Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

[whatmeworry]

It was found through a FOI request by ex Fairfax journalist Margot Kingston, which she published on her website NoFibs.

See here: EXCLUSIVE: Abbott forced to repay $9,400 he charged taxpayers to promote his book

I think what is the issue is the irony of the Slipper thing over $900, when Abbott has done 10x that.

Tony IIRC also claimed expenses while doing the pollie bike ride for charity.

 

[Mak404matt]

Tony IIRC also claimed expenses while doing the pollie bike ride for charity.

I have this, however no references as yet.

 

[Pukka]

New AMR poll just out

2 Party Preferred: ALP 51 LNP 49

2 Party Preferred with Turnbull as LNP leader: ALP 43 LNP 57

Let ReTurnbull begin!

I actually like Turnbull he's an intelligent guy with extensive business experience but unfortunately he is totally inadequate at dealing with politicians with a different opinion which is why he will never be pm. He's not driven enough or nasty enough and he's not a street fighter Abbot is but I would certainly prefer Turnbull

 

[drron]

So0 I guess you guys are happy with Simon Crean announcing he is quitting politics and then going on a taxpayer funded "study tour"for he and his wife to go to cooking schools in Italy.
Is allowable just as the TA items you have quoted.

 

[wmetz]

Can someone explain how swimming is a requirement of being a federal polie or acting like a brickie laborer.

And can he please get a new travel agent. I can book cheaper fares with my eyes closed

 

[Skyring]

I have this, however no references as yet.

How strange that only Tony Abbott is claiming travel allowance! And how very strange that the ALP government hasn't chipped him over it.

You'd think they'd be the first to complain. Loudly and publicly.

I'd be interested in seeing your source on this. Cheers.

 

[Hvr]

So0 I guess you guys are happy with Simon Crean announcing he is quitting politics and then going on a taxpayer funded "study tour"for he and his wife to go to cooking schools in Italy.
Is allowable just as the TA items you have quoted.

Totally different things.

Simon Crean's trip is part of his employment package and a genuine entitlement. Although I suggest we might have common ground is not seeing the benefit to either parliament or the people of Australia. I think I read somewhere that the 'tour' been cut back or restricted for new members?

The allegations against Tony Abbott's use of travel allowance are, as you would well know, allegations of inappropriate (potentially illegal?) receipt of government funds.


***********************************

One wonders if the hubris of Tony Abbott and the Liberal party tacitly supporting Kevin Rudd to lead the campaign of harassment against Julia Gillard to ultimately cause her departure, is going to cause them more grief now they have to fight Kevin Rudd in an election?

The election was virtually a laid down misere for the Liberal party with Julia Gillard as PM.

Now Tony Abbott is being exposed as a sloganeering jingoistic party hack who may well lose the unlosable election.

 

[medhead]

Is it just me or was there massive whining from the coalition just a few months ago because an election date had been set? Now they're complaining because the date hasn't been set! Bipolar isn't really a good look.

 

[Hvr]

Is it just me or was there massive whining from the coalition just a few months ago because an election date had been set? Now they're complaining because the date hasn't been set! Bipolar isn't really a good look.

Well they're correctly counting on the media not reporting that they (the Liberal party) have changed their mind about what they previously wanted.

 

[drron]

Is it just me or was there massive whining from the coalition just a few months ago because an election date had been set? Now they're complaining because the date hasn't been set! Bipolar isn't really a good look.

Well they said then it should be called early and they are saying now it should be called early.I see nothing in that that can be called bipolar.In fact I would call it consistency but then by definition any one to the right of politics by definition cant be consistent I presume.

 

[medhead]

I have this, however no references as yet.

I'll have to double check but his $349 allowance per night seems a bit higher than the ATO reasonable amount. I hope he's putting on his tax return as income.

 

[SQ421]

Do we have the figures for selfish, weak, pig-headed, vengeful, obsessive and two-faced?

I reckon Abbott would come up trumps on that as well.

 

[medhead]

Well they said then it should be called early and they are saying now it should be called early.I see nothing in that that can be called bipolar.In fact I would call it consistency but then by definition any one to the right of politics by definition cant be consistent I presume.

Actually they attacked Gillard for setting a date and they are attack Rudd for not setting a date. Being an applied scientist I take observation over definition (theory).

 

[Pukka]

Actually they attacked Gillard for setting a date and they are attack Rudd for not setting a date. Being an applied scientist I take observation over definition (theory).

Well I wish he would set a date because the uncertainty is killing the economy. People have just stopped spending money every business owner I speak to agrees. I'd prefer TA to win but in reality as long as its not a hung parliament I'm not that bothered. The fact that KRudd can somehow manage to distance himself from the debacle that has been the last government is proof that he is an A1 politician no matter what you think of him. I so wish they had stuck with Gillard

 

[amaroo]

Actually they attacked Gillard for setting a date and they are attack Rudd for not setting a date. Being an applied scientist I take observation over definition (theory).

IIRC the Libs/Nats have called for an election date pretty much everyday since 2010.

 

[serfty]

Actually they attacked Gillard for setting a date and they are attack Rudd for not setting a date. Being an applied scientist I take observation over definition (theory).

They did not attack Gillard for setting a date - the attacked Gillard for not officially calling an election even though she had announced a date. There were some issues with this including that in regard to getting to inspect "the books" until a date was "official" ...

 

[Hvr]

Well I wish he would set a date because the uncertainty is killing the economy. People have just stopped spending money every business owner I speak to agrees. I'd prefer TA to win but in reality as long as its not a hung parliament I'm not that bothered. The fact that KRudd can somehow manage to distance himself from the debacle that has been the last government is proof that he is an A1 politician no matter what you think of him. I so wish they had stuck with Gillard

And what has been the real impact of having a hung parliament? Basically the constant negativity of the Opposition and their refusal to acknowledge the legitimacy of the government? Their demands for an election every week certainly haven't helped inspire confidence in Australia? It looks like the Liberal National party coalition set out to ruin the reputation of Australia and decrease business and consumer confidence and now they're whinging because they've succeeded with their destructive mantra.

The legislative agenda was effectively fulfilled and the parliament ran its full term. So again I ask what was the negative impact of a hung parliament caused by the Labor party and the independents?

 

[medhead]

They did not attack Gillard for setting a date - the attacked Gillard for not officially calling an election even though she had announced a date. There were some issues with this including that in regard to getting to inspect "the books" until a date was "official" ...

Right and the difference between setting a date and announcing a date is what, exactly? Neither involves calling an election. Now they're demanding Rudd set a date, despite the previous attacks on Gillard for the issues you mention.

 

[medhead]

Well I wish he would set a date because the uncertainty is killing the economy. People have just stopped spending money every business owner I speak to agrees. I'd prefer TA to win but in reality as long as its not a hung parliament I'm not that bothered. The fact that KRudd can somehow manage to distance himself from the debacle that has been the last government is proof that he is an A1 politician no matter what you think of him. I so wish they had stuck with Gillard

I'm pretty sure the news today told me some business confidence index (or other) had actually improved. Perhaps they're talking to the wrong business owners.

 

[Pukka]

And what has been the real impact of having a hung parliament? Basically the constant negativity of the Opposition and their refusal to acknowledge the legitimacy of the government? Their demands for an election every week certainly haven't helped inspire confidence in Australia? It looks like the Liberal National party coalition set out to ruin the reputation of Australia and decrease business and consumer confidence and now they're whinging because they've succeeded with their destructive mantra.

The legislative agenda was effectively fulfilled and the parliament ran its full term. So again I ask what was the negative impact of a hung parliament caused by the Labor party and the independents?

Well JG did manage to force an incredible amount of legislation through with a minority government that's for sure but my big gripe is that a few independents managed to hold the government to ransom and force through policies to suit themselves