Abbott in Government

[Pushka]

Re: Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

hmmm ... I wonder how we managed to move from Bollywood (and Sophie-Gate) weddings to the cuisine choices of Malaysians?
!

Clearly you missed this earlier post.

Wonder how the Hindu population of Malaysia feel about high value imports like beef?

 

[JohnK]

This thread is in the "Playground" as it does not relate to any of the other areas.

It may be generalised that any "Playground" thread would not relate to frequent flying/travelling.

No-one forces any to read a 'playground' thread.

Totally agree with your point re the Playground but having constantly members constantly attacking one another with the same rubbish posts cannot be good for anyone.

By the way I visit this thread occasionally to see if anything sensible has been posted but I am disappointed each time.

P.S Why not start a religious thread where people put down each other's religious or non-religious beliefs? Makes sense?

 

[Keith009]

Re: Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

Race & religion are hot topics in Malaysian politics (and be thankful party politics in Australia is not divided along similar sectarian and racial lines.) but growing up there I'd like to think people have moved past trivial sensitivities over food. That is, people are respectful of each other's cultural and religious beliefs and you'd never see uproars over a Chinese restaurant serving stir fried pork and my Hindu friends & Buddhist relatives happily attend our dinner parties even if the menu contains beef bourguignon (we'd in turn ensure there's something for everyone).

Just don't use the word Allah if you're the Catholic Church even when printing brochures in Bahasa Melayu. Or you'll have anti-Christian riots and a High Court case on your hands.

 

[dajop]

having constantly members constantly attacking one another with the same rubbish posts cannot be good for anyone.

Just get rid of the word "posts", and I would have thought that exactly describes the state of politics being played out in the media every day, not just in this thread.

 

[Skyring]

Re: Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

Wonder how the Hindu population of Malaysia feel about high value imports like beef?

Much like Australian's Hindus feel about our beef diet, Macdonalds and so on. Or the Jewish folk feel about pork sausages etc. Or vegetarians anywhere feel about meat in any form.

The idea is to get along with others, even if beliefs differ. We all differ on some things, but how delightful it is to overcome differences, rather than battle over them!

 

[whatmeworry]

Re: Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

Although I don't like Peter Slipper, he does make a good point. Why couldn't he pay back travel entitlements like Tony Abbott, Julie Bishop, Barnaby Joyce, George Brandis etc but rather be dragged to court?

Former Speaker Peter Slipper has weighed into the expenses scandal, saying it was “breathtaking” that other politicians were allowed to pay back inappropriate entitlements while he faced court for his.
Mr Slipper, who could be jailed if found guilty of a taxpayer-funded tour of wineries using his government Cabcharge card, says he tried to repay about $1000 of expenses, but was not allowed to do so.
Other MPs, including the Prime Minister Tony Abbott, have used the Minchin Protocol, which allows politicians to repay wrongly claimed entitlements without further consequences.
“What is breathtaking is that I am before a court … despite a number of attempts on my part to resolve the matter administratively,” Mr Slipper told Fairfax Media.
“Yet others are able to write cheques for much more in repayment, and in their cases the matter’s closed and no questions asked.”
Mr Slipper suggested his treatment made a “mockery of justice and fairness in this country … not to mention the almost $70,000 for the cost to the taxpayer of a seven-day trial.”

Peter Slipper slams 'breathtaking' double standards over MPs expense entitlements | theage.com.au

Now we have evidence that Tony Abbott claimed travel expenses going to Peter Slipper's wedding.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott claimed more than $600 of taxpayer money to attend Peter Slipper's wedding in 2006 - a claim he has reimbursed in the wake of the past week's scandals.
An emotional Mr Slipper has responded to the news, saying that while other MPs had been allowed to repay errant expense claims, the charges brought against him had ''destroyed his life''.

Peter Slipper and his wife Inge on their wedding day. Photo: Supplied

Speaking to reporters in Bali on Monday, Mr Abbott mentioned discovering that he had billed taxpayers for a "couple" of weddings.
Advertisement
Fairfax Media understands the two weddings were those of his former colleagues Sophie Mirabella and Mr Slipper.
The Prime Minister has repaid both, as he said in the press conference. The Slipper wedding payment repaid was $609.10

Read more: Tony Abbott claimed $600 to attend Peter Slipper's wedding

 

[Moody]

Totally agree with your point re the Playground but having constantly members constantly attacking one another with the same rubbish posts cannot be good for anyone.

I disagree vehemently - there are new rubbish posts every day.

By the way I visit this thread occasionally to see if anything sensible has been posted but I am disappointed each time.

And yet you return. I like your optimism and I hope it will be rewarded some day.

P.S Why not start a religious thread where people put down each other's religious or non-religious beliefs? Makes sense?

Careful what you wish for.... as Despicable T's cheer squad would happily talk about anything except Tony's Blue-Tie Brigade, and their past, present and future ethical failings.

 

[Alanslegal]

Re: Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

Anyway, the gates are opening and we will see many more of these .... stay tuned.

Its a Slipper-y slope some of our leaders are getting themselves into.

Abbott is getting a good deal by repaying today, and it was interest free! Also $600 back in 2006, is approximately $715 in today's money based on 2.5% CPI.

 

[drron]

Just an observation.
Many here critiscised Tony Abbott for being negative.and as is appropriate for an Opposition leader he was.When he went on the attack though the venom from the government was obvious.One article-
Abbott suffering a Labor Party stoning

Tony Abbott is a hack. A dog. An aggressive, carping, bitter, mindless, deceptive, dodgy, mendacious, rancid, negative, nasty, muck-raking, untruthful, obstructionist, opportunistic, sexist, political Neanderthal. He is unfit for high office. He cannot control his temper. No trick is too low for him. No stunt is too wild. He is a bully. A thug. A snake oil salesman. A poster child for vile bully-boy values. He has repulsive double standards. He hates women. He stands for nothing. He has unhealthy obsessions. He is nuts.
Abbott behaves like Jack the Ripper.
He is Gina Rinehart's butler.

And that was just a sample.
Then Mr. Rudd got back saying Australia has had enough of negative politics-he got that one right.
So what is Mr.Abbott's response when attacked by the Opposition-if you believe all these stories come from great investigative journalism then I have several bridges to sell you.
Instead of firing back with examples of Opposition members indiscretions-and they are easy to find,He apologises and goes on with business.Seems to me he is keeping one of mr.Rudd's promises.

Oh and yes I know I am going to get flamed by the unbiased,don't call me left wing members here.But you know what-I simply don't give a damn about their ravings.

 

[drsmithy]

and as is appropriate for an Opposition leader he was.

I struggle to understand why it is appropriate.

 

[medhead]

Re: Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

Ironic that Abbott is now repaying for attending slippers' wedding given the way he and his mates dragged slipper through the ringer. Have any of these self proclaimed guardians of the public purse referred themselves to the AFP for investigation? Having this lot protecting taxpayers' money, my money, is like the blind leading the blind or having the criminals running the prison.

 

[Moody]

... But you know what-I simply don't give a damn about their ravings.

And when those "ravings" coincide with the truth? No - don't bother answering that one ... it was rhetorical (if you hadn't picked that up already).

And a bunch of quotes from 12 months of acrimonious debate in the house, and strung together out of context thanks to a journalist, proves what exactly? Individually and in context they may have been reasonable responses at the time. Like when Despicable T said that climate science was "absolute cough", I'm sure there was a perfectly good reason.

 

[whatmeworry]

Is 747 Tony still in the country?

n August 2010, when Mr Slipper was still a Liberal National Party MP, Mr Abbott defended the controversial Sunshine Coast MP amid questions over large travel bills. "I’m satisfied [Mr Slipper] has acted within his entitlements," Mr Abbott said at the time.
But Mr Abbott became a stern critic after Mr Slipper accepted Ms Gillard's offer to be the Speaker and quit the LNP in late 2011.
Mr Abbott suggested Ms Gillard would come to regret the deal, saying people should "wait and see who Peter Slipper ends up ultimately damaging".
"A week or so back Peter was my problem and now he's the Prime Minister's problem," Mr Abbott said after the elevation of Mr Slipper to the Speakership.

Read more: Tony Abbott claimed $600 to attend Peter Slipper's wedding
​

 

[moa999]

No, Tony is with all the other APEC leaders, minus the one with a small debt issue, in Bali,
although was in Sydney on Sat with Captain Wales

 

[Alanslegal]

Instead of firing back with examples of Opposition members indiscretions-and they are easy to find,He apologises and goes on with business.Seems to me he is keeping one of mr.Rudd's promises.

But when someone sits on the other side of your political fence, one could argue that instead of firing back examples which he could do .... he decides to repay quietly, move on, and not let this issue muddle this week's news. FWIW though, some of the expenses claimed by Abbott and others, were probably lawful and within the rules anyway. Joyce's situation is an example where I see it's within the rules. He did see 'someone' overseas for work purposes ableit for three hours however the muddling of this issue any longer won't do him or anyone good because its the perception that 'they went to a wedding and used our money for that' and decided to attach a meeting at the end to get his money back. Thus Abbott in his smart decision is trying hard to not stir up this issue. Well, luckily, those in Opposition can stir it up, milk it, exxagerate and create havoc for the current government. After all, that is karma. Throw mud, some of it sticks.

 

[cove]

Anyone missing Kevin Rudd as PM?

 

[Moody]

Anyone missing Kevin Rudd as PM?

As PM? Yes.

As leader of the ALP? No.

(There is some logic there if you are a lateral thinker!)

 

[Pukka]

But when someone sits on the other side of your political fence, one could argue that instead of firing back examples which he could do .... he decides to repay quietly, move on, and not let this issue muddle this week's news. FWIW though, some of the expenses claimed by Abbott and others, were probably lawful and within the rules anyway. Joyce's situation is an example where I see it's within the rules. He did see 'someone' overseas for work purposes ableit for three hours however the muddling of this issue any longer won't do him or anyone good because its the perception that 'they went to a wedding and used our money for that' and decided to attach a meeting at the end to get his money back. Thus Abbott in his smart decision is trying hard to not stir up this issue. Well, luckily, those in Opposition can stir it up, milk it, exxagerate and create havoc for the current government. After all, that is karma. Throw mud, some of it sticks.

Compared to what went on in the UK this is 5c down the back of the sofa stuff.

Totally irrelevant and I think TA has handled it very well. When the rules are fairly ambiguous people will always have their own interpretation and justification for claims.

I think the odd random audit would be justified but that's about as far as it goes

 

[Pushka]

Re: Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

Seems like both "sides" are now reviewing their claims and post haste paying it back.

 

[ComeFlyWithMe]

Compared to what went on in the UK this is 5c down the back of the sofa stuff.

Totally irrelevant and I think TA has handled it very well. When the rules are fairly ambiguous people will always have their own interpretation and justification for claims.

I think the odd random audit would be justified but that's about as far as it goes

It's a bit of a storm in a tea cup, must be a slow news week. They can all throw mud but it will stick on both sides of the house, which just makes the house look dirty. The problem is in the ambiguous rules, not the pollies operating within them.

A quick look at the UK debacle does put it into perspective though