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Hi. This is the September thread about Australian Politics. Highlights from August: - Politics was on Winter recess, so not too much general hilarity coming from Canberra; - Joe wandered around the country trying to sell a pup to the PUP and other crossbenchers. Ignores Labor and the Greens for some reason; - Pyne also does the same, except spends most of his time speaking to 8 vice chancellors instead of, say, the other couple of dozen who are also affected by his reforms; - Also apparently we're now at war or something, who knows. - Protests across the country over the weekend about the so-called "unfair" budget. If I've missed something (I did) please post it below. Bring on the spring sessions!
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 01:19 |
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# ? Jun 8, 2024 07:33 |
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the awful app crashes every time I try to open auspol. Only that thread, nothing else. Finally ai has surpassed the power of the human brain.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 01:23 |
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I hear that Tony Abbott is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being ever known - confirm?
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 01:28 |
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Being a public figure isn't always easy, as Bill Shorten's recent experience highlights. Apparently his ascension to the position of Leader of the Opposition stirred someone to make an allegation that she was raped by him some 25 years ago when he was 19. The matter was investigated by police and referred to the Director of Public Prosecutions. That office concluded there was insufficient evidence to warrant a prosecution. These are commonly used words that unfortunately leave some doubt in people's minds. It is not really fair because we assume you are innocent until proven guilty, but after an investigation these words leave doubt. The trouble is the investigating team can't act as judge or jury and declare guilt or lack thereof. All they can do is say that there is insufficient evidence to procure a prosecution. It is a messy and regrettable flaw in our system. Allegations of rape can in many cases be extraordinarily difficult for the police to investigate. As Sir William Deane once pointed out, the notion that rape is an easy claim to make is simply ludicrous. Equally, it can be an extraordinarily difficult claim to disprove. It is a very blasĂ© person who sits idly by when circumstances come about which allow them to appear as though they might be guilty. As offensive as it seems, some complainants turn out to be complete liars who fabricate their stories. Others may believe that there was no consent but feel unable to face the consequences of raising their complaint with the police – or perhaps, for whatever reason, after many years, decide to pursue their case. Others may have consented at the time and, facing subsequent regret, again for whatever reason, decide to raise a complaint. In any event it cannot be an easy decision. There will be cases where consent, or lack thereof, will be clear on the evidence. Regrettably, in others cases it is an extremely difficult issue. The passage of time makes any investigation or prosecution even more difficult. It is even harder for the accused. Shorten is kidding himself if he thinks he could have kept this to himself. I think his claim that "I could have … but that's not who I am" makes him look a bit silly because nobody I know in politics thinks keeping this under wraps was an option. Indeed, silly might not be the right word. It looks as though, even under the pressure such an investigation and consequent announcement would bring, he was still thinking of how to make himself look good. Let's face it, he's a hustler. Hindsight is a great thing. Perhaps his advisers would now say a better comment from him would have embodied a manly facing of the stark reality. Something like, "Being a public figure has a price and part of that is that we can't always choose what part of our lives remain out of the public domain. Politics and the media being what they are, I think it best to tell you now, at a time of my choosing rather than at a time chosen by others, that …" Still, it's too late for that reality check now. There has been a good deal of restraint exercised by both the media and members of Parliament in the lead-up to and since Shorten's wise announcement. It stands in something of a contrast to the frenzy surrounding the apparent revelation that many years ago Tony Abbott had punched a wall very near a woman's face. That contrast invites us all to speculate what would happen if a similar complaint as was made against Shorten were made against Abbott. I think I know what would happen: The handbag hit squad would be out there fanning the fires with every bit of hatred they could muster. Does anyone seriously think the media commentary would be as restrained? Even if you backdate the question to when Abbott was opposition leader, you still get the same answer. Courts have rules of evidence, for very good reason. These rules have been developed over many years and are designed to ensure that judges and juries make the fairest decision possible. The problem is neither we, nor the media, follow any such rules. That means that bits and pieces of information about each of us – parts of the story when there might be many versions, often completely untested – are passed on every day. In normal daily life we call it gossip. Sadly, some investigative journalists get away with being paid to publish this sort of stuff, irrespective of whether innocent people are damaged along the way. They would say they are only doing their job, working to shine a light on bad things that do happen. When they do in fact shine that light and wrongdoers get their due, we should all cheer. The trouble is that often, in digging to find the dirt and shine the light, they chuck a fair bit of mud. Shorten has had a rough time of it. He can be grateful for the decency shown all around. Perhaps he will insist the same courtesies are extended by his team on future occasions. But don't hold your breath. Amanda Vanstone is a columnist for The Age and was a minister in the Howard Government.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 01:32 |
March Australia Brisbane Protest Trip report By Kommando https://plus.google.com/photos/+DrewTriebe/albums/6053638016263954945 March Australia held an Anti-LNP Anti-Abbott protest today at Queens Park with several speakers. Larissa Waters, Terry O'Gorman, Peter Ong (E.T.U.), Professor John Quiggin, Selena Ward, Robyn Taubenfield, Jake Schoemer, & Breeze & comedian Mandy Nolan voiced their outrage and disgust at the abominable behaviour exhibited by our Federal and State LNP governments. There were stalls for The Greens and The Socialist alliance along with smaller represented parties like Abbott Proof Fence and Antifaschistsche Aktion. The rally was held from 10:30 and at 12:00 began a procession walking around the CBD and ultimatly back to Queens Park before disbanding at 14:00. Channel 7 and The Australian journalists were in attendance along with a lot of freelance and casual photographers. The QPS was mostly bike mounted, both pedal and motor and the rally was very peaceful if noisy. I got to speak to my Stafford Greens Candidate about various things but mostly about nuclear power. I bought two Greens pins and wore a shirt marked with FUND CSIRO and had the Parkes Dish on the back. While on the march I spoke on film to a March Australia videographer on the continual cinching of the CSIRO budget leading to drastic cost cutting measures like closing the Parkes Radio Telescope and shutting the Melbourne Biolab that is currently studying Ebola, Hendra and SARS. It was great to see so many people out today. Here are some photos. More can be seen at my G+ album https://plus.google.com/photos/+DrewTriebe/albums/6053638016263954945 The Australian photographer, not taking photos. ====================== Compilation of media coverage of March Australia Protests The Australian and Courier Mail focus on the lower turnout. http://www.theaustralian.com.au/news/low-turnout-for-march-australia-brisbane-protest-blamed-on-complacency/story-e6frg6n6-1227042935704 http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/...2-1227042935704 News.com.au has few words to report but does ask MORE: Was this the most pointless protest ever? with six times the word budget. http://www.news.com.au/national/march-in-august-protests-against-abbott-government-held-across-australia/story-fncynjr2-1227042928586 http://www.news.com.au/opinion/opinion-march-in-march-was-big-on-people-power-and-it-had-a-point/story-e6frfs99-1226858342518 Independant Aus has a short article, but also highlights that this rally took place australia wide. http://www.independentaustralia.net...government,6829 ABC talked about the Canberra protest. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-08-31/march-australia-protesters-rally-in-canberra/5708738 Brisbane Times is short but sweet, quoting the organisers a lot. http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/thousands-join-march-australia-protest-in-brisbane-20140831-10aler.html SMH has made a scant article also commenting on the reduction in numbers. http://www.smh.com.au/nsw/thousands-of-protesters-in-hyde-park-for-march-australia-rally-20140831-10amd3.html The Advertiser has a dislocated report on 'general protest around australia' http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/...331b08ac3251e6c
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 01:35 |
Nuclear Spy posted:Morrison and Abbott named in International Criminal Court submission
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 01:41 |
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Nice photos! Wish I'd made it to the protest too, but I was still feeling pretty groggy after Sinus Headache Saturday and totally forgot it was on.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 01:46 |
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ThirdPartyView posted:I hear that Tony Abbott is the kindest, bravest, warmest, most wonderful human being ever known - confirm? Apart from him being cited in an international criminal court for acts of depravity there may yet be some good news. You might remember the horrid graph of two PP poling that only really took a solid uptick once the war and terror drums got a flogging. It occurred to me that NTATA may have hit the panic button early. There is plenty of things that can now go wrong for him (As in any conflict) and war weariness isn't just a video game concept. More to the point it emerges that one of the groups who we are scheduled to drop arms to are an offically named (by us) terrorist organisation. quote:Asked whether he was concerned about the arms the RAAF delivers falling into the hands of Kurdish militants from the PKK – a banned terrorist organisation in Australia – Mr Abbott said the Kurdish government had assured the US and others that the weapons will be used by the Peshmerga. Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/sas-to-protect-crews-on-arms-drops-in-iraq-20140831-10aoyl.html#ixzz3C1JKICAr More morass ridden is the inevitable involvement in Syria where NTATA has already called it "Baddies verses baddies". The obvious choice to back(if the enemy is ISIS) becomes President Bashar al-Assad. Kind of belies the message from the Defence Minister (In explaining why there would be no democratic process and effectively presenting us as doing exactly what the US says) when he says "Carefully considered". No sorry David you pathetic poo poo smear this has been a hastily concocted plunge into the unknown for shallow short lived domestic political purposes. Please find a fire (fight) and die in it. If we are so determined to pursue oppressors on the global stage why aren't we dropping aid in the Ukraine? You know 'Operation Bring Them Home' NTATA's good at talking up big and loving terrible on follow through. I look forward to his three minutes of silent hostile head bobbing when someone asks him about Operation Bringing Them Home nearer to Christmas.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 02:01 |
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Meanwhile at the Bracken Ridge Tavern:
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 02:10 |
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I guarantee those weapons will be used against either Australians or our putative 'allies'.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 02:15 |
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I just want them to release a list of the weapons we're handing over like the Germans did.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 02:22 |
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"Well you see the most dangerous thing would be to not go to war." - Your moral and intellectual superior, a parliamentarian. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-09-01/debating-iraq-action-in-parliament-could-cost-lives-johnson/5709986
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 02:56 |
And March Australia has posted a video of me ranting about defunding the CSIRO while on the march. http://youtu.be/w0iiuSGhY5A
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 03:00 |
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open24hours posted:"Well you see the most dangerous thing would be to not go to war." - Your moral and intellectual superior, a parliamentarian. Labor and LNP have blocked the Greens and Independents call for a debate about this in parliament. Fuckers
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 03:30 |
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Kommando posted:And March Australia has posted a video of me ranting about defunding the CSIRO while on the march. Keep up the good work.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 03:45 |
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Anidav posted:Meanwhile at the Bracken Ridge Tavern: What's in 4X Gold that makes it more expensive under the carbon tax but no other beers are
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 04:16 |
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Gough Suppressant posted:What's in 4X Gold that makes it more expensive under the carbon tax but no other beers are Carbon Monoxide.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 04:27 |
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People who drink 4X tend to spew out hot air at a much higher rate than normal
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 04:41 |
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Who thinks $4 for a schooner of that rat piss is a good price?!
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 05:11 |
urgh URGHquote:2:17pm: Shorten is speaking for noticeably longer than the PM here. gently caress you shorten
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 05:21 |
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what a surprise Labor supports war and agrees with the Coalition Bipartisan bullshit madam speaker
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 05:30 |
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Are they supporting some particular action, or just general "ISIS is bad and something should be done" statements?
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 05:40 |
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Milky Moor posted:It was a rushed decision, devoid of an effective plan to win the peace, devoid of clear objects Aren't we in exactly the same situation now? Nobody has any idea what the end goal for Iraq or Syria is, the only thing people seem to know is that ISIS are bad.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 05:48 |
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Anidav posted:Meanwhile at the Bracken Ridge Tavern: Why, two of those and you've got a visit to the doctor.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 05:49 |
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*puts on sunglasses and every Australian now has John Howard's head*
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 05:51 |
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quote:If Abbott were accused of rape... Lmao Amanda Vanstone.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 06:09 |
Murodese posted:People who drink 4X tend to spew out hot air at a much higher rate than normal And release methane.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 06:21 |
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and vote Labor.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 06:23 |
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SynthOrange posted:Lmao Amanda Vanstone. Abbott *was* accused of sexual assault - charged in fact.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 06:46 |
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Amanda Vanstone was on a I squared debate once, the subject was "Is Australia still a fair go country?" With Vanstone on the pro side. The pro side stuck with nice anecdotes about people who had made it in life, etc, while the negative side stuck to pointing out reality with statistics and so on. Vanstone's closing argument had me in stitches and you should watch it for yourself, just to see her scold the entire audience, but briefly it was; You can only answer the debate topic for yourself, you can't answer for anybody else. So if you vote no, Australia's not the land of the fair go, then you are saying that you personally are against giving people a fair go and are a bad person. All you people in the audience aren't bad people, are you? http://www.iq2oz.com/debates/is-australia-still-the-land-of-the-fair-go/ The negative side won the debate.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 07:01 |
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Does anybody have the Abbott Mission accomplished img? TIA
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 07:09 |
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Here's the Emission Accomplished one:
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 08:06 |
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Just overheard the tannoy at the Brisbane cultural center bus station promote the government supplied 50 50 vote about whether to spend savings from the repeal of the carbon tax on cheaper services or more services. Particularly funny given how TransLink spun the transition from diesel buses to diesel/LPG buses as good for the environment.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 08:07 |
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quote:Many of you would already be aware that earlier today we lost one of our brightest stars when our much-loved friend and colleague Kurt Steel was tragically killed in a bus crash in Bolivia. Quite sad, nice guy.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 08:49 |
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im fruity gordo and i sniff me own bum
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 09:07 |
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Given there is some pretty hosed up poo poo going on in Iraq at the moment, is there a preferable alternative to war that won't allow IS to continue to wreak poo poo for any minorities they stumble across?
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 09:13 |
Isn't this the kind of poo poo we have drones for? Apart from bombing weddings and orphanages, of course.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 09:22 |
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gay picnic defence posted:Given there is some pretty hosed up poo poo going on in Iraq at the moment, is there a preferable alternative to war that won't allow IS to continue to wreak poo poo for any minorities they stumble across? This nightmare was set in motion decades ago and was most recently sent into free fall by the 2003 war. We are as collectively responsible for what ISIS is doing as anybody else. Strangely enough pouring less arms and combatants into a war zone seems to cool things off rather than the other alternatives. And if we are so keen on preventing oppression/genocide where ever it is found there are plenty of other places we could be focused on, some as close as West Papua.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 09:22 |
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IRC UP #auspol on synIRC and because some of you don’t know how to bookmark URLS here’s the IRC webclient link! IMPORTANT MESSAGE ABOUT IRC If you're thinking about joining us on #auspol, let me explain a few things so you aren't surprised:
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 09:26 |
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# ? Jun 8, 2024 07:33 |
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Avshalom posted:im fruity gordo and i sniff me own bum What of it.
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# ? Sep 1, 2014 09:28 |