Author: Kev

Retired infantry officer. Conservative by nature and politics; Happily married and father and grandfather of eight. Loves V8 powered Range Rovers, Golden Retrievers, good books and technology and think there should be open season on Greenies. Born in the mid forties and overdue for servicing but most parts still work.

Rudd’s third week

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Listening and watching the media it would appear Rudd is fixing some of the problems of Australia.  The fact that he is fixing the problems that he himself caused doesn’t appear to be clear in the mind of a lot of commentators.

He offers sympathy for the families of the drowned boaties without mentioning the fact that he caused the circumstances whereby their lives were put in peril in the first place.

On Sunday the tabloid papers were all screaming “Carbon tax scrapped” but of course he hasn’t scrapped it, he has just brought the change over to an ETS on sooner than previously planned.

No, hang on, he is talking about doing that.  As I understand it he has to take that to the House. Correct me if I’m wrong but it will need a vote and neither the Greens or the Libs would be onside for that one.

I hear Wong on the radio touting that bringing forward the change to an ETS will take pressure off family budgets.  I wonder how that can be when the ALP have been talking up how the Carbon Tax wasn’t placing pressures on family budgets.  Seems you can have it both ways if you ignore one or more truths.

As Abbott says;

Just ask yourself what an emissions trading scheme is all about. It’s a so-called market in the non-delivery of an invisible substance to no-one.

Carbon Credits is also questionable with nothing sold to someone mostly using government funds.

landowners can sell “carbon credits” if they can prove that they have reduced carbon dioxide by capturing it as humus in soil, or by planting forests, or by allowing re-growth of woody weeds, or by reducing feral animal emissions (shooting camels) or even by promising solemnly to NOT clear specified parcels of forest.

NONE of these processes are sustainable in the long run.

Viv Forbes at Australian Conservative says the scheme has bipartisan support.  That needs fixing.

So far Rudd ;

  • Promised to change the way the ALP elect, or kick out their leaders but that has to go to the ALP conference which isn’t happening until after the election so he has done nothing.  More words and the only reason he uttered them was to defang Abbott when he says “When you voted for Rudd, you got Gillard and when you voted for Gillard you got Rudd”
  • Hasn’t said how he is going to fix his “own goal” boaties dilemma and while they are still drowning of our coast reaching for the sugar he and Gillard put on the table all he can offer is sympathy.  He did go to Indonesia but in doing so handed over the security of our borders to Indonesia whilst promising another conference.
  • Hasn’t said how he is going to fix the economy and the huge debt he established.
  • Said he would get business on-side but  immediately attacked them with more 457 visa restrictions and has left the unions in charge of the economy with the Fair Work legislation.
  • Has gutted defence but in doing so promised dreamtime purchases that weren’t funded and were never going to get out of the conference process.  12 submarines for God’s sake!

So far, after three weeks, there are no answers to the myriad of Rudd caused problems – maybe next week he’ll say something we can bank on.

Maybe.

7
General Musings

Ain’t happening, John

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It remains to be seen whether Rudd’s bid for President for Life gets past the union power group but in the meantime the ALP must maintain their only avenue of attack.

Abbott.

Todays rostered comment is from John Black  (ex ALP Senator) who writes in todays The Australian about polls, poll bounce and a lot of other stuff and finally arrives at what he wants to really say about Abbott

Unfortunately for the Coalition, the one we dislike the most is now leading their party.

Turnbull is a Liberal Wet and whereas he is good value he is not a potential leader of the Liberals.  The ALP keep up this mantra of Turnbull should be the leader because, quite frankly, they are afraid of Abbott.

So John’s statement really should be;

Unfortuately for the ALP, the one we dislike the  most is now leading the Coalition.

There, fixed it for you John.

4
Politics

Newspoll 50:50

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Since Mr Rudd was restored as Prime Minister just two weeks ago, Labor’s primary vote has risen nine percentage points to 38 per cent to equal its level at the August 2010 election. In the same period, the Coalition’s primary support has fallen six points to 42 per cent, below its election level.

The bounce in the polls continues as the smiling visage of Rudd seduces the tabloid TV set but what has he done to deserve the support of 5o% of those polled?

Well first off he got rid of Gillard, then he……..umm…got rid of Gillard.

Seriously, what else has he done?

  • To pay homage to their union benefactors the ALP guillotined a motion to allow just three minutes of debate in the Senate on changes to the visa program before it went to a vote.  This was a day or two after Kevin said he was starting a new dialogue with Buisness and believe me the motion had nothing to do with helping business.
  • He went to Indonesia and arranged a people smuggler conference coincidentally at the same time another boat load of people reaching for the sugar on the table were floundering of NW Australia. Good timing Rudd but the boat arrivals increase exponentially as Rudd confers!
  • He is making moves to install himself as a virtual unsackable ‘President’ with a proposal to guarantee that a Labor leader who wins an election stays Prime Minister the whole term, even if he acts  like Rudd did last time.
  • Oh, and he got rid of Gillard

Abbott is forgotten for a week or two while the media enjoy their honeymoon, you know that brief period in life when everything is sweet – just before reality sets in.

Smiles and door stops wont help Rudd when the hard questions are put to him.  The ALP have a tiny list of achievements to brag about as indicated by the fact that they are still attacking Abbott.

And Rudd hasn’t even been to the GG yet.

1
Politics

Ewen Mackenzie replaces arch enemy

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THE great experiment with foreign sporting coaches is coming to an end and the Kiwis can go back to being our arch enemies.

Just weeks after South African Mickey Arthur was replaced by Australian Darren Lehmann as the nation’s cricket coach, Victorian-born Queensland Reds boss Ewen McKenzie is poised to take over from New Zealander Robbie Deans as the Wallabies coach.

It never sat easy with me that we would have an All Black coaching the Wallabies – a bit like Ho Chi Minh teaching me how to soldier.

Brett Harris, the journo, must be young when he says ‘the Kiwis can go back to being our arch enemies’.

They always were and always will be Brett.

0
General Musings

Snowden still in limbo

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A TOP-SECRET map leaked by US intelligence fugitive Edward Snowden reveals four Australian sites, including Pine Gap, which are said to play a key role in US global intelligence collection.

Cameron Stewart offers this line.

So far 21 nations have turned their back on Mr Snowden’s request for asylum, fearing reprisals if they offer sanctuary to him.

Just a thought Cameron, could these nations be of the opinion that Snowden is just a traitorous spy and doesn’t deserve sanctuary?

0
Politics, War on Terror

Rudd insurance or is it revenge?

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KEVIN Rudd has moved to strip factional powerbrokers of control over the Labor leadership, handing party branch members and MPs equal power to elect the leader to ensure a serving prime minister is never again torn down by a caucus coup.

I can understand where Rudd is coming from but it has long been a system in Australia and in most civilized countries that the elected members of parliament elect their leader.  The only time it hasn’t worked well is in the ALP over the life of the last two parliaments.

The common factor and the difference between these  governments and all the previous ones has been the incredible incompetence of Rudd and Gillard.  Surely the MPs are entitled to vote their leader in or out?

Surely these set of circumstances won’t happen again….surely?

 

0
Politics

Monday morning

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THERESE Rein in a “not a good look for a Labor PM’s wife” moment

Ingeus’s reputation has been tarnished, especially among the poorest and most disadvantaged, after it coerced some unemployed people to work unpaid for 30 hours a week for up to six months in charity shops and big-name retail outlets.

I presume the ACTU are preparing a statement of rightous indignation at the blatant abuse of the workers by a capitalist swine….waiting….waiting.

Interestingly the Pom unemployed get pound stg. 71.70 a week jobs benefit (only pound stg. 50 a week for those aged under 25)  That’s $117.85 and $82.18. respectively. Australian Newstart is $250 pw min or twice the local rate as a comparison.

Queensland LNP poll slide. Her better half, or is that her lessor half, have somehow managed to arrange for the press to state that Campbell Newman’s latest polls that have plummeted to 2PP 59:41 to the LNP represent “A chance for Kevin.

Yep. Somehow that’s a positive for Kevin.  Just in case you misread it – that’s 59 to the LNP

The people smugglers are still in the limelight as the ALP drags itself slowly up to the start line where Howard was years ago.  I really think Kevin believes that  because he and President Yudhoyono announced a “Conference” the problem can be put in the pending tray until the elections.

Don’t bet on it.

Lawrence Gribben from Carseldine, Qld, a suburb next door to mine, puts it succinctly;

THE Greens want people-smugglers to decide who comes to Australia,
Kevin Rudd wants the Indonesians to decide and the Coalition wants Australians to decide.
Hmm … spoilt for choice.

Jason Clare, who has had no real-life employment which apparently makes him qualified to be the Minister for Home Affairs, is fighting the good fight.  I heard him on the ABC ratting on about the Coalition.  Hat tip Jason, the country think the ALP are to blame for the problem – not the Coalition.

Mr Clare said turning boats back didn’t work and that Mr Howard had only sent back a handful.  Turning back boasts did work and Howard only turned back a couple because of that fact- it did work….they stopped coming.  Admiral Barrie, relevant commander at the time says  – “We didn’t have to turn any more back because they stopped coming” . Got that Jason?

He warned turning boats back could lead to a repeat of the Siev 36 incident in which five people died when a vessel was sabotaged in 2009.

Ah, so what you are saying is that if  just one asylum seeker says – “I’ll top myself if you don’t let me in” you suggest the nation, the Navy and/or the rescuing ship’s Captain simply fold .  Keeping in mind that these people have access to the internet they will all be talking among themselves right now as they wait for their boat.  “All we have to do is threaten suicide and they’ll fold – quick, burn your papers and get on the boat – it’s our last chance before adults take over”

He further adds that sometimes sailors have been hurt or were in a situation where they could be, and this is apparently another reason not to have a firm policy.  Yes, sometimes sailors do get hurt while carrying out their duties.  They are not public servants, bureaucrats, or god forbid, political ALP hacks or clerks.  They are servicemen and women and sometimes a sailor has to do what a sailor has to do – ie, obey orders to the best of their ability.

Poor plan Jason  – you still need to work on it.

 

 

3
Politics

Rudd’s early days

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KEVIN Rudd is ordering an intervention into Labor’s NSW branch to stamp out corruption and further limit the influence of wealthy property developers on the party.

I presume then, that Craig Thomson is gone.  He’s NSW Labor, right? :roll:

The fact that the NSW ALP have been corrupt for years should have brought about some action before now.  As it is, it just looks like Rudd is ticking off boxes to get re-elected.

Say some words about NSW ALP corruption ….done, Well almost but;

If you just say property developers can’t join doesn’t that leave it open for crims from other callings to join, and then doesn’t that leave you with having to regularly update the most recent corrupt callings as in, now farmers can’t join…oh, oh, and Real Estate guys can’t join…damn it! taxi drivers can’t join either and ad infinitum.  Wouldn’t it just be smarter to ensure all who joined had a track record of honesty and respect for public monies.

Or is that too hard for the current ALP?

Say some words about illegal immigrants………done,  Well, almost done but;

The Prime Minister last night joined his new Immigration Minister in admitting his government got things wrong in 2009 when it failed to stop the burgeoning people-smuggling trade.

No!  You got things wrong when you cancelled Howard’s boat policy.

Rudd goes on to maintain his “push” rather than “pull” excuse citing the Sri Lankan war as a new factor.

But that promise (pre-election) had been offered at a time when the international refugee situation was more benign.

The Sri Lankans escaping the war had plenty of places to go but Australia’s open border policy offered far better financial benefits and they considered it well worth the risk.

Rudd, Carr and Burke are politically gaming the refugee situation to try and convince the country it wasn’t really their fault – good luck with that fellows.

And from Burke who says;

“The points that (Bob Carr) has raised match what’s been said to me during briefings in terms of some of the key examples of people attempting to rort the system,” Mr Burke said.

Everyone other than the human rights industry have been saying that since 2007 Burke, how come you just heard it?

The ALP are attacking Abbott’s turn back the boats” policy as if is the only string in his bow.  It’s a small part of the Lib’s policy and may only be used a few times, just to make a point.  TPVs will help and can I suggest if  rorters arrive without papers then they have no entitlement tovisas nor should any boat person have access to legal aid.  Legal aid should be restricted to Australians.

I’m furious with the situation as it is right now whereby if someone is denied a visa a queue of human rights lawyers instantly forms with the cry ‘Pick Me’…’Pick me – I’ll fight the government for you’

Say some words about trade with Indonesia.  Rudd is off to Indonesia tonight with a crew of nervous stewards looking after him. Tomorrow he is apparently going to bring up a trade agreement with Susilo Bambang Yudhoyono.

I’m sure Yudhoyono would love to start the conversation with;

“Just tell me that you have that idiot Ludwig under control and I might talk live cattle trade.  Otherwise we’ll just wait until Abbott is in power – he’s someone we can believe.

The last time Live Export was in the news it was as a result of your party trashing our national strategic ability to feed ourselves – without any warning…on the basis of a left wing TV show.”

He won’t of course and I figure not much will come out of the talks, other than when Rudd exaggerates the outcome for public consumption, as the Indonesians can read polls as well as we can and they will see Rudd as a hologram like Rimmer in Red Dwarf – hollow and pointless but noisy.

They know what he is like and like most Australians, small business, all of the large business and Corporate community, the mining industry and a  host of other bodies that have been impacted by six years of Union controlled government,  are all just waiting ’till we can start getting the country moving again.

 

 

1
Border Control, Politics

Recycled Rudd

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Apparently Rudd has already got a bounce in the polls although not as much as Bob Ellis seems to think.  The polls will reflect more that Gillard and her incompetent crew have gone rather than the ALP is suddenly electable.

Rudd’s best chance, in my humble opinion, is to go to the polls as soon as he can to capitalize on the bounce but he has a lot standing in the way of this. The simple matter of staffing his office has to represent a large problem as a certain number of potential candidates will recall all to clearly the way he treated staff last time he was in the chair.

He also has to come up with a new cabinet and the cupboard is pretty bare with the swag of yesterdays ministers queuing up to resign rather than work under Rudd.  The new guys, or girls, will be all on ‘L’ plates throughout the election standing mute like targets on the rifle ranges of my youth.

Unless he totally changes the direction of the party, delaying the poll until November will only give the Libs more time to point out his problems and for the public to remember them.

It ain’t going to be easy as although the incompetence of Gillard is fresh in our minds we need to remind the country that Rudd must take his fair share of the incompetence of the government overall.

And this Abbott quote should get a fair bit of airtime of the next month or two;

In 2007 you voted for Kevin and got Julia. In 2010 you voted for Julia and got Kevin. If you vote for the Labor Party in 2013 who knows who you will end up with.

It’s a good question.  Has Rudd changed his spots…is he now a leader or still just a bureaucrat wielding unearned power far beyond his competence?  Should Rudd lose the election, as is still likely, who will lead afterwards.  Likewise, if Rudd wins, which is still unlikely, how long will it be before his troops mutiny?

The 40,000 odd illegal asylum seekers and the subsequent hundreds of deaths are directly attributable to him as is the earlier pink bats and overpriced school halls.  Will the new recycled Rudd be any better with his policies?

Can’t see it!

 

0
Politics
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