Bazz. We have the worst PM in history, that does not bear well with any suggestion of rational thinking.

To try and rectify something by having arguments within party ranks and overruling members over something that was not even thought through, is just not on. No matter how much you worship Abbott his idea of govt; without consultation within his own ranks is just a joke. Why have commentators, media, and world leaders, all had serious shots at abbott.

Maybe you could inform of what is in front of us as you say.
If we can manage it properly, isn’t that what all the criticism is about. Our fearless leader can not manage it properly.

There needs to be a whole govt; approach rather than Abbott saying he knows best, and then withdrawing his best solutions. Abbott has followed Newman in QLD with lies , backflipps and indecision. How can anyone respect such a foolhardy approach to governing a nation.

Government must be seen for what it is, unfunctional, chaotic, and a one man parliament, this is not democratic. This is one man trying to push his own agenda, and not caring how he goes about it

579;
and then withdrawing his best solutions.

That should be addressed to the opposition,
Frankly, you passed the Turing test so there is no point in discussing
anything with you.
dit dit

Dear Nathan,

<<I don't want chemists deciding what amounts of medication I take, as it's open to abuse - or deciding by myself.>>

If/when you prefer to see a conventional doctor and have only them set the dosage of your medication, then you should be able to continue doing so, I never suggested otherwise.

<<A woman one day asked me what medication I was on (on public transport) - and asked if she could buy some. I said no.>>

Which was absolutely your right. However, you should also be able to say 'Yes' if you so choose, so long as your medication was not subsidised by the tax-payer.

<<We should keep medication levels and access (DRUGS) out of the hands of the public (like me) and have the decisions made by qualified people who know what they are doing>>

It is one thing to say that something is a good idea (i.e. that patients consult qualified people) and another to force it on others, which nobody has a moral right to do. Of course there is nothing wrong if you and the state/government reach a voluntary agreement whereby they will prevent you in the future from accessing medication without "qualified" prescription - but you have no right to enforce the same on others.

There is another problem with your suggestion: who is to decide who is qualified and who isn't? There are for example highly qualified doctors overseas and there are practitioners of natural medicine who also studied medicine, but are banned from practising it out of hatred and revenge by the AMA.

579, your scoop about Abbott was correct. It has been widely reported that there has indeed been one most unhealthy stouch between Tony Baloney and Cocky Joe Hockey over changes to the health system. Did Fony Tony shirt front Cocky Joe? Did Cocky Joe tell Fony Tony to blow it out his bleep bleep? Was there blood on the floor? Was someone left battered and bruised and in desperate need of a $20 Doctors visit with a $7 tax to boot? Those answers and more, we'll never know! Rest assured this aligning government is terminal and in need of a lot more than a little TLC and a Medicare co-payment.

Paul Blood pledges, blood in the water, blood on hockey’s office floor. This man needs tipping overboard. Blood is needed to sustain life, and not to be splattered all over the place.

We've known for some time that the Good Ship Abbott was in trouble, and with MPs now seemingly jostling for position could it be a case of man and lady in distress.

The core problem with the budget is the design, and responsibility for design faults ultimately lands at the feet of the Prime Minister ... Abbott used his authority to take charge of the Government's first budget, yet he seems to be using his political skills to sidestep responsibility, leaving ownership of the document with Hockey.

Hockey has been the perfect 2nd in charge treasurer, fool him for going along with Abbott’s bully tactics.

Hailed as his biggest achievement for women, the demolition of the carbon tax. How far out can he get.

Who will be the successor Turnbull, hockey, or the one with the evil eyes.

I heard Hockey yesterday claiming that he took one of his kids to a public hospital recently and it cost him nothing so he thinks its a crime that rich people like him can get public health care for sweet bugger all.
Well Mr Hockey why didn't you go to a private hospital?
Why did a very wealthy man like Hockey take his kid to a public hospital when I assume that he has full private health cover?