With 'Team Xenophon' looking at a good result in South Australia, winning a possible 3 senate seats, some are even saying 4 seat. The Xenophon mob could also pick up 3 lower house seats at home as well. Given a close result in the House of Representatives and the demise of several independents in the senate, it’s looking more than likely that Xenophon will hold the balance of power in both a joint sitting, and continue in that position for the life of the Parliament.
What do you think of Nick Xenophon and his team?
You know you are in a good position when both the big two dinosaur parties start attacking you.

They're not running a lower house candidate in my electorate, but I'll be preferencing them fairly highly in the Senate - certainly higher than either of the major two.

I guess someone has to take the place of Clive Palmer.

I wonder which sycophantic wannabees he's recruited for the Xenophon party?

Are you able to advise whether the Nick Xenophon Team supports Australian Wikileaks whistleblower Julian Assange who faces extradition to the United States to face the same fate as whistleblower Chelsea Manning' who is now locked away in a dungeon for 32 more years for revealing to the world "Collateral Murder" in Iraq?

Would a Nick Xenophon Team government demand that the Swedish government guarantee that Julian Assange won't be forcibly repatriated to the United States from Sweden should he go to Sweden to face charges of rape?

It would make for a very unstable parliament that is preoccupied with the egos and forever changing demands of petulant, grandstanding independents.

Xenophon is an erratic loner and a loose cannon. He is given to attention-seeking stunts.

Besides, there has got to be something amiss in a man who puts so much effort into (poorly) disguising his greying age. If Morticia Addams went for a sex change, Nick X would be her double.

Sure wish he would mature.

He's running a candidate in my seat but I'll not be giving them my first preference. I had previously considered doing so, but decided against it when he supported the Liberals' shameful gerrymandering in the Senate.

Despite that, his overall performance has been good. He's not in it for the money or the perks. He considers every piece of legislation on its merits.

His attention seeking stunts have certainly helped his political career, as attention is incredibly valuable in politics. FWIW attention can also be valuable in business, and similar stunts have previously helped Richard Branson's career.

Of course the major parties prefer "stable government" where they have carte blanche to inflict their bad policies on the public. But Australia's much better off with the "instability" of the government being forced to justify every decision they make.

Anything that helps to kick out the two dinosaurs is good.

Some of your policies I really like, others I really hate - overall, good luck, Nick.

IMHO, a protest vote is a very poor exercise of one's democratic right, exercised infrequently as it is.

In this case Xenophon is an election tactic of the Greens and ors.

Beach should talk, as a Pauline Hanson supporter, his vote is all protest and worth $2.62, if she can get over 4% of first preferences.

Dear Paul,

I am considering voting for the Greens due
to the simple fact that if the resident
nasties on this forum - find so much wrong with the
Greens - they must be worth consideration. (smile).

Paul,
It is far better for the $2.62,for first vote, to go to ALA or Pauline as a n encouragement award than for it to go into the coffers of either major party.

Don't forget that the Qld government still owe Pauline nearly $I million that they screwed out of her and never repaid. Plus some hefty compensation for wrongful jailing. Abbott and Beattie should be jailed for that.

Hi Foxy, the two big dinosaur parties rushed out and 'corfluted' every pole in the electorate (same two candidates as last time) at $10 a pop they must have some cash to splash, Labor hold KS by 3% with Green preferences. The Liberals have a very good candidate in Michael Feneley, I've posted Michael's link below, you might give me your opinion of him, my partner knows him well, and I find him a decent bloke, We have a good candidate in James MacDonald, also ran last time, nice young bloke, knows his stuff, The Labor member Matt Thistlethwaite is a hard working member from the Labor right. We Greens put about $20k into our election budget for the seat, mainly spent on letterbox, street stalls, bus stops and train station, door knocks (That can be fun, I used to like to door knock with John Kaye a fabulous guy, great state parliamentarian, MLC, who sadly passed away recently from cancer).
On the 'coreflutes' a big wind and storm in Sydney last weekend seen the demise of Michael and Matts posters all 10,000 of them. Round one to the Greens, our meager amount are yet to go up.

http://nsw.liberal.org.au/fed_liberal/michael-feneley-candidate-kingsford-smith/

Dear Paul,

Thanks for the link.

Michael Feneley's background is impressive.

Cario illnesses - are of particular interest to me. I have
been diagnosed with "Pulmonary Hypertension." and have been
placed on a program at a nearby hospital. Apparently there's
no cure for this illness, but hopefully with enough support
there may be one day.

Foxy,

You are the patron saint of lost causes.

//You are the patron saint of lost causes.//

Our Foxy is Jude the Apostle? Well I must say I am surprised. What was Jesus like, Foxy?

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jude_the_Apostle

Paul1405, "as a Pauline Hanson supporter"

What rubbish. You make things up.

Dear Shadow Minister,

I hope that I'm not the Patron Saint of Lost Causes.
I've been given 3 years to live.

OTB: It would make for a very unstable parliament that is preoccupied with the egos and forever changing demands of petulant, grandstanding independents.

I disagree. They have the power to force the Government of the day to ensure the Legislation they put up benefits Australians, not their own Parties particular Quirks. That would be a good thing.

As it stands now any Legislation put up to the Senate is slapped down by the Opposition because they don't want the Government to have a win of any description & Vici versa. This has got to be stopped.

Paul 1504: his vote is all protest and worth $2.62, if she can get over 4% of first preferences.

They are all on this lurk. Why single out one person just because you don't particularly like her.

Foxy: I am considering voting for the Greens.

OMG, not the Dark Side (Age)

Foxy: I've been given 3 years to live.

Make the most of it Luv. Enjoy every moment of the day. Peace. I know you are a good, kind person at heart.

My pick for the Senate, in any order;

ON, ALA, NXT, Lambie, Laz, KAP. Six above the Line.

Foxy,

Sorry to hear it. I'm surprised that you spend you time here with grumpy old men.

Hi FOXY...

I sincerely hope my eyes are deceiving me, but did I just read you've got '...three years to live...' ? I might've misunderstood what it was, you were saying perhaps ?

Dear Jayb,

Thanks for your wishes.

I intend to make every day count (not count the days).
(To quote Muhammad Ali).

I like your six above the line.

Dear Shadow Minister,

I start my first series of tests next Wednesday at the
hospital. If you want to know more about the illness -
Google "Pulmonary Hypertension." I don't quite understand
it - but there you have it. I'm hoping that new discoveries
shall be made regarding this illness. I've still got a lot
that I want to do.

As for this forum and "grumpy old men." The forum has been
my saviour. I've learned so much from all the discussions,
subjects, issues, differences, that we've all shared. I
would be miserable without the forum - and you guys!

Dear O Sung Wu,

I'm definitely not ready to go yet.

And I shall continue to stay positive.

I'm not giving up just yet.

Not by a long shot.

Foxy

I hope they do find a cure and most of all you find peace with Christ. It is His kingdom alone that won't pass away.

Dear runner,

Thank You.

Prayer has helped me a great deal.
I pray often. I always have.
Prayers give me a peace
that is not of this world.

Thoughts of aggression, unforgiveness, conflict,
and fear, tear down the body because these things tear
down the soul. Healed thoughts produce healing,
in body as well as mind.

Dear Jayb,

Could you tell me for your Senate vote - who the initials -
ON, ALA, LAZ, and KAP stand for?

cont'd ...

Here's a link on pulmonary hypertension:

http://www.austin.org.au/fr/support-us/pulmonary-hypertension/

That's the shot FOXY stay positive and defeat the illness that's causing you all that bother ! From the responses and commentaries you've shared with us all, over the years, you've got an immense amount of energy and vigour with which to to fight whatever it is that afflicts you.

Moreover Foxy you possess an inordinate amount of strength and enthusiasm, all of which can assist in neutralizing the occasional despondency and depression that illnesses can bring ! I know personally, when your kind words, that could've only come from the heart, have given me much comfort when I've been feeling poorly ! So we're ALL here for you FOXY, please remember that.

Foxy: Could you tell me for your Senate vote - who the initials - ON, ALA, LAZ, and KAP stand for?

ON, One Nation
ALA, Australian Liberty Alliance.
LAZ, Glen Lazarus.
KAP, Katter's Australia Party

I believe that if Australia has an Independent Senate that won't Kow Tow to the Big Two who either put Legislation up to benefit themselves or Vote against it because they don't want the "other" Party to pass any Legislation regardless of weather it's good or bad. Having a group of Independents can force the Big two to formulate better Legislation that will benefit all. Here's hoping anyway.

The big two just want to fight each other & buggar us down here. It's all one upmanship & nothing really good is getting done.

I don't care what order you mark just "Do it."

Dear O Sung Wu,

Thank You from the bottom of my heart.

You've always been there for all of us on this
Forum - and you've always shone a light into
the darkness.

Dear Jayb,

Thanks for explaining the initials.

They will be very useful. I was thinking about not voting
for either of the two major parties. You've pointed me
in the right direction.

Hey Foxy, go pull that bucket out of the well kid, read the list you'll find in it, & start working your way through it. Nothing like being too busy having fun to have time to die.

When I was in emergency after my third heart attack I heard a conversation outside my cubicle. Some male nurse had come to see what a bloke who had survived three heart attacks looked like. I told him I was too busy to die just yet. You can do it too, get out there & do everything you can.

Hey o sung wu, I'm starting to get there with this remote control flying thing. I still can't fly the model Sea Fury anywhere near as well as I flew the real one, but at least I've stopped parking the damn things in the big gum trees, & I've developed a new skill. Repairing the undercarriage, after I've knocked a wheel off with a heavy landing. May be I need a model aircraft carrier, but I'm proving you're never too old to learn something.

Nick Xenophon the Slum Lord!! - I wonder if his slum was negatively geared?

"Nick Xenophon appears to have been caught out denying he or his family had unwittingly become slumlords in a unit block blighted by illegal overcrowding.

The senator admitted last week to failing to declare to parliament that he was the director of the company that developed and sold the Adelaide Towers apartments.

He flatly denied in an interview with the ABC that he, his father Theo Xenophou or their company had owned units turned into slums by student tenants.

The Australian can reveal that land title records show Mr Xeno­phou’s company owned unit 101, which came to the attention of the Residential Tenancies Tribunal because it had illegal partitioning, sub-letting and overcrowding.

It can also be revealed that Senator Xenophon, who was sold two units at less than the average price of an apartment in the building at the time, and his father owed $230,000 between them to the owners corporation.

Mr Xenophou had failed to pay strata fees for a year over a dispute about asbestos, rubbish chutes and tiling. A legal bid to recover the money cost the owners corporation almost $100,000 and was settled in 2012."

Nah Shadow, our man Dick is sending down a bus load of au pairs to fix up the joint for our new friend Nick, Got the CFA on standby just in case there are any pay and conditions disputes, we need a shop steward, are you available?

Dear Hassie,

Thank You for your excellent advice.

I've got so much on my plate at the moment what with
my mum in the Nursing home, my kids, and my grandchildren,
and of course this Forum.

Keep up your interests as well. We'll both make it.

I watched the 7.30 Report with Malcolm Turnbull last night.
He certainly is an excellent communicator, and very polite.
But I don't think he actually answered the questions he
was asked. We'll have to see if Mr Shorten does any better.
It's getting a bit frustrating.

Regarding the allegation that "Xenophon..(had) owned units turned into slums by student tenants (with) illegal partitioning, sub-letting and overcrowding"

Property owners can give many examples where tenant-friendly regulations and decisions by (rental) tribunals have created the environment and legally permitted tenants to abuse what used to be a simple contract to lease property and both parties had responsibilities.

It is quite common for tenants (they are called 'professional tenants') to turn a rental into a boarding house. Also to damage or effect tenant changes to walls and structure, knowing that remedies are few and eviction is very difficult, and that they can leave their debts behind when they depart.

These are cluey, ruthless offenders, often in their thirties, educated and forever doing more study, paired up for convenience (one claims study and the other is his/her 'partner', or not, depending on who's asking). They are adept at networking and using the legal and advocacy services, eg of universities, to their advantage.

It is usual that they are abusing other conditions/entitlements as well for their benefit.

OTB: It is quite common for tenants (they are called 'professional tenants') to turn a rental into a boarding house. Also to damage or effect tenant changes to walls and structure.

I know what you mean. I had a rental property once. Actually my home when I moved in with my wife. I cost me more to re-renovate every time a Tenant moved out than I made through the time of the lease. The Real Estate people were never any help & if you complained they were slow in getting you another Tenant. A word from a work mate Whose sister worked at the Real Estate Office. Apparently they didn't like it when I came in with photo's of the damage. I never got any of the supposed Bond if the Tenant did a flit. either.

I suppose that was the one thing good about the Negative Gearing. I could get something back.

G'day there HASBEEN...

I thought for a moment you were about to say '...I've developed a new skill - how to climb tall trees in order to rescue my 'Sea Fury' that I tried to land on a stout bough...' ! Not,'...learn to repair the complex undercarriage after having a disastrous landing...?

A question if I may? The Sea Fury has two, contra-rotating props ? Or am I wrong. Moreover, they had a pilot and directly behind the pilot, an aft facing gunner - or have I got it all thoroughly mixed up ? As a comment, how any human being could possibly land a yawing, pitching and rolling aircraft, on a yawing, pitching (smallish) deck, of HMAS Melbourne in rough seas I'll never know? As the man said; "Your a better man than I, Gunga Din" or words to that effect ?

You're doing so well after experiencing three heart attacks ? Goes to show how tough you Navy Aviators really are !

Hi Foxy,

Sorry to hear of your situation....best wishes from me.

........

"I watched the 7.30 Report with Malcolm Turnbull last night.
He certainly is an excellent communicator, and very polite.
But I don't think he actually answered the questions he
was asked..."

Well...um...why would you say he's an excellent communicator if he declined to answer the questions put to him?

He's not an excellent communicator at all when he's stonewalling - and stonewalling is what he does when anyone makes a serious attempt to get to the substance of his "plan".

You know that nebulous "plan" that he keeps talking about, which he won't give any detail on except to utter "jobs and growth" ad nauseam.

Last night he tried to explain how his cuts to business tax were going to unfold over the next ten years. It was so convoluted - and had little relation to the question asked, that he looked like he himself was finding his explanation boring.

I'm sure he's impressive in a courtroom where he can construct his own well-crafted narrative, but as a politician in a leadership role, he's "disappointing"

Nick Xenophon has previously had something to say about disruptive public housing tenants,

".. it’s time disruptive and dangerous tenants were penalised rather than rewarded for their bad behaviour"

http://www.nickxenophon.com.au/media/releases/show/stop-rewarding-bad-behaviour/

Many get away with very poor behaviour because they have children. But should they have children in their care anyway?

At the end of the day though, the managers of public housing, private owners and property managers all say the same thing, that poor tenants add to the rental cost for all tenants and they know they can get away with it.

If responsible tenants want to do better for themselves they would be pushing very strongly for houses and units to be let 'bare bones', where the tenant decorates, provides floor coverings, curtains and all whitewear etc. That would allow for longer leases, a good thing in itself and lower rents. Because the owner's risks have been reduced.

As it is, the better tenants are being forced to pay rents that are made higher by poor tenants. And by the rental regulators and tribunals who use feral welfare tenants as their baseline of tenants to protect.

OSW: The Sea Fury has two, contra-rotating props ?

Four blades in the early model & five later. No Contra-rotating prop that was the Gannet. Excelent vids on utube.

OSW: how any human being could possibly land a yawing, pitching and rolling aircraft, on a yawing, pitching
Carrier.

That, would have given me a Heart Attack to start with.

Poirot: and stonewalling is what he does when anyone makes a serious attempt to get to the substance of his "plan".

That's what they all do. No Politician ever answers a question directly. They deflect. That's one of the reasons I'm not supporting either of the big two. They are all BSers.

Regarding the Leigh Sales 'interview'(sic) of Malcolm Turnbull, it was more of the adversarial, 'got-cha' tabloid shock-jock, than an interview for facts by a responsible journalist.

http://www.abc.net.au/7.30/content/2015/s4478428.htm

Irrespective of what side of politics one may prefer at this time, the taxpayer-funded national broadcaster is NOT doing the public any favours by patronising viewers with over-the-top accusatory interrogations by over-paid journalists who make themselves the story.

As far as many are concerned, they would like to see some respect shown to the people who volunteer to be interviewed and for the public benefit, not for humiliation for the benefit of the clowns of social media, the Twitteratti.

The PM and the Opposition Leader might be interviewed at length once or few times during a campaign. It is a damn poor show if those opportunities are going to be wasted by boofheads in interviews like that.

Sales and others like her on public and private TV, another example could be the idiotic fools like Karl Stefanovic, the 'highest-paid personality signed to an Australian television network'(!), need to step aside. They are wanted in the Colosseum of shock jocks on radio.

I wouldn't like to see Shorten or anyone else subjected to a Leigh Sales 'Look at Moi' gutless interrogation.

otb,

"Regarding the Leigh Sales 'interview'(sic) of Malcolm Turnbull, it was more of the adversarial, 'got-cha' tabloid shock-jock, than an interview for facts by a responsible journalist."

I tend to agree - that appears to Sales' stock in trade these days.

She's torn into Labor in the same fashion...however, up until last night, she's given Mal a reasonably easy time when he's appeared on 7.30.

You start by slandering Xenephon then say it's his father XenePHOU, who is the 'slum landlord'. You mention this Xenephou more than once. Surely Nick's father would spell his name the same way as is son's?

Poirot,

Leigh Sales probably was soft on Turnbull before.

Leigh Sales plummets to (tabloid) depths that were unimaginable some years ago.

Here is Bob Hawke dealing with the late Richard Carlton, who was a mere amateur at 'got-cha' tabloid journalism compared with the very highly paid 'look at moi' Leigh Sales,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=LRz06GrF-1I

The one with the Hitler hairdo, Emma Alberici, is just as bad and even more superficial.

I miss the in-depth articles in w'end broadsheets too.

Found an interesting thing a few minutes ago. Malta is the ONLY European country with a majority government, and we know what a mess Europe is in. Minority government is probably what we are heading for again.

Did anyone note that Turbull has clearly stated that he is "not interested in polls", although he used polls as an excuse to overthrow Abbott. Also, the polls he isn't interested in show that 40% of SA voters intend to vote for minor parties. A pity he isn't interested, eh?

Carleton not Carlton.

Jayb,

"That's what they all do. No Politician ever answers a question directly. They deflect. That's one of the reasons I'm not supporting either of the big two. They are all BSers"

Of course, there's some truth to that.

However, it's the "degree" to which I refer here.

Mal hasn't got a clue...time after time all we get is a stream of cliché-ridden waffle.

It's like trying to grab hold of a bubble floating in the air.

I will point out that Shorten fronted up to that public forum - and he "did" answer questions without deflecting...which is what those public forums should be about - and also the reason Turnbull failed to make an appearance.

Shadow Minister,

Sorry. I seem to have forgotten to put your name at the top of my response to your slanderous attack on Xenephon - or someone else with a Greek name.

Had to laugh when I heard the Sex Party being given airtime on who else but our abc. They were banging on about dying with dignity. They promote living as deviants, sluts and whores and then are given air time to speak about dying with dignity. Live without any and then die with it. Tell me its a joke. The abc certainly is.

Dear Poirot,

Thank You for your good wishes.

As far as the PM's interview on the 7.30 Report is
concerned? Perhaps I did not express my feelings
very well by calling him a good "communicator" and
then not answering the questions posed to him by
Leigh Sales. What I meant to say was that on a superficial
level he appeared charming and polite - but excellent and
professional at ducking the questions. An expert really.
However perhaps it was Leigh Sales behaving quite
aggressively (possibly out of frustration) that also
came as a surprise and started to annoy me after a while.

As I stated - all very frustrating. And now let's see whether
Mr Shorten does any better.

Foxy,

Yes, I see what you mean.

Sales is overly aggressive - and has been noted for it.

Although, she bopped Abbott a good one shortly before he was rolled by Turnbull. If you recall, he was reduced to answering questions on the economy by saying he'd "stopped the boats".

"...What I meant to say was that on a superficial
level he appeared charming and polite - but excellent and
professional at ducking the questions..."

Again, veering completely off course with his replies, rendering them trite and devoid of detail (except for his foray into the machinations of his business cut strategy), isn't doing Mal much good. He's coming across as nothing more than surface froth at the moment.

Shorten is doing better - and off the cuff as he was last night at the public forum, he didn't duck or weave, even handling questions on Labor's asylum policy.

Which is probably one reason why Labor has clawed their way back in the polls.

Yep, you got a few different planes mixed up there o sung wu. As Jayb says it was the Gannet an anti submarine bomber, carrying depth charges or torpedoes that had the contra rotating props. Dreadful things, they frightened the daylights out of me.

No fighters had rear gunners after about 1942, although we were still 2 man fighters. Our rather agricultural radar needed a full time operator into the 60s.

The Sea Fury was the last great piston engined fighter, the fastest piston engined fighter ever. We & the Pommy navy used them in Korea, where it flew rings around the Mustangs, inheritors of the Spitfire tradition. It was a bit of a bugger to land on a carrier, [like the Yankee Corsair], with it's huge radial engine eliminating forward vision at low, [nose up] speeds.

By my time we had replaced them with Venoms, not much of an improvement really, but a lot easier to handle. I was hugely privileged to get to fly them a few times, but never anywhere near a carrier.

My model Sea Fury is a thing of great beauty, as are a couple of my cars. This is just as well, as I could become very depressed looking at the garbage we are being offered to chose from in this election, without these beautiful things to raise my spirits.

Shadow, since you are exposing politicians dodgy investments, what is your take on Malcolm Turnbull's dodgy investments in the Cayman Islands, described by US President Barack Obama as "the biggest tax scam on record".
According to Parliament's register of members' interests, Mr Turnbull has invested in two hedge funds since July last year – Zebedee Growth Fund and MSD Torchlight Partners – and both list their address as Ugland House, George Town, Grand Cayman.

Paul,

There is nothing dodgy about Turnbull's investments, and if Labor couldn't find anything, neither can you. All the Labor MPs have far more dodgy stuff to answer for, and so too apparently does Nick Xenophobe.

Shadow,

Does this indicate Malcolm has more confidence in the economic managers in the Cayman Islands than he does in the Aussie managers, particularly, Scotty and himself.
If Malcolm was honest his economic message to the Aussie battlers, the mum and dad investors would be "Get your dosh out of Aussie, take it out of CBA, NAB ANZ Westpac etc and open an account with The Bank of Cayman, and invest in the Cayman Islands, I did, and I'mm making a squillion!"

Paul,

Your economic Knous is zero, but I suppose that is a requirement to follow the economic ignoramuses in the greens.

FYI,
Putting your savings in a bank is the lowest return you can expect,
Yes the financial planners in the Caymans are amongst the best in the world,
There is nothing illegal about having investments in the Caymans as long as the profits are declared.
Most super funds have investments in the Caymans, probably even yours.

So while the greens might think being a good businessman and making money is a sin it isn't illegal.

However, running slum is illegal.

Hi there HASBEEN...

JAYB kindly gave me the 'heads-up' on the contra-rotating props. It was the Gannet by all accounts, but I suppose I could be excused, for not being a military aviator.

You mentioned the abundance of detritus that's being served up to the electorate day after day, and how it really gets you down, save for your beautifully crafted Sea Fury A/C ? I couldn't agree with you more, I'm heartily sick of it all.

Night after night - lie after lie - nausea after nausea, 'til one so urgently needs to completely purge one's guts, in order to get rid of the foul retching and infuriating gagging caused by hearing, mendacious politicians voices with their dreary pontificating and postulating about absolutely nothing.

It's enough to bring about 'sensorial deafness', an ailment common to military 'drop shorts' involved in heavy and prolonged artillery combat operations.

OSW: It was the Gannet by all accounts,

My first Exercise "Long Shot 1. 1964" The Exercise was called off for a "Fire Power Demonstration" The Sabers came down the Valley Strafing about 5 k from where we were observing. Great lot of good that was. We couldn't see a thing. Then a Gannet flew slowly over us a few times. On it's last Run it flower bombed us from about 300 feet. That was interesting. The Bomber sitting on the floor with the Door open heaving packets of Flower at us. The Bomb Aimer wasn't too hot, they all landed about a hundred yards from us. It was a good day off in the middle of the Exercise though. Gannets were a big, Short Dumpy, aircraft.

Shadow,

Given the close proximity of the Cayman Islands to Mexico and Columbia and as you say "putting your savings in a bank is the lowest return you can expect" and not knowing the investment portfolio of either Zebedee Growth Fund or MSD Torchlight Partners, maybe you can enlighten me as to what investments these two organisation make to give their customers these fabulous returns.

Not having visited Adelaide for several years, I'm not aware of the location of the Adelaide slum district. Does it rival the slums of Calcutta?
With the claim Nick X was the director of the company that developed and sold the Adelaide Towers apartments. It would seem as Nick's not that old, did he build the Adelaide Towers as prestigious apartments and have students turn them into slums later, or did he build them as slums in the first place?

Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull name was found in the massive Panama Papers database.
A company register document shows he was the former director of a company called Star Technology Systems Limited in the 1990s.
Also listed on the register is Mr Turnbull's business partner, former NSW premier Neville Wran. Who I like to describe as shifty rather than nifty.
The company was incorporated by Panamanian law firm Mossack Fonseca.
Shadow, seem Malcolm likes to do business in that part of the world.

Paul1405,

Elsewhere you have been ducking the matter of Soros, the billionaire currency dealer who was also mentioned in the Panama papers,
http://www.news.com.au/finance/money/tax/panama-papers-reveal-george-soros-deep-money-ties-to-secretive-weapons-firm/news-story/4f34cba3104155cdce5f93ec7751d729

This is one of the outfits alleged to be behind 'Gun Control'*, the highly secretive, publicity-shy overseas interests that interfere in the domestic politics of Australia and other Western democracies with the goal of disarming them.

Would you like to explain how the Greens 'gun control' policies are Xeroxed from the secret squirrel 'gun control' activists and the buddy arrangements between them and the Greens?

*'Gun Control', as in confiscations and bans not regulation of lawful ownership.

<Panama Papers reveal George Soros’ deep money ties to secretive weapons firm

BILLIONAIRE George Soros, who has spent millions of dollars financing Democrats and left-wing causes, used a controversial Panamanian law firm to establish a web of offshore investment partnerships that operate around the world and out of the scrutiny of US regulators, according to leaked documents.

The so-called Panama Papers, a trove of 11.5 million financial documents tracing the Mossack Fonseca law firm’s efforts to help politicians, celebrities and criminals shield their money from taxes, contain links to Soros, who funds the journalism group that is disseminating the information. So far, the International Consortium of Investigative Journalists (ICIJ) has been silent on its benefactor’s ties to the law firm.
..
Soros Capital set up an offshore company in the Cayman Islands for the purpose of investing private equity with the Carlyle Group, alongside members of Saudi Arabia’s Bin Laden family. Carlyle’s partners include ex-heads of state and former CIA officials. The private equity partnership specialises in buying and selling weapons manufacturing and intelligence gathering companies with government and military contracts and it also uses secret offshore companies to conduct business...
George Soros’ Open Society Foundations provides funding for pro-migrant activists throughout Europe.
..
He is the largest donor to Hillary Clinton’s campaign for the presidency, plunking down $US8 million ($11 million), so far...>

Paul,

Sometimes you write such gibberish that I think that you are using recreational herbs.

1-What the hell does the geographical location of the Cayman Isles to do with the investment firms?

2-I have not experienced either the Xenophon slums or Calcutta slums, and I doubt that any Green has either due to the lack of cafes selling soy latte.

3-Given that none of the details from the Panama papers have indicated any wrong doing by the PM, do you have a point?

I know that you are a legal illiterate, but most people know that nudge nudge wink wink innuendo does not constitute evidence.

P.S. I am still waiting for your comments on Dinner Tally's ripping off of au pairs, and Syph Hansen Young's million dollar travel expenses.

Dear Poirot,

According to the figures in the polls the Coalition
appears to continue to enjoy a lead over the ALP.
Voters appear to rate the Coalition higher in terms
of the economy.

Which is rather surprising as - giving big companies
$48 billion of tax cuts( according to quite a few
commentators) -" will not be as
effective as investing in education and training."
We're told that "investing in education and training is
far more likely to deliver productivity and growth and
actually a stronger economy than a speculative give away
to foreign multinationals."

It appears that neither major party has been honest with
voters about Australia's revenue problem.

We need to pay more attention to what we're being told
(and not told).

Foxy,

"According to the figures in the polls the Coalition
appears to continue to enjoy a lead over the ALP."

Which polls are they?

Nearly all the polls in the most recent few months have Labor either in the lead or even with LNP (mostly in the lead)...one poll had a five point differential in Labor's favour.

The very latest on the electorates to keep an eye on,

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-06-09/clarke-and-dawe:-the-electorates-to-keep-an-eye-on/7497674

SM,

Talking of the dodgy practices...the Libs are at it again.

"The Liberal campaign is resisting calls for greater transparency about its financial relationship with a voter monitoring company run by the party, as it can be revealed state MPs also use taxpayer money to pay it amounts likely exceeding $100,000 a year.

Parakeelia has transferred more than $1 million to the federal division of the Liberal party in the past three years, in growing amounts that recently made it the party's second-largest single source of revenue last financial year."

"Federal Liberal MPs pay $2500 a year to use the company's "Feedback" software, money that ultimately comes from taxpayer-funded allowances."

Lol!...why don't they change their name the Dodgy Party and be done with it!

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016/federal-election-2016-mystery-deepens-over-parakeelia-as-cormann-ducks-question-20160609-gpfmp1.html

Dear Poirot,

The following link may clarify things for you:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2016-03-18/brent-the-vibe-of-the-coalition's-economic-competence/7257152

G'day there JAYB...

You've got a good head for facts figures and incidences of times past, particular those events in SV ? There's no doubt I'm losing it a bit I suppose, still doing OK at the moment?

I like A/C whether fixed wing or rotary wing. I particularly like choppers, those that flew our section to different LZ's. Especially the 'Dust-off' chopper that casvac'd me to No.1 Fd. Hospital at Vung Tau. when I copped a bit of crap!

I remember when we were inserted into a very tight unmade LZ, with the rotor wash just barely clipping the thick foliage as we managed our decent. A particularly 'hairy' experience for us non flying types, resulting in almost the entire section needing a change of greens ?

It was 9 Sqn RAAF that were operating the older UH-1B's, and later the UH-1D's both with door mounted M60's. The 1D was a slightly bigger A/C, (bigger engine?) capable of taking an extra two fully kitted up blokes, because the two door gunners were set back from the rest of the 'stick'.

Aeroplanes are more interesting and pleasurable to discuss, than these mendacious, morally corrupt politicians! I've just heard, the illustrious Mr Rob OAKSHOT has thrown his hat back into the ring for another shot at the Senate ? I feel so sorry for the electorate in which he will again stand, after his last great betrayal?

Oh, right, Foxy - you're referring to the "perception" of Coalition govt's economic credentials.

Perception hasn't exactly matched reality this time round.

Dear Poirot,

Perception is very important
especially during an election year.
It will be interesting to see what the
results will be this time around.

The following link explains things further:

http://newmatilda.com/2016/06/09/labors-first-big-mistake-of-the-campaign/

Yes, Foxy...I think it's not helpful for Labor to be dragged back into the "we're gonna get back to surplus before you can" game also.

Considering the Coalition have offered almost nothing of substance so far this election campaign, Labor should just get on with their own agenda.

Regarding perceptions, yes you are right - they are important and probably the reason Labor has led or run even in the polls now for many weeks.

The perception being that Turnbull is a disappointment and not much more than a hot air factory.

Hi Foxy and Poirot, the New Matilda blog is spot on. Labor is being out maneuvered by the conservatives on who has the best economic credentials. Labor is going out of its way in trying to convince voters they too are good managers, their attempt to seek the holy grail of surplus by 2021 to match the Coalition is nothing, if not a distraction from the real bread and butter issues where the conservative are weak and most vulnerable, the issues of child care, health, education etc. The talk of 10 year plans is another needless distraction, which Labor should avoid.

Talking to voters the past two weeks, many non committed are saying "Turnbull, well he did promise us a new deal, but has not delivered on that promise." I feel that will cost the Coalition votes, but will not necessary be enough to get Labor home. Shorten is also perceived poorly by non committed voters.

This is not Labor's first mistake, but is its first major blunder.

Labor's first mistake was promising everything to everyone. This is selling to Labor's core socialist base, but the majority of voters are deeply concerned about the ongoing deficit crisis. To mollify the average voter Labor tried to sell a 10yr forecast instead of the usual 4 yr forecast simply because labor hoped to cover up its huge deficit in the short to medium term with fantasy "savings" in long term, and for a while this worked.

It was only a matter of time before the government called Labor out showing the $67bn deficit over the next 4 yrs, and what was worse, it was laid out in simple terms that Labor couldn't deny, and Labor slipped in the polls.

Labor's blunder was in its response. It first started back flipping on promises it had made to reverse gov spending cuts that were still on the ALP website, then making concessions on the savings it blocked in the senate (Showing that labor put politics before the country) and finally produced a silly document that everyone knows is a complete joke.

Labor's complete lack of fiscal credibility means that means that no one believes that no one believes that labor can or will even try to deliver the long term savings.

I am still undecided between the candidates.

It seems to me that investing in education and
training would be far more likely to deliver
productivity and growth and eventually a stronger economy
than a speculative give away to foreign multinationals.
At the same time I can also see the logic behind the
belief that if governments want to balance the federal
budget they will have to raise taxes and remove tax
concessions. Therein lies my conundrum. Who will be
best suited to govern this country? I really don't know.

Shadow, Chicken little Liberal and his the sky is falling nonsense about a horrendous deficit, when no such thing exists. Australia has a deficit, which is prudent at this time, and manageable. If the deficit was as horrendous as the deceitful government is claiming then why no Greek style austerity program, pension cuts. severe cuts to all areas of government expenditure, tax increases across the board.
To their shame the Coalition is unnecessarily trying to alarm the voters about the deficit, for no other reason than for political gain. This is nothing new with the conservatives, always playing the fear card, be it reds under the beds, to talk of horrendous deficits, and unfortunately many gullible Australians fall for this rubbish, and it often delivers the conservatives government.

Dear Paul,

The "fear card" is being played by both major parties.

Peter van Onselen writing for the Weekend Australian
(April 30th 2016) tells us that:

"Those in the know have long realised negative campaigning is
more effective than positive messaging..."

Seeing through the fear he states - is the challenge for voters.

van Onselen explains:

"Of course, away from the strategies of the parties and the
fear they hope to drum up, the real fear most people have is
that this election for the political professionals is their
chance to compete to retain (at least for
another term) - or attain power for its own sake,
rather than shape the nation for future prosperity."

No wonder many voters make their decision as to who to vote
for at the last minute. Seeing through the fear (as stated
earlier), is indeed a challenge for many voters.

I would say that the "X" factor is the same as always. They just have to promise as much as they say and then do nothing...

'The "fear card" is being played by both major parties'.

Says the electoral spin of certain independents and minor parties.

Now, what might one call their spin?

Foxy,

"I am still undecided between the candidates."

I'm still kinda puzzled as to why you, who's always come across on this forum as more left than right, would choose to show your greatest support for the Coalition when they've gone the full right-wing nutter.

The only thing I can put it down to is that Malcolm Turnbull attained Prime Ministership - that, however, is the "only" change as far as the Coalition's fundie right-wing direction is concerned.

Here's a little dirge on Turnbull and his incredible shrinkage in the top job:

"It was at a Labor fundraising dinner in Sydney's salubrious Rose Bay – in the heart of the Prime Minister's electorate – that shadow treasurer Chris Bowen made this startling claim: Malcolm Turnbull is a Marxist.

The audience at the April 30 event – to support Labor's candidate for Wentworth, Evan Hughes – was momentarily perplexed. Turnbull was a lot of things, but a communist? Hard to believe given they were gathered just a short walk from the former investment banker's $50 million harbourside mansion.

But Bowen wasn't finished. Turnbull is not an adherent of Karl Marx, he explained, but rather American comedian Groucho Marx, who once proclaimed: "Those are my principles and if you don't like them ... well, I have others." It was a pithy new way to say what we all know: Turnbull has abandoned his beliefs for the sake of party unity.

But that's OK, right? Once he wins the election – still the most likely result of this eye-glazing, never-ending campaign – things will change. The real Malcolm will emerge from his conservative chrysalis like a beautiful socially progressive butterfly and lead us into a bright, shining future."

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/federal-election-2016-opinion/malcolm-the-marxist-will-the-real-turnbull-ever-stand-up-20160610-gpg6qu.html#ixzz4BJSthxZ

Foxy,

Perhaps if you included something in your reading other than labor propaganda, your posts would have more credibility.

1 The tax cuts are first rolled out to small business, and later in the 10yr plan to larger businesses, not just to multinationals as you claim.

2 The benefits are far from speculative, as other countries have found out, and just about every economist recommends incl Craig Emmerson, David Leigh, Penny Wong, Paul Keating, Ken Henry and even Bill Shorten.

3 The benefits of additional spending on education are speculative given that the vast increases in money spent over the last decade have seen no improvement, and at best economic results would not be apparent for nearly a decade.

Paul,

Only the far left whinge nutcases believe that uncontrolled spending does not end up in a Greek like situation.

Labor would stand a much better chance if Anthony Albanese was leader.

SM,

Can you let us know when ScoMo let's the cat out of the bag as to how he's going to pay for these company tax cuts?

Thanks : )

(I thought Scottie was ridiculing "ten year plans?")

"Goldman Sachs analysis of company tax cut finds benefits would go offshore"

"But in an economic research note, Goldman Sachs found that if companies distributed the value of the tax cut as profits or dividends to investors then 60% of the benefit would flow to offshore investors, 10% to domestic investors and around 30% to the Australian economy.

The domestic benefits would be far bigger if companies used the tax cut to grow their business but Goldman Sachs said “survey evidence suggests that companies are less likely to voluntarily lower the dividend payment ratio”, meaning the real world impact was likely to be closer to the scenario where 60% of the benefit flowed offshore."

http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2016/jun/01/goldman-sachs-analysis-of-company-tax-cut-finds-benefits-would-go-offshore

"The benefits of additional spending on education are speculative given that the vast increases in money spent over the last decade have seen no improvement, and at best economic results would not be apparent for nearly a decade."

That's a "0.6% growth forecast over twenty years on the govt's proposed company tax cut....WOW!

"Only the far left whinge nutcases believe that uncontrolled spending does not end up in a Greek like situation."

Lol! - after all, the Coalition govt has boosted gross debt by $160 billion in less than three years (no GFC) - spending up, private business investment down, wages down, capital expenditure down....the list goes on.

SM is busily rearranging the deck chairs on the HMS Coalition Titanic - it promised so much...alas - delivered so little.

Dear Poirot,

My political views are not set in concrete.
They change according to policies presented and
are influenced by the various views of political
experts that make sense to me. Hence my previous
post taken from Peter van Onselen's article in
The Weekend Australian, Apr. 30th 2016 - "The
fear card" is being played by both major parties.

Initially, I did have high hopes for Malcolm Turnbull.
Now I'm not so sure. Neither am I thrilled with Labor.
Again, that's why at present, I am undecided.

Dear Shadow Minister,

My reading includes more than just any one point of
view. I try to maintain a balance. It covers a wide
range. You would have more credibility yourself -
if you were to follow suit.

P,

"I thought Scottie was ridiculing "ten year plans?"

No he was ridiculing 10yr budget forecasts which are like 10yr weather forecasts.

The point of tax cuts are to encourage investment, predominantly by international investors, that are largely ignoring Aus. It is not unusual for international investors to expect dividends, while employing Aussies who pay p.a.y.e.

SM,

If Scott Morrison was the Labor Treasurer - and gibbering rubbish at the speed of light as he's currently doing, I would be aghast.

He's a blithering loon - a fiscal know-nothing.

Surely the Coalition could have done better than dropping this vacuous fool into such a role?

Foxy,

I do read widely, however, having a degree in economics makes listening to the rambling of the labor party without laughing difficult.

Dear Shadow Minister,

At least you can laugh.

Many voters simply want to cry at the fear
mongering of both major parties.

Shadow said, "I do read widely", he certainly does 'The Daily Telegraph', 'The Australian', 'The Herald Sun' 'The Advertiser' 'The Mercury' and 'News.com' all necessary reading if one if going to get a balanced view of politics. If its not Uncle Rupert's opinion its not worth reading, right Shadow.
"having a degree in economics" I thought you were an Engineer, then at one time you were giving all that learned legal opinions, I though you were some kind of Rumpole of the Bailey type QC. Do you have a good recipe for 'Chicken Cordon Bleu' just in case you are also a Cordon Nleu Chef. I've had a bit of a twinge in the back of late, anything of a medical nature you could recommend?.

Paul,

It might be difficult to absorb, but it is possible to get more than one degree from real universities. (have you got one?)

I have an BSc Hons in elec eng, a BCom in economics, and an MBA, all of which have carried some component of Law.

I read from just about every news paper unlike you.

Shadow, do I detect an air of snobbery on your part? " it is possible to get more than one degree from real universities. (have you got one?)

Yes, I am a qualified Mechanical Engineer, with added qualifications in both structural and production engineering. I also have 40 odd years of piratical work experience. Started at the bottom as an apprentice and worked my way up. I can understand your disdain for the blue collar workers, are you more the collar and tie kind of engineer, they tend to mostly support the conservative side of politics.

Paul,

" I also have 40 odd years of piratical work experience." Aaargh!

Good training for the CFMEU or the greens.

I wear high vis to work, and while capable of advanced calculus, I can also strip down equipment and fault find as well as any of those working for me. I have yet to meet a competent engineer that would vote for the greens.

Shadow, long time Greens MP John Kaye, who recently died of cancer, was in fact like you a qualified Electrical Engineer. I don't know who John voted for, in the end that's a secret for us all, but I do suspect the Greens. Since John was an extremely competent and knowledgeable person, I also suspect he was a competent engineer in his day.

From your posts, although often misguided, but not always, and we do exchange some banter from time to time, do we not. I think you are rather intelligent and therefore most likely a competent professional person.
Now how about a bit of advice on that Chicken Cordon Bleu and the twinge in the back? LOL. Its a funny world.

Paul,

John seemed like a smart fellow, and I wish condolences on his passing.

I am unfamiliar with your chicken cordon bleu, but am interested in your well cooked goose, with a side order of crow.

Did anyone watch "Q and A" last night?

Bill Shorten was the guest facing questions from the
public in Western Sydney. Next Monday, Malcolm Turnbull
will be the guest.

What impression did Mr Shorten make?

From all reports, Shorten nailed it...despite Tony Jones standing in for Malcolm as spoiler.

At one stage, Bill had to apologise for interrupting Jones' question with an answer - which kinda sums up Shorten's ability in a hostile environment.

Note: Malcolm has timed his facebook debate for 6:00 on Friday - mainly because that's the time when people won't be watching...onya Mal!

His invisibility cloak has been held up in the mail.

John was well respected by both sides of politics. and received many kind words from political friends and foes alike.

From the SMH "The former academic was first elected to NSW Parliament in 2007 after completing his PhD at the University of California, Berkeley and a stint as a lecturer in electrical engineering at the University of New South Wales."

Mike Baird had these kind words to say about John "deeply saddened to learn of the death of John Kaye".
"He was a formidable advocate of the causes in which he believed," "Despite our political differences I regarded him as a friend."

I campaigned with John several times, although passionate about issues, such as funding for public education. John was very affable with those who didn't agree with him.

Dear Poirot,

Yes. I was impressed with Bill Shorten's performance
on "Q and A," last night. He answered the questions,
and even told what he was not going to do. It will be
interesting to see how Malcolm Turnbull behaves next
week. Hopefully he won't fall into the same old tactic
of blaming his opposition for everything and simply
using slogans like his predessor.

As someone tweeted - "Malcolm Turnbull's time as Prime
Minister is fast being Shortened." (words to that effect).
Clever.

Was Shorten asked what he proposes to do about the CFMEU?

What about ending the domination of Labor by union heavies, those powerful factions?

What about re enfranchising Labor members so their opinions carry some weight in policy and leadership decisions?

Just three questions of many that never seem to be followed up.

Shorten's image makers seem to have convinced him to do the 'wide-eyed' innocent look. Makes him look like Monica Lewinsky when she is spinning the story that she was just a slip of a girl whose only fault was that she was in love with a President. Or is it the Bill Gates look, "Who me? I'm not a tough corporate CEO, just a nerd".

Shorten the union boss would know better than most where the bits of those who got in the way are buried. Figuratively speaking one hopes :(

Both leaders of the two major parties need to
prove that they are not the captives of any
special interrest groups.

Bill Shorten does need to stand up to the unions.

Malcolm Turnbull needs to do the same to the big-end
of town.

I see that the council is moving in on Nick's slum.

I thought I would revive this thread to congratulate Nick Xenophon and his team on the good result they achieved in SA on Saturday. Despite the mud slinging by Xenophobes like Shadow Minister, most of their mud got deflected, and appears to have stuck to their man Malcolm.
Although the result is far from clear Nick and his team will add a great deal of balance to the Senate. Good to see the scum bag Liberal Jamie Briggs was soundly beaten by NXT candidate Rebekha Sharkie in the seat of Mayo thanks to strong Labor and Greens preferences. The loss of a Greens Senator in SA is unfortunate, but with two others joining Nick its not to bad, it would be if they were crazy Hansonites or some such fools.
Closer to home, I was very pleased my number one pick Lee Rhiannon was easily returned in NSW, that is what doing a good job gets you. The political nutter and deceitful misrepresenter. David Leyonhjelm looks gone for all money, the Shooter and Hooters appealed to their broad Ranbo base of gunnies, and scored less than 2% of the vote. In Victoria I was pleased that Adam Bandt was able to increase his margin despite the Liberals backing Labor. That's what working hard for your constituency achieves. Good to see the mad motorists Ricky Muir drive off into the sunset.
All in all, a happy result foe some, but not for others. Ah Shadow.