qualify for special consideration? They are only 1.2% of our population

'Gay'l marriage wasted much of the time of the previous Parliament, largely due to the disruptive, headline seeking behaviour of the Greens.

As well, both Labor and the Greens ran the proposal up the mast during the election campaigns.

Such has been the rejection of both Labor and the Greens by the electorate that there is no doubt their intended trashing of the Marriage Act is unpopular.

The Netherlands has had 'gay' marriage for years, but as the experience there demonstrates, very few homosexuals ever took up the option. Likewise in Australia where it is a condition of Centrelink to notify couple status, very few homosexuals have complied. But why not, if they seek public notification of their 'love' as they say?

There is no doubt that 'gay' marriage is being pushed by a few activists with the aim of obtaining the gold status of marriage, and more commonly is being thrust on an unwilling Australian society by radical feminists and self-styled 'Progressives', who despise marriage and all it stands for and are determined to trash it by any means possible.

As can be seen from existing and deleted posts in this thread, there is a lot of cat-calling and bullying of anyone who even questions 'gay' marriage.

By the way Banjo, I am not a Labor supporter. I supported the Nationals candidate in my electorate because I live in a country area, and the Royalties For Regions initiative did wonderful things in my town.

I agree there shouldn't be a quota for any minority group Banjo, but I also think there shouldn't be a monopoly on political careers, or places in Parliament , for middle aged, white Christian males (Gay or not!).

So how do you think we get around that?
You can't tell me the current system doesn't favour this configuration, or that the 'ol boys club doesn't ensure that this carries on as it always has been?

How do many others, eg women, other religions, other ethnic minorities, or any other different group , ever get a chance to even try?

Suseonline, "How do many others, eg women, other religions, other ethnic minorities, or any other different group , ever get a chance to even try?"

You must have been living on another planet for the past thirty years of affirmative action. Feminist ideology and feminist policy pervade politics and the public bureaucracies.

Women have opportunity and choice. It might not suit you that they are making their own choices but they do. Otherwise, how do you explain the paucity of women in the trades like plumbing, where employers are desperate to get workers and apprentices and there is very obviously nothing to prevent any interested willing-to-work person from finding work? But then you could say that about many different vocations and it is why workers are being imported.

Computing is the same, women aren't interested, despite every encouragement. Although you would say that women should be parachuted in as senior IT managers.

What prevents you from taking up one of those occupations where there are few women?

Dear OTB,

Go back and re-read Suse's post.
She was talking about women and political careers.
Those who do get into Parliament find it
difficult to become Ministers or get into
Cabinet as we've seen from the current
government's example. In spite of incessant
rhetoric about equal opportunity the mass of
male Parliamentarians find it difficult to
equate women with positions of power.

Foxy,

Everybody 'gets' that you bounce between very narrow rails: you want to slag off at the new government and you are trying desperately to play the sexism card.

Julia Whatshername played that card better than you ever could and Labor sacked her for it after finding that the public wouldn't have a bar of it.

Thanks for explaining that to what'shisname, Foxy.
I never bother though, because his record only plays one song, and it is mind-numbingly boring...

Suseonline,

Those "middle aged, white Christian males" you love to hate would only have been teens or perhaps in prep school when you formed your prejudice.

With respect, why is such an obviously old woman like yourself so fixated as to be obsessional about 'white' men? Where does one find these 'white' men you so despise as to continuously post your hatred about them?

What a cluster of hates you have. Sadly.

quotas is simply a way of promoting your incompetent mates. Look at the last Government full of emily's listers, lawyers and unionist. At the last census 60% of australians identified as Christians. Maybe we should have 60% Christians in Parliament. Imagine the howls from the minorites. Shorten is a joke. Why do all these people who fail in personal life want to impose there lack of morality on the rest.

Fortunately for this country and Labor Shorten will not be leader.

over 60 per cent of Australian voters are in favour of same-sex marriage.
Foxy,
Totally & utterly out of synch on that one. Those 60% tolerate same sex marriage, they're not in favour of it. Huge difference, a difference you should not attempt to twist. It shows that heterosexual people are actually far more flexible than the minority groups.

There is a vast difference between a private homosexual who is community minded and an avid activist on homosexual issues who wants to control community standards by government.

Labor has gone too far with its quota system. I see that the 5% of Australians that are criminals are also well represented.

Here's a couple for you, SM

http://m.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/george-brandis-flimsy-expenses-excuse-a-sad-reflection-on-a-wedding-20130930-2uoxu.html

...and good old soapy George Brandis doesn't even have to the grace to pretend it was mistake.

Not to mention that Barnaby Joyce appears to have taken on the title of "Minister for Attending Weddings"....

"FEDERAL Cabinet Minister Barnaby Joyce has admitted he “probably” slugged taxpayers for travel so he could attend another set of nuptials, this time as host of Queensland’s “political wedding of the year’’."

http://www.news.com.au/national-news/barnaby-joyce-admits-he-may-have-claimed-petrol-costs-for-a-second-wedding-visit/story-fncynjr2-1226730279972#ixzz2gQ4C5jj2

Hypocrisy much....

: )

P, Talking of hypocrisy:

Juliar used the military jet to go a private wedding and then separately to a labor party fund raiser that is explicitly excluded and cost the tax payers $100 000s and never even attempted to pay it back. It has already been acknowledged that the expenses claim by Brandis was within the letter of the law, and the question was only whether it was within the spirit.

This is very different from Craig Thomson's fraud, or MacDonald, Obied etc, etc within labor.

They're a bunch of hypocrites.

End of story.

'Hypocrisy much...

'They're a bunch of hypocrites. '

so funny coming from you Poirot.

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/attorneygeneral-george-brandis-defends-13000-taxpayerfunded-library-20131001-2upee.html

"The Attorney-General said that the "majority of the cost of the entitlement has been spent on subscription to the Commonwealth law reports".

However, a Fairfax Media analysis of Senator Brandis' expenses over the past four years reveals that of the nearly $13,000 spent on publications, only $4013.65 has been spent on Commonwealth law reports."

Talking of ex-PMs

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/pm-notches-up-record-jet-bill/story-e6freuzi-1111114456294

"PRIME Minister John Howard has set a new record for his taxpayer-funded RAAF VIP jet taxi service between Sydney and Canberra.

Because Mr Howard chooses to live at Kirribilli House on Sydney Harbour and not at PM's official residence at The Lodge in Canberra, he uses a VIP jet to commute from home to work and back whenever Parliament sits.

During 2006 the flight bill to taxpayers was $187,530 for direct operating costs (fuel, spares, crew) or $1.6 million based on the full cost (lease, overheads) to the RAAF of operating two Boeing 737 business jets and four smaller eight-seat Canadair VIP jets for the Government.

If Mr Howard had flown Qantas business class the bill for 123 flights would have been a mere $50,709."

Blow it out yer ear, runner.

(talking of pointless contributions to threads - and one who never offers anything to back up his mealy-mouthed hit-and-run spoiling)

SM, It would seem the ALP does not have a mortgage on possible wrong doing in NSW aka Obeid and Sir Lunch A Lot Macdonald. We now have a bunch of Liberals in the spotlight with ICAC raids on a couple of Liberal MP's offices, something to do with "donations" from guess who, developers. I wondered why the O'Farrell government passes 98% of developments, maybe we are going to find out. I'm sure there is more from this to come, if so are they part of your 5%?

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/two-mps-targeted-in-corruption-raids-20130921-2u671.html

P,

I agree with you. Labor is a bunch of hypocrites.

Paul,

The glaring difference between the Liberals and the ALP is that the two MPs in question were referred to ICAC by the liberal party, whereas with any allegation of wrong doing by a labor MP has been hidden, denied, and the investigation blocked where possible. (Thomson is a prime example).

Yes, corrupt politicians make the other ten per cent
look bad.

Somebody please tell me.
Is Shorten gay or not?

Dear Chris,

Shorten is as gay as the Coalition is
intelligent, competent, knowledgeable, and promote
people on merit. ;-)

cont'd ...

I was tempted to say that Shorten is
straighten than the poles some people's
relatives dance on - but that would have
been rude.

Lol Foxy...that's not rude at all :)

Chrisgaffe "Somebody please tell me.
Is Shorten gay or not?"

That thought never occurred to me.
Christopher Pine has given me cause to think though...

Well you never can tell where they are lurking today.
It's very hard to reinvent you're thinking when you have been brought up (in the Academy) with a polarized view of what is black and what is white, what is wrong and what is right and what is gay and what is not and then spend your every working day with entrenched 'official' "rules of engagement" and a whole system to back you up.
I'll ask Cris Pyne when I see him next week. I think he is one of ours. Isn't he?

chrisgaff1000, "I think he is one of ours. Isn't he?"

Well he goes to work is happily married and loves his family if that is what you mean. See here,

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/special-features/the-other-side-of-christopher-pyne/story-fnho52jj-1226650207749

He is not dependent on Centrelink like the whinging Shazzas who might snarl jealously at him for working and giving a damn,

http://tinyurl.com/OLO-s-Shazzas

Yep you never do know.

I remember one really dreadful PM who was married to a very slinky lady, but that did not stop much wondering.

Hasbeen, that wouldn't be Billy McMahon by any chance. Australia's first gay PM and he was a member of the Liberal Party, Although I'm not too sure about Alfred Deakin he could have been Australia's first gay PM.

Chris, lots of bent coppers, did you encounter any in the "locker room"?

SM, they may both be corrupt political parties. On a broader scale it must bring into question the O'Farrell governments mass development approvals in NSW, do you not agree.
As you are well aware my party The Greens always supports sustainable development, where as it would appear O'Farrell supports all development, that must now be questionable.

Paul1405,
What has sustainable development got to do with the subject? When the Greens view of sustainable means not touching or changing an environment; but not the sustaining of an economy or society. Government means serving the society and its values.

Paul1405
No we were too busy throwing them into the Parramatta River with a brick ties to their leg to see if they could swim. Some did too.
Your gay PM guess was way off the mark.
It was Paul Keating who now lives in Vienna with his partner and commutes between Europe and Aussie at taxpayers expense.
Your greens sustainable development policy means no profit. No profit means no growth and no growth means economic ruin which just about sums the greens up.
By the way wasn't your leader (Brown) gay?

Dear Chris,

There were many rumours about Andrew Peacock's
penchant for young male caddies when he played
golf. Who knows? A politician's sexual preferences
shouldn't really matter to us - should they?
I'm more concerned about unethical behaviour -
like the recent attendance of a private wedding
at the expense of the taxpayer. It's hardly a good
look for the new Attorney-General one of whose roles
will be to draw up a new ministerial code of conduct.
Brandis' relentless pursuit of Craig Thomson and
Peter Slipper over the alleged financial improprieties
now looks hypocritical to say the least.

Paul 1405, "Australia's first gay PM and he was a member of the Liberal Party"

You are a try-hard. But you are out of your league trying to compete with Foxy/Lexy/Alias and Dear Old Tin of Fruit Poirot for the dubious crown of Muck-Raker of the Year.

Lady Sonia McMahon is now deceased, but prior to her death she spoke sadly of the scurrilous rumour-mongering against her late husband that reflected on her as well. Those who care about her memory, and she was one of Australia's kindest, caring people, and surviving family would be interested in the article and here it is,

A love beyond understanding, by Susan Mitchell
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/a-love-beyond-understanding/story-e6frg6z6-1111114526775

It is the fate of some men that they speak at a higher pitch. That is not their fault. Also in McMahon's case he suffered a life-long hearing affliction that affected his speech. That is no cause either for the awful Julia Whatshername or posters here to cat-call a member of parliament as a 'mincing poodle' in Parliament.

Since Foxy has also smeared Andrew Peacock, it should be mentioned that he was the charming, sensitive and dashing Australian politician written so fondly of by Hollywood actress Shirley MacLaine. Not gay, obviously.

Just to keep you up to date.

The government borrowed a further $800 million today: Tenure 10 years, yield 3.90%. Gross borrowing since election $7.9 billion

Poirot - Quote "The government borrowed a further $800 million today: Tenure 10 years, yield 3.90%. Gross borrowing since election $7.9 billion"

Thank you for that most interesting piece of information BUT without saying exactly what the money is for you are just trying to sensationalize something.

Considering how long they have been in office it is more than likely that the money is going to unfunded projects of the previous Government and to support the 50,000 ECONOMIC INVADERS that they let in.

Please correct me if I am wrong and you can supply a breakdown of what the money is for.

Philip S.,

Where's the budget emergency?

Here's some more nutty conservatives dragging their country down the tube.

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/article/2013/10/2/us-economy/republic-crazy

Phillip,

The RBA issues bonds to cover transactional costs and to cover bonds that are expiring, so even when the Howard government was running a surplus, new bonds were issued every week.

Parrot's regular announcements of bond issuance is about as relevant as her announcing the date. Being a typical labor supporter, with the economic nous of a squirrel, she thinks that this is important.

My dear Foxy,
I was Andrew Peacock's bodyguard on many state occasions, "golfing" excursions and private 'estate' weekend functions.
I can assure you that his preference was for young slightly silly blonde females who like the byproducts of good champagne and high quality hash.
Not once did I see him with or hear of him dallying with the 'ball-boys' or caddies.
I hated the man, was probably a bit jealous although the job had its up and downs when consolation was the best remedy for the 'cast off' syndrome.
Fortunately unlike the US Secret Service we did not have to take an oath to "take a bullet" for the boss.
I don't know whether i would have or not.

It doesn't suit Foxy's gay activism to accept a man as successful with women, especially where the women concerned are the aggressors taking the initiative.

Women being sexually aggressive with other women would be quite another matter for Foxy. Foxy would be beside herself with glee in that case and highly supportive.

Different folks, different strokes, apparently. That would always be too much information however.

funny how Foxy and Poirot were not worried at all about Gillards slush funds or Thomson (cleaners money) and prostitutes. Well I suppose like all others they have huge double standards. Just can't see it themselves.

I think it is well documented, much of the current borrowings is to pay the interest bill on the debts LABOR ran up for us.

runner, "funny how Foxy and Poirot were not worried at all about Gillards slush funds or Thomson (cleaners money) and prostitutes. Well I suppose like all others they have huge double standards. Just can't see it themselves"

There is a lot of buzzing in the hive post-election. There is the perceived likelihood that worth, priority and value for money tests might be applied to those billions of dollars that leak from the bucket of taxpayers' money every year.

Dear Chris,

I can appreciate your role as Mr Peacock's bodyguard.
And your information is probably more dependable
than mine.
Anyway, it's all heresay anyway - isn't it?
Rumours and innuendo. And that's part of the game
of politics and celebrity as women's mags confirm.
After all - what else can one do with rumours
but spread them - right? (joking).
As I stated in my earlier post - it's their ethical
behaviour that matters - no matter which side of politics
they're on.

Dear OTB and runner,

We know, we know, we know - you guys never want to hurt or insult
anyone. You just feel an obligation.

Foxy,

Did you go to the link I posted? Unfortunately the original photos are not apparent now, but they were beautiful.

A love beyond understanding, by Susan Mitchell
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/features/a-love-beyond-understanding/story-e6frg6z6-1111114526775

It was a love -as I hope you appreciate- that was the very opposite of the selfish, self-concerned 'individualism' that is used as an excuse for every excess today. Not old-fashioned and very relevant to today. There might even have been a biblical reference in the reference to 'love beyond understanding', but I only reached the level of trainee altar boy before breaking free for sporting pursuits so I am not sure.

I don't really believe you would trash such pure loving sentiments from the lovely lady and the caring journalist concerned. Rather I think you might have been a little reactive and unthinking, which we can all suffer from at times.

OTB Why should there be a problem with ones sexuality? Billy McMahon if he was gay, bi or straight it didn't make him much of a PM. As for Mrs M "and she was one of Australia's kindest, caring people," that's a big call. I see you didn't jump in and defend Keating.

Andrew Peacock, it should be mentioned that he was the charming, sensitive and dashing Australian politician written so fondly of by Hollywood actress Shirley MacLaine. Not gay, obviously. Was he also bisexual?

Chris, Bob's not dead and unless the electric shock treatment worked he's still gay.

Foxy/Lexy/Alias and Dear Old Tin of Fruit Poirot for the dubious crown of Muck-Raker of the Year.
OTB, your bagging the best posters on the forum. Just cop some of the reprobates from the conservative side and their daily rants.

Paul1405, "Why should there be a problem with ones sexuality?"

The question is why would anyone want do it in the first place?

But nice try at side-tracking. Unsuccessful with me, try someone else.

The government is going to borrow another $500 million today - three months Treasury notes.

'The government is going to borrow another $500 million today - t '

Unfortunately does take some time to reverse Labour/Greens total incompetence.

Poirot is lying again!

Every week the interest on Labor's debt is about $160m, but the majority of bond sales is to replace expiring bonds and to maintain the existing, not to generate new debt. Thus to say "The government is going to borrow another $500 million today " is a lie.

The interest on Labor's debt is about $8bn p.a.

Labor LIES - Quote "Julia Gillard conceding the welfare payment to the unemployed is too low."

She knew this when she was in office but DID NOTHING, now she does not have to worry about the economic consequences of raising it she admits it.

To me this is further proof she ruled to survive not for the people of Australia.

"The government is going to borrow another $500 million today " is a lie."

Spin away, SM.

Of course, I should have mentioned that Stephen Koukoulas tweeted that info (sorry if I give more credence to him that some anonymous "Shadow Minister" on a predominantly right-wing opinion forum).

Not as much detail as usual, ie. tenure and rate....but they are borrowing $500 million today, just as they borrowed $800 million yesterday.

$7.9 billion since the election.

Not lying - that's what they are doing.

Dear OTB,

I fully agree that "a little reactive and unthinking,
is something which we can all suffer from at times."

Dear Paul,

Thanks for the kind words.

Dear Poirot,

According to a Treasury Report in 2008 between 2004 and 2007
the mining boom and a robust economy added $334 billion in
windfall gains to the budget surplus. Of this, the then
Howard government spent or gave away in tax cuts $314 billion
or 94 per cent. Sale of businesses yielded another $72 billion.
And yet Australia's cash in the bank when Howard left office
was a pathetically low 7.3 per cent of GDP.

Even Bulgaria and Kazakhstan had better books in 2007 than
Australia yet the Coalition continues to declare,
"You can trust us with the economy. We ran things well
before."

It will be interesting to see how well and for how long
they can continue trying to sell this rhetoric to the Australian voters.

Here you go, SM.

http://www.afr.com/p/australia2-0/hockey_mulls_separate_debt_for_infrastructure_1ToqpT20wDt403WUjOiQxL

"Treasurer Joe Hockey is considering identifying government borrowings raised to fund infrastructure as separate from debt raised to cover the budget deficit as the Abbott government contemplates an infrastructure spending splurge."

"But the Coalition must first execute a stunning political about-face to explain why it may increase debt, and let the deficit increase, after years of attacking Labor over “debt and deficits”."

So Hockey is set to fiddle with the way government borrowings are "identified".

Why am I not surprised.

Dear Poirot,

Here's another bit of information that should
warm the hearts of conservatives.
This was taken from The Age, Tuesday, October 1st, 2013.

"Public service bosses in Tony Abbott's department
are not keen to talk about royal portraits that have
appeared at their Canberra headquarters. Workers at
the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet were
surprised to find a portrait of the Queen hanging in the
staff briefing room when they filed in on Wednesday
for Mr Abbott's first meet-and-greet with his news
department. Insiders say the portrait was not there
before the election victory. Mr Abbott was a key player
in the "No" Campaign during the Republican Referendum in
1999. There is also talk that another royal image
has appeared in the executive suites in the upper reaches
of the National Circuit building."

Perhaps Mr Abbott is hoping for a medal from Her Majesty,
similar to the one his mentor - John Howard received?

With all the hiding Abbott does, hiding the boats, hiding the debt, hiding from the media, he should create a new department, The Department for Hiding. Can't tell you where it is because Abbott hid it somewhere, and wont say.
In 3 weeks this government has created a small mess, given 3 years... well, they will multiply the mess by 52, stands to reason.

P,

I realize that using your brain might cause an aneurysm, but just for once look at the figures.

Considering that as parliament has not sat, the country is still following the debt trajectory set by Labor which is for a $30bn deficit, or roughly $600m/wk. This would be roughly $2bn since Labor was rejected by the voters.

The additional $6bn as discussed before is bond turn over, and would occur even when the government was running a budget surplus. Stephen Koukoulas is deliberately being loose with the truth to make a political point. This is commonly known as lying.

Repeating a lie, when you know it is a lie, makes one a liar.

As far as inventive ways to hide government debt is concerned, Labor is the past master.

Just look at the "off the books" Ponzi scheme that is NBN co.

SM,

At the risk of keeping you barking.

I repeat.....

"Treasurer Joe Hockey is considering identifying government borrowings raised to fund infrastructure as separate from debt raised to cover the budget deficit as the Abbott government contemplates an infrastructure spending splurge."

"But the Coalition must first execute a stunning political about-face to explain why it may increase debt, and let the deficit increase, after years of attacking Labor over “debt and deficits”."

Could that be termed "hypHockrisy"?

LOl!

Putting it another way...

http://www.theage.com.au/business/comment-and-analysis/20th-century-solutions-to-21st-century-transport-problems-20131003-2uv4e.html

"Executing a 180-degree turn is a tricky manoeuvre for a naval fleet as big as the one sailing into Sydney Harbour this weekend. While there's less danger to life, limb and rigging, it's also difficult for a coalition that's spent the past four years fighting a phoney war about government debt.

But there are more signs that Joe Hockey is signalling that just such a turn is in the offing. The big bloke is about to attempt a backflip with half twist – everybody stand back."

"The semantics are wonderful: the Labor Party generated evil government debt that will enslave your children; the Liberal Party will access capital markets to set your children free."

Con artists.....

Dear SM,

I fully agree with your statement,

"Repeating a lie, when you know it is a lie,
makes one a liar."

Yes, indeed it does.

And so it is no wonder that the misinformed public swallowed
the lies hook, line, and sinker - (with the help of
the Murdoch press), and elected
the current government which now has to deal with
political reality.

As I stated earlier - interesting times lie ahead.

Excellent point, Foxy.

It appears Abbott, Hockey, Bishop et al. spent the entire election campaign telling non-stop porkies.

I realised they were lies.

You realised they were lies.

But a whole lot of vacuous voters considered they should trust this mob of ignoramuses.

(That's leaving out apologists like Shadow Minister who spins so much he's constantly dizzy)

Oh well....we saw it coming...didn't take long for the lies to unravel.

Poirot, "But a whole lot of vacuous voters considered they should trust this mob of ignoramuses"

LOL

Dear Old Tin of Fruit, the Australian public is so beneath you. OLO is indeed graced, honoured, to have your towering intellect available. Even if that means a regular scourging of all present. - Excepting your adoring if very few followers, bless them.

You are such a tease too, for continually threatening to leave and post elsewhere.

Dear OTB,

A democracy requires its citizens to make informed choices.
If citizens or their representatives are denied access to the
information they need to make these choices, or if they
are given false or misleading information, the democratic
process becomes a sham. It is therefore important that the
media not be biased and that public officials tell the truth.
When leaders conceal information or lie, the people cannot
use their rights in a meaningful way - and it is important
to point these things out on a public forum such as this one
of political and social debate.

otb,

" OLO is indeed graced, honoured, to have your towering intellect available..."

Nice to know you appreciate your good fortune.

"You are such a tease too, for continually threatening to leave and post elsewhere."

I am posting elswhere...unfortunately there are so many bozos around here spouting so much garbage that it's hard to resist popping in regularly to give them a tickle-up.

Foxy,

Get a load of this bollocks from Abbott and Morrison in March...

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/policy/we-can-turn-back-boats-if-we-want-says-tony-abbott/story-fn9hm1gu-1226301311544#sthash.WS5NGH6c.dpuf

Compared to his simpering obsequious performance recently in Indonesia.

Reality is always such a downer, isn't it Mr Abbott?

What's that you were saying?

"We can turn back boats if we want, says Tony Abbott."

"TONY Abbott has hit back at Australia's nearest neighbour, saying Australia has every right to return asylum-boats back to Indonesia."

"......with opposition immigration spokesman Scott Morrison yesterday saying that under a Coalition government, the "Australian government's policies will be determined by the Australian government".

"If the Coalition is elected having clearly stated this policy, then it will be implemented," Mr Morrison told The Australian."

Dear Poirot,

Yes, why didn't the media do their job
better. How did editors, senior correspondents,
and political commentators become parties to
such inept, misguided and ludicrous scams?

One can only hope that scrutiny will finally
be applied. Only I won't be holding my breath.

Poirot, "I am posting elswhere...."

Dear Old Tin of Fruit, you have had more good-byes than Dame Nellie Melba.

A flounce of sequins and you are off again forever..

But you always return. Come on now, admit that you get just a teensy-weensy little thrill out of your adoring fans like Foxy (you may count her as two at least), and others.

Trust you though to make your doting subjects jealous that you post 'elsewhere'.

Dear OTB,

Whatever it is that eating you old chap -
must be suffering terribly.

Foxy,
Democracy demands nothing more than equality at the ballot box. How that equality is achieved has nothing to do with the democratic process.
Its a bit like "Ignorance of the law is no defense"
The law is out there for you to find.
So is democracy and all the 'Constitution' or the 'Westminster' system demands is that the opportunity to express your opinion at the ballot box is not denied.
How you vote or who you vote for and how you arrive at that decision is a matter for your own political journey and if that path is tainted by lies, misreadings or stupidity is for you to decide and decipher.
You could say that there is a "Caveat Emptor" role in political assessment and the consequences of any action are squarely on the shoulders of the punter.

Dear Chris,

Actually not quite.

Democracy can thrive only when most of several basic conditions have
been met. They are advanced economic development, restraints
on government power, absence of major cleavages (in which there
is a general consensus on basic values and a widespread commitment
to the existing political order), tolerance of dissent,
access to information, and diffusion of power.

A democracy requires its citizens to make informed choices.
If citizens or their repre4sentatives are denied access to the
infomration they need to make these choices, or if they are
given false or misleading information, the democratic
process becomes a sham. Ours is a representative democracy
and it is fragile. Our voters have the right to use their
rights in a meaningful way - they can't if they're lied to.

Foxy,
Democracy only provides the opportunity for your manifesto.
You have to make the choices and decisions as an exercise of democracy.
Or,through the democratic process,force change.
Democracy id the tool and you are the mechanic.

SM, Do you think this obscene borrowing by the Abbott government has anything to do with the "I'll buy the boats" line or could it be to pay off the mega rich "baby makers", which one is it, could it be both?

Foxy, "Our voters have the right to use their rights in a meaningful way - they can't if they're lied to"

More of the authoritarian Left's theme that the public cannot be relied upon to sort the wheat from the chaff and exercise judgement. The public don't know what is best for them but the authoritarian left does.

The authoritarian Left would fix the news sources and government publicity to ensure the public got the 'right' information. It is called censorship. It is denial of freedom of speech.

Dear Chris,

In practice, the socieites we consider democratic
are those that have institutionalised procedures
for periodically choosing among contenders for
public office. They have representative democracy:
voters elect representatives who are responsible for
making political decisions. In all democracies the
right of the individual to choose among the alternatives
is held in high regard, and this right pre-supposes
such basic civil liberties as freedom of speech and
assembly and it requires its citizens to be able to make
informed choices. It is therefore important as I stated
earlier that public officials tell the truth.

You disagree - that's fine. We'll have to agree to disagree
on this issue.

Cheers.

You people keep raving on about Democracy. Can't you for just one minute accept reality & leave the non-existing democracy out of the debate ?
It is pointless to debate about democratic ways when there is no democracy, let's focus what is & discuss minority rule dictatorship.

Dear Individual,

Talking about "minorities?"

The Liberal Party is a perfect fusion and is even known
as the "Coalition."

The origins of the Liberal Party was the
"Fusion Liberals" begat the "Nationalist Party"
which begat the ironically named "United Australia
Party: which begat, by a charismatic wave of Mr
Menzies hand, the Liberal Party.

The Libs are a "Coalition," and they
wouldn't survive in politics on their own. Yet they criticised
Labor when Labor was forced to form a government with
its own "Coalition."

Pot/kettle.

As for my raving about our representative democracy?
It's a system I've been socialised to believe in.
I've taken the legitimacy of this particular system
for granted very early in life. Of course I also
do believe that we should face the challenges before us
and hold our leaders to account - that's why having
them tell us the truth is so important at least to me.
You of course are welcomed to disagree.

When I invented the term "left whingers" I never imagined quite how apt it was. The level of histrionics on this thread is at record levels.

To call the coalition liars as you are doing, they either have to be doing something they promised not to, such as Juliar's no carbon tax guarantee, or have indicated that something they guaranteed to do, they will not be doing.

To refresh the memories of the left whingers on this site suffering from selective amnesia and hypocrisy:

Included in the coalitions promises PRIOR to the election:

1) $5bn for infrastructure over the next 4 years. Hockey planning an infrastructure spend is therefore not a backflip.

2) $20m (no more) set aside for buying boats that could be used by human traffickers, and money to be set aside to pay for intelligence. These have been earmarked to be allocated in conjunction with the Indonesians - so far no broken promise.

3) Turning back the boats, already rescues in Indonesian waters have been returned, and at the meeting, while Abbott promised to respect Indonesia's sovereignty, he made it plain that Australia considers the Indonesian boats illegally entering Australian waters as infringing Australian sovereignty. Further discussions will occur in a bilateral committee that Labor failed to achieve.

So far the coalition is proceeding to plan as promised before the election.

otb,

Re censorship...sorry just stopped laughing at your post...keeping in mind that Morrison's first act was get cute about reporting boat arrivals.

Lol!

SM,

Are they still going to initiate their kooky boat buy-back scheme?

Roolly dumb, that one.

Not surprised that you approve of grandstanding nuttery.

Btw, (according to Stephen Koukoulas) the govt has today borrowed a further $800 million, for 4 years, Yield 3.07%

Takes it up to somehwere not too far under $9 billion since election.

Have a nice day!

P,

You should be a labor politician as you can't stop lying.

According to your criteria, Labor "borrowed" a little less than $1trillion over the last 6 years.

I am looking for to the judicial review into Juliar's criminal activities with the AWU.

Dear SM,

There was an interesting program on last night
about the AWB. It seems that criminal charges
are now being investigated.
Should prove interesting.

Dear Poirot,

Belly has just started an interesting thread on what's
happening in the US currently.

It seems from the reports of political commentators in
that country that the issue is not about President
Obama's health care of "Obamacare," as I originally
thought.

As one commentator tells us, "It seems that the Republican
Party post George W. Bush has been more savage than before,
driving hard for the maximum political advantage, no
matter the cost."

"Cutting off wages to federal employees and their families,
shuttering national parks and halting routine workplace
safety and mine safety inspections - all these comprise
merely an opening gambit ... what they want is what the
corporations and individuals who funded their campaigns
want: austerity spending cuts, tax cuts for the rich,
perks for fossil fuel industries, cuts to ...health care
and food stamps and the like."

Sounds very familiar doesn't it?

Foxy,

"sounds familiar" just like labor with the single parent allowance, PNG solution etc.

No Shadow Minister, it's an apt description of
the Liberal Party with its leader of "conviction"
who kept telling us that the government doesn't work.
Then they get elected and prove it.

Really Foxy,

What is not working?

SM,,

I note Abbott and Morrison have reattached their gonads now that Mr Abbott has slimed and wimped his way through his official Indonesian visit.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-04/government-refuge-afghan-interpreters-families-scott-morrison/4998990

""I wish to stress that the full arsenal of measures represented in the Coalition's policies to stop the boats remain available to be deployed by the Government," Mr Morrison said."

Note the word "arsenal" just to give it a wartime touch.

Gee, this guys has lots of gonads : )

I also note that when refugees drown en-route to Italy, they have a national day of mourning.

We, on the other hand, wipe our brows in faux concern...and talk about arsenals, economic migrants, scourges (thanks for that one Mr Abbott) etc.

Wonderful fearful, insular mob are Australians.

Foxy,

I'll get back to you on Belly's thread.

Yes really, Shadow Minister.
As for what's not working ...

Getting rid of climate science wasn't a success.

As the new Climate Council has proven to Mr Abbott.
Then of course asylum seeker boat arrivals (stopping
boasts doesn't count). Accountability is being
questioned. Refusing to
answer questions and clamping down on cabinet ministers
doesn't help. There's considerable disquiet on the
lack of official information about boat arrivals and
maritime search and rescue missions from Scott Morrison's
Immigration portfolio. Then there's the
revelations of George Brandis'
and Barnaby Joyce' spending taxpayer's money to attend
the wedding of a right-wing shock jock's daughter's
wedding was hardly a good look. Especially for a new
Attorney-General responsible for the drafting of
Ministerial Code of Conduct.

And there's quite a lot more as Poirot has been pointing
out to you on this thread.

It appears that many issues like - asylum seeker policy
and carbon emissions are far easier issues for an
Opposition then for a Government to deal with as Mr Abbott
and his Cabinet Ministers are beginning to learn. Plus
the fact that now
the government may have to also deal with a hostile Senate.
We'll see how that pans out. There's of course many
other issues like the Indigenous
problems, the Government's Paid Parental Scheme,
the Mining Tax, and tax cuts in general that won't go
away. How will the "Conviction Politician" be
judged by the voters - once greater scrutiny is applied?

Early days yet - however, will this Government find itself
with an Opposition as destructive as the one that the
previous Government had to deal with?
We'll have to wait and see.

Foxy,

So you have nothing other than the coalition does things differently from your ideological wishes?

The climate commission was a government funded activist group that did no actual research, so no one "got rid of the climate science" It looks as though there are enough senators to easily get rid of the carbon and mining taxes too.

PS, the boats are a fraction of what they were under labor a few months ago.

Dear Shadow Minister,

You did ask me what I saw as "not working,"
and I answered you.
If you want your opinion to be respected,
than you have to at least acknowledge that not
everyone sees things as you do.

No Foxy,

I asked what's not working, NOT what's not working for you!

You said that the government's not working, and I asked you for an example, not a fat ideological whinge.

The coalition is achieving exactly what it said it would. What it is not doing is indulging in the megaphone diplomacy that Labor so cherished.

Dear Shadow Minister,

You did ask me for an opinion - I wasn't aware
that it had to be one you would approve of.
You should have made things clearer as to what
you wanted to read. I wouldn't have wasted my
time in replying to you.

I stated things as I see
them - that's my prerogative. Yours is to see
things differntly - which is fair enough.
But I don't accept your suggestion that I
didn't answer your question. That's simply
not true. I did. You just don't happen to like
what I said. And,
please don't get all self- righteous on me -
it simply won't wash. As I stated earlier - the
Coalition has a lot to answer for - and now that
they are having to actually deal with problems
they are finding that things are different when
in government than when they were in opposition.

Dear SM,

Here's two links that may help you understand
my concerns:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-26/green-tony-abbotts-incredible-disappearing-act/4980664

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/ministers-muzzling-a-dangerous-strategy-in-government-20131003-2utc1.html

Shadow and the rest of the motley conserve crew. As the topic is named 'Looney Politician' I would like to offer up another poly who I believe is a bigger looney tune than the Mad Monk himself. I know you are shacking your heads in disbelief, mumbling "Not possible...no one could be more looney than our man Tony Baloney." but there is such a dill brain, and he's alive and well and running New South Wales, Barry O'Farrell or as I like to refer to him Fatty O'Barrell.
Why does Fatty qualify as a top looney, because the fool is now trying to kill off the public hospital system in this state. Just this week my partner and her union were out on the grass protesting a secret government plan to sack 300 hard working, vitally need workers in her hospital. Fatty and his cohorts were trying to keep it all under wraps and lied to the workers about job cuts and beds closing, but it all leaked out and the boys and girls were on the grass venting their anger at Fatty and his sneaky plans.
SM I'll let you know when the next protest is on so you too can "down tools" and back up the workers with a bit of SM solidarity.

Foxy, you are spot on there;

"the Coalition has a lot to answer for - and now that
they are having to actually deal with problems
they are finding that things are different when
in government than when they were in opposition."

You can't run government policy with glib one liners. Abbott and his bunch though they would come out swinging. Pumped up with the euphoria of victory they thought they were "king s" in this neck of the woods and the bunch from up north were going to be told in no uncertain terms who was top cocky and who calls the shots down here. A quick learning curve and some humble pie and the Mad Monks backtracking on all his one liners as far as the Indonesians are concerned, and policy in general.

beautiful to see Mr Abbott fulfilling his promises after the worst Government in history and its supporters saying it can't be done. First they said Abbott can't be elected (first lot of egg) secondly they can't revoke carbon and mining tax (2nd lot of egg) and now they are trying to claim some sort of victory because its taking more than 2 weeks to reverse Labours policies that led to 1200 plus drownings. They have no shame.

Yeah, runner, they are wonderful people with the good of the country at heart.

Just one thing?

Can you explain their fetish and preoccupation for attending weddings and charging the taxpayer for the privilege.

http://m.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/big-bucks-for-mps-bollywood-adventure-20131005-2v0wf.html

Oops! - here's another one...

http://m.couriermail.com.au/news/national/tony-abbott-repays-travel-costs-for-wedding-in-wangaratta/story-fnihslxi-1226733507793

Not to mention Brandis and Joyce and their little expedition.

Starting to mount up.....

Paul,

The two fruitiest politicians are definitely at No 1 Brown Eye Bob the Alien whisperer, and at No 2 Lee (the racist and communist) Rhiannon. It must be really galling that PUP got as many seats in both houses as the greens after only 3 months in existence.

It must really stick in the craw of all left whingers that Abbott has so smoothly switched from campaigning to governing, and that he has already achieved more with Indonesia in a week than Dudd and Juliar ever did in 6 years.

Poirot, this snouts in the trough mentality by the "born to rule" mob is getting out of hand. There have been to every big wedding bash under the sun, all at taxpayers expense.
SM if Alan Jones should ever decide to get married in say France or New Zealand do you think The Mad Monk and his motley crew will jump on board a jumbo jet at taxpayer expense to be there for the "nuptials".
Isn't that the same Sophie Mirabella, who got rolled at the last election? Obviously not enough sex appeal. Tony should have checked that out with hubby Greg before tossing her name into the ring. Bad call.

Quite so, Paul.

Here's a wrap up of the latest Coalition snouts in trough situation.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/coalition-mps-must-lift-game-20131006-2v2bf.html

But of course, there's ex-ministers like Peter Reith who disagree:

"But former Howard government minister Peter Reith disagrees, describing the wedding expenses scandals as ''petty'' and arguing that politicians should be entitled to unlimited travel...."

Erk....

Snouts in trough indeed.

These pollies (both sides) have been rorting the system for years.
The Travelling Allowance system is more financially generous for them than for their Public Service minion counterparts yet I know of PS employees who have been dismissed, charged or even imprisoned for lesser indiscretions.

I haven't forgotten Howard's extended UK stay so he could take in a couple of days' cricket at a top class London Hotel and then added insult to injury by incurring a $10,000 late check-out fee into the bargain. It was his personal responsibility and fault yet the mug taxpayer picked up the tab.

We are yet to be told (in the main stream media) about Abbott's tendency to claim TA plus airfares to participate in (non-parliamentary) sporting events for image-building photo-opportunities and his claimed personal costs being sometimes triple those of Gillard - all while squealing about "stopping the waste".

Nevertheless, it will all blow over (as it usually does) but the ramifications for those cab charges against Slipper will be entertaining.

At best it will be an interesting opening to the first Parliamentary session when it comes.

obviously those obsessed with abbott abbott and abbott are silent about Ms Gillards defacto using commonwealth vehicles to do private business.

Dear runner,

Back it up with evidence please.

for u foxy

http://www.news.com.au/national-news/julia-gillard-wrote-personal-cheque-for-4243-to-department-of-finance-because-partner-tim-mathieson-misued-taxpayer-funded-car/story-fncynjr2-1226720672955

ps please don't blame abbott

Dear runner,

Thanks for that.

And I won't blame Mr Abbott if you stop
blaming Julia Gillard.
Quid pro quo.

The money in both cases was paid back.

runner,

I'd love to stop blaming Abbott...but he keeps running up bills to the taxpayer for his own private jaunts.

Dare I say, he's admitted to another one today.

To none other than than Peter Slipper's wedding.

"It was revealed yesterday that Mr Abbott repaid more than $1,000 he claimed for a trip to Ms Mirabella's wedding, while he confirmed today that he also repaid more than $600 he claimed to attend Mr Slipper's wedding."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-07/abbott-defends-use-of-entitlements-to-attend-weddings/5002214

The usual tack being that once the media is alerted that something might be amiss, then he races off to pay it back.

(That's not including his "volunteer" work for which he also claims expenses from the taxpayer)

Poirot, according to the conservatives Slipper is gay. So did Abbott attend a gay wedding, at taxpayers expense, something he wouldn't approve of, the wedding that is, not the taxpayers cash!
What about that gutter snake an out and out scum bag, Peter Reith, one who ripped of the taxpayer, gave his kid his taxpayer phone to make 'free' calls with. He's out there justifying Coalition rip offs. The bloke was a dog in government and he hasn't changed.

Paul,

Here's Tone doing his usual um...ahh...um...ahh...explanation of his "inadvertent" claim for Slipper's wedding

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9j8RzWZpubA&feature=youtu.be&a

Note how he advises is there's any doubt, MP's should rush off and repay (unless your name is Slipper and when you offer to repay you are informed that someone "anonymous" has dobbed you into the AFP - so you won't be afforded the luxury of repaying)

Notice how Abbott runs away "really quickly" when journalists seek to ask him questions.

True to recent form.....

Rache,

That Howard hotel incident wasn't related to his UK cricket visit - it was part of his $1 million European Tour fortnight and happened in Rome.

It was 4 nights in a Royal Suite for $171,000 – including the $10,000 late checkout fee.

As for Travelling Allowance, I don't know what the current Daily Rate is in Canberra (although it's higher than Sydney) but would be about $400/day TAX FREE.

Every time you hear about politicians "sharing flats" or "living in converted garages" during parliamentary sessions, remember they are getting that daily rate every day, no questions asked and no receipts required.

If they can live on $400/week they simply pocket the rest. Not a bad tax-free bonus, considering they seem to write off all other expenses. If they attend a function with free food, they still claim the full rate.

Politicians don't make claims "in error" - they must personally sign every claim and nobody rakes in that sort of cash in total ignorance of where it is coming from.

Paul140 - Slipper isn't gay but Ashby certainly is. His current partner was previously associated with a particular "mincing poodle" at a visit to a gay resort some years ago - the same "poodle" who was behind the scenes having secret meetings with Ashby and dealing on behalf of Mal Brough. There is much more to come out here.
Mud was thrown for a purpose but the story remains long after the purpose has been achieved.

Runner - Gillard paid her claim back as leader of the Opposition back in 2007.
Abbott's claim was from 2006.

Punchy Shonky Abbott paid his back only after he was caught out in the last few days in the wake of Joyce and Brandis (and others yet to come).

"Only just brought to his attention?"
Like his payback for his dodgey Battlelines book tour - another lie.

Paul, Parrot, Wobbles, et al,

If you want to see lavish and frequent over seas trips, you only need to look at Kevin 747 as PM and FM, Juliar, and many Labor MPs. The rules regarding entitlement is very fuzzy. However, as all expenses are submitted to parliament and available to all through FOI, these can be reviewed and refunds requested.

The reason that Slipper (labor's speaker) is facing court is not because he claimed entitlements he was not supposed to, but rather because it appears that he falsified the documents, which if proven is fraud.

Roughly the same happens in business. If I go overseas, my expenses are paid on company credit card, I submit the receipts and am expected to repay personal expenses. The $40 bottle of wine at dinner is living expenses and is acceptable, the $15 movie ticket or other entertainment is not unless I am with a client. Much of it depends on my honesty, and the determination of the accountant reviewing it. I get a list of items I need to repay, and I do so, and no one blinks an eye.

If, however, I were to falsify any documents to get them accepted and was caught, I would be instantly fired, and possibly referred to the police.

Wobbles I know Slipper's not gay the conserves wanted to push that innuendo.
Thanks Poirot, for the link. Doesn't Abbott look uncomfortable when he's lying and that's most of the time. The way he scuttles away from the media when he gets a 'hot' question reminded me of a creature scampering across my kitchen floor this morning. I fixed it with a dose of Baygon, do you think baygon would work on Abbott? Nah, don't work on rats.
SM "If, however, I were to falsify any documents to get them accepted and was caught, I would be instantly fired, and possibly referred to the police."
Isn't that exactly what Abbott and his Coalition cronies have been up to? I agree, bring in the coppers, I can just picture the Mad Monk being lead away in handcuffs, screaming "WHAT ABOUT BARNEY!"

Here's your daily update : )

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/tony-abbott-claimed-travel-expenses-to-compete-in-port-macquarie-ironman-event/story-fn59niix-1226734492117

"TONY Abbott charged taxpayers almost $1300 in travel and accommodation costs to compete in the 2011 Port Macquarie Ironman event.

The Australian has checked the Prime Minister's travel records for the weekend of the event and confirmed he claimed $941 worth of flights to and from Port Macquarie and $349 in travel allowance."

(Ye Gods - even The Australian has got in on the act!)

Paul,

Good wrap-up of Coalition rorting.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/opinion-coalition-wedded-to-travel-expense-claims/story-fnihsr9v-1226734289884

"POT, kettle. Snout, trough.

That just about sums up the litany of expense-related accounting clangers that a conga line of Coalition MPs from the Prime Minister down have 'fessed up to in the past couple of weeks.

The highlight of the born-to-be-entitled approach taken when it comes to having the taxpayer bankroll your jollies was undoubtedly the $12,000 claimed by three then-opposition MPs to attend an Indian wedding in Hyderabad as guests of billionaire mining magnate Gina Rinehart."

"Since September 7 the irony fairy has been sprinkling karma dust in liberal doses.

The Slipper "oops'' from our new PM follows his decision in recent days to write another cheque to hand back about $1100 he claimed a few years back to attend former Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella's wedding in Wangaratta."

"t is also worth noting that in the above cases the money was allowed to be repaid, presumably under the Minchin protocol (after former Liberal senator Nick Minchin who was allowed to pay thousands of incorrectly claimed travel expenses claimed during the 1996 election campaign).

This was not an option available to Slipper who is still being pursued through the courts for $900 of dodgy cab docket claims because a police complaint was made by a "third party".

Abbott, meanwhile, repaid $9400 in travel-related expenses claimed while promoting his Battlelines book and is apparently an enthusiastic claimer of whatever's on offer even while ostensibly engaging in charitable pursuits."

Poirot, be fair... Tony is repaying Gina Rhinoceros for the lads trip to Bombay, or where ever they went. He's abolishing the mining tax, that will pay for a few weddings and a political funeral, sorry old Barn, old pal, yah gota go, sacrificial lamb and all that. I seen Gina on telly the other night, I think she's in line for Tony's $75k baby bonus, maybe $150k, could be twins.
I do believe Tony is claiming a buck from the taxpayer for the Vegemite sanga he bought from the school tuck shop down at Saint Bozo's primary back in 63, when he was in the third grade . Is that true SM?

Paul,

This is how Tony defends his expense claim for his "charity" ride in Port Macquarie:

""Let's not forget that Port Macquarie was a marginal seat effectively and I want to assure you that I don't go to marginal seats simply for sporting events, although the sporting event in question was a community even."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-08/abbott-denies-taking-taxpayers-for-ride-over-pollie-pedal/5008456

So it seems campaigning in a marginal seat under the guise of a charity ride - and charging the taxpayer for your expenses is just the ticket if you're a member of the Coalition.

Firstly this looks like a witch hunt, probably from the idiots from get up to trawl through the 20 000 odd claims by the coalition from the last decade for even the tiniest appearance of improper use, and after review the department of Finance has not determined that any of these claims need to be repaid. They have been repaid to avoid the appearance of impropriety.

Paul,

Every statement of yours makes you look more idiotic. None of the documentation of claims for travel etc by the coalition have been altered. Whereas from news accounts the documents submitted by Slipper were altered specifically to make a limousine trip for private purposes appear as 4 separate taxi fares.

Parrot,

The "Pollie pedal" in Brisbane firstly is old news, and was a charity event where people attended in their capacity as politicians.

Furthermore there are apparently about 60 instances where Labor MPs have had to repay claims in the recent past.

SM,

"The "Pollie pedal" in Brisbane firstly is old news, and was a charity event where people attended in their capacity as politicians."

Really, do tell....MSM is finally getting in on the act...tip of the iceberg.

"Furthermore there are apparently about 60 instances where Labor MPs have had to repay claims in the recent past."

Well, they should be outed too.

I suppose you can provide some background to your 60 instances?

Something along these lines would suffice.

http://www.phonytonyabbott.com/blog/how-the-taxpayer-paid-for-tony-abbott-to-compete-in-surf-races

Parrot,

Using your logic, I take it that you concede that the claims by Abbott fall within the letter of the entitlement law, as you have failed to contest this.

Secondly the 60 instances I heard on the ABC new this morning at 7am, and can't provide a detailed link to all of the labor abuses, but here is a quick appetizer:

"Former frontbencher Simon Crean claimed a flight back to his home base of Melbourne after the December 9 party, and Comcar costs on the day of more than $80.

Former climate change minister Greg Combet and his then-partner Melissa Parke are also said to have incurred Comcar costs on the night of the celebrations, which they attended.

Records show Mr Combet subsequently repaid more than $150 in taxpayer-funded limousine travel.

Kevin Rudd, who also attended Mr Slipper's wedding, is claimed to have racked up $831 in Comcar costs on the night of the Hawke party. Attempts to reach Mr Crean, Mr Combet and Ms Parke were unsuccessful.

A spokesman for Mr Rudd said he was present at both events, but he was not in a position to check whether he had claimed any entitlements.

Ms Gillard has previously come under fire for travelling to the wedding in her VIP plane, claiming she had official business in the region."

Given that the dirt file division of Labor has probably spent weeks trawling through the 10s of 1000s of claims and has only come up with a handful of marginally questionable Coalition claims, I confident that realizing the mud slinging game labor is playing that all the labor MP's questionable claims will shortly be published.

SM,

"Given that the dirt file division of Labor has probably spent weeks trawling through the 10s of 1000s of claims and has only come up with a handful of marginally questionable Coalition claims, I confident that realizing the mud slinging game labor is playing that all the labor MP's questionable claims will shortly be published."

Well, actually, some of this stuff was common knowledge well before the election...but MSM wasn't interested at all.

The question is "why" now after the election are they picking up the stories and running with them?

These aren't "marginally" anything.

They highlight rank hypocrisy.

(Notwithstanding, Labor does appear fairly quiet on the subject - perhaps preoccupied checking past expense claims?)

Of course, you'd never find SM questioning the infallibility of his party....he's a full time spinner.

: )

yep a few Labourites on tax payer expenses watching strippers when Bob Hawke traded for a new model. Charming.

Parrot,

Pot calling the kettle black? I have never heard a peep from you on any negative issues WRT Labor such as with regards Craig Thomson's fraud, or more recently John Robertson's being offered a bribe and keeping quiet about it.

As I mentioned before, the dept of Finance so far has not declared any of these claims to be outside of the scope of entitlements, but as far as labor is concerned, makes a good headline.

For the roughly $1bn spent on parliamentary entitlements over the past decade, Labor is trying to manufacture a scandal from the perceived incorrect claims of a few $1000.

SM (Minister for roolly clever namies)

".....Labor is trying to manufacture a scandal from the perceived incorrect claims of a few $1000."

Ho,ho,ho...it's a lot more than a few thousand.

(of course, you're trumpeting the Coalition line, as in "What do few thousand here and there in rorts have to do with anything?")

Much more to come yet.

Ahem...Tones and Co are either rushing to pay back or attempting to defend their use of taxpayer-funded expenses for personal use and/or party promotion - as somehow being parliamentary duties.

wobbles

'Runner - Gillard paid her claim back as leader of the Opposition back in 2007.
Abbott's claim was from 2006. '

she might have paid it back in 2006 but it was her defactos misuse/fraud etc not even her own. Could you imagine if the misuse was Margie Abbott. Liberals would have to stoop very low to reach the depravity of the former Govt. despite Poirots rantings.

ooh er, runner,

He's not only made BBC headlines: http://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-asia-24439974

He's also made The Times: http://www.thetimes.co.uk/tto/news/world/australia-newzealand/article3889513.ece

As for "family", there's at least one question (amongst others) on a certain day at the races (Victorian Derby) in October 2011 for the Abbott family with an expenses claim of $5333.00 ($848,00 travel allowance, $3722.00 for flights and $763.00 comcar costs)

Runner,
What Gillard may or may not have done is irrelevant in the current situation.
The fact remains that both sides are guilty but it's mainly the Libs who have turned it into an art form.
It's no surprise that Howard is our most expensive ex-PM to support.

Here we have some self-righteous pollies caught with their snouts deeply in the trough while calling for restraint and cutting waste and the end of "the age of entitlement".
They claim to be sound economic managers but act mainly out of financial self-interest.

It doesn't stop with the polly-peddle, it relates to ALL Abbott's image enhancing photo-ops for ALL his sporting stunts.

Who expects to not only be paid for charitable work but to make a profit as well?

Posing as a phoney fire-fighter and leaving as soon as the cameras go is no more than a stunt.

This information plus all the documentary evidence (which is publicly accessible) has been out in the blogosphere for months and it's only now that the mainstream media are talking about it.

And he's not alone.

How many recall that Malcolm Turnbull claims the rent he pays while staying in his Canberra flat from the taxpayer - the flat owned by his wife?
Imagine the howls if it was somebody from the ALP.

Soon Barnaby Joyce's suspect property dealings with his secret Coal Seam Gas venture in the Pilliga will start to leak out as well as his financier - then we will have some real political entertainment reminicient of Eddie Obeid to keep us entertained.

There is no way that this government can claim to hold any sort of moral high-ground.

I'll repeat that it's odd that the subject of expense rorts has now been taken up by MSM. Even the ABC wouldn't touch it prior to the election - now it's headlines.

Both Labor and Coalition members have used the Minchin Protocol to repay expenses for which they were not entitled.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is one of the worst offenders - and even now is standing by his practice of charging the taxpayer for expenses when he takes part in cycle and surf competitions.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-08/abbott-has-history-of-claiming-sporting-event-expenses/5010186

"A pattern is emerging of Prime Minister Tony Abbott using his travel entitlements to compete in sporting events around the country.

Mr Abbott today defended charging taxpayers for his travel expenses to lead the Pollie Pedal charity bike ride, and to also participate in an ironman event in Port Macquarie."

"But the ABC's 7.30 can reveal that Mr Abbott has claimed thousands of dollars to take part in various sporting events in recent years.

In 2012 he went to the famed Lorne Pier to Pub race in Victoria and claimed $1,444.

In August that year Mr Abbott went to Coffs Harbour for its cycle challenge, claiming $1,002.

The next month he went to Wagga Wagga for its Lake to Lagoon fun run and claimed $515."

So while many MPs have run up the odd expense claim only to have repaid, Mr Abbott is unapologetic about running up many thousands of dollars of questionable expense claims over a number of years.

Not a good look for a PM who campaigned against waste and reckless spending by govts.

we know Poirot abbott abbott abbott and abbott. this fixation seems to be distorting you.

<Hours after demanding an investigation into Coalition travel expenses, Labor frontbencher Mark Dreyfus has admitted to billing taxpayers for a ski trip to Perisher.

The shadow attorney-general said he will repay $466 for two nights' accommodation he claimed in August 2011, on the weekend between two parliamentary sitting weeks, after incorrectly claiming travel expenses.>

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/expenses-critic-mark-dreyfus-embarrassed-over-taxpayer-ski-trip-to-perisher-20131008-2v5sc.html

Mark Dreyfus (the shadow AG) has just blown labor's case right out of the water.

While TA had legitimate political business that coincided with his charity runs, Mark Dreyfus was doing what official business in Perisher?

If you are going to throw mud, you need to be wearing Teflon. The word Labor is synonymous with hypocrite.

I think that the Labor supporters, ABC and Fairfax journos should be advised to drop the travel claims issue.

If someone really starts digging into claims made, Labor may well have a lot of egg to wipe off.

Poor and false claims on all sides.

I don't see any Greens ripping off the taxpayers, too honest. When parliament resumes Adam Bandt will again introduce a private members bill to attempt to "keep the bastards honest."
Abbott likes to portray himself as a worker for charity, whilst all the time slugging the taxpayer for his so call good deeds. What a joke.

I have another nomination for a Looney Politician award, last week it was Fatty O'Barrell, this week it goes to the dill brain leading the Labor Party in New South Wales the bloke with a head like a billiard ball and the brains to match. John 'Robbo' Robertson. What has Robbo done? Come out and admitted that in 2007, in his former capacity as head of Unions NSW, he was approached by 'businessman' Michael McGurk, now dead, murdered, over the sale of the prime union property,Currawong. McGurk offered Robertson $3 million to "help" McGurk's tender. The fact that Robertson rejected the bribe is not at question. What is questionable is why didn't Mr Robertson report the matter to the police as legally he is required to do under state law.
Even when the ICAC was investigating the "sale" of this bit of choice union real estate Robertson didn't bother to put his hand up with a, "By the way McGurk offered me a $3m bribe on this."
And labor thinks people should vote for them in NSW, me thinks Robbo has more than one skeleton in the cupboard and Labor still has a lot to reveal.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-10-07/labor-leader27s-bribe-claims-referred-to-icac/5002106

"Mark Dreyfus (the shadow AG) has just blown labor's case right out of the water."

What a joke you are, SM.

Why blown out of the water?

If a Labor MP has erred that way, then he/she can face the music too.

But let's get back to Tony.

A lot more than $400 dollars worth - he's been having a fine old time over years and years claiming expenses for all sorts of personal/party political ventures.

............

"SOME OF TONY ABBOTT'S EXPENSES:

Derby Day with family travel November 2012 - $2271.61

AFL Grand Final with family travel September 2012 - $2150.89

Coffs Coast Cycle Challenge, Coffs Harbour August 2012 - $1002.24

Hervey Bay surf life saving pier to pub swim April 2012 - $2372.81

Charter jet to Tamworth Country Music Festival January 2012 - $8800

Australian Open Men's tennis final Melbourne January 2012 - $1639.82

Tour Down Under Adelaide January 2012 - $2174.82

Pier to Pub swim Lorne January 2012 - $1444.24

Port Macquarie Ironman November 2011 - $1290.10

AFL Grand Final with family travel September 2011 - $5663.58 (flight Bris-Syd included in the fare for Melbourne return)

Melbourne Cup November 2010 - $2154.40"

..........

And that's only a portion of them.

Not to mention that he's unapologetic and has no intention of paying most of it back.

Great stuff from the leader of the country.

...........

Banjo,

"I think that the Labor supporters, ABC and Fairfax journos should be advised to drop the travel claims issue."

Any advice for Murdoch, because the above came from the Courier Mail.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/national/prime-minister-tony-abbott-claimed-over-10000-for-family-travel-in-2012/story-fnihslxi-1226735051089

And here is it again from Murdoch's news.com

http://www.news.com.au/national-news/prime-minister-tony-abbott-claimed-over-10000-for-family-travel-in-2012/story-fncynjr2-1226735051089

Combatants all,
Perhaps you both could lay down your weapons for a few moments to tell a layman what all the squabble is about.
Both sides spend outside the circle, how much doesn't matter and some time both side repay.
So what. The sooner they remove all spending limits where there is any form of justification the better and then we can get on with governing this country and using this forum for more important issues.

Chris,

The reason people are so interested in the Coalition's rorts is because of the rank hypocrisy.

Especially because (in order to bring down the minority govt) they went after Peter Slipper, who was not afforded the payback scheme of the Minchin Protocol because someone "anonymous" - external from Finance - dobbed him into the AFP for a $900 cab charge claim.

That's why the "rush" to repay once the media gets hold of the rort.

(Except for much of Abbott's claim history - which, for some reason, he's defending as community engagement...probably because his dodgy claim history is so vast - no other choice)

Poirot,
There will be other opportunities to criticize the government, without the risk of embarrasing Labor. The articles I have seen are mostly in the ABC and Fairfax.

A good player does not try to score a goal with every kick of the ball. He will put his team in a position to score when the opportunity arises.

Many games are lost through own goals, one should consider the unintended consequences.

Poirot,
Yes I understand but so what. Hypocrisy is general so again so what!
Do they really expect to bring down the government? What they will do is create an environment where the government will change the rules to suit themselves and everybody will lose.
In the long run it doesn't matter. It is petty in the scheme of things and as far as Slipper is concerned if he isn't guilty of one thing then he is guilty of something else. Probably cowardice and dishonor maybe even treachery and traitorship.
He is a 'sick' weak man who has more vacillations than the ocean in storm.

Obfuscating or looking past Poirot's very, very valid point re Slipper is par for the usual suspects here.

Nothing, but nothing, penetrates their hide. Anything goes and I remember their staunch defense of attention to Gillard's partner's sexuality in a radio interview of her. It was then I that realized the true depth of the problem here on OLO.

But do carry on, chaps.

yep well Poirot favourite word 'hyprocrisy ' has again shown her obsession with Abbott abbott and abbott

with the worlds 'best 'treasurer'Swannie costing taxpayers 12000 to take daughter to AFL grandfinal
and then there's Julia and Crean at AFL grandfinal

and then there's Conroy enjoying the teniis at Aussie open

and then Dreyfus skiing hours away but still charging for accomodation in Canberra

try looking in the mirror Poirot.

Speaking of Gillard.
Is 2 gals and guy or 2 guys and a gal gay?

But, runner.

Tony provides so much material.

Here's a list of his top 25 dodgy claims:

http://imputeation.blogspot.com.au/2013/08/abbotts-age-of-entitlement-tonys-top.html?m=1

"That’s over $84,000 in work-related travel entitlements Abbott claimed while “volunteering”, running, swimming, cycling and attending major sporting events."

Lots of "family" jaunts in there as well.

.......

Just an update.

The govt today borrowed another $800 million, over 10 years, yield 4.07%

Just an update,

Parrot is lying again.

Good to see the Labor MPs running for cover as the mud they were throwing is now sticking to them in spades.

Wayne Swan spent $12000 flying his family to the grand final, this with dozens of revelations on several other Labor MP hypocrites.

SM, (Minister for roolly clever namies)

I think when I've got a moment or two I'll have a bit of a trawl and see how often you call your opponents liars or accuse them of lying.

Apart from being wholly amusing, it underlines the fact that you're somewhat lacking in debating skills.

Here's the article on Swan.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/wayne-swan-used-vip-jet-trips-to-fly-to-grand-finals-with-his-daughter/story-fn59niix-1226735248970

“I was invited as the acting prime minister. For decades, the prime minister has been to both of those grand finals, and it is a requirement when you are prime minister or acting prime minister, because of security, to travel in the way that I travelled.”

He said there was a “world of difference' between those travel claims and others currently under the spotlight by other MPs."

But Tones is a different story...he's been claiming his bits and pieces for years - not as an acting Prime Minister.

"Mr Abbott claimed more than $1700 worth of entitlements to attend the 2011 AFL Grand Final with family members, and about $2450 to attend the game with family the following year.

He claimed $2730 worth of entitlements to attend the 2010 Melbourne Cup with family members, and $2495 to attend Derby Day with family in 2012.

A charter flight to the Tamworth Country Music Festival, which the Prime Minister attended with one of his daughters last year, cost $8800."

Still can't work out why MSM has just decided to out this stuff now, when they colluded so well to get this chump elected.

This information has been well known for ages.

Poirot

keep digging your hole. Maybe if you took the plank out of your own eye then you might be abe to dust the specs from Abbott abbott abbott.

P,

I only say they are lying, when they deliberately post lies.

The conservatives claim to be the frugal financial managers, whom we can trust. What a joke. One look and what do we see "the nest of cockroaches" have got into the taxpayers cookie jar and are helping themselves.
As for Abbott, as head roach, its time he fessed up to his crimes and done the time. SM you must agree with that?

"I only say they are lying, when they deliberately post lies." SM that is why I only tell the truth.

Poirot, keep up the good work. All I can say is the truth conquers all!

SM,

The govt did borrow $800 million today.

Paul,

Contrast Tony Abbott's words at his campaign launch with the revelations about his expense claims:

"We know you expect us to be as frugal and prudent with your money, which we hold on trust from you, as you would be with your own."

Yeah, right....

I hope you are standing on concrete Poirot.

You are spinning so hard & so fast, if you are on normal earth, you will soon have bored a hole so deep you could never climb out of it, particularly if all that bullsh1t you & Paul spout was to fall in on top of you.

Hasbeen,

Now I would take you seriously...

If you weren't the single biggest spouter of hot air and BS on OLO.

Nite nite.

Update,

According to Stephen Koukoulas.

The govt borrowed another $800 million, 3 years, yield 2.95 %

Total gross borrowing since 9 September, 2013 is $12.1 billion.

Poirot, unlike our "conserve buddies" you are posting facts and not spin
$12.1 billion. is $12,100,000,000 no matter how you write it. The conserves can't escape that fact.

Indeed, Paul.

And they will be borrowing a further $2.6 billion next week.

http://www.aofm.gov.au/content/upcoming_tender_notice.asp

And once again Poirot is lying!

Dear SM,

It looks like you've run out of
arguments.

Foxy,

I am not the one resorting to lying.

Don't stop there, SM.

If you keep going I'm sure you'll adopt a contradictory stance like you have in the two most recent threads where you and I have crossed swords.

P,

I can hold more than simple concept in my mind, so I don't need to lie.

Dear SM,

I see - I should have known -
your side of politics doesn't lie.

Afterall, your party's political statements
are worded so that the opposite meaning can
be extracted from them. So a simple pre-election
statement such as,
"We shall tow the boats back," reads as follows:

"We shall tow the boats back subject to the prevailing
conditions, if we haven't got more important things
on the agenda, if it suits our international relations,
and if there is no more important message necessary to
win the next election."

That's not lying, that's merely the verbose, hypocritical,
mendacious, and ambiguous language of your politicians and
their hangers on. Its fundamental method is to be able to
extricate themselves from difficulties by claiming not
to have said what they did in fact say.

Or as Scott Morrison would state:

"This decision-making process with regard to this
matter is currently in place. It would be improper
for me at this point in time to pre-empt the
eventual outcome as the result of operational
consultations, one way or another, of that ongoing
decision and consultative process."

We get it.

What is it with these conservative Canberra politicians and weddings. Now we have Morrison and Assistant Minister for Defence Stuart Robert repaying taxpayer money wroughted for travel. They were at the wedding of WA Liberal MP Steve Irons at taxpayers expense.
SM, wouldn't it be wise for Tony Baloney and the rip off gang to support gay marriage, if for no other reason than it would be another chance to sting the taxpayer.
p/s Has Al sent out the invites for his nuptials yet? will Tony and the gang be there, will Gina Rhinoceros put on mining tax funded plane trip if the wedding in France or NZ.

Paul,

".....They were at the wedding of WA Liberal MP Steve Irons at taxpayers expense."

Steve Irons......

http://au.news.yahoo.com/thewest/a/-/breaking/19291888/wa-liberal-pays-back-expenses/

"WA Federal Liberal MP Steve Irons was forced to repay almost $11,000 in wrongly claimed airfares and car transport fees this year.

Details of the repayments came as Prime Minister Tony Abbott admitted he was forced to repay taxpayer cash he claimed for travel to weddings of two coalition MPs in 2006, including to the nuptials of embattled former speaker Peter Slipper.

Documents obtained by The West Australian under Freedom of Information laws show Mr Irons repaid $10,863 in domestic flights and Cabcharge payments."

BTT

<Quote
"Bill Shorten wants quotas to boost number of gay politicians in Parliament"

further to that "He says the party should consider quotas for Indigenous Australians and the lesbian, gay, bixsexual, transgender and intersex (LGBTI) community."

Is this the start of a new POLITICALLY CORRECT push by Shorten, if it is I think it will backfire.
Posted by Philip S, Saturday, 28 September 2013 11:13:24 PM>

How did the two Labor leadership hopefuls finally front up on that? Noting too that the Labor machine didn't consider adding the same question in that ballot. Hey, no sense in directly consulting the membership on major policy, it is extreme allowing them a 50:50 with the dark horses in caucus in picking a leader.