On the way home, I heard the environment Minister, Mr Greg Hunt on the radio. (I have decided to not to capitalise “environment” because, after all, it’s not really all that important. Mm, perhaps I’m onto something there.)
From mr hunt, I’ve learned that there is no fundamental difference between tony abbott and President Obama on Climate Change. Ok, one said, “The science is compelling … If you profess leadership in this country at this moment in our history then you have to recognise that this is going to be one of the most significant long-term challenges, if not the most significant long-term challenge, that this country faces and the planet faces”, while the other said that Science is not worth a separate Ministry and that really jobs are more important than the planet, but there’s no real difference there. As greg hunt pointed out: There’s no point in just doing something ineffective because it makes us feel good. No, it’s better to give polluters money to stop polluting. And if they take the money and do nothing, well, at least we know it was money well spent, unlike schemes to support renewable energy.
Mind you, the fact that Obama wants Climate Change on the G20 agenda, but Abbott doesn’t, could be seen as a difference, but as I’m sure the Liberals would tell you: No, it isn’t! Why not? Well, it just isn’t.
I mean, according to Mr hunt, abbott just renewed his commitment to our Renewable Energy Targets in New York. Which I find strange. After all, isn’t he paying a group of eminent experts in climate denial to review these?
Still it is good to hear that tony has managed to fit in a meal with that “wonderful” Australian”, rupert murdoch, while in the USA. I find it confusing that he refers to Murdoch as an Australian, given he’s renounced his citizenship. Does this mean that Abbott is still an Englishman?
After all, he’s too busy to meet those IMF and US government people. And after all, it’s the private sector that counts. Mm, makes one wonder why abbott went into politics! Like today we had the Deputy PM, whatsisname, defending the fact that head of Australia Post needed to be paid $4.8 million because he’d be paid a lot in the private sector. I didn’t quite follow the line of reasoning. It’s like saying that I should be paid for playing golf because if I was Tiger Woods I’d get a million dollars appearance money.
Still, I’m completely confused about the concern that Australia Post isn’t making money. I’m not dismissing the idea that it can’t attempt to cut their losses. But I’m not sure that it was originally set up to make money, it was created to provide a service. The fact that it couldn’t be done profitably without charging ridiculous amounts for a stamp – that’s why the government ran it in the first place. But this is part of the overall concept that the Prime Minister is just a CEO and his Cabinet is his Board of Directors.
Yep, any day now we’ll hear that the departments in charge of supporting the homeless aren’t making a profit, and they’d be sold off. Except that this government – unlike an actual company – sells off what’s profitable and tells us we can’t afford unprofitable services so they need to be pared back or shut down.
Because after all it’s the economy that counts. Or to simplify the Liberal position: What’s the point in having a healthy planet, if there are no billionaires to complain about how much the minimum wage workers are being paid?
Recent articles by Rossleigh:
BALANCE OR MEN WHO STARES AT COATS
With Friends Like Bolt and Jones, You Don’t Need Enemas OR SNAFU
Will this be the same unity ticket employed by Abbott and co in the Gonski unity ticket?
Also, off topic, did you guys know that Rupert Murdoch hasn’t told Peta Credlin that he has renounced his citizenship so he could be a media mogul? http://goo.gl/jhG2iv
Australia Post can run at a profit without charging ridiculous amounts for a stamp. The government gets almost $300 million per year from AP without spending a cent.
Well, Lee, we’d best sell it then.
Love the two paragraphs: “Still it is good to hear that tony has managed to fit in a meal with that “wonderful” Australian”, rupert murdoch, while in the USA. I find it confusing that he refers to Murdoch as an Australian, given he’s renounced his citizenship. Does this mean that Abbott is still an Englishman?
“After all, he’s too busy to meet those IMF and US government people. And after all, it’s the private sector that counts. Mm, makes one wonder why abbott went into politics! Like today we had the Deputy PM, whatsisname, defending the fact that head of Australia Post needed to be paid a lot because he’d be paid a lot in the private sector. I didn’t quite follow the line of reasoning. It’s like saying that I should be paid for playing golf because if I was Tiger Woods I’d get a million dollars appearance money.”
I never capitalise abbott’s name and it seems to be catching on; it must irk him somewhat. And I think the Yanks will pick up quickly that he’s a dickhead. They’re pretty switched on when it comes to that.
Thanks Ross Leigh.
Here we go again Ground Hog Day Downunder
The Three word sloganeering One dimensional Australain PM named Many things by different people has introduced an age old concept of Verballing Heads and Leaders of Foriegn Governments in his haste to garner support for his favourite, or second or third or fourth or fifth ad infinitem favourite campaign.
Lets see ,
Mark them off,
The Brits,
The Kiwis,
The Yanks,
and Canadia
amongst others
all have been reported as not agreeing with Abbott on Climate Change
but irresistable Tony the Mongrel from downunder
has had substantial convos with all their leaders
and they all agree that climate,carbon,and Abbotts way is best.
Abbott at his worst with Business as usual the Abbott way.
Verbal everyone
just like he did for all those years
before an unsuspecting gullible Australian populace had
with Ruperts assistance a Lying fool elected as PM.
F* off Abbott is the resounding chorus echoing the four corners of the planet Earth.
Export Abbott not Refugees.
What is missed by PM Abbott principal adviser is, 350 years of anthropogenic deserts resulting in 3.5 billion people living below the poverty line with limited potable water! The deserts reflect heat pre-warming the atmosphere coupled with serious global dust storms. By planting out the dedicated vegetation to grow soil soil-carbon food fodder these folk export urgently needed crops and by de-fault (or design) they sequester mass CO2e tradable to global emitters. With the income the Farmers and Herders buy vehicles hardware the “developing nations” generate cash for so called developed nation’s bankers. Bottom-up recovery! Robert Vincin
7:30 Report did a glowing appraisal of Abbott overseas trips, with one spokesperson saying that Abbott going to Japan and China promoting business proves what a great leader he is and America should take notice and follow his lead.
But what really got my goat up on the piece was the backdrop graphic behind the ABC presenter. It showed a bust shot of Abbott looking resolute and strong in front of a shot of Obama with gaping mouth open and sized down to make him look diminutive.
It was quite deliberate and obvious the ABC had been told to do a propaganda piece for Abbott and to play down Obama.
Trev I think you’ll find the kiwis, canadia and the poms aren’t as keen on climate change as you might think.
Also I didnt hear anyone whinge when Gillard lunched with Murdoch in new York…or when Rudd caught up with him there. Certainly didn’t hear anyone whinging when Murdoch publically backed Rudd as PM in 2007. Or is the argument only valid when in your direction?
Also saw an ad here trying to get me to check out 4 x 4 SUVs (and NFL tix). No thanks, our love of overseas cars is what sent holden under after all, wouldn’t want to support that!
Well yet again kobymac you would be wrong. No surprise there.
Both the Kiwis and Poms have come out and directly refuted Abbott on his climate change recalcitrance.
So far it’s just the very unpopular Harper, the man who opened up asbestos mines to export to third world countries knowing the death and suffering that product will cause. Very surprised that Abbott hasn’t called him up on that since he has been so concerned about drownings at sea and four deaths in an insulation program. Well being surprised is not true, Abbott is yet again proving he doesn’t give a stuff about who dies or how only that he can make political capital out of it.
Plus Canada is in direct competition with Australia in many resources and products, and Harper wouldn’t skip a beat to sell Abbott down the drain if he could undermine him on an export deal.
Kobymac, I wonder how many business leaders Gillard or Rudd snubbed in order to meet Murdoch. I would have thought – given the fanfare Abbott has generated – that this trip would have the goal of seeing what can be best done for Australia. Not Abbott himself. Perhaps you could tell us what great benefit will come out of this meeting for THIS country.
Stark contrast to how the ABC reported Abbott on the world stage to how overseas media see him.
http://pbs.twimg.com/media/Bp1004bCcAEpiBL.jpg
Sir ScotchMistery:
Oh, I’m sure that Peta is well aware of Murdoch’s history. But calling him a great “Australian” is so much better for the media spin. And isn’t that what it’s always been about?
Gotta say I’m sick to death of seeing Murdoch’s citizenship raised as an issue against him. It’s so pathetic it’s embarrassing. Lots of Australians who tried to expand their professional and career horizons were hamstrung by our citizenship rules of the period. Are we really going to wrap ourselves in the flag like this simply because we don’t like a guy? FFS.
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An idiot abroad shows the world what a moron from down under can do.
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Howard changed the citizenship rules.
Who knows if he changed them to suit Murdoch, but Australians can now have dual citizenship.
I always refer to Murdoch as the American ….. sometimes add "octogenarian media owner" onto it.
I refer to Merde-orc as the Yankee gutter press mogul cuckold.
Thanks Hotspringer, 1st chuckle of the day 🙂
This doing the email rounds is interesting as it was sent to me by staunch conservative and is being circulated by Liberal supporters.
——————————
It’s not about a particular political party, it’s relevant to them all being their paid their salaries and then receiving a pension for the remainder of their life.
We don’t, why should they.
IT’S A PRIVILEGE TO SERVE IN AN AUSTRALIAN PARLIAMENT, NOT A PATHWAY TO A GOLD PLATED PENSION PLAN.
It has to stop somewhere.
In three days, most people in Australia will have this message.
This is one idea that really should be passed around.
(proposed) Constitutional Reform Act of 2014:
1. For Politicians, Tenure by election and No Pension.
A Politician collects a substantial salary while in office and so should receive no pay when they’re out of office.
2. Politicians (past, present & future) participate in their own Superannuation scheme as do all other Australians – the Superannuation Guarantee Administration Act 1992 (SGAA).
All funds in the Politician’s retirement fund move to the Centre Link system immediately. Politicians contribute to their superannuation the same way as ‘ordinary’ Australian people. Contributions may not be used for any other purpose.
3. Politicians can purchase their own retirement plan, just as most other working Australians are expected to do.
4. Politicians will no longer vote themselves a pay raise. Pay will rise by the lower of CPI or 3%.
5. Politicians lose their current health care system and participate in the same health care system as the Australian people. ie either pay for private cover or Medicare.
6. Politicians must equally abide by all laws they impose on the Australian people.
7. All contracts with past and present Politicians are void, effective 31/12/14. The Australian people did not agree to the perks with Politicians.
Politicians made all these contracts for themselves. No entity holds them accountable.
If each person contacts a minimum of twenty people then it will only take three or so days for most people (in Australia) to receive the message.
Don’t you think it’s time?
If you agree with the above, pass it on. If not, just delete.
You are one of my 20+ – Please keep it going, and thanks.
I deleted the address of the person who sent this to me,
and the addresses of any previous senders.
If you forward this message can you please do the same. Thank You.
Note: always use Bcc: for all your names/addresses.
—————————-
It has taken Abbott to raise the ire of conservatives enough to start speaking out against the unreasonable entitlements politicians get, for Hockey attacking the supposed entitlements of middle and lower class Australia has highlighted the very generous entitlement he and his fellow pollies are getting and will get for life.
How popular is Abbott’s best mate in Canada.
Dan…..you again miss the point. Rupert is not being criticized for changing his citizenship. He can change to Outer Angolan for all Australians care.
What YOU seem to miss is that as an American he is not welcome interfering in our politics.
I know you like to be a voice of reason on here but you come across sometimes as a unknowing fool, or worse an apologist for this government.
If you’re sick of hearing something then clear off….but don’t expect us to vary our thoughts or positions to please your sensibilities.
Haven’t you heard Florence, the US is now his bestest ever friend of all time.
Yep he’s done it again, landed in a country and declared it his very best friend. Don’t know how all his supposed other friends he’s declared as his best are feeling after being abandoned the moment he touches down somewhere else.
And his twisted convolutions in both attempting to acknowledge man made climate change but downplay it is fascinating to watch.
Have we ever had a leader who sends out more mixed and contradictory messages than this one?
Abbott at his best? He doesn’t know his facts. He has lied and confused Australians. Will probably do the same in America. He told Ban Ki-moon, that he won’t be attending Climate Change Summit.
Is Australia in the global community? Obviously, NOT according to our dear leader.
geoffreyengland,
re Dan:
I don’t like the idea of telling anyone to scram just because you/I/ anyone do not like their ideas.
Also, someone who has an established background of positive contribution to this site deserves better than insult.
I might disagree with you at times – in fact I am doing this right now.
<
@geoffreyengland
I have no hesitation in telling someone to piss off if they throw out Links that are just complete rubbish.
Dan can be a bit annoying at times ….. but hey ! who am I to say that …… with some of his pedantic ways, but he adds much to discussions.
After saying all this …. surprisingly …. I am not that much opposed to what Dan posts.
But some of those that he and Kaye Lee persist with ….. more than I can take.
And I just take 5.
john92fraser,
You should gain some hesitation – I hesitate to say.
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@randalstella
You don't mind Links similar to Pickering's ?
I really, really do hesitate to ask.
Is it a little telling that our head of government has run around that country without having met the head of that government yet?
kobymac,
For some perspective –
Murdoch turned on Rudd when Rudd stopped his bid for the Australia Network in the same way he turned on Whitlam when Whitlam refused his request to be appointed as High Commissioner to London and called him “a shonky slob”.
Now Abbott is changing the broadcasting ownership rules as well as attacking the ABC and nobbling the NBN on Murdoch’s behalf.
Murdoch only does what’s in his own business interests and, to paraphrase a famous sign – Abbott is nothing more that “Rupert’s Bitch”.
Thanks for another great article. Interesting how Auspost is having trouble making ends meet. I don’t write letters, but nearly every business I’m involved in has failed to move on from ‘snail mail’. If I do send mail, I pay for an overnight delivery so I can be sure it will arrive in a week. Missing from the whole discussion is the rise in internet shopping and subsequent parcel deliveries, that are far from cheap. Mainstream media covered the great rise in parcel deliveries I’m sure, within the last year. Just goes to show how selective reporting can make a solid giant appear sick, flaccid and in need of lifesaving care by the private sector.
Murdoch cannot be a great Australian citizen, as he has chose to be an American citizen. I believe that Gillard might have met Murdoch on her first visit to the USA. I also believe that was the only occasion she met with him. I suspect if she pick up the phone to him, she might have had an easier time.
geoffreyengland,
In those instances where that specific point is the one being made I’m pretty sympathetic, but more often than not it’s not the point that’s being made. How many citations from all over the Internet, including here, would you like me to produce?
Oh, joy! My day is made! Some days I could just kiss the postie. I have a pamphlet! Yes, a PAMPHLET!! From the Gubberment! Ok, I’m off now to read about how they’re “Fixing Labor’s Budget Mess” and making our streets safer with more CCTV camera hotspots. I’m all orgasmic ….
Actually, Dan, my point was that a couple of weeks ago someone objected to me referring to Abbott as a “Pom” – even if I was doing it humorously – yet Abbott considers Mudroch an Austalian because he was born here. Personally, I don’t have a problem with people changing their citizenship. Unless they’re boat people. People like Abbott who come out by boat are a real problem?
Oh, Mudroch was a typo – but probably serendipitous!
It is nice and reassuring to read. someone else seen what I heard at the so called union corruption RC this weeks. Yes, no evidence to say Julia Gillard was involved. Not even sure what the corruption was, except all the parties seem to hated each other, that there was a series union turf war on at the time.
Seem to be about what most witness thought the evidence means. No
“…………..
Renovated truths
Lack of evidence has done nothing to extinguish the fires of controversy over Julia Gillard’s former relationship with Bruce Wilson, and the media campaign that followed. “It appears as if the stubbornness with which News Corp journalists and commentators pursued the story rubbed off on others. It developed enough steam to create the impression it was a story – or that with enough digging a story would emerge. Other news organisations began to follow, fearing they would miss out on their very own Watergate. So far, there has been nothing.” Martin McKenzie-Murray reports. ……………”
http://us2.campaign-archive2.com/?u=04a8a28afded33a63164e316f&id=a0132882aa&e=ee1bfda0fe
kobymac, both NZ and Britain have distanced themselves for what Abbott is saying on CC. Unwilling to be come a part of his army, to take on the rest of the world. I think you will find, Abbott by trying to keep the topic out of the G20, will find that topic leading the way, when November comes. Why when he raises the increase in petrol levy as a action taken fro CC, that says it all.
Abbott says he should not have made those shocking comments about Obama when he came to power. The media allowed him to stand there with that smirk on his face, which says that is just me.
Why was he not asked, why he said it. Questioned on why he has changed his mind. Ask what he really believe today.