Ok Tony.

Now is the time for all good men as the saying goes, TO GROW A BACKBONE. Stop fuffing around & get the job that needs doing done.

Get rid of Turnbull, first out of cabinet, then out of preselection. No body needs a slime ball.

Halve the ABC & SBS budget, & start making a mark. Chuck out Gonski, & the NDIS & Gillard's other time bombs & let the screams rise.

They are all after your blood, strike first, & make a bloody difference for us & the country.

Keep up the nice bloke bit, & they’ll get you. Might as well give them something to really stink about.

It might surprise you how many will respond negatively to the viscous attacks you will suffer, you’ll probably pick up support, not lose it.

Even if you go down, it would take years for the left to climb back up from such a strike, & they may never make it.

At least you would be a dead hero, rather than a limp half dead wimp.

That's quite hilarious, Hasbeen,

Your hero is still on borrowed time..."everyone" knows this isn't the last spill motion.

Less than 24 hours after it they've deployed their latest debacle, leaving minsters tripping over their rhetoric attempting to dance around the facts.

I do like the title of this thread though!

"Go Tony go"...has a certain ring to it.

Go Toni All of them votes against you and with no challenger. Abbott can not survive, he is doomed for life. Hasbeen stands alone, just like jeronimo. You must agree you are a worshipper of a vile man.

Your solution to Toni's problems, sack Turnbull, what about Bishop. why doesn't the whole backbench resign.
Another day and a new problem, has arisen, can it get any worse.

On Sunday, Phony Tony threw a $25 billion bone to a couple of South Australian Liberals to buy their "loyalty". Here we are three days later and Phony is totally confused as to how he'll deliver that juicy bone. In other words without the slightest bit of thought Our Tone has purchased on the taxpayers behalf the votes of a couple of Liberal 'Spillers and Leakers' for $25 billion, and some have the gall to claim these economic jackass's are responsible fiscal managers, fat chance!

This reminds me of my favourite comedy movie 'Life of Brian' Reg has been re-badged as Our Tone

Hahahaha

3 months to the next budget and they are still hopelessly trying to pass the last one. There is no chance in hell that rabbott could pass hasbeens wetdream through the senate.

The lieberals have shot themselves in the head and are now an utter mindless rabble led by the biggest simpleton ever to hold a seat in parliament.

They deserve everything they get and I am going to enjoy their downfall immensely.

Dear Hasbeen,

This reminds me of a quote from the
American comedian and actor Will Ferrell:

"I love playing the macho guy - who looks
like an idiot."

Go Tony Go - does indeed have a great ring
to it.

The sooner the better!

So what you're saying Mikk is that Bill Shoreton has more to offer. And you accuse others of being delusional!

What's Bill going to do, twiddle his thumbs! He has no money to spend and most certainly can't now allow the cuts he has opposed.

Be careful what you wish for there Mikk.

G'day there HASBEEN...

Gee if I were to support your topic, suggesting the PM undertake some very major changes...well, if I were to do that, I'd be positively savaged ? And being the 'limp, wilting' soul that I am, I'm not sure I could emotionally handle it ?

I know squat about politics, in fact according to most I know nothing about nothing. Still, I recognise we're in massive debt. When in debt the experts say, that debt MUST be retired. Common sense.

In order for the PM to make the necessary savings to reduce that debt, the community must accept, savings must be made somehow. Hence the PM's problem. Many of those initiatives need to get through the Senate, and therein lies the 'logjam'. We've some very useless Senators. Most of whom are too lazy to work, too frightened to steal, and haven't the brains to find meaningful employment. So what do we do, we stick 'em in the Australian Senate ! Problem solved.

Not really, o sung wu.

>>When in debt the experts say, that debt MUST be retired. Common sense.<<

The government debt in this country is small, relative to other first-world nations.

Australia 29.3% of GDP

compared to:

Japan 226.1%
Singapore 111.1%
UK 90.0%
France 89.9%
Canada 84.1%
USA 72.5%

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_countries_by_public_debt

However, when you look at the citizens, the story is different. At the end of 2014, the total mortgage debt in Australia reached 86.9% of GDP - nearly three times higher than the government's owings.

http://www.macrobusiness.com.au/2014/10/australias-addiction-to-private-debt/

So if we were to follow your advice - "When in debt the experts say, that debt MUST be retired. Common sense" there would be an awful lot of householders without a house, and a load of Banks with a huge bunch of money that they have no idea what to do with.

The "debt emergency" was pure Hockey fiction. Still is.

>>In order for the PM to make the necessary savings to reduce that debt, the community must accept, savings must be made somehow.<<

Alternatively, he can raise taxes.

Problem is, though, his tax take is already 22% of GDP, according to his own 2014-15 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, and planned to rise again to 22.4% next year and 22.8% in 2016-17.

Which would be fine, sort-of, if it served to reduce the deficit. But, by his own admission, it won't.

Oh, and just for comparison, between 2010-11 and the end of Labor's time in office, tax revenue averaged 20.9% of GDP.

What we need is someone who can do simple sums. And someone who will stop giving away tax dollars to such needy causes as the mining and power industries, and already-wealthy superannuation recipients.

Dear O Sung Wu,

The problem is that the Australian economy has
become far too dependent on exporting natural resources
to China. Its economic base is far too narrow.
Natural resources are not renewable and our dependency
on natural resources does little to foster innovation
and entrepreneurial activity.

Australia's vulnerability to any downturn in Chinese
growth, and the country's overdependence
on exporting natural resources to China will cause us
future problems as will our overpriced housing sales.
Australia's housing market is wildly over-priced and it
is predicted that its going to crash.

There have neen a series of major Australian companies
and financial institutions who have sounded warnings
about the Australian economy. BHP Billiton Mitsubishi
Alliance, Australia's giant coal mining company cut
7 per cent of its workforce because of the declining
demand for coal from China (which takes in over half
of all natural resources exports from Australia).

All these forecasts and warnings should be a warning to
Australian policymakers and to Australian home buyers,
builders, and the population as a whole.
Yet in an interview Mr Joe Hockey denies the existance
of any problems.

The current government needs to act, and needs a real
response, and real policies. They are in government
not in opposition - and they need real solutions to
problems. Finger-pointing and rhetoric won't solve
anything for the country.

Dear Hasbeen,

It has taken me far too long to come to this realisation but I think our Tony is just dumb and I tell you once you have arrived at this conclusion every news interview by him is just painful, even embarrassing to watch.

I have no doubt about his rat cunning, it made him a potent opposition leader, sensing weakness and aggressively attacking it.

People have made comments about his slow deliberate speech, his gambolling walk, his well rehearsed mantras and his fondness for a Chief of Staff who works 90 hours a week to keep the edifice from collapsing. We have dismissed them as foibles, as character, as colour, but they aren't. They really are deficiencies.

He is not a smart bloke and you have to be for that position, we deserve intelligence in our leader but we don't have it in this man.

The exasperation expressed by his back bench was one toward the so called 'Captain's calls'. If they had of been intelligent decisions there would not have been the outcry we heard. But they weren't, they were plain stupid. This is what drove the discontent.

That is why they want him to consult more, so they have a chance of heading off disastrous decisions before they get inflicted on the public. The party put up with him because they got him into power but that has run out of currency.

So now what happens? Well you can change behaviour but you can't teach intelligence and Peta Credilin can't work more hours to cover his lack of it. It will be his undoing but whether or not it is the Liberal Party's only time will tell.

G'day there PERICLES...

You'd have thought I'd have learnt by now ? Mate I no nothing about politics, zip OK ? However, listening to many of our leading economists they all claim OZ is carrying far too much debt, debt that must be retired. I realise those on the left say we don't have a debt crisis ? What is the average punter to believe ?

Concerning Tony ABBOTT ? While it's true he doesn't present well, he appears unable to argue his case, and he's as unpopular a Prime Minister who has ever been, in my memory ? Still he retains a loyal following ? Why I must ask ?

I really shouldn't have written on this topic, I deserve to be mauled, I've a headache, so I'll withdraw (strategically) and go do a crash course on macro-economics, or basket weaving perhaps ?

SteeleRedux, "I think our Tony is just dumb"

Is that so?

- Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Law from the University of Sydney.

- Queen's College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, graduating with a Master of Arts (MA) in Politics and Philosophy.

What have you got?

" Bachelor of Economics and a Bachelor of Law from the University of Sydney.

- Queen's College, Oxford as a Rhodes Scholar, graduating with a Master of Arts (MA) in Politics and Philosophy."

George W. Bush had a degree from Yale and an MBA from Harvard.

Dumb as a brick, however....

“The Labor leader is smart but her education and experience is in 'soft' areas. Doubtless like so many career politicians who have come up her way she could talk under water with her mouth full of marbles.”
Posted by onthebeach, Friday, 9 January 2015 2:05:34 PM

“Sorry onthebeach, I'm afraid I can't accept your assurance that Annastacia is smart. Of course you don't have to be quick witted to be smart. Many smart folk I know take a little time before voicing an opinion or idea, but I'm afraid, you'll never convince me Annastacia is one of them. You can see the gears churning behind the eyes, even when she is just trying to remember what she has been told to say. “
Posted by Hasbeen, Saturday, 10 January 2015 2:08:14 AM

“Hasbeen, I was relying on the Labor leader's academic attainment. You are right that her interviews are all predictable superficial narrative without a glimmer of original thought. One wonders how much influence her wagon-riding had on her progress in life.”
Posted by onthebeach, Saturday, 10 January 2015 1:48:14 PM

That last one about sums up our poor old Tony.

Yeah, I don’t see Abbott’s long list of academic achievements as anything that special. From what I hear, my grade point average is much higher than his was and I don’t consider myself super intelligent.

To me, Abbott’s long list of credentials are more indicative of a life of privilege resulting in a lot of spare time to dick around studying than anything else.

I think SteeleRedux is well and truly capable of a similarly long list of qualifications - and no doubt with a higher GPA too - but he probably has to work.

SteeleRedux,

Here again is what you said, "I think our Tony is just dumb", whereas it is obvious from his academic record that he is quite the opposite.

Whereas your lack of wit leads you to make a false comparison which you regard as 'proof'. You omitted to mention that I never said that Palaszczuk was dumb. I said quite the opposite in fact. However I do not believe she is creative or has demonstrated the skills necessary for the leadership of the Queensland government. -She has already erred by jumping the gun in seeing the Qld governor.

AJPhillips, "To me, Abbott’s long list of credentials are more indicative of a life of privilege resulting in a lot of spare time to dick around studying than anything else."

You would say that of course.

Poirot,

You don't realise the ambition of being PM or President without being smart.

AJPhilips,

"To me, Abbott’s long list of credentials are more indicative of a life of privilege resulting in a lot of spare time to dick around studying than anything else."

This brief article by a journo who once worked beside Abbott reveals the measure of the man we call Prime Minister.

http://adamfgibson.com/2015/02/04/the-mark-of-a-man/

......

otb,

"You don't realise the ambition of being PM or President without being smart."

.....

"Nothing doth more hurt in a state than that cunning men pass for wise." - Francis Bacon

G'day o sung wu

As one who is sometimes described as an unabashed lefty I'll give you my take on Australia's debt. Public debt we do have, is it at crises point, no, is it manageable, yes. Relative to other developed nations our debt is small. For political reasons, and you can't blame them, the conservatives (Abbott) played the debt card as a crises, and won votes with it. For philosophical reasons this government tried to introduce cost savings to bring down debt, but too many realised those measures unfairly targeted the economically disadvantaged in society, and would not support those measures. Abbott lost a lot of credibility with his high income earners paid maternity leave scheme, a political nightmare. With a downturn in the economy, the government has an income problem, they cannot afford to cut expenditure too much, otherwise it will drive the economy into recession, something no one wants. They need to continue to spend for both political and economic reasons, without having the income from taxation, that means borrowing, and this government is still borrowing, just as Labor did.
Australia has a long way to go before it would be in a true public debt crises. Private debt is too high, that would be of greater concern to the government than their own debt. This government is very contradictory, just look at the way Abbott threw that $25 billion bone to a couple of SA Liberals last Sunday to secure their "loyalty" and by yesterday could not explain how he was going to deliver.
Something this mob needs to stop talking about, and do something about, is corporate taxation, where the rip off is huge. I'm also in favor of targeting something Howard was big on is 'middle class welfare'.

Poirot,

You should take notice of the kind souls who are concerned about your Abbottophobia, but then you have some fellow sufferers who seem to spend inordinate amounts of time on Google to find something rude to report.

I wonder about that fellow you linked to who has harbored a poisonous grudge against Abbott for decades without his target even knowing. Only recently, around the time of the Qld election, he finally published his cringeworthy thoughts. Cringeworthy because it reeks of jealousy against the other man, examples being private education and assumed contacts.

More odd than cringeworthy though. If only he had gone to the other man at the time huh? Always try a smile, put out the hand and say 'Hello', eh? Acknowledging presence is a two way street. It wasn't the other fellow's (Abbott's) responsibility entirely.

You don't see that though?

Men like Tony Abbott who are awkward in some social situations are not uncommon. Then again, the media chooks and his opponents are desperate to take every opportunity to misinterpret and capitalise on opportunities to make personal attacks. Both because there is a low-brow audience for that stuff.

otb,

I have to say that I think Tony Abbott is way more intelligent than Georgie Dubya - having said that, Georgie was fashioned into a President and dragged around and propped up by Karl Rove - as Abbott has been by that "evil genius" Peta Credlin.

The shame is that his real skill was sledging and lying through his teeth in Opposition - and the reason why he's failing, apart form his psychologically questionable brain farts, is that he's still sledging and lying in govt.'

Lying doesn't work once the lies are exposed.

He's not a "politically clever" guy in govt....he's a laughable failure (and believe me, if you think I'm celebrating the ineptitude of a PM, I'm not. It's sad for Australia - but to me pretty much predicatable - in fact worse than I anticipated)

And it's not just me...apart from most of the country and his backbench, there's this:
http://www.theage.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/us-think-tank-asks-is-tony-abbott-the-most-incompetent-leader-of-any-industrialised-democracy-20150211-13cda6.html

"US think tank asks 'Is Tony Abbott the most incompetent leader of any industrialised democracy?'

"A leading United States think tank has published a piece posing the question, "Is Australian Prime Minister Tony Abbott the most incompetent leader of any industrialised democracy?" and answering, quite comprehensively, in the affirmative."

Read on, it's fascinating.

(PS, I don't trawl google for bits on Abbott, two minutes on twitter and they're oozing out of the woodwork)

PPS - i include the "evil genius" bit to give you an opportunity to get all outraged on Peta's behalf....I know how you enjoy a bit of gratuitous outrage.

Abbott’s brand of politics are as cheap as they come, he can’t get any worse, or can he. Hockey’s tenure has got to be running out, he is still pushing the same policy that the backbench revolted against.

They have been warned, to change their ways, how long before the next vote. No one knows what is happening with submarines that were promised for SA. Now it doesn’t look so likely. Nothing has been set in concrete with Abbott, subject to change without notice. With a wasted 16 months of untruths and backflips, we are not in a stable situation.

Our situation has not gone unnoticed, with the Us weighing in on a level of incompetence not seen in any industrialized country.
Does Abbott ever given a clear answer. He tells SA one thing and says another in parliament, and can’t explain the difference of what SA heard and what Abbott is saying in parliament. A very confusing situation made worse with no answer. It all points to Abbott deliberately misleading a SA backbencher.

Political commentators are unanimous in their critiques
of the current Prime Minister.

Time and time again we're being told that -

"Voters are growing tired of the incessant spin.
They're turning away from slogans and they're no fans of
austerity. They don't like mean and tricky leaders and
they hate liars."

Governments led by zealots who divide
and are perceived as bullies have never been popular.
Campbell Newman found that out the hard way. He also learned
that money can't actually buy everything. And that is
something that the PM should heed in his attempts to
buy votes - both within his party (the SA submarines come
to mind) and prior to the next federal election (if he
lasts that long).

We're told that "In the lead-up to his political D-Day
Newman threw $18 million worth of promises at his Ashgrove
electorate. Pork-barrelling generally speaking being one
of the most tried and tested methods of political survival.
The punters like prizes. Always have."

"But for Newman it wasn't enough to save his political skin.
He was bundled out of office regardless due in no small
way to the fact that he was widely regarded as a bit of
a thug ..."

Mr Abbott has a similar problem.

Speaking of Tony Abbott, I think of my father. Not that my father was like Tony Abbott but many things that he said stick in my mind.

My father's comment on people with academic credentials who act stupidly - "He's educated beyond his intelligence."

Not to mention his hyperbole in suggesting an open tender might result in a Putin or Kim Jong-il fleet!

Abbott's assumption that what is good for Tony is what is good for Australia in defending against the spill by inducements to SA members (and who knows what else to other members) doesn't seem to weigh on his party's conscience.

He has divided and conquered his party in the name of solidarity (!). The whole party is corrupted by what happened on Monday, due to his self-serving. A spill motion should be allowed to proceed without the kind of skulduggery that puts an individual ahead of a nation. A precedent has been set for others who may eye the leadership, that no limits apply to inducements, that the nation comes second.

Out, damn'd spot! Out, I say!

PS. Go Tony, go,go,go!

Tony Abbott needs to stop acting as if any Australian, besides Gina Rinehart or Clive Palmer, cares about the removal of the mining tax. By his own admission, it didn't raise any revenue. And since its abolition, iron ore prices have tumbled.

Unemployment has surged to 6.4 per cent, with 12,200 jobs estimated to have been lost in January.

The Bureau of Statistics estimates that the jobless rate jumped from 6.1 per cent in December to 6.4 per cent in January
Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the Australian Human Rights Commission ought to be "ashamed of itself" over its children in detention inquiry, which he says is a blatant attack on his government.

The commission report - tabled by the government on Wednesday - called for a royal commission after finding there were 233 recorded assaults involving children and 33 incidents of reported sexual assault. It also reported there were 207 incidents of "actual self harm" and 436 incidents of 436 threatened self harm.
In an interview on 3AW radio, Mr Abbott slammed the commission, questioning the timing of the report.

Hi there PAUL1405...

Thank you for your clear summation of the debt position we face here in OZ. I'm a political illiterate and understand little of the machinations of government. Probably my political stance was not due to my own careful dissection of party politics, or the ideological stance of each of the major parties, rather it's a 'learnt' belief coming as it were, from my parents and grandparents ? All our family have been conservatives, since time in memorial, therefore it must follow, so was I.

I notice some discussion on the relative merits of Tony ABBOTT'S academic background, though impressive hardly a necessity for stunning leadership I would've thought ? I can't begin to enumerate the number of academic idiots I've encountered in my time ? And still I had to (try) do my job, in spite of their obtrusion and meddling.

I think it was John CURTIN who received, just a basic education, came from a working class family, who generally was never identified as being an academic. Yet he became one of Australia's greatest Prime Ministers during the turbulent period, of WW II. It's my understanding he was renowned for his immense honesty of purpose and his strength of character. Apparently he had marvellous oratory skills together with shrewd political acumen, in fact he was a most inspiring leader from all I've read of him.

I don't know PAUL1405, successful political leadership, shouldn't it be predicated on their ability to 'connect with the electorate' ? Otherwise however are they going to be instrumental in selling unpopular policies, if they can't even convince voters to go on the journey with them ?

Oh in case your even remotely interested, my academic skills if measurably, would equate to roughly zero. I successfully attained the NSW Intermediate Certificate in 1956, with passes in all six mandatory subjects. 'So there' ! All of my many detractors ! A complete dunce, I'm not ?

579, "Prime Minister Tony Abbott says the Australian Human Rights Commission ought to be "ashamed of itself" over its children in detention inquiry, which he says is a blatant attack on his government"

What you are silent about is that there were 2,000 children in detention under the previous Labor/Greens government and 1,400 children in detention at the time of the federal election that swept Labor from power.

As Tony Abbott argues, his government has saved many from drowning at sea by putting the people smuggling gangs out of business and at the same time there are fewer children in camps. It is not Abbott or Australia who is responsible for putting those children at risk in the first place.

Tony Abbott also asked quite rightly what the Human Rights Commission was doing during the watch of the previous Labor/Greens government when hundreds were drowning at sea and there were far higher numbers of children in detention.

It does seem that the Human Rights Commission needs to come up with some good explanations and fast.

Frankly, along with what I suspect are many other people I cannot see any solid justification for keeping the Commission on the taxpayer payroll.

Getting back to Go Tony go....

Today brought us further embarrassing gaffes from an increasingly hysterical PM.

It's as if he's redoubled his efforts to make a fool of himself. He spent most of his questions in Question Time shouting, apologising for his remarks and also utilising details that could prejudice an upcoming trial - for political mileage.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-02-12/pm-had-afp-consent-to-reveal-details-about-alleged-terror-attack/6087256

His behaviour appears to have deteriorated since he pledged "good government" just last Monday.

Niki Savva on Abbott

"Down periscope: Abbott torpedoes himself"

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/opinion/columnists/down-periscope-abbott-torpedoes-himself/story-fnahw9xv-1227216468664

Unfortunately, he's a buffoon.

Poirot,

Sorry, but it must be your acute Abbottophobia that overlooks a terrorist plot AND the critical weaknesses in immigration policy and administration that allowed the offenders into the country in the first place.

When will that promised review of Immigration take place?

Abbott worshippers only.
Prime Minister Tony Abbott yesterday attacked the Australian Human Rights Commission over its report into children in immigration detention, saying "the Human Rights Commission should be ashamed of itself".

No, Mr Abbott – it is you and your government that should be ashamed. By seeking to politicise the report and its findings, by seeking to demonise commission president Gillian Triggs, the government compounds its own failures and those of preceding governments. It has tried to shift attention to anyone and everyone, while accepting no responsibility, which only magnifies its own shameful behaviour.
Shoppers in Sydney’s Central Business District were in for a surprise last week.
Passers by were asked to “free” a child from a cage filled with dolls to represent the 1023 children currently in Australian Immigration Detention Centres. Run by the Australian Coalition to End Child Detention, it now plans to tour nationally.
The arrest, detention or imprisonment of a child shall be in conformity with the law and shall be used only as a measure of last resort and for the shortest appropriate period of time.

The experts Fact Check spoke to said Professor Triggs was right that international law does not allow for the detention of children for longer than absolutely necessary.

The United Nations guidelines on the detention of asylum seekers also make it clear that children, protected by the Convention on the Rights of the Child, should not be placed in detention for any length of time.

579,

You conveniently missed this,

"What you are silent about is that there were 2,000 children in detention under the previous Labor/Greens government and 1,400 children in detention at the time of the federal election that swept Labor from power.

As Tony Abbott argues, his government has saved many from drowning at sea by putting the people smuggling gangs out of business and at the same time there are fewer children in camps. It is not Abbott or Australia who is responsible for putting those children at risk in the first place.

Tony Abbott also asked quite rightly what the Human Rights Commission was doing during the watch of the previous Labor/Greens government when hundreds were drowning at sea and there were far higher numbers of children in detention.

It does seem that the Human Rights Commission needs to come up with some good explanations and fast."

[Posted by onthebeach, Thursday, 12 February 2015 3:42:54 PM]

200 now and going down, as opposed to 2,000 during the Labor+Greens government and 1,400 when the federal election was held. -Abbott seems to have a strong case for challenging the Human Rights Commission.

I did not miss anything the report covered times from both sides of govt; These kids are still there. That is what the report is about.

During a heated debate in Question Senator Johnston lashed out at the Adelaide-based Australian Submarine Corporation (ASC), saying he would not trust it to "build a canoe". Officials from the Defence Materiel Organisation (DMO) questioned Australia's capacity to build submarines during high levels talks with Japanese and European manufacturers late last year.

579,

Precisely where and when did the Human Rights Commission attack Rudd for overturning Howard's Pacific Solution, directly encouraging criminal people smuggling gangs and resulting in hundreds dying at sea and hordes of economic migrants arriving on naval vessels that they and the co-conspirators of people smugglers in Australia regarded as sea cabs?

2.000 children under Labor's watch and 1,400 at time of election, but back to 200 now. Any reasonable person would expect the Human Rights Commission to be applauding the new LNP government for its achievements and so fast too, despite log-rolling in their way by the feckless Greens and Labor.

otb,

"Sorry, but it must be your acute Abbottophobia that overlooks a terrorist plot...."

Sorry, but I believe the term you are looking for is "alleged terrorist plot"....as opposed to convenient raids whenever the govt finds itself on a sticky wicket (such as the Human Rights report being released)

Silly I know, but Australia still adheres to certain legal conventions.

But I've had to reassess the question of how much Peta Credlin was responsible for Abbott's woeful display as PM.

Yes, she was responsible for choreographing this govt's policy direction - and that has been a failure - nevertheless it's always a big ask to unload reality after deceiving the electorate.

Judging by Abbott's behaviour since her services have been largely mothballed, it's clear that she undertook a huge assignment in attempting to fashion an attack dog Opposition leader into a Prime Minister of substance.

Didn't work at all.

His behaviour sans Ms Credlin's guiding whip has degenerated into the bizarre - and there's more to come.

Next libspill is not very far away.

Regarding my comment above on the "alleged terrorist plot".

It appears that Abbott had AFP permission to leak evidence on it under privilege?

For political advantage - on a trying day in parliament.

There's a message there for all of us.

Poirot,

Alleged is correct. Your shock and awe would be better directed at this AND the critical weaknesses in immigration policy and administration that allowed the alleged offenders into the country in the first place,

<"THE two men accused of plotting a terrorist attack in Sydney this week had plans to stab people in the kidneys and necks, Prime Minister Tony Abbott has told Federal Parliament.

Police arrested Omar al-Kutobi, 24, and Mohammad Kiad, 25, on Tuesday afternoon charging them with plotting to commit a terrorist attack.

The two will remain in custody for at least a month after their bail appeal was withdrawn.

Police allege they found knives, a homemade Islamic State flag and a video declaration of intent in the men's possession.

Mr Abbott said ASIO and the Federal Police had briefed him on the video.

"Kneeling before the death cult flag with a knife in his hand and a machete before him, one of those arrested said this: 'I swear to almighty Allah we will carry out the first implementation for the soldiers of the caliphate in Australia'," he said.

"He went on to say, 'I swear to almighty Allah, blonde people, there is no room for blame between you and us. We only are you, stabbing the kidneys and striking the necks'.

"I don't think it would be possible to witness uglier fanaticism than this - monstrous extremism than this - and I regret to say it is now present in our country.">

http://tinyurl.com/nyflhtc

A prominent US Think Tank has described 'Our Tone' as the most incompetent leader of any industrialised democracy. That is saying something when you consider the plethora of incompertent leaders in the industrialised democracies. Like the proverbial Our Tone has floated to the top of the cesspool of incompetency, well done Tone!

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-2949840/Is-Tony-Abbott-incompetent-leader-industrialised-democracy-Prominent-American-think-tank-gives-scathing-review-PM-

Paul 1405,

LOL, stale, scurrilous stuff. That link was posted earlier. Not the stuff that any worthwhile group would put their names to.

Do they even know where Australia is on the map?

Malcolm Fraser, Professorial Fellow at University of Melbourne
Enough is enough. The government had the report on November 11 last year. It has tabled it on the last possible day. It is now clear that the attacks made on the AHRC, especially by senior ministers, has been designed to make it easier for the government to ignore the AHRC’s report.

The government’s response is a disgrace. It is based on a lie. It claims to have saved lives by stopping the boats and that the trauma inflicted on children by detaining them, is a small price to pay. It deliberately chose an inhumane way of stopping the boats.
Lawyers have spoken out against the mandatory detention of children following the release of a “deeply shocking” report by the Australian Human Rights Commission (AHRC)
.
Claire Hammerton, spokesperson for Australian Lawyers for Human Rights, said the report revealed that the Australian government was engaged in “systematic child abuse” It borders on torture.

Cloaked in secrecy we are not allowed to know what is going on.
This is why Morrison got moved out of the firing line.
Abbott has had this report since November. We need a royal commission.

Whilst I was not anywhere near convinced by the Human Right's Commissioner's response to the questioning of the journalists yesterday regarding why the report wasn't presented last October, this really is incidental.

What is plain now, or ought be plain to everyone, is that the mainstream politicians who lead the coalition and the alp are, as I and others have said for years, filthy little child abusers.

To adopt a policy of Human Rights and Child abuse to discourage people coming by boat is fallacious. There are a variety of legitimate ways that the Australian guvment could have spared these Asylum Seekers another perilous journey, as it is plain the the Indonesians don't want them.

However, to digress, if people are serious about the Bali 9 drug smugglers, why not ask the Canberra rock spiders how many (if any) Indonesian children they have mentally destroyed and or still have locked up like animals?

Prisoner exchanges can work sometimes.

And to digress further, and with Foxy particularly in mind, had the alp stripped the church of its legal right not to be sued, and had they radically altered the compensation rules, perhaps we would have come closer to a more just result. But no, they only allowed it to really go so far as public humiliation and then in the aftermath they roll out a new rock spider church premier and draw these pitiful fools back unto their bosom for votes.

Can you not see how twisted and evil this scum is? And the sad part is, the majority of ignorant Australians keep voting for them.

There's not going to be another LNP spill. This pack of sheep have proven they are gutless. The time to send Tony packing was Monday.

It won't take two weeks for TA to do something else completely boneheaded. But. "he needs time and to be given a chance." Like saying that is all it takes to bring the Senate onside.

LNP is a lame duck. We don't like liars. That's why we hated Julia. Tony made the same mistake which proves he's an (educated) dumb-ass.

Bill Shortland is about as inspirational as an onion with a face drawn on it. Shortland has nothing to offer, no charisma, no plan.

Let's face it, politically we are screwed. None of them give us anything to be enthused about.

Two hours ago, his tweet by Stephen Koukoulas...

"Gross government debt just hit $356.6 billion, a new record high. Was only $273.2 billion at the time of the last election."

Prime Minister Tony Abbott is facing a rebellion in the Senate, with up to half a dozen of his own senators indicating they could cross the floor in favour of changing race hate laws.

In a sign of Mr Abbott's diminishing authority, West Australian senator Chris Back and Queensland Liberal National Party senator Ian Macdonald have told Fairfax Media they will vote in favour of a bill designed to water down the Racial Discrimination Act. South Australian senator Sean Edwards has given a strong indication he could join them, arguing the act in its current form suppresses free speech.

Abbott has asked for the resignation of Jillian Triggs two weeks before the detention kids report was due

Like in Victoria the one term Wonder, 'Hard Boiled' Newman and his disastrous government is officially no more in Queensland. Despite a last ditched attempt by Springbong from the LNP to prostitute himself, sounds familiar ah Tone, with the two equally disastrous Mad Katter Party members, its all come to naught and Labor now take over.

Meanwhile, in the continuing saga of Abbott dingbattery...he's just 'sacked" Ruddock as Chief whip.

And otb, there's this...

http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/tony-abbott-angers-police-by-saying-alleged-terrorists-vowed-to-stab-white-person-in-kidneys-and-neck-20150213-13d7q3.html

"Tony Abbott angers police by saying alleged terrorists vowed to stab white person in kidneys and neck"

"Mr Abbott quoted al-Kutobi as saying: "I swear to almighty Allah we will carry out the first operation for the soldiers of the caliphate in Australia. I swear to almighty Allah, blond people, there is no room for blame between you and us. We only are you, stabbing the kidneys and striking the necks."

Police sources later told Fairfax that a translation of the Arabic message revealed a generic reference to white people being the target, rather than any specific location or person.

The Arabic phrase can be interpreted as blonds or Anglo-Saxons.

A high-ranking counter-terrorism officer said they had no idea Mr Abbott would reveal so much detail about the video and that it could potentially prejudice the court case.

NSW Bar Association president Jane Needham, SC, said if the matter went to trial, the court might find it "impossible" to empanel a jury unaffected by the comments."

That's:

"A high-ranking counter-terrorism officer said they had no idea Mr Abbott would reveal so much detail about the video and that it could potentially prejudice the court case."

How idiotic does this PM have to be in order for you to denounce his stupidity?

Why am I getting the distinct impression from Poirot that she feels the two (Muslim) men who were plotting to kill an innocent victim are themselves the victims?

Poirot, would you be happier if these two were granted bail and let loose in public?

Dear Paul,

Here's more on the US think tank who found Tony Abbott
as the most incompetent western leader. The Age, The
Sydney Morning Herald, and other news outlets, also
covered the story and asked the question - "Surely
Australia deserves a better Prime Minister?"

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australasia/australian-pm-tony-abbott-labelled-most-incompetent-western-leader-by-us-think-tank-10041683.html

Indeed we do. His stuff-ups just keep growing.

ConservativeHippie,

I'm referencing the inane antics of our seemingly "off the rails" PM.

I'm not commenting on the ins and outs of the case alleged against those charged - just that our PM used the privilege of Parliament for political purposes to reveal information that he probably shouldn't have.

How would you like it if you were charged with an offence and - before your day in court - the PM used parliamentary privilege to detail information on your specific case during question time to take the focus off the release of a Human Rights Commission report?

And I might add, ConservativeHippie, that judging by your ".... the two (Muslim) men who were plotting to kill an innocent victim..." that Abbott did his job very well.

As far as you're concerned (by the looks of it) there's practically no need for a trial at all!

Posted by Poirot, Friday, 13 February 2015 7:20:37 PM

" ... just that our PM used the privilege of Parliament for political purposes to reveal information that he probably shouldn't have .. to take the focus off the release of a Human Rights Commission report? ... "

As the ABC confirmed, a senior wig parasite stated that if anyone else had done that in the absence parliamentary privilege, they would have been cited for contempt of court and been put in the bin.

Power corrupts, does it not, and the electorate needs to be ever watchful for people who quickly begin to abuse their position in a desperate attempt to maintain power.

Darth Sidious to Anarkin SkyWalker:

" ... All those who gain power are afraid to lose it ... "

And what the coalition failed to grasp was that in the case of Kevin Wudd, the electorate as as majority did not want him to be removed. But in the case of abott, they clearly did and still do.

Democracy needs to be far more dynamic with the will of the people being more powerfully represented, as opposed to b.s. your way in, break your promises, p!ss everyone off and still get to hang around like a bad smell.

Totally agree Poirot, Abbott demonstrated his support for the lynch mob mentality towards the two accused, there is no question of that. Using the cowards castle of Parliament he had these two hung, drawn and quartered before any evidence could be presented for scrutiny in a court of law, clearly a lynch mob mentality. Of course the barking dogs from the ultra right see nothing wrong in that, in fact they applaud loudly from their vantage points in the peanut gallery. Its a a dangerous game these conservative polititions play with peoples civil liberties as they pursue crass political opportunism

Abbott’s loud-mouthing of two terror suspects could very well see them on the streets, being unable to get a fair trial. With the dumping of Ruddock, Abbott is stacking the deck to get rid of anything he sees as a threat. This could very well be a trigger for another leadership vote.

He wanted the resignation of Trigg to quell the report of kids in carseration.
How long can they put up with Abbott who is clearly out of control, and dangerous.

Mr Abbott took responsibility for the decision of sacking Ruddock saying: "I have made some changes to the Whip arrangements for the government.

Voters don't like governments lead by zealots
who divide and are perceived as bullies.
In Abbott's case voters are growing tired of
the incessant spin and lies. They're turning away from
his slogans and the consistent blaming of Labor.

As one political commentator pointed out -
"Campbell Newman found out the hard way that money
can't actually buy everything."

"In the lead-up to his political D-Day Newman threw $18
million worth of promises at his Ashgrove electorate.
Pork-bellying generally speaking being one of the most
tried and tested methods of political survival."

"The punters like prizes. Always have. But for Newman it
wasn't enough to save his political skin. He was bundled
out of office regardless - due in no small way to the
fact that he was regarded as a bit of a thug and more of
a prick."

Tony Abbott has the same image. His latest stuff-ups only
add to that image. First with the submarines (and God
knows what else he offered his MPs prior to the spill
motion), now with his reaction to the Human Rights
Commissioner's Report on Children in Detention - and his
attempts to get rid of the Commissioner, then his comments
on the two men about to be put on trial that has horrified
lawyers - who suggest that the PM should be put up on
criminal charges - then the firing of Philip Ruddock,
(more "Captain's picks") and who knows what else is
around the corner.

The damage being done to the Liberal Party is immeasurable.
And the country definitely deserves better.

Foxy,

Here's a puff piece in today's Tele (in the "News" section) on Tony and Margie..

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/soul-mates-tony-and-margie-abbott-a-boots-and-all-pairing-set-for-the-long-haul/story-fni0cx12-1227219139475?sv=c0566250ed8c47f08b94b9ad92316070#.VN5sWr5BKv8.twitter

"Soul mates Tony and Margie Abbott a boots-and-all pairing set for the long haul"

[Excerpt]

"Margie Abbott had been on her feet all night playing hostess at the Prime Minister’s annual Christmas drinks last year.

It was getting late at Kirribilli House. It had passed 10pm on Friday, December 5, and there were but a few guests left out on the lawn making the most of the hospitality and the view.

Margie Abbott turned to her husband and declared that her heels were now officially killing her.

“Darling, just take your shoes off,” he said. “If it makes you feel any better I’ll take mine off.”

Tony Abbott bent down, slid off his RM Williams boots and his socks, and the Prime Minister of Australia was standing barefoot among the thinning crowd, stubby in hand.

That was all Margie Abbott needed, and off came her shoes.

Few would pick Abbott for a romantic. A traditionalist perhaps. But chivalrous?

“Absolutely (he is),” Margie insists. “It was like trailing your coat over a puddle.”

Desperate....

Good Lord, even when Abbott does good it is still bad. LOL

Heh, heh, where are the Grrls and their boy assistants at with the recipe?

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=o50DnsD8YTA

It is a brew long in the making, having been stirred from well before the government was even sworn in.

Dear Poirot,

Desperate is right.

When all else fails bring out the wife and daughters.
And I'm sure Cardinal Pell would have also entered
into the picture if he was still in Oz.

And as for loyalty?

What a joke. Ask Philip Ruddock.

No more Captain's Picks - on Monday.
Friday - sacks Ruddock. (Captains Pick).

What's next.

http://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/australiasia/australian-pm-ton-abbott-labelled-most-incompetent-western-leader-by-us-think-tank-10041683.html

Submarines you say, ...

I think the simple truism of this is that you will never get world's best by buying from someone else. The sellers are always highly likely to provide something "decent" but of course their best technology will be reserved for their own needs.

Perhaps from our allies we could get a leg up, but then, if that was going to be the case we would have had a substantial fleet of Raptors a long time ago.

No, Australia has always wanted to maintain a pretence of being relatively weak (requiring the support of in country allies) as primary policy is one that does not want to see an arms build up or arms race in the neighbourhood.

Giving the propensity of the culture here of people wanting to run around in the shadows and hide things though, I think that it is safe to assume that Australia has some big teeth secreted away.

And the thing is, subs are extremely dangerous, being able to sneek in stealthily, pop up, pump out a mini nuke and then sneek off again, which accounts for the n.american obsession with technology which damages marine mammals in particular.

Australia has always maintained highly stealthy subs, capable of sneeking up on the larger and much noisier nuclear variety when at low speeds. No, what they want is something tin pot, that doesn't worry the neighbours too much.

What this is really about is a scaling down of the Australian economy

(yes, that means be prepared to be paid less if this mob get their way)

and the coalition are, in a very calculated and cold blooded way, trashing the bastions of unionism and the alp as they go e.g the car industry etc etc and they don't give a toss who gets burned in the process.

In the aftermath, these industries will be rebuilt, but by way of the rules of a new model which allows for us to compete more effectively on the world stage (ie that means the cost of production must come down) and dock more successfully with Asia.

Putting aside their Human Right's and Child abusing fettish, if the leadership team of the alp were true, they would not be talking about "open tenders."

If they were true, they would be insisting that our subs were built in Australia, by Australians in our National Security interest.

What is currently occurring is no different to 2 fleas in a 69er, courtesy of career professionals on both sides of main stream politics who care for little other than themselves and their own.

Mr Abbott said he felt no guilt "whatsoever" about holding children in detention.
Mal sits patently waiting for Abbott to get closer and closer, sooner the better he will strike, and there will be nothing left but budgie smugglers.
Toni doesn’t trust anybody’s judgment but his own, and Peta’s. With his downgrading of renewable energy and the abolition of the carbon tax which cost 6 billion in revenue, and unable to fund business with 2 billion to fix their polluting ways, and the green army dead on the land. He is backing away from his 20% reduction of Green house omissions target by 2020. I seems like his greatest achievement for 2014 would have been best left alone. He was going to create an extra 1 million roof top solar but that went by the wayside as well. Whatever Abbott has touched has turned to dust, so much for Abbott and Credlin leadership team.

We are yet to make any budgetary gain from this govt; Hockey says one thing and Abbott says another . All of Abbott’s changes have cost the bottom line of our economy, with no advantage. Abbott acts on another barnacle. Tony Abbott said he sacked the long-serving MP because he was not as aware as he should have been that backbenchers were unhappy with his Prime Ministership.
Lots of people have been giving the benefit of doubt , but now it seems they are convinced that Abbott is a zombie prime minister. No longer do they have to be doubtful it is a forgone conclusion. Another Abbott achievement, this one could even overtake the removal of the carbon tax which cost 6 billion $ from the bottom line. No one has yet seen any benefit from it’s removal, so when do we get our 350 $.
There was no savings from their university reductions or the GP payments, all it was is a cost shift to the taxpayer, as all savings were earmarked for the medical science promise.
Hockeys budget is not what it seems, it’s designed to impoverish people on fixed incomes.
The budget fine print shows about $6 billion of the savings measures are, in fact, tax increases whereas the proceeds of most of the actual expenditure cuts will be reallocated towards other programs.
To add to this, the budget contained $19 billion in new spending over the next four years including election commitments. According to the government's own Commission of Audit, it costs $400,000 a year to hold an asylum seeker offshore, $239,000 in detention in Australia, but only around $40,000 on a bridging visa in the community while claims are processed.
This is the fastest growing area of government expenditure with costs over the forward estimates projected above $10 billion. About 90 per cent is waste
Australia pays $40 million per year plus all extra costs. For what? Cambodia ‘might take in between two and five people under the pilot phase’. Resettlement in Australia would be far less expensive and more humane.

It is nothing like it was under Labor with their treacherous Greens sidekicks,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=A0MHRSFz6FM

<Sydney terror plot: Suspect arrived in Australia illegally on false passport
Earlier today Mr Abbott said Australia must be more careful about giving potential migrants the benefit of the doubt after revelations one of Sydney terrorism suspects might have entered the country with a false passport.

Immigration Minister Peter Dutton also has asked for an urgent review after being advised one of the men arrested on Tuesday might have flown to Australia with the fake documentation in 2009.

Al-Kutobi arrived in Australia by plane in 2009 as an Iraqi national using another person’s passport, a senior intelligence source has confirmed to The Daily Telegraph.

They also confirmed that he was granted a protection visa soon after and that he was then granted citizenship in 2013.

That he had arrived using a false passport was only recently discovered.

It was also confirmed that the second man charged, Mohammad Kiad, entered Australia in 2012.

He was granted a visa under the family and spousal visa arrangements.

Kiad was receiving welfare, a Newstart allowance, at the time of his arrest.

It is believed he applied for and was granted welfare within 12 months of arriving in Australia.

Al-Kutobi had also previously been on a Newstart ­allowance..
Mr Abbott says the terror raids show Australia needs to be more vigilant about its border security, and more careful about future migrants.

“If you look at the Martin Place murderer, he had been given the benefit of the doubt at every stage by our system,” he told Fairfax Radio.

“I suspect the same will turn out to be the case with these people.”>

http://tinyurl.com/lnqb5r5

Here is another link that may be of interest -
on the subject of false passports:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/nation/refugees-pay-40000-to-come-by-plane/story-e6frg6nf-1225802705191

Yes, otb, but that could be summed up far more succinctly by noting that every time Abbott is on the nose with his colleagues or the electorate, he pulls out a "terror alert".

That's the long and short of it - and a tried and true technique to get the populace onside and drag them along for the ride - just tell 'em they're under threat and Bob's yer uncle.

Reality is, though, that he's just sooooo hopeless at actual governance that his "cunning plans" are rather transparent.

Poirot,

Your Abbotophobia is leading you to believe that Omar Al-Kutobi and Mohammad Kiad are a Tony Abbott plot to foil unrest among a few backbenchers?

Terrorism is now a fact of life in Australia. Bleeding heart slackness in migrant screening has seen to that.

It's not only terrorism that should be a
concern. We see the pain caused by our
ineffective legal system.

Time and time again we hear about abuse, assaults,
murder, committed by people who should never have been
released on bail.

The case of Man Haron Monis comes to mind who was known
to police for years before the siege - yet he was
released out on bail and look what happened.

otb,

"Poirot,

Your Abbotophobia is leading you to believe that Omar Al-Kutobi and Mohammad Kiad are a Tony Abbott plot to foil unrest among a few backbenchers?

Terrorism is now a fact of life in Australia. Bleeding heart slackness in migrant screening has seen to that."

And you're a gullible bunny who can't see beyond Abbott's garbage.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/opinion/tony-abbotts-national-security-rhetoric-is-cynical-dog-whistling-and-all-about-his-unpopularity/story-fnihsr9v-1227221694565

"So far the “good government” schtick has fallen a bit flat, what with the submarine fiasco (Labor’s fault) and the axing of Chief Whip Philip Ruddock, the latter move which managed all at once to constitute a broken promise (“no retributions”), a surprise, and a captain’s pick – a veritable trifecta of good government twerking in action.

Now Tony is declaring a war on people of dubious ’Strayan-ness who may or may not be bludging off benefits and for whom normal legal niceties such as (the suspiciously foreign sounding) onus probandi need not necessarily apply."

"It is a tried and true formula, albeit patently desperate: whip up us much fear, xenophobia and resentment as possible, then assure a restive populace that you are working hard – in fact you “have a plan” – to allay those fears.

This involves siphoning all the hate and suspicion off on to a third party, in this case people fleeing persecution in a foreign land, those who might believe in a different brand of imaginary friend, or – and it’s an oldie but a goodie – those welfare mendicants who view poverty as a lifestyle choice and clearly think a jobless-to-job-vacancy ratio of 5:1 is some sort of explanation for their indolence.

All that’s missing now is a mass mailout of fridge magnets (perhaps we could retool our naval shipyards for their production), a three-word slogan and an “Operation Something Something” title.'

http://www.theshovel.com.au/2015/02/17/abbott-determined-to-get-on-with-serious-business-of-saying-death-cult/

Abbott Determined To Get On With Serious Business Of Saying ‘Death Cult’

More...

http://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2015/feb/12/justice-fairness-who-needs-them-when-weve-got-abbott-and-co?CMP=share_btn_tw

"Our national impoverishment, at the hands of poor-quality leaders, knows no bounds.

A police media conference and flourishes from politicians accompanied the arrest, charging and court appearances of two men on terrorism-related allegations...."

This offence is to be found in the Commonwealth Criminal Code and applies even if the preparation or planning is not done in relation to a specific terrorism act. The maximum penalty either way is life imprisonment.

Details are scant. The police claim that “a number of items were seized” in raids on premises at Fairfield in Sydney’s west, including a video, a flag, a machete and a hunting knife. The police have not said so publicly, but the Daily Telegraph declares this was a “plot to behead on our streets”.

Never mind the prejudice. Normally once someone has been charged with a criminal offence, publication of overheated and prejudicial comments is off limits. Not so for a poll-starved prime minister who is keen to politicise this branch of the criminal law:

This was an imminent attack in Australia inspired by the Isil or Da’esh death cult.

He added: “This is a serious problem and I fear ... it will get worse before it gets better.”

What bits of this turn out to be true or false will ultimately be up to a NSW supreme court jury, not Tony Abbott...Why do we bother with a criminal justice system at all when we have a fearless leader handing down off-the-cuff verdicts?"

Abbott then went back into the parliament and selectively quoted parts of what one of the accused allegedly said on the video, about “stabbing the kidneys and striking the necks”. The prime minister added:

"I don’t think it would be possible to witness uglier fanaticism than this - more monstrous fanaticism and extremism than this - and I regret to say it is now present in our country."

"On the basis of minimal information and a tide of leaks from self-interested parties, the process of justice has taken a back seat to fear-mongering and grandstanding politicians."

Dear Foxy,

Please spare a thought too for those who were deemed to be 'not ready for release', despite the fact that they wouldn't have re-offended if they were released.

"Islam is the world's second largest religion. According to a 2010 study and released January 2011, Islam has 1.57 billion adherents, making up over 23% of the world population. According to the Pew Research Centre in 2010 there were 49 Muslim-majority countries."

Currently Muslims make up approximately 2% of the Australian population.

"The Muslim population of Britain topped 3.3 million by the end of 2013 to become around 5.2% of the overall population of 63 million, according to figures extrapolated from a recent study on the growth of the Muslim population in Europe.

At the same time, opinion surveys consistently show that voters in Britain view Islam and the question of Muslim immigration as a top-ranked public concern. The British public, it seems, is increasingly worried about the establishment of a parallel Muslim society there."

Get the message Poirot.

An increase from 2% - 5% will make Australian a different country. 2% is acceptable, it has to be because that's the way it is. But we don't need to open the doors to Muslim immigrants, especially the unskilled, uneducated potential welfare recipients. We have an acceptable balance now.

We need to face the truth about Muslim expansionism. Australia doesn't need to risk the same avoidable problems GB, France, Germany, The Netherlands, Italy and the rest of Europe have experienced by allowing too many Islamic immigrants into their countries. We only have one shot at getting it right because once the scale is tipped, there's no going back.

Perhaps there should be a referendum on this subject and let the people decide our future.

Poirot,

You've got to stop wasting your days dog-whistling against Abbott. At least Peta Credlin is getting a bit of a rest.LOL

ConservativeHippie,

"Get the message Poirot."

Twinkle Toes Tones of the well-known and oft employed "Terror Alert" is on a good thing your reckon?

Lol!

Dear A.J Philips,

The issues of our "Judicial" decision making
system are complicated. The following link may
be of interest to you. It's an interesting critique:

http://epublications.bond.edu.au/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=1129&context=nle

Dear Foxy,

Thanks for the link, but I'm aware of all that. My response was a cheeky way of pointing out just how complex the issues surrounding bail, release, parole, etc. are.

There may be some who (without draconian measures and potentially punishing people for what they might do or haven't done yet) will inevitably slip through the cracks, but there’s a fine balancing act between protecting the public and having a fair justice system that we will never perfect. Swing one way too much and the public are in danger; swing the other way too much and you develop social problems with a public that doesn’t respect authority or the rule of law.

As a side note, I was also pointing out that we get so wound up over the false-negatives that we neglect to consider the false-positives. Understandable, of course. But in doing that, we tend to forget that it’s a balancing act.

Dear A.J,

"A well developed sense of humour is the pole that adds
balance to your steps as you walk the tightrope of life."
said W.A. Ward.

I also like what Dr Seuss said -

"Unless someone like you
Cares a whole awful lot
Nothing is going to get
Better. It's not."

Posted by Poirot, Tuesday, 17 February 2015 11:11:45 AM

" ... All that’s missing now is a mass mailout of fridge magnets (perhaps we could retool our naval shipyards for their production), a three-word slogan and an “Operation Something Something” title.' ... "

I am finding that comment most amusing.

..

As for the twit from the navy (I think) who is of the view that there is no national security imperative for building our submarines here, in Australia, by Australians

(perhaps with a bit of technical expertise and assistance from our allies)

may he find himself going down to *Davey Jones Locker* sooner rather than later.

Abbott’s legacy of children in detention, is far from over, and will take a royal commission to get to the truth. The number of kids in detention on Nauru was lowered to appease the head count when numbers were being obtained. As soon as the inquiry had finalized the kids were transported back to Nauru from Darwin.
This govt; is very devious in it’s cover-ups, and no cost is spared to conceal the facts from becoming known.
To blame the commission for the report is way over the top. Brandis asked for the resignation of Triggs.
Tony Abbott described the report as a "transparent stitch-up"
The latest figures from August are that Australia holds 647 children in closed detention, 500 on the mainland and 147 on Christmas Island, including 28 children with disabilities. A further 222 children are detained on Nauru. On average, children and their families have been held in closed detention camps for over a year

What is up with all those who can't see the writing on the wall. Trigg was clearly politically motivated; she held off the report while Labor was in Government and 2000 children were in detention. Why is 200 now worse than 2000.

579 writes " The number of kids in detention on Nauru was lowered to appease the head count when numbers were being obtained. As soon as the inquiry had finalized the kids were transported back to Nauru from Darwin."

Prove it!

Politically
Obsessed
Individual
Reeling
Over
Tony

ConservativeHippie,

Wow!...you're a clever chappie!

It would seem, however, that moi is not the only one who believes Abbott is a hopelessly inept..nay...cringe-worthy leader.

It can't be easy to balls up a once-in-a-lifetime leadership opportunity like Tones has - he obviously has special talents.

May I ask, just how cretinous, embarrassing and downright hopeless does a PM have to be before you find him/her unacceptable?

There are numerous reports of kiddies being flung over to Nauru in the wake of the release of the report...will have "proof" when investigating pollies provide it

A Ballarat based Labor frontbencher has described last week's Human Rights Commission (HRC) report on children in detention as an indictment on both sides of politics. "This is not who we are as Australians and I know that the Labor Party in government, we did try to have a more compassionate policy and yes we did see a large number of boats and that did mean there were a lot of people in detention.
Children who were taken from Bladin Point Detention Centre were not provided with notice - they were removed from the centre, put on a plane and deported back to a place that has caused them serious mental and physical harm. Asked how many children had been moved to Nauru since the report’s release, as well as why they were removed, the Department of Immigration referred New Matilda to Minister Peter Dutton. His office had not responded to enquiries at the time of publication.
The United Nations has rushed to the defence of Gillian Triggs, urging the federal government to "respect the rule" of law in the protection of human rights and the Australian Human Rights Commission president's.
The UN joins a chorus of supporters for Professor Triggs after the government's ongoing attacks. About 50 human rights lawyers, the Law Council of Australia, the Bar Association and the Australian Council of Social Services have voiced their concern about the government's response to the findings, saying such attacks were a threat to democracy

From Poirot - May I ask, just how cretinous, embarrassing and downright hopeless does a PM have to be before you find him/her unacceptable?

I'm no fan of Tony Abbott although I still think he is better than your beloved Julia Gillard or even Rudd the Dudd. Both Abbott and Gillard proved to be liars and both are/were out of touch with the general populace. It a sad state of affairs when our options for Leaders are so poor. Shortland is a joke, Turnbull is no better. We need real charismatic leadership and neither Party has any to offer.

The big difference between us is I'm not obsessed. It appears you however cannot get your mind off Tony Abbott. Perhaps if you could admit that Labor did indeed make some serious errors of judgement we might find some common ground to agree on.

"The United Nations has rushed to the defence of Gillian Triggs, urging the federal government to "respect the rule" of law in the protection of human rights and the Australian Human Rights Commission president's.
The UN joins a chorus of supporters for Professor Triggs after the government's ongoing attacks. About 50 human rights lawyers, the Law Council of Australia, the Bar Association and the Australian Council of Social Services have voiced their concern about the government's response to the findings, saying such attacks were a threat to democracy."

What else would you expect from the most prestigious left wing organisation in the world.

The fact the UN is defending Gillian Triggs should be in itself the smoking gun that Triggs timing was politically motivated. Why can't you people see it for what it is?

CH,

"The big difference between us is I'm not obsessed. It appears you however cannot get your mind off Tony Abbott..."

You have to admit that Mr Abbott provides an almost daily dose of inanity, gaffe and general ineptitude of the likes you'd travel a long way to see.

I'm fairly politically engaged, and yes I take an interest in it. How can you blame me for commenting regularly when there's so much material?

Not to mention, how can I resist when someone puts up an alluring thread titled "Go Tony go"!