Did you hear about the March in March?

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clusterpodMarch 16, 2014 at 2:06 pm

Screw the media. One of the topics of the speeches at Hobart today was that we can’t expect or wait for Government to make the changes that are required.

We certainly can’t expect the mainstream media to suddenly change and give a shit about the public good, or civic responsibility, or its moral accountability.
Fed upMarch 16, 2014 at 2:10 pm

Yes, I attended the one at Gosford yesterday. Big turn up considering it was held on a Saturday morning.

What impressed me, and should worry Abbott, is there was no apparent political presence.

It was not about demanding this government go. It was concerned about the uncaring society we appear to have become.

People where not acting in a angry manner. It was much calmer than that. People are Justus fed up with what is being done in their name. They do not like it. They are demanding change. It this government does not change, they will vote it out.

Not one work mentioned about parties in any way.

This movement appears to have nothing to do with Labor v Coalition. Nothing to do with left or right.

They just want a caring, compassion and dignified society.

They feel we no longer have that.

A rally, where not one politician stood up to speak.

There were only speakers from the bodies this government is attacking.

What was clear, the disabled feel under threat. What is different in my experience, is the disabled themselves are getting up and fighting. I do not believe they are going to allow themselves to be put back in the closet.

Just seen Abbott

Yes, the Coalition did get 53% of the votes yesterday. What is telling, the increase in votes for them, only occurred in strong Coalition seats.

They were not able to influence the swinging voters in other seats. There is nothing wrong with the SA results.

What worries me here, is recent elections that Abbott visited, the numbers swung back to Labor. This was shown in Queensland, where the pre-post and mail vote was going the Coalition way.

There seemed to be a change after Abbott’s visit.

Pre-post votes were stronger for the Coalition, than those cast on the day.

Interesting to see what happens this time. If I am right, with such a large pre-post vote, some 19% I believe, Labor could fall.

I believe the MSM ignoring March in March, will only strengthen their will to fight back.
Simone RosenbergMarch 16, 2014 at 2:12 pm

This is how propaganda works
Fed upMarch 16, 2014 at 2:13 pm

All Abbott is saying, the views and desires of these people do not count.

He is right, until they stand together. Then they will be a voice, that will be heard.
Fed upMarch 16, 2014 at 2:15 pm

What was reassuring yesterday, was the car horns that tooted as they passed.
BacchusMarch 16, 2014 at 3:28 pm

Ya gotta wonder whether placards like that are instigated by Abbott supporters in an attempt to give MiM a bad name…
Stephen TardrewMarch 16, 2014 at 3:59 pm

March in March in Brisbane great success. Lots of people lots of fun. Great crowd participation.
BacchusMarch 16, 2014 at 4:09 pm

This might explain it buzzztj. You can lead a horse to water…

It's days like this you realise how much the media of this country is by and large controlled and manipulated #marchinmarch

— Schloss Lulzville Schadenfreude (@GeorgeBludger) March 16, 2014
BacchusMarch 16, 2014 at 4:11 pm

Why would a “journalist” not cover something like this, given weeks of previous notice?

Keep this in mind when @rupertmurdoch & co. pretend nothing happened here today. MT @Shaun_R #MarchInMarch #Melbourne pic.twitter.com/GUM3WjZKmk

— rixi (@qx) March 16, 2014
sem4peterMarch 16, 2014 at 3:24 pm

Just returned from March in March rally in Adelaide. Good turnout and good speeches including one from one of your writers Victoria Rollison.

I spotted one obscene placard depicting our PM. I’m not a prude and Tony deserves some of his own medicine but it doesn’t do our cause much good.
Dan RowdenMarch 16, 2014 at 4:25 pm

I call on Bill Shorten to resign. Now. Stupid dill.
buzzztjMarch 16, 2014 at 3:36 pm

Nice post Michael – though perhaps it is important to accept that a protest is best measured by the impact it has on public opinion. There are many that dismiss the ‘convoy’, but the reality is that it was in the news cycle and had a major impact on how the government was perceived.
It is easy to blame the ‘media’, however the one thing that the ‘convoy’ did very well was publicize. They had press releases every day. Plus they had a single clear message that was easily articulated, both of these things made it easy to cover. Rule 101 of getting the news; write the story for the reporters and they’ll file it.
john921fraserMarch 16, 2014 at 4:43 pm

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@Dan Rowden

I second that motion.

And he can take Bruce Hawker with him.

The Rudd stench cling to both of them.
john921fraserMarch 16, 2014 at 4:45 pm

<

@Pam Rawlings

Good for you.

"Don't feed Murdoch" ……. a good 3 word slogan.
john921fraserMarch 16, 2014 at 4:48 pm

<

Murdoch's "news" ….. http://mumbrella.com.au/data-finally-newspapers-arent-going-get-enough-digital-subscribers-206839?utm_source=DailyNewsletter&utm_medium=email&utm_campaign=Daily-17-02-2014&utm_content=ContinueReading

All downhill.
Douglas EvansMarch 16, 2014 at 4:50 pm

Biggest crowd I’ve seen at a rally in Melbourne since the anti Iraq marches. Fairfax is reporting 30,000. I’d have thought more. Many seemed to drop off before they got to the rally though and numbers in the gardens were smaller I thought although perhaps there was just more room to spread out. Murdoch Press in Melbourne (Herald Sun) reports “THOUSANDS have marched through Melbourne’s CBD to protest against the Abbott Government and its policies, bringing the city to a standstill. The mammoth crowd — reportedly numbering up to as many as 30,000 — gathered at the State Library of Victoria for the Melbourne leg of the nationwide March in March rallies about midday.” NineMSM also reporting it.
Dan RowdenMarch 16, 2014 at 5:02 pm

@John Fraser,

Shorten’s response today to MiM was utterly pathetic and insulting, not to mention cowardly. What the hell is he – and Labor – thinking?
Douglas EvansMarch 16, 2014 at 5:02 pm

I’m sure you are right Michael although it doesn’t matter much. The important point is that it was reported, numbers were not minimized and report was accompanied by pictures of a very large crowd. I was looking for the cameras at the Library and didn’t see any from the MSM so I don’t know what we are likely to see on the evening news.
Bilal ClelandMarch 16, 2014 at 5:13 pm

The rally in Melbourne was certainly well attended. What was remarkable was the diversity of the crowd in age and interests. The complete absence of Labor was to be expected as it no longer pretends to serve the ordinary people. A new awareness appears to be developing and it will not bring delight to the old parties which play factional politics and see Murdoch licking as an acceptable activity.
Douglas EvansMarch 16, 2014 at 5:17 pm

@Dan Rowden and John Fraser. How can it be that folk are repeatedly surprised by the passiveness and conservatism shown by the ALP? Today’s sniffy half dismissal from Shorten was utterly predictable – anything else would have been a surprise. When will people wake up that THIS IS WHAT LABOR HAS BECOME. Chatting today at the March to a fellow aging activist who I have done time with outside politicians offices over the years. We agreed that if it was just a matter of seeing off Abbott and his band of ghouls it would be much simpler. People have got to take a long hard look at the purported alternative government and be prepared to hold them firmly to account. It is not nearly good enough to simply not be the COALition. I’m not sure that the dickheads steering the Labor ship aren’t beginning to think that all they have to do is keep their heads down and watch Abbott self destruct. There were Labor supporters at the March today and several Unions were a visible presence but most of that very big crowd are as disillusioned with Labor as they are furious with the COALition and this will take a lot of changing. It isn’t without meaning that Labor’s primary vote in Tasmania was its smallest ever at 27%
clusterpodMarch 16, 2014 at 5:18 pm

@Dan Rowden

“What the hell is he – and Labor – thinking?”

They’re thinking: “oh no oh no oh no oh no. Membership is dropping and we can’t even pretend to support the biggest political protest here in recent times because we don’t represent the people protesting, and wouldn’t condescend to be accountable to them even if we pretended to.”
Douglas EvansMarch 16, 2014 at 5:25 pm

@Bilal Cleland didn’t you use to work at AMES? I’m sure my wife Annie has mentioned you.
Key maMarch 16, 2014 at 5:32 pm

A letter to The Premier of Tasmania
lara.giddings@dpac.tas.gov.au
Re: Building your state’s health economic research & development by supporting a report of “Building a 21st Century Primary Health Care System”

Dear Premier Lara giddings, 12, March 2014
I believed you have not read my letter dated 28, February 2014 to you unfortunately, otherwise you will be very surprised how important my information to your re-elected as the Tasmania Premier if you read it.
I am urging you that there is still time for you to read it to discover the power of invention and innovation alive, and to tell the Tasmania voters that a Labor party government will achieve a real change of a better health and economy for Tasmania people if re-elect.
There are three important measures to the Tasmania state election as following:
● Innovative Primary Health Care model that is capable to overcome Tasmania social determinants of health.
● Innovative Health Olympic model that is capable to overcome the sluggish Tasmania economic, in particular in the care of measures in unemployment, income, and investment.
● Innovative Politic Olympic model to be set up to achieves a political openness Tasmania government in the wave of political failure to voters crisis in voice not be hear, pains not be solved.
Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten at least wake up after two terms of Labor government defeated due to above failures, and he declared the Labor Party needs new policy ideas and has outlined an ambitious goal to more than double its 44,000-strong membership; and came up a political solution in three very important measures during the interview by political reporter Jane Norman on ABC news 8, March 2014 outline in the following:
●”I want Labor to be the party of small business and entrepreneurs,” he said.
●”I want us to be the party for farmers – people who know the danger of climate change better than anyone.
●”I want science to be a first-order political issue.”
The speech comes at a difficult time for the party, which is facing the prospect of losing government in both Tasmania and South Australia within a few weeks.
Mr Shorten acknowledged the difficulties, telling the audience “the challenge ahead of us is significant” and said the party needed to reach out to new constituencies.
That’s why the former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd and Julie Gillard lost the scene of a Prime Ministership, that’s due to they both, or perhaps all politicians are over estimated themselves too much, and under estimated the power of individual, in particular of individual inventor, or Innovator too little.
Anyhow, they have taken over Half million dollar in salary during their Prime Ministership, and both enjoy with $200,000 pension plus estimated $300,000-a-year office and travel costs for life long, and say good bye to all once supported (me too, for 40 years as a labor supporter , and never vote coalition party). I made a turn when I watched TV broadcasting described $35 as a good enough by a particular Labor minister during their power in government. In fact, there are a lot of people who suffered only $35 for daily living who also once supported them. Furthermore, if we read news from The Sunday Telegraph November 23, 2013 10:00 where Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd demand bigger perks for former Prime Ministers:
KEVIN Rudd bombarded the incoming Abbott government with demands for taxpayer-funded assistance for two Brisbane offices, staff and other perks, even ringing the Prime Minister to discuss his arrangements.
The Sunday Telegraph can reveal former Prime Minister Julia Gillard, who is believed to have secured a six-figure cash advance to write her memoirs, also requested an office in Melbourne and Adelaide and also sought an extra staffer, citing John Howard’s arrangements as a precedent. Her request for a second office was denied, and left 225 perks removal comments.
The past Australian Labor Government and the Opposition did not focus political debate and action on the things that will deliver Australian communities where everyone belongs, is valued and can contribute.
Will Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten be able to find the right tools to solve the previous party defeated question? Then, he will soon to win the next federal election, and again retain Prime Ministership in full three terms.
When Tasmania voters read out the ABC news a week ago: “The poll suggests the Liberals will claim government next weekend and showed 54.6 per cent of respondents would prefer Will Hodgman as Premier compared to 24.7 per cent for Lara Giddings. EMRS chief operations director Samuel Paske said with very little change noted since the last voting intentions poll in November, it appeared undecided voters were no closer to making up their mind ahead of the March 15 ballot.”
“With almost a quarter of voters in what we would call the ‘soft voter’ category or yet to make up their mind, the remaining weeks of the election campaign will be critical as these Tasmanians evaluate party policy announcements and potential candidates in their respective electorates,” Mr Paske said.
Do you also understand that there was an article from the Author Published by Oxford University Press 2011:
“Fair and just or just fair? Examining models of government—not-for-profit engagement under the Australian Social Inclusion Agenda”?
Emerging research in Canada and the United States has shown that we need to ask ‘what are the political and economic determinants of the social determinants? and of the health determinants ?
There was a question asked from the Author Published by Oxford University Press 2011:”what are the political and economic determinants of the social determinants of health?” Area Variation in Mortality in Tasmania (Australia): The Contributions of Socioeconomic Disadvantage, Social Capital and Geographic Remoteness. Turrell, Gavin, Kavanagh, Anne & Subramanian, S. V. (2006) Area Variation in Mortality in Tasmania (Australia): The Contributions of Socioeconomic Disadvantage, Social Capital and Geographic Remoteness. Health and Place, 12(3), pp. 291-305.”
Is there a deep fundamental problem that the Tasmania people crying out in crisis that need to resolves but remain unable to get a change? Example of: why a decade of strong economic growth, Australia struggles to eliminate long-term unemployment, and the related issues of intergenerational disadvantage, in particular of the state of Tasmania?
There was another Journal Article by University Queensland subject: from Australian and New Zealand Standard Research Classification > MEDICAL AND HEALTH SCIENCES (110000) PUBLIC HEALTH AND HEALTH SERVICES (111700):
This study investigated the association between socioeconomic disadvantage, social capital, geographic remoteness and mortality in the Australian state of Tasmania. The analysis is based on death rates among persons aged 25-74 years in 41 Statistical Local Areas (SLA) for the period 1998-2000. Multilevel binomial regression indicated that death rates were significantly higher in disadvantaged areas. There was little support for an association between social capital and mortality, thereby contesting the often held notion that social capital is universally important for explaining variations in population health. Similarly, we found little evidence of a link between geographic remoteness and mortality, which contrasts with that found in other Australian states; this probably reflects the small size of Tasmania, and limited variation in the degree of remoteness amongst its SLA.

Is that why The Liberal ahead of Labor party due to their convincing slogan as the latest News from the Tasmanian Liberals 10 March, 2014 as in the following read out?
“The majority Hodgman Liberal Government Plan to build a modern economy and create jobs; a plan to increase tourism numbers to 1.5 million by 2020 which will create 8000 new jobs; lead positive change for a healthier population, a goal to become the healthiest population in Australia by 2025, and target a whole-of-State approach to promoting good health and preventing chronic disease. In achieving these goals, first task will be to get all stakeholders together to find the best way to address Tasmania’s current ad hoc and fragmented approach to addressing the poor Tasmania public health outcomes.”
How unconvincing as the Tasmania Labor government Premier answers to the reporter Leigh sales’s interview time of ABC Broadcast on 16/01/2014 in below questioning that rejected by Tasmania voters?
“If we have a look at Labor’s track record in government in Tasmania, Tasmania currently ranks at the bottom among Australian states on virtually every dimension that you’d care to measure – unemployment, income, investment, literacy, to name a few. You depend on Commonwealth revenue for around two-thirds of your income. Can Tasmanians afford to stick with Labor?”; “Let’s stick to your record rather than what you think might happen. Say, for example, unemployment: Tasmania: 7.9 per cent; national unemployment: 5.8 per cent. Median weekly household income: Tasmania $948; nationally: $1,200 or so. Tasmania has not had a good economic record under Labor.”
Is that The Labor behind the Liberal party due to the loss of innovative ideas to deny where problems of the state’s care of measures in unemployment, income, health, and investment?
Again, log of two years ago, if you read the ABC news of Social inclusion13 January 2012: “we need smarter policy” by Lin Hatfield Dodds-“Employment, education, health, housing and family support must therefore be delivered in a coordinated way.”
Then just take a look at my new discovery of health sciences knowledge and practice of a patent application (provisional) in following abstract whether will it answer properly to your above questions?
Australian Government – IP Australia Application number 2014900101
ABSTRACT OF THE DISCLOSURE
“A newly discovery health sciences knowledge and practice of A Horizontal Exercises System is enclosed. This newly discovery of health sciences knowledge and practice achieves the aims in solving the major causes of disability mortality, physical inactivity and physical activity fundamentally. It will cooperate to the challenging of the World Health Organization’s prevalence of universal disability experience with economic and social costs to individuals, families, communities and nations. At the same time, these newly discovery of health sciences knowledge and practice will be explore to the world into a new International Health Revolution or International Health Economic Boom by spurring these newly invented horizontal exercises system into the Global Disability Rehabilitation Centre for profits. Following to the booming of global Disability Rehabilitation Centres, The First International Health Olympic Wave might be in time to starts, and to snowballing the golden opportunities of the International Health Economic Boom. The inventor welcomes and looking forward where if a country is wishing to be the first nation to start in cooperating “The First Disability Rehabilitation Centre” to be ready to serve its disability citizens, and or to be the first nation to hoist “The First International Health Olympic Wave”.”
Premier Lara giddings, do you believe if “The First Disability Rehabilitation Centre” to be ready in approximates in five year time frames to serve Tasmania disability citizens, Primary health care citizens as well?
Do you believe this Tasmania pioneer research and action in economic and social advancing to individuals, families, communities and nations from the spurring these newly invented horizontal exercises system into the Global Disability Rehabilitation Centre and Primary Health Care Centre do comparable better than the now Tasmania Liberal Slogans only? Because they are not yet to have the keys, or the right keys in particular to open up all of three themes of the following model, and these keys are not yet seen from them, and also do not exist in our globe:
● Innovative Primary Health Care Model
● Innovative Health Olympic Model
● Innovative Politic Olympic Model
Premier Lara giddings, do you realize how important of my new discovery of health sciences knowledge and practice of a patent application (provisional), and proved working from my six years two individual clinical trials that will throw a heavy weight behind your election promotion that to impress Tasmania voters with new hopes of opportunities soon to be exist to them in the following orders, and these are true evidence base invention that much better than the Liberal’s slogan:
●Target a whole-of-State approach to promoting good health and preventing chronic disease
●Building a pioneer Innovative Health Olympic Model in Tasmania
●Creating tremendous numbers of jobs than any other states
In achieving above goals, these will be happen liked what my letter to the former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd 2009, and Julie Gillart outline below:
●Inventing health improvement patterns;
●Growing high antioxidant healthy grains and plants;
●Manufacturing high antioxidant healthy grain powder products;
●Exporting its health improvement knowledge and pattern; and
●Exporting health improvement resources (including human resources).
Premier Lara giddings, please think about why Federal Opposition leader Bill Shorten declare that Labor Party needs new policy ideas, and he found three answers? one of them is: “I want science to be a first-order political issue” after x years in politic that he waked up from two terms of Labor government defeated, and that’s why he outlined an ambitious goal to more than double its 44,000-strong membership.
Premier Lara giddings, you will not surprise why I have the ideas of ● Innovative Primary Health Care Model; ● Innovative Health Olympic Model; ● Innovative Politic Olympic Model if you look through internet under a name of “masealake” that exposure relating numerals health and political comments, from “Health Olympic Spring China” to “Health Olympic Australia” where lead me to geminating an idea of “Innovative Politic Olympic Model” , and soon I will file another patent application to answer the world in politic in a way of a fairness politic for all citizens.
Premier Lara giddings, do you feel confidence that my new discovery of health sciences knowledge and practice will help you to be elect again even you miss this election? You have plenty of time if you even just elected as opposition leader while you still young with ambitions.
Then, you always welcome to practice my new discovery of health sciences knowledge and practice to regain the Tasmania Premiership by producing Tasmania a state action plans for social inclusion, or a national action plans for social inclusion that would capable to prevent a great deal of future harm and hardship; greatly reducing future government expenditure on big ticket budget items like our welfare, judicial, health, housing and employment services systems, then you will win the federal election as a youngest female Prime Minister of Australia. Providing that you are successfully to convince my three innovative models (●Primary Health Care, ●Health Olympic, and ●Politic Olympic) to the people of Australia.
Once again, do you believe my new discovery of health sciences knowledge and practice of a patent application (provisional) will help you? Plus the soon another patent application of “Innovative Politic Olympic Model”, will these pair of inventions as the sharpest edges of political and economic sword in the world?
My three innovative models (●Primary Health Care, ●Health Olympic, and ●Politic Olympic) would surely coordinated approach to a social inclusion action plan that comfortably deliver significant health, economic and political gains to Australian, at the same time to improve the effectiveness of government expenditure, and enhance the life chances and living standards of our most vulnerable citizens. This will be proven and practical approach deserves bipartisan support.
Premier Lara giddings, please remember that you are advising in taking decision and action by yourself while important information to you, rather than rely to other department to take responding, in such example of my first letter to you while replied by The Deputy Secretary Michael Pervan (attached).
Now you probably missed the once exist of life time opportunity to tell Tasmania voters to listen you one more time, this diamond opportunity of coordinated approach to a social inclusion action plan to them suddenly becoming dim light in this state’s election, perhaps in the future once you waked up liked Mr Shorten recognized “the challenge ahead of us is significant” after two terms of Labor government defeated.
One more thing, there is an opportunity for you to patch up the Labor party weakness by practice my three inventions which arm with my three innovative models (●Primary Health Care, ●Health Olympic, and ●Politic Olympic) in preparing the next state election if you retain as opposition leader of the state. Otherwise you always can go federal for a try if you win in the next term, then you are the first one to be a youngest female Prime Minister. Providing that you are able to achieve the same shape as the period when I researching my bio-healing plants 2001-2006, there was a beautiful shape of Lara giddings I seen in the Tasmania Techno Park.

Kind regards
Key ma
@JrehnJMarch 16, 2014 at 4:35 pm

Howdy;
I was in Adelaide too. One of the marvelous things about it for me was the wide cross-section of people (with the exception of the free-loading fundamentalist christians with pretty offensive signs).

However, even those people were treated with nothing more than a gentle exasperation among those there for #MarchInMarch reasons.

I’m one who cannot bear sloganeering so found the repeated chanting of “Not In My Name” difficult, but that’s a very personal hangup and it certainly mde clear when the people of the crowd were moved by what the speakers had to say.

What else did I learn?

That there is to be a dedicated day to rally for refugees in Adelaide on Palm Sunday.
Details later (They had them but I forget).
I felt that today really was the beginning of a waking up to the fact that it is in our own hands to do something more than whinge.
Pam RawlingsMarch 16, 2014 at 4:42 pm

I have to sayI found it a bit strange and oddly coincidentalthat just before Abc24 news started it went off air on foxtel. The only channel to go off air and this happened whilst the marches were on. As soonas the news finished Abc 24 came back on. When I switched to free to air tv Abc 24 was working fine through the whole news. Did anyone else with foxtel have this problem. I am giving up foxtel in May when my plan is up. Today I have just downgraded my packages to essentials only and after may I will no longer give that lowlife any more money. It all just seemed strange to me that I was still getting a signal for Abc 24 on free to air yet on foxtel this was the only channel I could not get, it said no signal.
Michael TaylorMarch 16, 2014 at 4:55 pm

Douglas, I just read that article. From the sounds of it they got most of their information off the MiM’s Facebook page. Now there’s quality MSM journalism for you. 😉
Fed upMarch 16, 2014 at 6:20 pm

Please ignore my previous comment. Could it be removed? Having PC problems.

Could it just be, that the March in March movement is about the people taking their democracy back.

Could it be, these marches are not about parties, left or right, or even politics.

It is a warning to politicians, on all sides and of all colours, they are there to serve the people and democracy, not the other way around.

I feel the people are disgusted at what we have had to endure, as politics in this land. They are saying, enough is enough.

What was not seen yesterday, in Gosford was any evident of politicians or politics. It was about the type of society, politics is creating.

Yes, it is about bringing back a caring, dignity and compassion. Anything else will not be tolerated.

If Labor is clever, they will not ignore the message but takes it on board.

They will create new policies that meet this need. They will quickly put ideology aside.

Many of the public are just not interested. Not interested whether one is left or right.

Talking about what Shorten should or not do, has nothing to do with March in March.

What was also nice, was seeing only home made banners. Yes, Abbott was displayed as being a liar and not in touch. Not nice banners, but many see the man this way. It is up to him to prove the banners wrong.

Labor and it’s supporters should put politics aside at this time, and concentrate on building the compassionate, caring society that these marchers are asking for.

The message is, that politicians are there to serve the people and democracy, not money, not profit not ideology.
Dan RowdenMarch 16, 2014 at 6:43 pm

Key ma,

Your letter is 2700 words. No-one is going to read it.
VickiMarch 16, 2014 at 6:55 pm

Went to the Melbourne March in March. Good atmosphere, funny placards, people playing musical instruments, lots of chanting, very diverse groups, lots of youngsters, children and babes in strollers, older citizens and NO POLITICAL SPEECHES. The people who spoke were from the various groupings telling personal stories of protest appertaining to them.
For some reason (and my husband I were caught up in this for a short time) most of the protesters gathered on the steps and around Parliament House instead of continuuing on to Treasury Gardens where the March was supposed to end. It was a shame that this happened because the numbers in the Gardens were greatly reduced by this ‘mistake’. I thought the numbers were around the 40,000. Around the country ? – who knows.
Does the March in March represent a watershed in Australian politics? Time will tell.

I don’t think the Canberra carbon tax ‘protest’ can be put in the same bracket as the March in March because that protest was a politically fabricated event that was also greatly publicised by the MSM (including the Fairfax press). March in March has been a grass roots effort with very little coverage in the MSM.

There were also lies told to explain away the poor showing at the Canberra ‘protest’. Anyone else remember all the hundreds of trucks and tankers that were supposed to be trying to get into Canberra for the ‘protest’ but were being prevented from doing so by – was it armed forces or just the police? Media helicopters put paid to the lie but no big deal was made about this absence of the ‘missing’ convoy in the press. And as for March in March events – I will be surprised if the MSM give these protests any coverage at all.
CMMCMarch 16, 2014 at 7:05 pm

Reminds me of the Franklin Dam protests of 1982. Mums and Dads all over the nation marched in protest against the destruction of Tasmanian wilderness.

NEWS FLASH: Abbott has just told reporters he was unaware of any such protest.
Fed upMarch 16, 2014 at 7:13 pm

CH nine Newcastle did, but concentrated on the boat builders employees that marched.
Fed upMarch 16, 2014 at 7:20 pm

Well, I suspect Abbott will not remain unaware into the future.

He was warned yesterday. Yes, not about removing a government or PM, but if he did not heed what is being said, they will get rid of him at the next election.

Personally I do not believe this mob have the brains to take heed.,

I do hope the same in not true for Labor

Be interesting to see how big the one at Canberra is tomorrow.

These numbers are out, in times that not the most convenient for most.

Had to compete with St Patrick’s day march , and Saturday kids sport
Fed upMarch 16, 2014 at 7:33 pm

Why is Shorten in trouble for stating a fact. These marches were not organized of affiliated with Labor. That is why they are so powerful.

Did not hear him say, he did not support them.
Dan RowdenMarch 16, 2014 at 7:34 pm

Doug Evans,

How can it be that folk are repeatedly surprised by the passiveness and conservatism shown by the ALP? Today’s sniffy half dismissal from Shorten was utterly predictable – anything else would have been a surprise. When will people wake up that THIS IS WHAT LABOR HAS BECOME.

Your description of Shorten’s response today is, I think, pretty much perfect. However:

Caps lock, from you? Really? I get what you’re saying and understand it perfectly, therefore the whiff of condescension in your post is a little off. Astute and engaged Labor supporters are acutely aware of the shift to the “right” of the Labor Party and the ascendancy of that faction over the last – well, since Keating, really. Many of us are disturbed by it and feel a sort of dreadful haplessness in the face of it. But we are entirely aware of it.

But what is the alternative for traditional Labor people? It sure as hell isn’t the Greens. They have far too much work to do on policy coherence and pragmatism (especially economic) and their own radical left is as big a worry as the conservative far right.

Many Labor supporters are cognizant of the political space that the Greens have occupied with respect to social policy that was once the bastion of the Labor Party, but the feeling for Labor reform is greater than that of turning to the Greens. The Greens’ maturation process as a political force has stalled in my view.

It’s the existence and expression of shock at contemporary Labor’s “passiveness and conservatism” that bespeaks hope for its future. At least it indicates that the awareness and desire is there.
Douglas EvansMarch 16, 2014 at 7:42 pm

@Dan Rowden
Absolutely no condescension intended. “the feeling for Labor reform is greater than that of turning to the Greens.” GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!
Fed upMarch 16, 2014 at 8:01 pm

What I would love to know, what is the traditional Labor voter. I have voted, belonged to since the 1960’s to Labor.

Are you saying all in the Labor party should follow what you see as traditional Labor.

The world has changed greatly in that time. Most of the fights of that time, are not the fights of today.

I have strong beliefs in a fair and civil society. I see Labor as the best way to achieve that aim.

Time to get out heads pout of the past, and look for ways, to make Labor work today.

Labor has been around so long, because of the fact, it is capable of remaking itself when things change.

I am sick of hearing about left and right. It would have to be over two or more decades since that meant much. Yes, a long time since the cold war.

My interest is in seeing a Labor party remake Israelite, and that meets the needs of today.

For that to happen, tone must let go of the past.

This is my belief. Maybe I have got it wrong, and the answer can be found by going back to the past., Still, I cannot see how.,

Once again, please explain what traditional Labor is?

As for Capitals, I rarely use them. In this case, it was an accident, that I decided to leave in place.
goodrumoMarch 16, 2014 at 9:03 pm

Reblogged this on iheariseeilearn.
mars08March 16, 2014 at 9:05 pm

Fed up:

The world has changed greatly in that time. Most of the fights of that time, are not the fights of today.

If this LNP federal government and various state leaders have their way… we WILL HAVE TO the same battles all over again. And who is left to fight them?
Jenna PriceMarch 16, 2014 at 9:05 pm

Hey. I’m pretty confident Fairfax qualifies as mainstream. http://m.theage.com.au/comment/march-in-march-grows-from-genuine-grassroots-20140203-31xgy.html
mars08March 16, 2014 at 9:06 pm

… we WILL HAVE TO FIGHT the same battles all over again…
JocelynMarch 16, 2014 at 9:22 pm

Jfyi, I saw the MiM on the Channel 7 news in Melbourne. Their coverage of the march was better than the 5pm ABC coverage which, to be fair, was covering 2 state elections and a Russian invasion as well as everyday news!
KerriMarch 16, 2014 at 9:31 pm

I saw an interview on ABC with Bob Such in Adelaide.
The March In March protest could be clearly heard in the background but the cameras remained resolutely aimed at Bob Such for a good 10 minutes.
In the background cheers, chants and crowds. People with placards.
Some even approached the cameras and were ignored by ABC staff.
Is this what Tony Abbott wants from the ABC?
Ignore the thousands of people protesting against him?
Dan RowdenMarch 16, 2014 at 9:52 pm

Doug Evans,

Absolutely no condescension intended. “the feeling for Labor reform is greater than that of turning to the Greens.” GOOD LUCK WITH THAT!

I’m sure no condescension was actually intended. As for the notion of Labor reform, I agree some luck may well be needed, but I also think it’s utterly necessary for the socio-political health of this country. If it doesn’t happen over the next two years, Australia is destined to become a pseudo-American, conservative shit-hole (in a far purer sense than is already the case).
Dan RowdenMarch 16, 2014 at 9:58 pm

mars08,

If this LNP federal government and various state leaders have their way… we WILL HAVE TO the same battles all over again. And who is left to fight them?

Exactly! Absolutely spot on.
Dan RowdenMarch 16, 2014 at 10:02 pm

Brisbane’s March in March attracts thousands:

http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/brisbanes-march-in-march-attracts-thousands-20140316-34v6e.html
QuintMarch 16, 2014 at 10:02 pm

This race wears its shortcomings like a badge of honour. Listening to the ABC the other day re the Tassie election, the common theme was “how we need a change”. So apparently the only alternative is to vote the other mob in. Hhhmmmmm….
lefturnaheadMarch 16, 2014 at 10:25 pm

Reblogged this on The Grovely Gazette.
greg tolandMarch 16, 2014 at 9:25 pm

IF You are Silly enough to Believe the Master lier That he was unaware of todays events well spend $6 go to your GP and get a referral to a Physiciatrist, Of course he knew and he is trying to belittle all the thousands of Australian who did the March today (Brisbane for Me ) There is no Mistaking the resentment Toward Abbott and in Queensland case Newman ( who won the Booing Award ) and that’s from many different quarters probably decent Libs as well, Watch for Tony via Credlin doing yet another Makeover, Chameleon man is nothing but resilient with an Ego bigger than the harbour Bridge , No wonder he cannot get his Poll figures up I Look forward to the Day he goes down everybody does People are sick of him and his Pathetic ” I’m really a Nice guy ” mode, Every potential Liberal Premier Uttered the same Phrases as the master, Open for Business, cutting red and Green tape , Create new Jobs, Poor old Tamania is an employment back water all ways has been and always will be and that’s a fact so when these Politicians of either side of Politics say they can do something , tell em they’re dreaming. , and sadly the employment scene is changing world wide, Cheap manufacturers usually in 3rd world countrys will always win out The trick being to look after our own workers first, Not sending for the cheap overseas workers (That a debt being paid to Gina )
gordonwaMarch 16, 2014 at 10:28 pm

Attended March in March in Perth today. Checked Perth TV coverage tonight. ABC 24 gave reasonable coverage of Melbourne & Sydney marches with interviews as did channel 10 5.00pm news. Channels 7 & 9 & 2 ignored the March completely. It never happened and the Perth March of at least 5000 people was a figment of our imaginations.
Michael, as you say, compare this with the coverage of the pathetic convey of no consequence. It is clear we cannot rely on the mainstream media to provide balanced coverage. Fortunately, we have our online sources to keep us informed.
SuziekueMarch 16, 2014 at 10:41 pm

@ Kerri – Yes I saw the ABC interview with Bob Such. I had the same thought going through my mind as you. Bob Such could hardly be heard over the sounds of the marchers. But like the proverbial elephant in the room, the ABC interviewer and camera operator ignored them. I weep for what has become of our ABC.
greg tolandMarch 16, 2014 at 9:44 pm

While I was ~Marching today in Brisbane with ten thousand others,, The thought crossed my mind He has become the ONLY PM of Australia who has ever managed to Galvanise the Nation against Him after only 6 months and that’s with out any concerted press coverage , I met with so many people of different viewpoints ALL with the same aim to Get rid of Him That feeling transcended all political colours that is truly amazing, On this site we get plenty of laughs from our right wingers who still haven’t given us a reason to appreciate this Lying, Double dealing, hypocritical Man, This clown is going to do a deal with China, They are Laughing at him Already, He has told them there will be a deal ASAP, Chinese Love to Barter Abbott is Clueless, You have to Bluff with them, be inscrutable , A common Comment today was ” How did this man become our PM ” I await the Answer form Neil, Voyager, Don
John O'callaghanMarch 16, 2014 at 11:06 pm

Great turnout in every city,Canberra to come but must not be a one off,as someone famous said in the 70’s, maintain the rage,””
SpiritoftruthMarch 17, 2014 at 12:42 am

The focus of protests should be on the topics such as destroying the environment as well as making Australia a more selfish country and taking away the things which make it Australia. Australia is blessed of God because of the systems of selfless design such as the welfare system, the aid overseas and giving refuge to those in need. Remember that Christ himself taught to be kind unto others and to live by systems that are selfless. Do not let the focus be changed to people after own agendas like marriage equality that topic is not what this is about that is people adding their own agendas which is not what Australia is about either. If you want him to listen do a march peacefully every month they will ignore one march and the people go their way, if you want a reelection make sure the one you seek to empower is putting people first above everything else. Abbott is putting himself first and businesses he is for the rich and is cold of heart man, in eyes of God he is a hypocrite and should be removed from position immediately. Australians however need to oppose same sex marriage as that agenda by the LGBT is going to turn Gods favor over Australia away and the result will be greater disasters in Australia lands. Do not let those seeking to use the current situation to their advantage take over, that agenda is not good and only brings the world woe, forget not Sodom and Gomorrah.
Pingback: Did you hear about the March in March? Pressed from The AIMN | Shit's Gotta Stop
AsGrayAsGrayMarch 17, 2014 at 12:16 am

Hi,

I ‘Pressed This’ at my Shit blog, and commented:

“Pressed This, from the AIMN, with thanks; click the link above or below (or here) to read.

Did you hear about the March in March?

Yes, I heard about it, and I was there today in Melbourne. After returning home, I noted it had, at least, been mentioned in a news break on Ten with a glimpse of some actual footage, and then online at the ABC.

But, that said, coverage was scant to say the least. But the numbers I saw there in the streets are simply too big to ignore. Momentum should be maintained. More rallies in coming months??

Search for #MarchInMay on Twitter…”

Thanks and Cheers!
mars08March 17, 2014 at 7:14 am

…coverage was scant to say the least. But the numbers I saw there in the streets are simply too big to ignore…

That’s exactly what happened with the protests against the US attack on Iraq. Of course, with that event, the numbers were much, much larger… and the protests were worldwide. But according to the Australian MSM, the protests never happened…
Douglas EvansMarch 17, 2014 at 7:38 am

@Dan Rowden
Just up and read your comment from March 16 7.34 again. I’ve got a story and a couple of thoughts for you. About 35 years ago I was involved in a group setting up a community project in the inner Melbourne (then working class suburb of Brunswick). This suburb is located in the Federal (generally solid Labor) Seat of Wills. We arranged a meeting with the then local Member young(ish) Bob Hawke, not long since moved across from his stellar career in the ACTU. Sitting around the back of the room unannounced, unintroduced and silent were the corporate representatives of various large construction companies on the off chance that we might have required some free construction work to help things along. The dynamics of the situation were interesting. THEY (look caps again DR!) were interested in strengthening their links to a rising political star because of the likely spin-off down the tracks. THEY were also keeping an eye on THEIR boy. Hawkie’s links to the big end of town were rock solid from his Union days so when he got power he was ideally placed to deliver the consensus that worked so brilliantly for the Party during the 80s. He was trusted by both sides. My point? the Lurch to the Right was initiated originally by Hawke. It was a brilliant move politically and made the Party viable again within a decade of the Whitlam train-wreck which I, for one would have thought impossible. The consequences three and a half decades later however are a Party in which every policy position is negotiable. A Party in which, despite two major failed attempts at reform, the rank and file are powerless to influence outcomes and in which all real power is held by the elected representatives of a small minority of Australia’s workforce and their sanctioned lackeys.

I have a few quotes for you.
“Compared to other community organizations the return on ALP membership is minimal. Active Branch life has been reduced to a hard core of the ageing party faithful. plus members of parliament and their staff and others hustling for elected office. … Branches go through the motions of monthly meetings and debate, knowing that their resolutions will be ignored by the Party hierarchy.” (Mark Latham)

“In the Labor Party the factions and the unions are parallel, if not unified sub-structures. The factions have their organisational and numerical bases in the unions, and the unions spearhead the faction leaderships and decision-making. … the 2002 Rules Conference decision to set 50:50 as the national union to member vote will have no effect on faction (or union) domination. ” (Dean Jaensch)

“I want to have an open mind in debate within the party and hear the debate before I make up my mind about how I should vote on party policy—not to be directed by what a factional leader says you must vote and if you don’t follow it, you might lose your pre-selection.” (Former ALP Senator Chri Schact)

“The rapidly declining relevance of its shrinking membership and the capture of its factions – and with them the party machinery – have seen Labor become little more than the plaything of unrepresentative cliques. Poor-quality candidate selection and scant attention to policy are the inevitable outcomes, not to mention the corrosive effect of even greater public cynicism and further disengagement. ” (Norman Abjorensen)

From the Bracks, Carr, Faulkner 2010 review of the Party.

“As a party member for nearly 39 years it seems that branches are now treated as irrelevant by head office — only good for handing out on election days.” — Member, Sydney

“A branch member no longer has any power and hasn’t for a long time.” — Member, Melbourne

“Many branches feel very frustrated and ignored these days.” — Member, Adelaide

“At the moment, the party branches are dying, because the rank and file are given no voice in the Party. The members and branches no longer have any say in preselections or in policy. Unless this trend can be reversed, we will become a party that exists just to provide a path for ex-trade union leaders and ex-staffers of politicians to enter parliament.” — Member, NSW

“The [issue is the] rise of the central Party apparatus and the decline of the branches. If the resolutions of branches are ignored, if the rules of the Party are ignored, if pre-selections are determined by head office and not the relevant electoral councils, if we remove democracy as the beating heart of our Party why would people join a branch, why would people get involved in our Party, why would people vote for us?” — Member, NSW

“The demand that branches be respected meant that a branch’s local knowledge and concerns should be taken seriously. There was a sense that the party leadership did not take seriously or wish to involve itself with a branch’s participation in issues and policies that profoundly affected its members and its local community. Branches, it was argued, could be at the forefront of pivotal community battles.” — Branch submission

“The grassroots organisation of the ALP used to be something that we left the Liberals for dead in.” — Member, Cairns

“Members have given up. They feel that their only function is to turn up on polling day and spend a day in the sun handing out how-to-vote cards. Members want to be involved at a local level at a bare minimum.” — Member, Queensland.

…and you think the Greens are unattractive because of their lack of ‘policy coherence’ – WOW! (or is that LOL). By the way have you actually read any Greens’ policies (it’s surprising how many people with opinions about their policies haven’t) or are you just indulging yourself with the usual mostly uninformed, Fifth Estate, centre-left (but veering right), water cooler chit chat on this topic.

Like I said Dan Rowden good luck with your policy reforms.
QuintMarch 17, 2014 at 9:14 am

Ha….prepare thyself EnGy.
EnGyMarch 17, 2014 at 9:17 am

Nah, they’re all pretty much the same. It makes no difference to my life which one is in government (Until a group of professional protesters decide to start causing traffic jams because they don’t like someone)
Dan RowdenMarch 17, 2014 at 9:18 am

Doug Evans,

Yes, thank you, I’ve read the Greens policy portfolio. It automatically appeals to me on most fronts because I’m a hard core socialist, but I also recognise the profound political difficulties of most of it. “Tax the rich to help the poor” is a lovely leftist notion, but things ain’t that simple.

If the Greens’ policies were so obviously sound and attractive to the electorate you’d imagine their polling would have been much improved by now. You’d imagine that in the last Qld election, given the overwhelming desire for change, that the Green vote would have benefited significantly; instead it went marginally backwards. How do we account for this?
AsGrayAsGrayMarch 17, 2014 at 9:44 am

Whoever ‘EnGy’ is, he is completely wrong with his dismissive “professional protesters” slur, and “causing traffic jams” – most I saw there were not exactly stereotypical, with a lot of family groups taking time out of their weekends to send a clear message that what is happening in politics and to the environment is not good enough, and the traffic was completely controlled by the Victoria Police.
Kaye LeeMarch 17, 2014 at 9:53 am

EnGy,

Telling me to “shut the hell up” has never worked. You may not be interested in politics but I am and I will continue to hold my government to account.

I marched along with 1000 others in my small regional centre. It’s estimated over 100,000 have marched so far, many of them people who have never protested before. This got tens of thousands of people out on the streets who made themselves heard, saw they were part of a bigger movement and who may have been exposed to new ideas and information, and might take the next step in their activism.

There was criticism from some that there was no clear messaging, no uniform placards, no neat, singular storyline with key message points! Oh the horror – no line up of the same eminent speakers, or folks rolling out some serious EPN (extreme personal narrative).

Good lord. THE PEOPLE ARE JUST ORGANISING IT THEMSELVES. They are making their own creative placards – it is MAYHEM!

And I am very proud of all the people who took part and those who supported it even if just by bipping their horn as they drove past or commenting online. This was not just about having a whinge – it was about demanding we all do better and about changing the minds of the Australian public. We have another 2 and a half years to make sure that people know what they are voting for next time around and to get young people interested, active, and enrolled.
EnGyMarch 17, 2014 at 9:58 am

Oh lord. I miss the old days when you kept your political opinion to yourself. That was nice.

Anyhoo, enjoy 🙂
Kaye LeeMarch 17, 2014 at 10:05 am

Ah yes….the good old days

http://www.abc.net.au/tv/makingaustralia/educationextras/episode-one/clip-four.htm
Michael TaylorMarch 17, 2014 at 9:12 am

Says he who probably did nothing but complain when Labor were in power. 🙄
Kaye MakovecMarch 17, 2014 at 10:50 am

I was at the Melbourne MIM and was very pleased to note that the protestors covered every age group from the very young to very old, and across all spectrum of our society. No off putting apart from a few chanting the F”’ Tony Abbott 3 word slogan, noticed a few elderly ladies chanting and wearing the T-Shirt too, for many probably the first time they used that word 🙂 Police were polite and mostly bored I think. Plenty of media cameramen standing around obviously waiting to film the rioting but they were bored too. All of which goes to show that it is the normal average citizen who is totally disenchanted with the LNP’s no policies, back flips, secrecy and lies.
Dan RowdenMarch 17, 2014 at 11:00 am

Kaye Lee,

There was criticism from some that there was no clear messaging, no uniform placards, no neat, singular storyline with key message points!

That’s not a criticism to be dismissed lightly in my view. A protest in which every man, woman child and dog complains about something that is irking them, from asylum seekers to whether they can leave their inheritance to their pet gerbil, is something difficult for the outside observer to parse. A thousand grinders with a thousand axes. A protest without focus and coherence is something that is fairly easily dismissed, simply on the grounds that it looks like a bunch of people complaining about a Government they didn’t vote for. Really? How shocking. There may have been a discernible theme to the protest, from the perspective of its supporters, but it may well have been largely lost from the outside perspective amid the complexity of the tantrum tapestry (as some might wish to unkindly label it). I do think some policy focus ought to have been undertaken. The Occupy Movement discovered what a lack of clear focus can mean when you start to try and articulate your purpose.

Still, that said, the turnout was really quite impressive and that should count for something, in and of itself, message-wise. The organisers can rightly be proud of their efforts.
Sue LofthouseMarch 17, 2014 at 11:38 am

“..shut the hell up until then” Do you mean like the Liberals did when Gillard was PM, EnGy?

Thank you for the directive but I don’t think I will. I shall feel free to object when the agendas of a biased media and the uber-wealthy are being foisted upon the populace in place of policies which benefit the community at large. It is my right to formulate opinions that differ from yours and espouse them should I see fit. By all means though, feel free to take your own advice.

“It makes no difference to my life which one is in government (Until a group of professional protesters decide to start causing traffic jams because they don’t like someone)” What a charmed life you must lead, EnJy, that a traffic jam is the nexus of your dissatisfaction. Others are not so lucky and need adequate representation. Would you really wish to deny them a voice simply to save yourself from a minor inconvenience?
Pam RawlingsMarch 17, 2014 at 11:35 am

Engy people were all united in their dislike of Abbott, does not matter what was on their placards. If you do not like what we are talking about why not go and put your mouth somewhere else. The people that united were even people that voted for this lame government as well as people who did not vote for him. They were from all walks of life. There are so many issues to fight this government on that why so many issues were there. No matter if you like politics or not surely you realize that politicians affect your life in one way or another and always will, regardless if you have your head in the sand.
What gives you the right to come on here and be totally rude, if you do not like anything about what we are saying please go put your head back in the sand. There are going to be many more protests you will just have to keep your head in the sand because no one here really cares what you think.
Fed upMarch 17, 2014 at 1:34 pm

EnGy, sorry the MiM did have a message. The message was, we do not like the policies of this government. People marching do not like the mean and uncaring society, this country is coming to.
Yes, they demanded that people be put before industry.

There was a demand for people to be treated in a more compassionate, caring and dignified manner. This includes the asylum seekers.
lawrencewinderMarch 17, 2014 at 1:44 pm

http://shanewombat.blogspot.com.au/2014/03/to-rally-round.html

please feel free to use the photos…
Douglas EvansMarch 17, 2014 at 5:18 pm

@Dan Rowden
You are right there are no simple answers. To address the question of why the Greens’ policies don’t have wider appeal would take more time energy and space than is available. I would make one simple comment though. Much of the electorate has bought the message that the Greens’ policies are extreme. They are not. On most issues they are comparable with the middle of the road social democratic policies on which the post world war 2 prosperity of north western Europe has been constructed. I lived first in England then in Denmark from 1970 – 76 and saw close up, the benefits to their respective electorates of successive governments pursuing policies very like those the Greens support. These are not the policies of a socialist party. While living overseas so long ago I saw plenty of them also. That the Greens are not more popular than they are might be attributed to:
1. the lies told by the ‘old’ parties and the corporate media.
2. the inherent conservatism of the Australian electorate.
3. the inherent difficulties posed by our electoral system for any new party not just new parties of the left.
4. the political immaturity of the Australian electorate.
5. some combination of all of the above.
For what it’s worth my money’s on number 5.
Douglas EvansMarch 17, 2014 at 5:20 pm

@Dan Rowden
For what it’s worth I think your comment above to Kaye Lee is spot on both in respect of the MiM and the ‘Occupy’ movement.
mm569March 17, 2014 at 7:12 pm

It was literally covered in all of the major metro dailys (tho I haven’t seen the oz) and the larger regionals. Was also covered extensively in radio and television bulletins. Literally no idea how you’ve justified these claims. Also, fyi, a very quick search of the ‘convoy of no confidence’ shows much of the coverage of it was so from an angle of it being a smaller-than-advertised event. Respectfully, I feel the only bias being displayed is coming from the author of this blog.
Dan RowdenMarch 18, 2014 at 8:40 am

Doug Evans,

To address the question of why the Greens’ policies don’t have wider appeal would take more time energy and space than is available. I would make one simple comment though. Much of the electorate has bought the message that the Greens’ policies are extreme.

You also listed some reason the Greens aren’t as popular as they might be, one of which was:

2. the inherent conservatism of the Australian electorate.

I think those two observations are probably sufficient to explain things. The shift to the right of conservative politics itself, which has sucked Labor along with it (with plenty of help from themselves) has left the Greens seemingly at the far left end of the political spectrum. But it’s illusory for the most part. It’s just that they haven’t moved along with the other elements of that conservative shift. By and large I think the population is unaware that the movement to the right has even occurred, so they’re experiencing it as something of a normal state of affairs. That’s highly problematic for both the Greens and the Labor Left.

What would have once been regarded as fairly standard “left” views regarding economic fairness and social equity are increasingly being viewed with suspicion, and, as you suggest, characterised as extreme. The “socialism” scare tactic has had some real effect and I would agree without any level of dissent that the Greens have been its greatest victim.

You also mentioned the immaturity of the Australian electorate. That is, sadly, so obviously the case. We are, to a disturbingly large degree, a bunch of political simpletons. Unfortunately that means that conservative trash-talk has a rather passive and credulous audience.

The momentum of that political and cultural shift to the right is such that I don’t think there’s any stopping it until such time as the policies of the current Government begin to really bite the average Aussie on their backsides.
marion conrowMarch 18, 2014 at 2:18 pm

While there is silence on march in march, the silence for march in march in Lismore is deafening. The largest march on saturday, 5-7000 people attending which is about one in ten people per capita. , we have fought off CSG, its an amazing broad spectrum community. I actually fear how Lismore will be dismissed and also targetted as being “the crazies” where in actual fact this community IS of all types and most importantly …mobilised. their biggest fear. And lets face it, Australia is becoming a dictatorship, the worse is yet to come… We have people , we need to find solutions and strategies to operate independant of the party system. Most Australians unless their the ones on facebook have no idea what is going on, education amongst friiends and educating those around us is something we can do. Slowly maybe some people will come around and NOT buy this bullshit concocted by abbott reinhart n murdoch ( they dont deserve caps). I hope a new ice age will come for the dinosaurs..
TechinBrisMarch 18, 2014 at 6:13 pm

Great time at the MiM in Brisbane.
Only incident was when the Police tried to harass a Bikie and the Public moved in and surrounded the three Police with chants of “Shame”. They freaked and in trying to get away in their car, they ran over a guy. That is the guy that “collapsed” according to MSM. They were not going to report the QLD has lost the support of the Public to the State and in fleeing the Public they ran over someone that was not one of their supporters. Not a good look in the Red Neck Police State at all. (You can find the footage on You Tube)
As they were chanting after the Police backed down (I wonder why) and the Bikie left unmolested, “People Power!” That was what the day was when we discovered we are not so alone in our disgust of the current Federal (and QLD State) Governments.
KrisMarch 18, 2014 at 7:56 pm

There was some coverage on TV and online, but yes certainly was limited. Here’s the mainstream links I could find:

http://news.ninemsn.com.au/national/2014/03/16/16/07/hello-satan-protestors-take-aim-at-abbott

http://au.news.yahoo.com/a/22005309/thousands-march-in-melbourne/
Douglas EvansMarch 19, 2014 at 9:19 am

@Dan Rowden above
We are in furious agreement.