Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

[eastwest101]

There is no way either the feds are going to give WA more GST (I think Greiner called that "bizarre") and there is no way that a state premier or territory leader is going give it up voluntarily.

As others have pointed out - existing GST revenue distribution formula is dictated to by the Commonwealth Grants Commission under the direction of the federal government

So...........you can either back an increase in the GST OR you can back an increase in the super-profits tax..........or you could just stop whining. Geez everyone in WA must walk around with faces like a cat's bum.

False dichotomy predicated on the myth that there is not enough federal and state revenue to fund future government expenditure. As you know - any increase in the rate of the GST would require agreement from all premiers and the federal government, unlikely, but not impossible.

State royalties already generate revenue for WA and for other states - its in the constitution. And nice industry specific leap of logic there to single out the mining industry with its inherant boom/bust cycles as a source of revenue.

So your suggestion is that because the WA economy is booming and revenue is being transferred to economic basket cases like TAS and SA that people in WA should just "shut up" and stop whingeing about it? My suggestion would be a bit more moderate in that a minimum and maximum cap on redistribution of GST revenues be set so that all state governments have a motivation to, and are eventually forced to live within their means, reform inefficient taxes and attract investment/jobs and people, or simply be left to fail.

 

[browski]

Browski - I respect your views.

I respect that you have your views.

1/ But short of you deliberately trolling..... I have to say you show a disturbing lack of respect for others having differing views. The fact they hold different views does not make them uneducated. For all your accusations of ignorance and bias could equally be thrown back at you (IMHO)

2/ Secondly - I respect that you have an apparent pathological hatred of anyone more right-wing than an SL cardholder; but I fail to see where you get your electoral optimism from??

Even the People's Republic of Moreland (in Melbourne) accept the forthcoming outcome of the election is a foregone conclusion.

You don't have to like it - but I must say you appear to be in fantasy land with your optimism.

Maybe I missed all the winks and smileys but you seem off with the fairies.

And I mean that in the nicest fair-comment kinda way

DFCatch- I don't respect your views.
I respect that you have your views.
And I mean that in the nicest fair-comment kinda way

 

[Moody]

This loses me, we're all colonials here aren't we???

Or sorry, where do you hail from again???

I hardly think the mother country is any decent shape to be telling the colonials how it should done anyway so none of us are looking back in that direction???

Me - colonial???? Hardly.

My parents were from one country (arguably two), I was born in another, and now live with my family in a third. Tends to temper the nationalistic fervour a bit, and makes me scratch my head at the internecine squabbles between the states and territories (and sub-squabbles between capital cities and regional areas).

Why can't Australians (and I include both citizens and permanent residents) see themselves as Australians, rather than sandgropers or mexicans or banana benders or whatever? Isn't it about time to grow up??

 

[eastwest101]

Why can't Australians (and I include both citizens and permanent residents) see themselves as Australians, rather than sandgropers or mexicans or banana benders or whatever? Isn't it about time to grow up??

You are right in that its a bit of a historical hangover of being a Commonwealth of States with their own revenue sources, obligations and laws with a Federal Government laid over the top of it. This inevitably leads to complexities, duplication and other issues.

We can either whine about it and totally re-write the constitution - which may be a legitimate route to take, and a very big ask, but not impossible. Or try to adapt and improve the current system. I think that is why the "competative federalism" model is starting to be talked about a bit more, after all, if we are stuck with federalism why not use this competative tension between states to our advantage? Whatever happens it should be a discussion about what sort of government we want, what we need it to do and not do and then reform from there to eliminate duplication. Probably need to do this before we even start talking about tax reform...

 

[Pushka]

Saw him on the telly the other day - he looks pretty happy with his new posting :evil:

Yeah. He doesn't even have to live with the consequences of his arrogance and ineptitude.

 

[Pushka]

Nah. Don't go there.

 

[Pushka]

Has Cream called for a spill with Rudd as PM Crean as deputy?

 

[mannej]

Has Cream called for a spill with Rudd as PM Crean as deputy?

Essentially yes

 

[Pushka]

Watching the proceedings on Channel 7 I can't imagine the strength required of Gillard sitting there listening to this, sitting alone. But it is clearly just a mess. But now she's spoken and no longer sympathetic.

 

[Skyring]

She's giving a Kevin Rudd speech, listing her achievements before she goes.

It will be interesting to see the independents vote on this. We might have to change the thread title.

 

[SQ421]

Watching the proceedings on Channel 7 I can't imagine the strength required of Gillard sitting there listening to this, sitting alone. But it is clearly just a mess. But now she's spoken and no longer sympathetic.

Well, she is a strong woman.

We might have to change the thread title.

?? we'll still have an election in 2013

 

[eastwest101]

Well, she is a strong woman.


?? we'll still have an election in 2013

Correct - we don't even know if there will be a challenger to the PM for the ALP leadership at the 430pm ballot yet. I suspect that there may not be - on the assumption that no-one actually wants the job! Could be wrong though.

 

[harvyk]

Correct - we don't even know if there will be a challenger to the PM for the ALP leadership at the 430pm ballot yet. I suspect that there may not be - on the assumption that no-one actually wants the job! Could be wrong though.

I suspect Rudd will either be asked to step up (his preferred option) or will step up to the plate at the last minute, an almost "well since no one else has thrown their hat into the ring"

 

[SQ421]

I suspect Rudd will either be asked to step up (his preferred option) or will step up to the plate at the last minute, an almost "well since no one else has thrown their hat into the ring"

Rudd did say in 2012 that he wouldn't stand for the leadership again unless "drafted by his colleagues"...

 

[eastwest101]

Rudd did say in 2012 that he wouldn't stand for the leadership again unless "drafted by his colleagues"...

And there would have to be enough of them to convince themselves that they have the numbers to prevail in the ballot. Interesting comments from Chris Uhlmann about it being a "foot-soldiers revolt". Even if Rudd got the numbers he will have to be careful to keep Windsor, Oakshott, Bandt, Wilkie, Slipper & Thompson happy. Remember the first 4 are loyal to Gillard only - and have not pledged loyalty to any other ALP leader that may eventuate, but they will do anything to prevent an election campaign so they seem committed to whomever wins the ALP leadership this afternoon. If the ballot is even contested!

 

[Pushka]

If there's a tie can she call in the independents ? Albanese is in Rudds office. Interesting.

 

[harvyk]

Rudd did say in 2012 that he wouldn't stand for the leadership again unless "drafted by his colleagues"...

Well it's pretty close to him been drafted...

 

[eastwest101]

If there's a tie can she call in the independents ? Albanese is in Rudds office. Interesting.

No - but I am sure it crossed some peoples mind! In the case of a tie its the flip of a coin. That would be rather poetic woudn't it?

 

[QF WP]

Well, it's all over:

Leadership spill

Nice that they were updating the story as it happened.

Sooo anti-climactic. More of the same...

 

[Pushka]

I think it is a sad tale when a Prime Minister's own "supporters" cannot support the Leader, yet they retain power. How is any of this for the good of Australia? What exactly do those oaths they swear actually mean? Nothing. Nothing to do with serving the Australian people, anyway.