Spiteful, very negative chorus and not worth a comment, other than to note that it will be a very long six years and more for some.

The Labor party has been acting like a bunch of delinquent spoilt brats, and are whinging because they get treated as such.

The shouting, wild confected laughter and other general theatrics are disgraceful. It is clear that Labor still feels entitled to govern even when the electorate have tossed them out for incompetence, lying and borderline criminal conduct.

Impartiality is not an issue, from this speaker,it does not exist. Abbott has made a mess of things over the last fortnight, backing sinodes was a gross mistake and could very well bring Abbott undone
Along with his 1800's lords and ladies resurrection without consultation. Racial discrimination, another blunder. I don't blame him for looking like someone about to have a heart attack.

Interestingly, HASBEEN, as a regular myself, there was much discussion circulating around our barracks about those who demonstrated against the Vietnam War ?

It was generally thought, some of those demonstrating were in effect legitimate 'conscience objectors' and wanted nothing to do with the War. Accordingly, their position should be respected. Then there were a few others, though genuine C.O's, never actually demonstrated, but answered the ballot if called, and were duly placed in non-combatant roles. Some were deployed to Vietnam, other were not. nevertheless, they did their duty, and did it well.

However, there appeared to be a general consensus amongst most of us 'baggy arses' in barracks, those of whom were regular anti-war demonstrators, were in reality, cowards who cleverly concealed their lamentable cowardice, behind their political opposition to the Vietnam War ?

I 'm well aware of your Naval Aviation Training HASBEEN. Though not entirely accomplished, due to circumstances well beyond your control, your national patriotism and allegiance is to be loudly eulogized ! Unlike those cowardly souls, who still try to justify their craven timidity, all these years on ?

Otb,

"Spiteful..."

Have you actually watched the Speaker (and I use the term loosely) in action?

Why, it's a veritable lesson in how not to practice impartiality.

For, instance, she has no regard for govt member's answers being "relevant" to the question...and while one may expect some leverage from any Speaker, this one allows govt members to frolic over fields and into foreign countries in their efforts to avoid being relevant.
Not a squeak from Her Ladyship usually - and, as we've established, points of order on relevance?...well Pfft!

Chucking members out for laughing...you only have to google and you'll find a tsunami of pics of the govt now and when in Opp laughing their silly heads off in the House.

When she was undertaking her tossarama the other day, as one Opp member went flying out the door - Hockey, who had the call, spouted "That should improve the Oppositions IQ"....funny but not parliamentary.

Bronnie said nothing, like she always does if a govt member is unparliamentary.

SM,

"The Labor party has been acting like a bunch of delinquent spoilt brats, and are whinging because they get treated as such."

You sound just like Pyne, who yesterday stood up to reply to the motion of no confidence, replete in twin set and clutching his pearls, regaling us with what a bad boy he was and that he holds the record for being ejected...ie, "not a sook"

What a joke this mob is.

(Foxy, well said)

o sung wu,

There couldn't have been a more unsuitable leader to volunteer youth for war than Menzies. Especially given that the US made it plain they didn't need or want a small Oz contingent getting in their way. So Menzies had to argue for it, but he had nick of 'Pig Iron Bob', spent undue time in the UK and had the reputation of a Chicken Hawk.

Cutting direct to the chase, it would have been better to continue Australia's tradition of a volunteer army, and certainly all who are required to serve overseas are volunteers. The fly in the ointment was that although Menzies talked big on defence, he like all who followed him did not translate his avowed support of the ADF into money. The ADF was not in a position to foray overseas and that was his fault.

Just to take this a little further, we need to adopt the Swiss model. However we (well not we, but them, cynical governments who think short term populism) have so gelded Australia that it cannot even pose as a nation that will defend itself.

Through disarming our civilians, not caring about out borders and not jealously protecting citizenship, and through dozens of truly petty actions like disarming the school cadets, our governments have put up a big billboard depicting Australians as a people who will bend over which ever way to placate and we will even give grants of land and taxpayers' $$ at the same time.

My thanks is that my wife and children have dual citizenship and could have other options. Because the only protection we have is the umbrella of US protection. We should not fool ourselves though that Australia would be protected as a priority. As well, UN international 'diplomacy' could easily construe a higher value in using Oz as a safety valve for the millions who refuse education and birth control for their women.