Tag: Tony Abbott
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Why Same Sex Marriage Is Now an Election Issue
As promised, Tony Abbott put the proposal of same sex marriage to the party room. But not his own party room where in all probability the motion would have been lost anyway. But quite cleverly or perhaps fearfully, the PM put it to the joint LNP party room. In doing that, he knew the same sex…
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Reducing Penalty Rates works against the Laws of Supply and Demand
Jenna Price in her article on penalty rates nails it with those fatal words… price signal. Penalty rates are a price signal. That signal signifies a scarce supply of labour. That scarcity occurs as not everyone is able or willing, regardless of what the Prime Minister says, of working weekends, public holidays, night-shift or 24…
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The Government of Gobbledygook
After the week in politics, I realised how much I miss Yes Minister (and Yes Prime Minister too!). I especially miss Sir Humphrey Appleby. Ostensibly Appleby often spoke in riddles,paradoxes and contradictions. His self articulation was comprised of and constituted obfuscation and circumlocution both written and verbal. Yet given the fullness of time, as he would say, it…
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Earn or Learn : The Government’s Misunderstood Purpose of Education
There has been much upset and anger at the Government instigated changes to education: University fee increases. University debt interest increase. University HECS proportion increase. Commercialisation of universities. The proponents chant earn or learn, competition will work its magic, fees will be less and new university places will be created. The opponents are derided as…
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Abbott After 100 Days : Policies versus the Pamphlett
There has been much written about the Abbott Government and its achievements in its first 100 days. They’ve even brought out a pamphlett of their achievements. But if one had studied their election pamphlett, the clues to their performance were already there. And the giveaway is mainly in the presentation and only some of the…
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Tony Abbott’s Director of Policy Is No Spy
Much has been written and said about the incident between Peter van Onselen and Dr Mark Roberts. But there is another side to all of this. It isn’t that we’ve found out that Tony Abbott has a Director of Policy. That’s way too trite. It is the offer allegedly made to Peter van Onselen. According…
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The LNP Know Nothings : Criticism Without A Solution
If you examine politics sooner or later one finds some trends that repeat themselves. One of these is the LNP’s approach to politics. It is almost completely negative and oppositional. But it is not the first time that this approach has been tried and failed. Let me take you back in time. When One Nation…
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The Gonski Masterstroke (Still Confusing Christopher Pyne and Tony Abbott)
A month ago, I wrote a post on Gonski and here’s an update: None of the State Premiers except for Barry O’Farrell have signed up to the Gonski reforms. Recently, Tony Abbott has stated that he is against the reforms. Christopher Pyne’s response is to say to the least, confused. He recently stated O’Farrell was conned although…
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An Abbott Recession Or Worse?
History unlearned has an unfortunate habit of repeating itself. Unfortunately, the present economic policies of the Abbott LNP will have historical long-term economic and social consequences. The following ready reckoner and broad analysis sets out the short and long term consequences of an Abbott LNP government. (Please note these commitments are not costed). Short Term…
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Decriminalising Asylum Seekers
On a regular basis asylum seekers are referred to as illegal. This week a link was drawn between asylum seekers, crime and paedophilia. What is missing from this debate is a means of decriminalising asylum seekers: * After release, asylum seekers would have to wear an electronic tracking tag and report daily to a police…
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Is This The Most Boring Opposition Ever?
Politically, I always thought it was the role of the Government to bore the electorate to death. And then be re-elected. But, and especially of late, that role has been taken on by the Opposition. As posted yesterday, it was the asylum seeker debate. Now it is the AWU scandal which dominated Parliament yesterday with allegations that…
Andrew James Whalan 