The NEXT coming Oz election thread!

I know I'm echoing Bob Carr but I think Howard has lost IR. He's no fool, he knows how it's going. Telstra will hurt him because sufficient people in the cities are getting crappy service (where I previously lived in a brand new swanky development in Adelaide there is no chance of broadband because of cheapsake infrastructure but where I live now in a working class suburb cable and adsl is a doddle) that they will not be happy about letting Sol have his way.

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Well I fervently hope you & Bob Carr are right on IR, gf! There doesn't exactly seem to be a feeling of hearts & minds being won over though, does there? :wink:
Interesting watching the Queensland Nats bribing the Libs over Telstra on the news tonight. It's all about "the bush", it seems! Or you don't hear much about problems in the cities, anyway.

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Spot on editorial from the AGE today. Surprised

:

Spruiking is no substitute for truth in politics
August 1, 2005/the AGE

Selling an unpopular policy is never easy and when those charged with winning the hearts and minds of the electorate can't seem to agree on exactly what it is that they are selling, the challenge is enormous. This has rarely been clearer than in the debacle surrounding the Federal Government's proposed industrial relations changes. When Treasurer Peter Costello was quoted last week as saying there was "no magic in the number 100", he took many people ?- some of his cabinet colleagues included ?- well outside their comfort zone. Suddenly everything about Australians' working lives was up for grabs. The exemption from unfair dismissal laws for small and medium firms could be extended to cover all businesses, and lunch breaks and public holidays could be traded away, as could annual leave. The hard-won industrial gains of the past century were under attack and the ACTU's television advertisements seemed more frighteningly believable than ever. The Prime Minister was quick to reject an extension of the proposals, saying that there were no plans for such extreme changes and that public holidays such as Anzac Day were sacrosanct. But no matter how strongly Mr Howard tries to quell fears nor how often he reiterates his claims that "we are not going to cut wages, we are not trying to destroy people's conditions", the public is right to withhold judgement until it sees the detail of the proposed changes. It is also justified in being dubious about promises that workers' rights will not be further eroded in the future.

The plans for industrial relations were not debated in last year's election campaign and the Government cannot claim a mandate on these matters. If it is over-zealous in pursuing its conservative wish-list, it will have only itself to blame when its plans backfire. Australians are entitled to know the detail of the legislation well before it is debated in Parliament, especially when Government control of the Senate raises the possibility of it being rushed through without adequate scrutiny. It would be entirely justifiable for taxpayers' money to be spent on such an information campaign. But in the absence of legislation, the Government's advertising is blatantly political, and should be paid for from political party coffers, not from the public purse.

In all of this, there are unsettling echoes of the campaign that eventually saw the introduction of the GST in 2000. Who can forget the "unchain my heart" advertising campaign that followed John Howard's protestations that he would "never ever" introduce the tax? There are lessons to be learnt from this, not least the need for vigilance in scrutinising the messages the public is being asked to pay for. The Federal Opposition and the ACTU lost the first round of their battle with the Government on Friday when Justice Dyson Heydon refused a temporary injunction to stop the $20 million advertising campaign. Regardless of the outcome, when the legislation is finally presented, the Government will be judged on how reasonable its policy is, not on how cunning the advertising was. There is nothing to be gained by using political advertising to make claims that are demonstrably false.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/editorial/spruiking-is-no-substitute-for-truth-in-politics/2005/07/31/1122748524675.html?oneclick=true

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..The Nats & Telstra:

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/08/01/0108_petty_gallery__550x396,0.jpg

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In denial #1:

Last Update: Monday, August 1, 2005. 9:11pm (AEST)

Govt stands by US military tribunals

Federal Justice Minister Chris Ellison says he has been given assurances that the US military commission, hearing charges against Australian David Hicks, will be fair and transparent.

Two former prosecutors wrote in emails in March last year that the hearings would be rigged.

Attorney-General Philip Ruddock says he has not seen the emails, but says he will pursue the matter if the claims are proven.

Federal Opposition Leader Kim Beazley says the Government's claims "are not good enough".

"He was in Washington two weeks ago holding discussions with the US about precisely this matter," Mr Beazley said.

"He's got to come clean." ... <cont>

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200508/s1427586.htm

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In denial #2:

Ruddock discounts embassy bomber's Iraq claim
August 1, 2005 - 11:22AM/the AGE

Terror group al-Qaeda had been targeting Australia before 2000 and it was unsafe to assume there would be no terror threat if Australia had not been involved in Afghanistan or Iraq, Attorney-General Philip Ruddock said today.

He said he was not surprised at a claim reported today that terror mastermind Osama bin Laden had funded the bombing of the Australian embassy in Jakarta in September last year.... <cont>

http://www.theage.com.au/news/world/ruddock-discounts-embassy-bombers-iraq-claim/2005/08/01/1122748549210.html

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Interesting AGE Poll findings:

War in Iraq raised terror risk, say 66%
By Michelle Grattan
Political editor
Canberra
August 3, 2005/the AGE

AgePoll: What voters think

Most Australians back much tougher anti-terrorism measures, and two-thirds are convinced Australia's participation in the Iraq war has made us more of a target, an AgePoll has found.

A majority would be happy to see terrorist suspects detained without charge for up to three months, deportation of suspects, random bag searches and more security cameras.

But only four in 10 approve of a "shoot to kill" policy, which led to the death of a Brazilian in Britain who had nothing to do with the London bombings.

A national ID card is also backed by more than six in 10 people in the poll, conducted by ACNielsen.

The Federal Government will soon examine Australia's security laws as well as talking to states about enhanced measures. A committee of officials is now putting together a review for the national security committee of cabinet.

The Government has consistently argued that Australia's vulnerability is not specifically increased by being in the Iraq war. But this is rejected by the public: 66 per cent believe Australia is a greater target because of the war, while 30 per cent said it makes no difference... <cont>

http://www.theage.com.au/news/war-on-terror/war-in-iraq-raised-terror-risk-say-66/2005/08/02/1122748639595.html?oneclick=true

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Before a kangaroo court
By Michelle Grattan
August 3, 2005/the AGE

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/08/02/spooner0308_wideweb__430x297,1.jpg

Illustration: John Spooner

David Hicks is getting a raw deal because Australian voters don't care enough - and the Government knows it.

http://www.theage.com.au/news/michelle-grattan/before-a-kangaroo-court/2005/08/02/1122748632923.html

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Alert, & rather alarming.. :

http://www.theage.com.au/ffximage/2005/08/02/leunig0308_gallery__550x383,0.jpg

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Beazley promises IR 'humiliation'
By Denis Peters and Robyn Grace
August 06, 2005/the AUSTRALIAN

OPPOSITION Leader Kim Beazley today said the Federal Government was intoxicated with its new Senate power and ignoring the concerns of ordinary people over its radical industrial relations changes.

He offered his backing to a High Court challenge to the Government's foreshadowed plan to take over state IR systems against the state Governments' will.

His comments came as further criticism of the package of planned reforms came from two of the most senior Christian church leaders in Australia. ... <cont>

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16172383%255E1702,00.html

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..Federal MPs and Senators will begin arriving in Canberra today in preparation for the resumption of Parliament tomorrow.

Fourteen new Senators will be sworn in and the Coalition will have a majority in the Senate for the first time in a quarter of a century.

But some Nationals have already signalled that they are willing to cross the floor and vote against the Government to stop the full sale of Telstra...

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200508/s1432158.htm

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/imagedata/0,1658,5035015,00.jpg

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http://network.news.com.au/image/0,10114,5034648,00.jpg

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Here we go! Rolling Eyes

:

Hill defends estimates committees action
August 8, 2005 - 7:54PM

Defence Minister Robert Hill has defended plans to crack down on Senate estimates committees, saying the process has been hijacked by the opposition.

The government plans to use its majority in the Senate to curb the committees' wide-ranging powers to investigate government mistakes, forcing them to concentrate only on expenditure...

Opposition Senate leader Chris Evans said it was an arrogant abuse of power which Labor would fight all the way. ... <cont>

http://www.theage.com.au/news/National/Hill-defends-estimates-committees-action/2005/08/08/1123353257943.html

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http://www.smh.com.au/ffximage/2005/08/08/tuesdaytoon_gallery__550x331,0.jpg

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A few biggish leaks in the ship? Twisted Evil

"Toe the line .... OR ELSE?!":

Toe the line, Howard warns dissidents
August 9, 2005 - 4:22PM/SMH

Prime Minister John Howard has warned dissident Government backbenchers that their first loyalty is to the joint party room, not their state.

In what one Government backbencher described as "gentle innuendo", Mr Howard told the six new Coalition senators sworn in today to savour the moment - and to toe the line.

"Whatever affiliations you have, your first loyalty is to this party room," a party room spokesman quoted Mr Howard as telling the meeting.

But the spokesman added: "That's something that is normally said when we welcome new members and new senators."

:wink:

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Last Update: Tuesday, August 9, 2005. 8:19pm (AEST)

The uranium industry says China would be just another customer but green groups are concerned.

Uranium exports never safe: conservationists

Green groups say there is no such thing as the safe export of uranium as the Federal Government announces it is to begin talks on selling yellowcake to China.

Foreign Minister Alexander Downer says Australian and Chinese officials have already held exploratory talks on the sale of uranium... <cont>

http://www.abc.net.au/news/newsitems/200508/s1433886.htm

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Are your senators elected or appointed? If the latter, what sort of power does your Senate exercise?

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Elected, Setanta. The Senate is the "house of review". It can veto decisions of the house of Reps. As happened in 1975 when the (Lib dominated) senate refused to endorse the (Labor govt.) budget. You know what happened next!

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Yes, Mr. Whitlam's government fell in an unprecedented move by the Governor General, a passage many believe was instigated by the CIA.

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Howard holds out against IR pressure
By Denis Peters
August 09, 2005/the Australian

PRIME Minister John Howard refuses to say whether he will soften his proposed industrial relations package, withstanding pressure over a new ruling on parental leave and a commitment by his new deputy.

The Australian Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) yesterday granted 1.6 million workers on federal awards the right to ask for part-time employment until their children go to school.

The workers also won the right to seek an extension of unpaid parental leave from 12 months to 24 months, and 10 days leave each year to care for sick family members.

The ruling came amid torrid debate on the Government's industrial relations agenda, with unionists taking to mass protest and the Australian Council of Trade Unions (ACTU) and the Government locked in an expensive tit-for-tat advertising campaign about the proposed changes.

Mr Howard told parliament today that it was too early to say whether the landmark ruling - perhaps the IRC's last on basic work conditions - would be included in his workplace reform package later this year.

"So far as the particulars of the IRC decision are concerned, we are examining them, and, as the ministers indicated, our position will be reflected when the legislation is brought down," Mr Howard said.

He also refused to back his new deputy, Nationals Leader Mark Vaile, in declaring the changes would be softened to include public holidays and meal breaks in basic work standards... <cont>

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/common/story_page/0,5744,16208783%255E1702,00.html

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The NEXT coming Oz election thread!

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