Last night we saw hasbeen Paul Keating embarrassing himself and the Labor party ranting on about China and how our security heads were “nutters” who should be “got rid of”.

Thankfully, the Coalition has the sense not to dig up relics of the past in the form of failed prime ministers. OK, Keating did do some good with the economy, and he was always good for a laugh in parliament. But he appears to be on the edge of senility now, with his thousand yard stare and general look of confusion.

At least the Labor-loving media spared us unnecessary exposure to the real duds, Gillard and Rudd, although the brief interview with the world's worst treasurer, Wayne Swann was certainly sick-making.

Anyway, Keating's ignorant remarks about China gets him a serve in this morning's Spectator under the title. ‘If Captain Whacky is setting China policy, we need to know’.

The author commends the no-nonsense China policy of Malcolm Turnbull, but points out that Penny Wong, already imagining herself as Australia's first ‘Asian’ Foreign Minister (being Asian comes before being Australian, apparently), wants to redefine the relationship, saying that Labor will not “pre-emptively frame China only as a threat”, despite the fact China is definitely a threat to Australia.

Let's hope that Captain Whacky, aka Paul Keating, a person who has admiringly described Communist China as a 'great nation’, has no influence anymore, and that he was just invited to the campaign as a courtesy as the other hasbeens and duds were.

We also need to hear from Labor just what their policy on China is within the next three weeks, preferably before too many early voters get to the booths. Speaking of which Anthony Albanese has expressed concern about the length of the period for early voting, saying that it is too long - even though it does favour Labor.

The spy agencies tend to attract right leaning spooks, who are still fighting the Cold War, way out there trumpeting "All the way with LBJ", "There's Reds under the beds!" etc etc. These spooks see it all in black and white, America good, China bad. Keating is right, if you let the spooks run foreign policy then "The nutters are in charge,".

//Thankfully, the Coalition has the sense not to dig up relics of the past in the form of failed prime ministers.// John Howard the greatest failure of them all. Even lost his seat at a general election, how bad can you get.

Dear Paul,"

Taken from the web:

Bill Shorten says he does not share former Labor PM
Paul Keating's views that Australia's spy chiefs are
"nutters"who should be sacked to help improve
relations with China.

The extraordinary rebuke of senior intelligence figures
was made on the sidelines of Labor's federal election
campaign launch, but immediately drew comparisons with
US President Donald Trump who's regularly clashed with
America's spy chiefs.

Mr Keating accused security agencies, including ASIO and
ASIS or running Australia's foreign policy and called
for Bill Shorten to "clean them out" if he won the
election. "The nutters are charge." Mr Keating told
the ABC after Labor's launch on Sunday.

"They've lost their strategic bearings these organisations."

Mr Keating who's been appointed to the International
Advisory Council for the China Development Bank warned
Australia was putting at risk its relationship at risk
with its largest trading partner.

"You know China, whatever you think, China is a great
state. It's always been a great state and now has the
second-largest economy, soon the largest economy in the
world. If we have a foreign policy that does not take
that into account - we are fools."

Mr Shorten said he did not share Mr Keating's views.

"Paul Keating is an elder statesman of Australian politics.
He's never been shy of saying what he thinks."

"We've worked very well with the National Security agencies
they know that and we know that - of course we will
continue that.

National security tops the list of voters’ concerns, according to Essential Research, as ‘Labor's Security Agency Plans Stir Fears’.

Labor's open borders policy of the Rudd era is unlikely to have been forgotten, for starters. And Keating's outburst is timely reminder for voters on Labor's bad attitude to security and defence. The Deputy Leader tried to water down the very revealing comments by Keating, but her weasel words were not convincing. She seemed more interested in defending the silly man than she and her party are interested in defending Australia. Plibersek says she understands how Keating's faux pas would alarm people, but that's not very reassuring. He said it, and that's that. And who knows what Plibersek understands, really?

Labor has nobody to blame but themselves for the electorate's mistrust of them on border protection and security. Keating's indiscreet - or ga ga - performance is a reminder, just before an election, of their really bad record

According to The Australian's recent Newspoll
this election has nothing to do with border
security, despite the attempted fear-mongering
by the conservative Liberal Party and National
COALition.

Spending on services tops the election priority
list followed closely by climate change.

Hi Foxy,

Australia is in somewhat of a bind over our relationships with China/America. Its obvious America is itching for an economic war with China at the very least, as both their economic and political influence in our region gives way to the ever increasing power of China. The Americans don't like it, it hurts them, and they want to do something about it!

The problem is Australia's interest in the region are not necessarily the same as Americas interest, I do not believe they ever were, but like some dutiful puppy we went along with the Yanks, and gave all they demanded of us, including fighting illegal proxy wars in Korea and Vietnam. Australia's foreign policy was run from Washington. That can no longer be the case, we must put our own interests first, and if that means upsetting our "good friend" Uncle Sam so be it. With the inmates running the asylum as they are in the US these days, the more we distance ourselves from The Donald the better.

There's an interesting piece in Catallaxy Files today about journalistic “frothing at the mouth” about preferences. According to the writer, the mouth-foamers can't tell the difference between “endorsement and political tactics” in a preferential voting system.

For the cranks in the press gallery, the focus is only ever on Coalition preferences. E.g preferencing One Nation is 'endorsing “far right” bigotry, while Labor preferencing the communistic Greens is “simply election tactics”.

What these Red Press scribblers are really doing is gobbling on about their own preferences, when they should be encouraging voters to wake from their comas and do their own preferencing.

Dear Paul,

Mr Shorten has made it quite clear that the Labor
Party has always worked very well with the
National Security Agencies. The Agencies know that
and his Party knows that and that of course they will
continue to do that. It's a shame that this election
campaign has become so nasty, especially the recent Daily
Telegraph's attacks on Mr Shorten's mother. Which was
disgraceful.

I'm sure that if Labor is elected they will put Australian
interests first and foremost in their foreign policy.
And as far as US President Trump is concerned - I'm
sure that the dealings will be completely professional,
as they should be. Keeping our interests in mind.

"...illegal proxy wars in Korea..."

UN mandated after the North Koreans invaded the South.

Paul, get your facts straight.

Issy, we have discussed the Korean police action several times. When you say "UN mandated" that is entirely true. But do not forget the US obtained that "mandate" when the Soviet Union was absent from the UN Security Council, and China was not as yet a member. As was the case in Vietnam, if the US had allowed for free elections in Korea as a whole there would have been no need for war. As it was the US was happy to install a puppet government made up of Koreans who had supported Japanese imperialism. The Americans were extremely aggressive in Korea, General Macarthur went as far as wanting to "nuk" Pyongyang, to kill thousands of innocent men, women and children.

You will say look at the great success South Korea is, and the pathetic state of the North. Agree, however given 60 years of putative action against the people of the North, what else can we expect.

Paul,

Pure BS.

"You will say look at the great success South Korea is, and the pathetic state of the North. Agree, however given 60 years of putative action against the people of the North, what else can we expect"

Indeed I'll say that; free enterprise made South Korea what it is today and it was backed by the USA.

North Korea was backed by China and the Soviet Union; have a look at Google Earth Night View, North Korea cannot even provide enough electricity to light its towns. (Green heaven!!).

Thank you Issy, flattery will get you everywhere.

BS = Brilliant Summation!

I know you were a combatant in that war, even though I am a pacifist, I hold no animosity towards any poor fella, including you, who was forced to do terrible things in the name of whatever in any war. I do believe like all wars, the Korean War could have been avoided. Unfortunately there were those, on both sides, who were hell bent on war. Shameful as it was, with a huge numbers killed, the majority being non combatants.

Paul,

"Thank you Issy, flattery will get you everywhere.

BS = Brilliant Summation!"

Not in the real world!!

We've got money for wars but we can't feed
the poor.

You don't get explanations in real life.

The real world is where the monsters are.

Foxy,

"We've got money for wars but we can't feed
the poor"

In this country, no one need be hungry and no one is poor by world standards; quite the opposite.

In 2016 ACOSS (Australian Council of Social Services)
released a new report revealing that poverty was
growing in Australia with an estimated 2.9 million
people or 13.3% of all people living below the
internationally accepted poverty line.

It was also estimated that there were 731,000 children
in poverty and 17.5% of children under the age of 15
were in poverty.

More than 3 million Australians are living in poverty
today a new ACOSS Report reveals.

We're told that poverty has been a consistent feature of
Australian life with millions still living below the
breadline despite 27 years of uninterrupted economic
growth.

A new report - "Poverty Australia 2018" sums things up
rather well.

The following link explains further:

http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018.oct/16/more-than-three-million-australians-living-in-poverty-acoss-report-reveals

Things in Australia it seems are not so good for some.
But hey - there's others who can't live on $6000 a
week - we know who they'll be voting for.
More of the same!

cont'd ...

Again - my apologies for the typo.

Here's the link again:

http://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/oct/16/more-than-three-million-australians-living-in-poverty-acoss-report-reveals

As I said, all Australians are well off by world standards.

Imagine, if you will, a day labourer in India who only earns enough to buy basic food, who sleeps rough and washes under a council standpipe; that's poverty.

Is Mise,
Surely that's destitution rather than mere poverty?

"We've got money for wars but we can't feed the poor."

Very true Foxy. There is a huge amount of poverty in Australia. Issy can only relate to the stereotype of poor, the black or brown person in the third world squatting in the dust, emaciated and suffering from malnutrition, about to die. I recall on her visit to Australia the Catholic nun, and great humanitarian, Mother Teresa said;

“Being unwanted, unloved, uncared for, forgotten by everybody, I think that is a much greater hunger, a much greater poverty than the person who has nothing to eat.”

I am please with the Labor commitment to lift our foreign aid spending to 0.5% of GDP. My personal belief is we should wind back our military budget to a point of providing for home defence only, and use those savings to provide for aid, in particular around the Pacific region. It shows how out of touch some are, Liberal MP John Alexander suggested the poor people of the Pacific Islands of Kiribati and Tuvalu should move to higher ground to avoid climate change. Ridiculous, these people are suffering from the direct effects of climate change, their homes are being inundated by rising sea levels now. The higest point on Kiribati is 1.8m above sea level. Rudd was not much better, with his patronising notion that we the great colonials should make these people some sort of honorary Australians citizens in exchange for the fishing rights around their islands. Pathetic! Fijian Prime Minister Frank Bainimarama rightly hit back at Alexander's insensitive comments.

Is Mise,

Read the link. The facts speak for themselves.
Despite your denial.

Dear Paul,

Well said.

"Very true Foxy"

"Well said Paul"

How sweet it is. ALTRAV would have a field day if he was here.

Get a room, you two.

Remember when we asked for your opinion?

Me neither!

You get more fascist every day Foxy. I wasn't aware that I had to be asked by you for my opinions.

You do when you butt into coversations that
have nothing to do with you and don't concern
you.

I "do" what when I butt into conversations that you unilaterally declare don't concern me? You are becoming less coherent the more dogmatic and dictatorial you get. Anyway, on a thread I start, I will decide what conversations concern me, not Commissar Foxy - particularly when you
hijack the thread to talk irrelevant nonsense with another left wing extremist.

You've had your vote. Blubbering Billy is not relying on you. You don't have to become more hysterical the closer voting day is. You are only knotting yourself up and you won't put a glove on me; I quite enjoy watching people make fools of themselves. You are more fun than a wind up jack-in-a-box. Watch out that your spring doesn't break.

ttbn who are you calling fascist? That wannabe Il Duce, ALTRAV, said he was off to Italy, where I advised him he could try hanging upside down in some village square to get a feel for the job.

I see you hardly make mention of that party run by Corny Banana, the one you once claimed to have joined, where are you running? The Clayton's Party, the political party you have when you don't have a political party. One thing is for certain the lunatic fringe, the rabid conservative parties, they will get zilch votes in this election! I'm laughing already.

ttbn,

I've been re-reading your post.

You say that I'm becoming less coherent the
more dogmatic and dictatorial I get.

Why Thank You. That means I must have hit a
nerve.

You then claim that I've hijacked the thread.
How so?

I must be stronger than I thought - awesome.

You call Paul a "Left-Wing extremist"
News to me. Who's the other one?

Then you speak about Blubbering Billy?
Is he related to weeping Pauline or
Spendthrift Clive?

You were concerned about my putting a glove on
you.
No. That's not going to happen. I've got a weak
stomach - and I'm not into that sort of thing
(not with strangers anyway).

As for my being "fun." You old timer have no idea.

But you can dream. (smile).

Foxy,

What? You are saying that you like being incoherent, dogmatic and dictatorial, and you are thanking me for pointing it out to you? You certainly are a strange woman.

You hijack the thread by getting of the subject.

You and Paul are both extremists. You undoubtedly think that you are not, but I will continue to think you are.

Why do you (and Paul) drag up the the the likes of Pauline Hanson and Porky Palmer when I criticise your hero, Boofhead Bill? I don't carry a torch for either of them, and you have my blessing to say what you like about them. But, if I have go at someone I don't feel I need to say, and by the way, I don't think much of such and such either, in the interests equality and fairness. Particularly when the two you mention will never be in a position to do the damage Shorten will.

Your female lack of logic is a big problem for you. I know, shock/horror, you can't say that anymore; but the fact remains, males and females have different types of brains, and no PC BS will ever change that.

ttbn,

I can see that you've put a lot of thought into your
post. I appreciate that. Of course we don't have to
agree. That's what makes discussions more interesting.
Also discussions often veer off track - people say
things or ask questions and we respond. As for the
workings of our minds and the differences between
male and female? We're all individuals with individual
differences, life experiences, education, values, and so
on. I know who I am. You have no idea. The same is
probably true of what I think of you. And I also may be
wrong about you. I'll wait patiently to be proven wrong.
Which would be great!

Where Is Labor's Policy?

Well, I'd say Penny Wong showed us that when she so childishly refused to shake hands with Simon Birmingham.
With that one little spat she's done more harm to the China-Australia relations than any other deal.

Foxy,

If you haven't seen my other post, Happy Mother's Day. My own mother and I had a strained relationship, but I respect mothers for their efforts, and I did have an excellent relationship with my mother-inlaw, who died on Good Friday at the age of 99. She is why I will never refer to the tough-looking Sansevieria plant as Mother-in-law's Tongue, as it is known colloquially. She had a kind word for everyone - even me. Her daughter (falsely) believes her Mum is the only reason I've stuck with her for over 50 years.

The female/male differences are scientific fact, not meant in a derogatory way; in fact, how awful would it be if we were not different! In my softer moments, I feel quite sad about the sex/gender confusion these days.

Enjoy today.

ttbn,

Thank You for sharing something so personal.

Thank You also for your good wishes.

Big hug.

sad about the sex/gender confusion these days.
ttbn,
And, who instigated that abominable, tax dollar guzzling nonsense ? Definitely not your average blue collar workers !

Both major parties are responsible, individual. That's why I will not be voting for either of them. A Senate with more conservatives is now the only hope for the country, in my view.

While Mr Keating who's been appointed to the International Advisory Council for the China Development Bank 'warned Australia was putting at risk its relationship at risk with its largest trading partner', he either is totally ignorant or turning a blind eye to the horrific ongoing track record of Xi Jinping's China and its abysmal record relating to rampant human rights abuses by courts and CCP leadership.
Live organ harvesting of dissidents, notably Falun Gong members and progressively moving to Muslims and Christians (who dare to not 'bow down' to his image and illustrious grandiose mantras rather than the Bible) are all revealed in a sad, but verifiable range of 'crimes against humanity' in an Amazon paperback or Kindle version titled CHINA 'Final Solutions'. The leadership of China is demonstrably NOT to be trusted about anything including their so-called 'democracy' and 'freedom of religion' . . .

ZhanPintu,
As the West regresses, China is progressing. Doesn't need a genius to see that !
It's really grossly unfair to point the finger at the smart for exploiting the stupid !

Foxy,

"It's a shame that this election
campaign has become so nasty, especially the recent Daily
Telegraph's attacks on Mr Shorten's mother. Which was
disgraceful."

Have been trying to find a link that highlights this attack, perhaps you'd be so good as to give a reference?

Foxy,

On poverty in Australia:

"Australia currently lacks a poverty reduction plan. As yet, we do not even have an agreed national definition of poverty, or regular monitoring and reporting by governments on progress to address it"

That's from the Foreword of "Poverty in Australia 2018"
http://www.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ACOSS_Poverty-in-Australia-Report_Web-Final.pdf

I see poor people around here, Mum goes to the supermarket and buy packets of chips, white bread, lollies and other rotgut and Dad is in the bottle shop buying a couple of large packs of tinned beer.

Foxy,

The measure of poverty as used by the guardian newspaper is a common tool used by the left whinge to determine the level of poverty. By using the benchmark of 50% of the median income this guarantees that roughly 25% of the population will be in "poverty".

By this measure my son who has completed uni and gone out on his own and earns roughly the benchmark figure for a single person is living in a share house in Sydney and after rent has enough to eat well, party with friends and put aside a small amount to travel.

You and I clearly have very different ideas as to the definition of poverty.

Gentlemen,

We are told in the "Poverty in Australia Report 2018"
that Australia currently lacks a poverty reduction plan.
And that as yet we do not even have an agreed national
definition of poverty or a regular monitoring and
reporting by governments on progress to address it.

The Poverty in Australia Report seeks in part to fill this
gap to ensure that the Australian community understands the
prevalence and profile of poverty in Australia.

It uses the latest data from the ABS (Australian Bureau
of Statistics).

I suggest that you read the report - because it found that
despite Australia enjoying consistent economic growth over
the last 3 decades and is currently ranked as the 2nd
wealthiest country in the world - poverty rates have
remained entrenched at a high level. We're told that there
are (as stated earlier) more than 3 million people living
below the poverty line in Australia, including 739,000
children.

The research also shows that most of those affected are
living in deep poverty, on average a disturbing $135 per
week below the poverty line.

Unsirprisingly those experiencing poverty at the highest
rates are those relying on government allowances -
Youth allowance (64%) and Newstart (55%).

This report is the 2nd in a five year partnership between
the Australian Council of Social Service (ACOSS) and the
University of New South Wales.

The following link explains further:

http://www.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/Acoss_Poverty-in-Australia-Report_Web-Final.pdf

cont'd ...

Let me try again:

http://www.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ACOSS_Poverty-in-Australia-Report-Web-Final.pdf

OOOOps -

Continued typos:

http://www.acoss.org.au/wp-content/uploads/2018/10/ACOSS_Poverty-in-Australia-Report_Web-Final.pdf

Foxy,

How do you keep making typos on links?

Don't you just highlight the URL and copy?

How are you going on a reference for the denigration of Bill's mother?

Is Mise,

I keep making typos because I'm losing my sight
in one of my eyes. Thank You for your concern.

I've already dealt with the attacks on Mr Shorten's
mother in Diver Dan's discussion. You obviously
must have missed the link I gave. Here it is again:

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/why-this-was-the-most-compelling-moment-of-this-election-campaign-20190508-p519i.html

cont'd ...

Is Mise,

See what I mean -

I'll try again - then you're on your own:

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-election-2019/why-this-was-the-most-compelling-moment-of-this-election-campaign-20190508-p51l9i.html

Foxy,

I've got one bung eye, too. I suppose that makes our opinions 'one-eyed'. I can't help saying, though, that the problem might be those lefty websites of yours:)

ttbn,

I just knew we had more in common than either of
us realised. (smile).

And you could be spot on about those websites.

The Daily Telegraph denies Bill's claims and rightly pointed out that his mother had achieved prominence in academia before she decided to do a law degree, she had been a teacher, school principal, got her Master's and went on to achieve a PhD and was a university lecturer.

One gets the impression that she did her Law Degree when she wanted to do it and what is more achieved distinction when she did so.

Bill is good at the crocodile tears.

Is Mise,

You obviously did not read the link I gave and one
which you asked me for.

I took your request seriously.
Silly me.

It seems - all you wanted was an opportunity to
slag off on Bill Shorten and discredit both him
and his his mother.

The Daily Telegraph did not print the truth.

This is clearly explained in many sites on the
web.

Yet you took this opportunity to get your two cents
worth.

How pathetic is that.

Anyone who takes advantage of not acknowledging a parent's achievement is lacking what it takes to be a decent person.

Foxy,

I did read the link and it confirms what was said in the Telegraph.
Bill Shorten sold his mother's achievements short to try for a political point.

"Shorten was provoked into the most personal and powerful moment of the campaign – the moment when his voice choked and his eyes filled with tears at the memory of his mother’s unrealised ambitions."

What unrealized ambitions?

Batchelor of Arts, Master of Arts, Doctor of Philosophy, University lecturer and a Law Degree followe by successful practice of Law.

Seems rather a fulfilling career to me.

Not like the 'Happy Clapper' who had the cameras in the Temple filming him singing 'Kumbaya' or something, while jumping around like a dog with fleas, Then tells everyone to keep religion out of politics.

Paul,

How about the Green Fwit that was hurling obscenities at catholic schoolgirls about their religion?

Post a link Shadow!

"Damning footage has emerged of a Greens candidate hurling ­expletive-laden insults at Catholic students at the height of the same-sex marriage debate.

The footage, released yesterday, shows Connor Parissis, the Greens candidate for the south Sydney seat of Barton, screaming “your beliefs are a joke” as students hand out free food and “no-vote” pamphlets at Sydney University.

“Shut the f..k up,” Mr Parissis yells in the video. “Go back to church … You know who’s a joke? Your f..king beliefs.”

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/your-beliefs-are-a-joke-footage-of-greens-candidate-connor-parissis-shouting-down-christians-emerges/news-story/1f834515e78d9d308dec46e018b0b168

While it is well known that the greens are deeply anti semetic, now their anti christian views are being exposed.

Another porky Shadow, "catholic schoolgirls' really. A protest at the University of Sydney in 2017 during the same sex marriage debate whereby a group of 'No' protesters, BTW University students, not school girls as you claim, invade a pro gay marriage rally. Both sides are screaming abuse at each other. Nothing to do with the Federal election old salt. But if Rupert tells you so Shadow, you gotta believe it. How is your super hero Beat Up Bolt these days?

paul,

None the less, school girls or not, the Gren Fungus doesn't shew up too well.

Is Mise,

Mr Shorten made the point about his mother - that
she was not able to study what she wanted in her youth -
that of law. Because she could not afford to go to
university until much later in her life. Where again
she faced discrimination because of her age. She
was a brilliant woman and did manage to achieve
a great deal despite the hardships. However her son
wants to level the playing field for others. His mother
was his inspiration.

The Daily Telegraph article slanted the story for their
own political ends.

http://www.newtolove.com.au/parenting/celebrity-families/bill-shorten-mother-55606

I can't say that I'm interested in Bill Shorten's mother or Scott Morrison's mother; and I believe that politicians' families should never be seen or mentioned, taunted or abused - because they have nothing to do with us.

However, if the politicians themselves introduce their own families to the scene, they really cannot complain if the nasties use them for political gain, or simply to be nasty.

Fooxy,

You said, "It's a shame that this election
campaign has become so nasty, especially the recent Daily
Telegraph's attacks on Mr Shorten's mother. Which was
disgraceful."

now you say, "The Daily Telegraph article slanted the story for their
own political ends".

Attacks versus slanted, which do you mean?

Is Mise,

The Daily Telegraph's story was not only factually
incorrect but immoral. Bill Shorten has often
referred touchingly to his mother Ann becoming
a lawyer later in life, in countless speeches.

It's simply untrue to say he has omitted facts from
her life story. Throughout his career Bill Shorten
has defined himself and his politics through his
mother - the story of a working-class women's
prodigious work ethic and determination to overcome
all odds - who sacrificed much to raise her family.

It was her experience that has inspired Shorten to
prevent others suffering the same fate. As he told
the Q & A audience - "What motivates me, if you
really want to know who Bill Shorten is: I can't
make it right for my mum but I can make it right for
everyone else."

The Daily Telegraph presents itself as the paper of
working-class battlers, but it made a serious
error of judgement in this matter.

Working-class Australians innately understand that political
attacks via a politician's deceased parent are out-of-bounds.
It is a matter of common decency.

It is telling that Melbourne's Herald-Sun chose not to
run the story. The Daily Telegraph should have issued
an immediate and unqualified apology.

Bill Shorten was rightfully upset when speaking about the
article at a press conference.

It might however turn out to be a significant own good
by the newspaper in question - humanising Shorten in the
process.

Paul,

I never realised that you were there and can vouch for the status of every person?

What is clear is that the Greens candidate was a foul mouthed bigot.

Foxy,

So Shorten gilded the lily when talking about his mother and got caught out.

cont'd ...

I forgot to add thatAnna Caldwell's article in The
Daily Telegraph completely missed the point of
Shorten's account, which is this, his mother had to
wait until her 50s to study and practice law on account
of her working class background and her gender.

How much further might she have progressed in the
profession had she graduated in the 1960s or 70s?
Her experience was what inspired Shorten to try to
prevent others suffering the same fate, as I stated
earlier - as he told the Q & A audience -
"What motivates me, if you really want to know who
Bill Shorten is: I can't make it right for my mum
but I can make it right for everyone else.

SM,

The only gilding that was done was by The Daily
Telegraph.

No surprises there. Common decency is not something
that this newspaper is familiar with - neither are
its supporters.

Professor David Flint today thinks that a Coalition victory or a hung parliament is possible. Failing that, “ … the Coalition and a small conservative cross bench should be able to block extreme socialist measures and even the budget”.

The Senate is going to be more important than it has ever been for the next three years, no matter who scrapes over the line. The lower house has been, and will be, just amateur theatre

Foxy,

"...his mother had to
wait until her 50s to study and practice law on account
of her working class background and her gender"

Ordinary old working class BA; MA; PhD and School Principal.

Geez! Some of us really missed out!!

Foxy,

Just what were the attacks on Shorten's mother, they seem to be hard to find?

they seem to be hard to find?
Is Mise,
Yeah,
that mole hill they tried to turn into a mountain has blown away by the breeze that failed to turn into a planned blow !

Is Mise,

There is no point in any further discussion

ttbn, I'm glad to see Flint could pull his head out of the Queen of England's arse long enough to make such a ridiculous prediction.

"a small conservative cross bench" and what would that be, The Lovely Pauline, Shonky Clive and Corny Banana".

Paul1405,
You're just getting eaten up from the inside by your jealousy & vindictiveness !
Not being all that bright doesn't help either.

Foxy,

"Is Mise,

There is no point in any further discussion"

That's right because you've been caught out pushing the lying line of the Shorten supplicants.

Is Mise,

You're entitled to your beliefs.

Foxy,

Please can the faux outrage. You can't show anywhere where the DT said anything disparaging of Shortarse's mother.

Pointing out that Shortarse embellished his story is not criticism of his mother.

SM,

Talk to Is Mise.

You have a great deal in common.

Cheers.

Foxy,

Out!!

Is Mise,

Trying to re-direct to something better?

Nice try!

Foxy,

The truth is that neither you nor anyone else has been able to shew where or when the Telegraph attacked Shorten's mother.

So put up or?

Is Mise,
They're now attacking Abbott as being heartless for not letting himself get sucked into commenting on Hawke for them to twist & latch onto words. They're setting new standards for lower than rock bottom mentality.
Sickening is the only word I can think of right now.
Hawke must be turning already before he even gets to his grave.

Foxy,

IM and I have in common a dislike of people posting false claims and then ducking any request to support their claims.