It hasn’t taken long for the co-operative negotiation strategy to be discarded in favour of the “we won so you have to do what we say” media blitz.
Morrison, Cormann, O’Dwyer and others faithfully repeat their lines for the day (one wonders if they realise how ridiculous it sounds when all of them use the exact same phrases), demanding that Shorten agree to a bill that hasn’t yet been drafted because they won so they have a mandate.
In fact, it wasn’t the Coalition who won the election – it was the 150 individual candidates who won. No doubt, for many of those successful candidates, party allegiance was a factor in them being voted in, but if they chose to leave the party or cross the floor, or the party chose to expel them, there would not be a by-election. It is the individual who has been elected to represent their constituency.
It is true that the majority of individuals elected to the House of Reps support a Coalition government but they only received 42% of the vote so the majority of Australians did not vote for them. 44.9% voted for Labor and the Greens.
The result in the Senate was far worse where only 35.2% of the electorate supported the Coalition. Labor and the Greens together got 38.5% of the vote.
In both houses, more Australians voted for the two progressive parties than for the Coalition.
It would be far more productive if the Coalition recognised this fact, dropped their belligerent insults, and started looking at which of the ALP and Greens policies they could agree with or at least find some common ground to negotiate.
The very obvious area that is begging for agreement is changes to superannuation, negative gearing and capital gains tax concessions. If both major parties can find agreement in these areas, not only would we be well on the way to structural budget repair, any voter backlash would be minimised.
Likewise, closing loopholes and cracking down on corporate tax avoidance should be a common goal.
Any attempts to rein in welfare spending, like the proposed reduction of the dole and family payments, result in miniscule savings in comparison. Why should the poorest shoulder the burden of tax avoidance by the wealthy?
But party politics, particularly as practised by the Coalition over the last two decades, has made any such co-operation on what should be obvious reform impossible. Wedge politics, spin doctors, marketing, polling – all have combined to make it a “whatever it takes” battle to beat the other guy where the “winner takes all”, completely ignoring that the other guy also won the election.
This attitude has also seen Labor capitulate on legislation that has disappointed their constituency, rubber stamping offshore processing, data retention, defence spending, deportations, and even the watering down of the previously bipartisan renewable energy target.
A situation has developed where good ideas will be ignored and bad ideas supported based purely on political manoeuvring. That is unbelievably selfish and irresponsible. Politicians have decided that their only job is to win elections and good governance is sacrificed in a venal, vicious battle where denigrating others is more important than listening to their ideas.
No organisation can be successful if it is run this way. It is all about self-promotion rather than teamwork, about advertising rather than achievement, about division and differentiation rather than co-operation.
Under our current system, it is hard to see this changing. It would either take a strong leader who was prepared to put the best interests of the country in front of those of party donors, or, better still in my opinion, a multi-party executive where good ideas from anywhere could be adopted.
While the politicians are the ones making the rules about political donations and advertising as well as their own pay and entitlements, there is no need for efficiency, transparency and accountability and the only measure of achievement will be success at the next election so all energy is focused on trashing potential opponents.
Not good enough.
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For once Kaye Lee I am in total agreement with you. It makes me wonder why anyone voted for any of these candidates. Have they even listened to the people at all? This government is all over the place!
I haven’t the figures to hand and a search through Antony Green’s pages will find them, but on just the number of votes Labor also out polled the L-NP by around 3000 from memory.
Now I know this is meaningless in our system, but it’s something the Liberals have used in the past to downplay a close result they have lost.
We Won! No ya didn’t sunshine numbers is numbers and you ain’t got them in the senate.
Poor didums will not only have to negotiate with the cross benches he will have to negotiate with the right wing thugs with a knife at his back.
Good luck with that Compromiser in Chief.
My the dangerous corners selling your soul can get you into.
‘…dropped their belligerent insults…’
They will never drop them, it’s all part of their mental make-up, and as they go through their private schools systems their improve on their bullying skills . One they day reach their goals, they will govern us , and how: we won, so you have to do what we say.
No discussions needed…just obedience.
I was amused when Cormann suggested that Bill Shorten wibbled and wobbled … never has there been a truer description of the LNP.
In making the same comments about what Labor should do, Cormann et al are just proving they are rubber stamps; rather than, representing Australians. They cannot expect a responsible Opposition to agree to legislation without the Opposition first reviewing what’s proposed . From pretty well day one after the 2013 election the Abbott gang proved they could not negotiate; they haven’t learnt a thing, they are just as bad.
…and the darling Michaelia is trying to emulate Margaret Thatcher, not very successful though, Marge had a brain if not a heart…
The LNP coalition won (just by 1 seat) the right to govern, not dictate.
Every elected representative won the right to govern, The Coalition won the right to sit on the green seats.
Kaye Lee you are a woman after my own heart!
I have been internally broiling about this for years.
We won so you have to change your opinions, policies and minds.
But if you win we wont do the same.
The pettiness is unbelievable.
I like the heading – second lie might read” and when you win you must do what we say.
I’m in Fedup’s camp. Total agreement.
“History is littered with the regimes of despots and powerful elites that have willingly sacrificed the lives and well being of ordinary people in order to pursue their ideological beliefs and protect their personal interests.” — Graeme Henchel
It was good to see Corman has finally been let out the idiot’s box
Also good to see them still blaming Labor
They really have nothing between the ears as do about 50% of voters
Just watch this AFP/NBN enquiry and parliamentary search blow up in Turnbull’s face.
His ‘outrage’ at comments by Stehen Conroy about the role of the AFP protecting the NBN is feigned and he seems really worried that a whistleblower within NBN is actually spilling the beans on his mismanagement and cost blowout during his oversight as Minister fro Telecommunications.
Somehow this matter has become a priority for the AFP : what happened with the so called Union crooks, in particular a certain HSU former national secretary ?
I’m smelling a rat !
Again Kaye, well put. But you can put money on the fact that nobody from the press corps will pull them up for it, so a lie repeated often enough, and not disputed, will soon become for many voters, the new truth.
But don’t worry. According to Labor supporters its a perfect system.
But we live in a democrasy, don’t we?
Bill Shorten described the Turnbull demands for “cooperation” as “Negotiation by Megaphone” and said Turnbull or Morrison had not phoned him or Chris Bowen. What horrible bullies the are. Saw Bill Shorten has challenged Malcolm to accept his own list of $8 billion worth of savings, and had a little chuckle. Keep it up to them Bill ! While they are wibble wobbling over Superannuation, and considering watering down their own policy, any such watering down will result in less savings, so Labor would be mad to accept the omnibus package (even after seeing the legislation which has not yet been produced) when the Libs still have not made up their mind on the savings their final super package policy will produce. Fun and games.
“Any attempts to rein in welfare spending, like the proposed reduction of the dole and family payments, result in miniscule savings in comparison.”
People at the bottom end of the food chain generally spend all of their money week by week, so any reduction in their income is money taken out of the economy which would wipe out any miniscule savings.
However, if the dole & family payments were increased almost all of that money would go straight back into the economy & that helps everyone.
Hell no you cannot go raiding the NBN the Liberals haven’t even finished writing the script yet… Hmm…….. labor was the blame for the copper wire cost blow out……err…no no no labor was to blame for not making the nodes water proof……labor is to blame for destroying census night ..
NBN; FLOODED BOXES At Opticomm we have a motto of “Ban the Box” because we believe Fibre Distribution Hubs (FDHs) are detrimental to the aesthetics of an estate. The traditional large above ground hubs are also vulnerable to damage and are not waterproof. OptiComm’s cable infrastructure is ALL underground and 100% waterproof, so even in a flood, our services continue to work. These advanced features enhance the sustainable efficiency of our networks.
Mal-gone,listen here… don’t have active electronics sitting in puddles…lnik,https://delimiter.com.au/2016/06/28/nbn-co-confirms-flooding-kills-fttn-nodes/
Most people at the lower end; spend most of their disposable income either on rent or a mortgage, food and utilities. Which doesn’t leave much left for any indulgence spending. If they did they would be spending their money in the shopping centres.This is the very reason many retailers are struggling. Meanwhile the home-collectors investors make a motsza on this past 17 year housing boom. Yes; 17 year boom.These Howard Battlers can’t believe their ride still continues ; now overseas investors are also in the mix. The mining boom was nothing compared to this wonderful scam.
In a perfect example of political games, Labor is being put in the position of having to support a plebiscite or accepting that blocking it will almost certainly mean no change during the term of this government.
“[Jenny Macklin] was clear that Labor wants to do what the LGBTIQ community want, but they want to be clear that the gov’t will not support a free vote. Which means – if we want them to block the plebiscite (a very real possibility of success) they will, but on the clear understanding that we will likely have to wait for a change of government in order to see marriage equality happen.”
Well reasoned piece Kaye.
In my view, the adversarial behaviour we see day after day from all sides is revolting, repulsive, belligerent, and at times, grossly childish (Cormann’s “wibble, wobble, jelly on a plate”). It is the worst of the behaviour patterns we see (except of course downright dishonesty). If only politicians in power could behave maturely and reasonably, with nothing else in mind than serving their constituents!
Cormann and Morrison – what a pair. A bank would love them. “Come in Mr Morrison. I’ll give you $2B loan. Don’t worry about the contract – it’s not written yet but sign here anyway. Love doing business with you.” And he’s the treasurer – beautie!
This is an extract from the NBN enabling legislation which clearly distinguishes NBN as not being a government instrumentality. The question Stephen Conroy is putting is this : can the Australian Federal Police investigate leaks from a whistleblower within the NBN which is not a ‘public authority’?
I don’t have an answer to that but it raises an interesting point :
95 NBN Co is not a public authority
NBN Co is taken for the purposes of the laws of the Commonwealth, of a State or of a Territory:
(a) not to have been incorporated or established for a public purpose or for a purpose of the Commonwealth; and
(b) not to be a public authority or an instrumentality or agency of the Crown (however described); and
(c) not to be entitled to any immunity or privilege of the Commonwealth;
except so far as express provision is made by this Act or any other law of the Commonwealth, or by a law of a State or of a Territory, as the case may be.
NBN claims it is theft of intellectual property.
I’ve spent the last two days dealing with NBN Co. Believe me, they have no intellect.
“NBN Co is not a public authority.”
Indeed, Terry2. So why is the afp investigating? Shouldn’t it be asic?
“No organisation can be successful if it is run this way. It is all about self-promotion rather than team work, about advertising rather than achievement, about division and differentiation rather than co-operation.”
You can no more wear two hat’s, than have two masters. Thank you, Ms Lee (and commenters). Take care
The fact is that the neoliberals have sown up the policy’s of deceit and division.
Michael
When our newly installed NBN satellite internet crashed for three days we could not find out anything from anybody : we didn’t know if it was us, our ISP or NBN.
Finally we were able to speak by phone to NBN – quite an achievment they don’t like dealing with consumers as they are wholealers – they told us that everything was hunky-dory. Indeed life was wonderful at NBN and they even asked us to participate in a short survey of how their service had improved our well-being.
On a scale of one to ten we were asked to rate them with ten being absolutely spiffing and superb. As I had gained absolutely no insight to our ongoing loss of service I asked if there was a rating of ‘minus one’.
Subsequently we learned from local hearsay that the NBN satellite connection had indeed crashed.
The new tory catch phrase “the taxes and the taxed NOT” Surely he leaves the tory government wide open for the Labor Party to raise the fact that the corporations and the rich are taxed NOT, the question is will the Labor Party act quickly and make the most of Morrison’s political stumble?
In a perfect example of political games, Labor is being put in the position of having to support a plebiscite or accepting that blocking it will almost certainly mean no change during the term of this government. Kaye, If I were you I wouldn’t lose much sleep over this, I doubt if this civil war between the extremist/ultra right wing faction and the moderate faction inside the Liberal Party will take this current government far past Christmas lol. I am as keen as anyone to see marriage equality however a few months either way I don’t see making a lot of difference.
The LNP hasn’t even started the major wibbling and wobbling yet. That comes later when desperation sets as their policies slowly deflate and they realise that they will need help from the Senate and mortal enemies. Did I mean what I said? Nah, they’ll just ramp up the bullshitometers and name calling and blame game, etc., ad nauseam.
The AFP are trying to track down an NBN whistleblower who they are calling a ” an Officer of the Commonwealth ” hence the AFP involvement. But, NBN is (as shown above) not a Commonwealth entity and this is why Conroy and others are questioning why the AFP are involved : the AFP are only concerned with ‘Commonwealth’ crimes and NBN are NOT a Commonwealth entity.
Go figure !
Thank you Kaye Lee. You keep me sane