SR,

Good to chat again.

WRT Israel, the 1948/9 boundaries were established its Arab neighbours attacked Israel, and tried to wipe out Israel. Notably, only Iran recognised Israel, but the rest refused to recognise Israel's existence let alone its borders. The six day war began in 1967 after extensive violations of the armistice and preparations for war by Israel's neighbours. Notably the same Arab nations refused to recognise Israel / its borders and only recently have 4 Arab countries done so.

In my view:
-Neither the 1948 nor 1967 borders were established by negotiation, but by war.
-The "recognition" of the 1948 borders by the Arab countries only came into existence long after 1967 and is in my view a negotiating tactic.
-Given the Palestinian's predilection for lobbing rockets from their territories into Israel, I see zero chance of Israel ever conceding to return to the extremely hard to defend 1948 borders.
-Most of the west has recognised that the 1948 borders were untenable and that the 1967 borders should be the starting point of negotiations.

Given the above, the change in language from Occupied territories to disputed territories does not grant recognition to the 1967 borders that Israel holds nor to the equally unrealistic 1948 borders and is Realpolitik.

Secondly with respect to threats against imports from Australia:
1-They are a tiny portion of the exports from Australia, generally the most problematic with regards animal cruelty,
2-Relations with the middle east is replete with empty threats, and restricting imports from Aus would hurt them far more than us.
3-Kowtowing to tin pot dictators is never the basis for diplomatic relations.

trapdiocan,

Perhaps you would care to read what Abbott actually said and not simply take Labor's spin to be the gospel truth.

Abbott has never tried to form an anti carbon tax alliance with Canada,
Abbott did not call the fuel tax a carbon tax, Labor did.
The 40c/l tax has been in place for more than a decade,
Obama has not tried to put in place a carbon tax, a price on carbon, nor an ETS

SM,

"Abbott did not call the fuel tax a carbon tax, Labor did."

Here's what Abbott said:

"....Mr Abbott said the fuel excise is already acting as a carbon price signal to improve energy efficiency."

Of course he would say something of that ilk wile crawling around the US Pres pretending he gives two hoots about emissions..

And...

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/tony-abbott-seeks-alliance-to-thwart-president-obama-on-climate-change-policy-20140609-39t93.html

"Visiting Ottawa for a full day of talks with the conservative Canadian Prime Minister and close friend Stephen Harper, Mr Abbott flagged intentions to build a new centre-right alliance led by Canada, Britain and Australia along with India and New Zealand."

He's got buckley's of Britain joining his his little club of dolts.

........

On another subject....here's the AMA on the govt's GP Tax.

https://ama.com.au/ausmed/one-term-tony

Scathing.

"The first is to apply a GP tax, imposed on those who actually use health care most frequently: the aged; those stricken with cancer; children; chronic disease sufferers; residential aged care facility residents; the Indigenous; plus those who want to embrace preventative care."

"What is the philosophy underlying these changes? Is it stupidity? Or worse, does it reflect a desire to see persecution of the unwell who seek taxpayer-funded care?

It certainly embraces use of barriers to the access of care, which in turn creates cost shifting to the states via public hospitals."

"As a wealthy society with no real budgetary crisis, we do not want or need the divide between rich and poor to be accentuated.

We do not want the young unemployed persecuted and denied support.

We must realise that if we do cut this support, we will force some into crime and extremism, and many others will suffer worse mental health outcomes.

These are not attractive outcomes for society. Why cannot our elected representatives realise this?"

Nice try P,

The fuel levy has been in place in various forms for decades. The increased costs of the electricity distribution network also acts as a carbon price signal. => A carbon tax is a price signal, not all price signals are carbon taxes.

Last time I checked the SMH left wing commentator Mark Kenny was not a spokesman for the government. The alliance is a figment of his imagination.

There is no GP tax, as a tax is paid to the government. This is paid to the GP for services rendered.

The coalition left government with no net debt, a string of surpluses and a balanced budget. Labor left government with record debt, and a budget wildly out of control.

Labor's budget reply was unable to make any recommendations or counter budget without looking like economic morons.

SM,

"The fuel levy has been in place in various forms for decades. The increased costs of the electricity distribution network also acts as a carbon price signal. => A carbon tax is a price signal, not all price signals are carbon taxes."

And can you explain to us why Mr Fibber Abbott didn't let on prior to election in his regular "slash the tax" bulletins, that he intended to up the fuel levy?

...or why, if it's a "carbon price signal" will the money will be going to roads to encourage people to drive cars more?

Call it what you like - the $2 is going to GP's for administrative costs which will be eaten up quickly...the other $5 is going to their hastily confected Medical Research Thingy - which is merely a cover for this sham of a policy designed to undermine Medicare.

It's an impost...and again, one that was withheld from the electorate prior to the election.

What a bunch of right-wing shysters it is that has been elected.

And you're going to have your work cut out on this forum for some time to come attempting to defend their lies, shiftiness and deception.

Lol!.."economic morons"....get a load of Hockey the numbskull now getting desperate to sell his odium.

SM,

I'll just add that it's curious that you go to such lengths to defend this dreadful govt.

Tony Abbott lies to such an extent that it's getting to the stage of suggesting that this man may have some type of mental disorder.

Of course, the really odd thing is how the federal LNP/IPA managed to coalesce into a cabal where a considerable number all operate under similar ethics.

That's why this govt will not achieve a second term.

Enjoy the pantomime while you can.

SM>>The coalition left government with no net debt, a string of surpluses and a balanced budget. Labor left government with record debt, and a budget wildly out of control.<<

SM your demonising of the Hawke/Keating economic credentials is justified....but to hold Howard up as an example of how a competent government returns the budget to surplus is utter rubbish.

Howard cleared the majority of the debt by selling off our gold reserves.....and at the bottom of the market cycle as well. No brilliant management skills employed there, and afterwards Costello kept a tight purse string.....nothing brilliant about it.

In saying that, Labor have proven to be hopeless economic managers....worse than the Coalition.