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Politics Live: February 25, 2016

Date

Senior writer

View more articles from Stephanie Peatling

Email Stephanie

Hello and welcome to the final day of the week. The debate about tax reform - or the lack thereof - continues and the government will release its defence white paper later this morning.

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  • Can't wait for Ludlum's call on Monday.
    Reforms aside, Labor and Crossbenchers should support him.

    Commenter
    A country gal
    Date and time
    February 25, 2016, 5:31PM

    • They really are economic masters, we've gone from a Budget Emergency huge reduction in Revenue re Mining crash, repeal of POC and yet now we spend squillions on Subs.
      Simply remarkable Economic Magicians.

      Commenter
      A country gal
      Date and time
      February 25, 2016, 4:51PM

      • Vote 1 Libs.

        Black can be white, up can be down, and 2 plus 2 can equal 5.

        Commenter
        davemac
        Location
        Melbourne
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 5:06PM

      • Abracadabra...a shiny new gubment for the voters.

        Commenter
        Vote Mal Eat Pal
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 5:07PM

      • Vote Mal Eat Pal, just love that slogan- election winner.
        Would be great as a jingle.

        Commenter
        A country gal
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 5:24PM

    • Looks like Turnbull could be Australia's second shortest serving P.M.

      Commenter
      A Green
      Location
      Australia
      Date and time
      February 25, 2016, 4:48PM

      • Will Bill appoint Di Natale as Deputy PM if he won power and follow the Tasmania experiment into the commonwealth govt.

        Commenter
        wink wink
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:54PM

    • Real Politick asks :

      "What are they going to do with the people who bought a company for under $100m and sold it 9 months later for $500m plus"

      The Turnbull govt will probably make them Governor-General.

      Commenter
      A Green
      Location
      Australia
      Date and time
      February 25, 2016, 4:45PM

      • White collar criminals...a good whipping with lettuce leaves.

        Commenter
        Vote Mal Eat Pal
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:51PM

      • Shame it couldn't be a knighthood too.
        Bring back the Ex.

        Commenter
        A country gal
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:53PM

    • Would't Clive make a great President of Oz once the Republic of Oz becomes a reality. A BIG man for a BIG job plus he still has his own Roller!

      Commenter
      curaeus
      Date and time
      February 25, 2016, 4:36PM

      • But he might sell the farm. Oh, wait ...

        Commenter
        Banjo
        Location
        Eden
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:53PM

      • What Humpty Dumpty?
        All the king's horse's and all the king's men cannot feed Humpty again and again.

        Commenter
        Vote Mal Eat Pal
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 5:13PM

    • What do the ALP gang of economic illiterates do at the end of the sitting week? do they have some young activists working on some type of scoring system? perhaps it's the pub test? I have a feeling the CMFEU headquarters provides the best environment for Bill et al to download and refresh strategies. The only problem is how do they fit the Greens in at the same time.

      Commenter
      enough is enough
      Date and time
      February 25, 2016, 4:33PM

      • enough is enough

        They make the govt scorecard :

        0 + 0 = 0

        A perfect score.

        Bring back Peta.

        Commenter
        A Green
        Location
        Australia
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:41PM

      • The only proven economic illiterates are Tony, Joe, Mal and Scomo.
        The rest is all pixies and unicorns.

        Commenter
        Vote Mal Eat Pal
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:43PM

      • Nah Mate, they stopped counting Yesterday. It’s called the mercy rule!

        Commenter
        Snapperhead
        Location
        The Reef
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:49PM

    • Has all talk of Australian land falling off a cliff finished ?

      How about Great Great Grandfathers not being able to afford their first home ?

      What's happened to the "table" ...... the one that had everything on it ?

      Is everything now ........ SUBmerged ?

      Anyone drinking Sake ?

      Commenter
      A Green
      Location
      Australia
      Date and time
      February 25, 2016, 4:30PM

      • Now Terry...if I can just get this dodgy submarine deal together...

        Commenter
        Arthur
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 5:06PM

    • Someone should explain to Wyatt Roy that he was not promoted due to any competence in anything. It's just that there was hardly anyone left who hasn't been a Minister yet, and Malcolm needed someone from Queensland. Roy is there to make up the numbers. He also makes everyone else look tall.

      Commenter
      Lucy
      Date and time
      February 25, 2016, 4:28PM

      • Mall is trying to court the youth vote so his cunning plan was to add some youth to cabinet in the hope the kiddies will vote for him. Problem is, the kiddies are more savvy than Mal gives them credit for and they have caught onto his cynical attempt to woo them.

        Commenter
        Snapperhead
        Location
        The Reef
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:51PM

    • How are they going to hide the 3000 or so jobs lost at Dick Smiths in the employment statistics?

      Commenter
      nuffsnuff
      Date and time
      February 25, 2016, 4:21PM

      • In a yellow submarine.

        Commenter
        fizzybeer
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:24PM

      • The 3000 will have their honest hard working Union Officials working hard for them. After all, that's why they pay the membership fees and and do fund raisers isn't it?

        Commenter
        enough is enough
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:25PM

      • Easy...barefaced lie...like everything else...where's Tone when you need him?

        Commenter
        Vote Mal Eat Pal
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:28PM

      • Bingo! Instant submariners!

        Commenter
        Emu of Justice
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:30PM

      • What are they going to do with the people who bought a company for under $100m and sold it 9 months later for $500m plus?

        And the fund managers who bought the newly issued equity? What of them?

        A bloke is on ABC24 right now saying this was the biggest private equity heist in Australian history. Where's the money?

        Commenter
        Real Politik
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:35PM

      • And another 700 with a WA Mining co.

        Commenter
        A country gal
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:55PM

      • The unions no doubt will attempt do something for them, that's what unions do, help their workers, unlike the LNP who will find a way to hide the numbers. Dick Smith workers wouldn't be the 'people of substance' the LNP like to help.

        Commenter
        nuffsnuff
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:57PM

      • nuffsnuff, do you think they would be unionised. I'd be surprised if they are.

        Commenter
        A country gal
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 5:02PM

    • 12 subs. Sacre bleu. Get with the program.
      I have a used Line that I can let you have for a paltry $1 million (removals at your own cost). Much more effective.

      Commenter
      Andre Maginot
      Date and time
      February 25, 2016, 4:11PM

      • Used Line? Now that's a great typo.

        Commenter
        Banjo
        Location
        Eden
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:36PM

      • Banjo. Read the name: Maginot Line. get it? You just have not been watching those war documentaries.

        Commenter
        Pluto
        Location
        Melbourne
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:49PM

      • Thanks, Pluto. I completely missed the moniker.

        Very funny, Andre Maginot.

        Commenter
        Banjo
        Location
        Eden
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:57PM

    • The Pulse 4:02PM

      The smart thing to do is to have one centre of excellence churning out drones and hellfire missiles.

      Commenter
      A Green
      Location
      Australia
      Date and time
      February 25, 2016, 4:09PM

      • Greens policy - To develop an Australian military weapons industry. Love it, will Hanson-Young or Rhiannon announce this today?

        Commenter
        enough is enough
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:23PM

      • enough is enough

        No they will wait for the new govt ..... later this year .... and sign on with them.

        Turnbull isn't even going to make it to 12 months.

        Commenter
        A Green
        Location
        Australia
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:43PM

    • Bernadi consistently seeking headlines of late,

      Commenter
      A country gal
      Date and time
      February 25, 2016, 4:07PM

      • ACG

        The white ants hard at work.

        Commenter
        A Green
        Location
        Australia
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:25PM

      • It's his way of being out and proud.

        Commenter
        Pluto
        Location
        Melbourne
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:38PM

      • It makes him feel relevant. An empty vessel makes the most noise they say

        Commenter
        Snapperhead
        Location
        The Reef
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:53PM

      • AG "you betcha, you bet I am"

        Commenter
        A country gal
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:57PM

      • Pluto LOL.
        He's no homophobe.

        Commenter
        A country gal
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 4:58PM

    • @3.41 - Corey, you are the party of tax avoidance.

      Commenter
      tasch2
      Location
      Mornington Peninsula
      Date and time
      February 25, 2016, 4:03PM

      • ""I've been asked asked about dietary requirements and I have told the PM's office that I eat everything," Senator Lazarus said"

        Jojo the dog is extremely nervous and even the goldfish have gone into hiding for the night

        Commenter
        wally100
        Date and time
        February 25, 2016, 3:58PM

          • I reckon Clive Palmer could even eat a Prime Minister for breakfast.

            Commenter
            Banjo
            Location
            Eden
            Date and time
            February 25, 2016, 4:25PM

          • Yeah they've retreated into their goldfish castle and retracted the drawbridge.

            Commenter
            Brave Sir Robin
            Date and time
            February 25, 2016, 4:28PM

        • Clive - a picture of health and vitality.

          Commenter
          PEarn
          Location
          Melbourne
          Date and time
          February 25, 2016, 3:52PM

          • I want some of what Bernardi is drinking.
            This regurgitated tripe from the cons who gave us the GST and tried to hammer the economy into submission by increasing it by 50%

            Commenter
            fizzybeer
            Date and time
            February 25, 2016, 3:50PM

            • Shorten's return barb should have been, "Well at least I'm not an economic illiterate Cory". Might be factually questionable in Bill's case but at least it sounds half as intelligent as yesterdays slur.

              Commenter
              Piped Piper
              Date and time
              February 25, 2016, 4:03PM

            • Murray river water?

              Commenter
              Vote Mal Eat Pal
              Date and time
              February 25, 2016, 4:27PM

            • Your obsession with Bill Shorten is becoming tiresome, Piped Piper.

              Commenter
              Real Politik
              Date and time
              February 25, 2016, 4:39PM

            • Piped
              Shorten was on the money. And probably quite mild compared to how most people would characterize Bernadi. You seem a little obsessed with this. Perhaps you should be questioning the actions of Bernadi and the ACL instead of Shorten's critique.

              Commenter
              Rollee the Rolex's Big Adventure
              Date and time
              February 25, 2016, 4:41PM

            • Hang on Piped - you're saying Bill should have said something that may well be false and sounds less intelligent than what he said to boot?

              My question to your post below is still awaiting an answer.

              Commenter
              Quick Comment.
              Date and time
              February 25, 2016, 4:52PM

          • Sorry Bernardi disagree you with you here. Your argument is flawed. Negative gearing reduces taxes at a disproportionate scale. Would be much much fairer if negative gearing was scaled back in favour of income tax cuts across the board as opposed to a disproportionate amount of lower to middle income households subsidising a higher proportion of upper income households to offset their tax.

            Commenter
            Piped Piper
            Date and time
            February 25, 2016, 3:47PM

            • Slow down champ.
              EiE and hacka spraying champers and caviar all over their gold trimmed commodores!

              Commenter
              fizzybeer
              Date and time
              February 25, 2016, 4:01PM

            • Look at that photo at 3:38pm. Poor Mal, the pressure is getting to him. Even he's had enough of Cory. Get the man an Aspirin.

              Commenter
              Pluto
              Location
              Melbourne
              Date and time
              February 25, 2016, 4:13PM

            • 3.16pm Oh dear Lord, what have I done?

              3:38pm Really Lord, that bad?

              Commenter
              nuffsnuff
              Date and time
              February 25, 2016, 4:25PM

            • I am a-weary, weary, I wish that I were anywhere but here.

              Commenter
              Banjo
              Location
              Eden
              Date and time
              February 25, 2016, 4:28PM

          • Its really sad to think that the misgivings we had about Turnbull when he was Opposition Leader were probably correct.

            The RGR years gave us Abbott and the Abbott years gave us Turnbull…… When will the madness end?

            Commenter
            Snapperhead
            Location
            The Reef
            Date and time
            February 25, 2016, 3:44PM

              • Soon, please.

                Commenter
                A country gal
                Date and time
                February 25, 2016, 4:00PM

              • Snapperhead
                it is one thing for them to want to frighten us into voting con with ceaseless scare campaigns and the purchase of some obsolete war equipment.
                So long as they don't send us to use this gear in foreign fields.
                Again.

                Commenter
                fizzybeer
                Date and time
                February 25, 2016, 4:09PM

              • Sadly not soon because no matter how hard Turnbull slivers up to the crazy right it will never be enough. Just like RGR we will still see the last A as in TAT...A.

                Commenter
                Cryin
                Location
                Out
                Date and time
                February 25, 2016, 4:17PM

              • And it's tempting to say that Bob Brown and Christine Milne inflicted the lot of it on us out of some misty eyed purity on the CPRS in 2009.

                Thought the Parliament would come crawling back with the amendments they demanded.

                Now that I think about it, it's better than tempting.

                Commenter
                Real Politik
                Date and time
                February 25, 2016, 4:29PM

              • I said over and over again on this forum Turnbull is not the answer, nobody listens to minorities.

                Commenter
                Amro
                Date and time
                February 25, 2016, 4:37PM

            • As Abbott concluded the only thing he felt going for him was defence and 'keeping Australia safe'. Great wedging potential, and fell back on it time and time again in times of trouble.

              Funny how much things change, the more they stay the same.

              Commenter
              davemac
              Location
              Melbourne
              Date and time
              February 25, 2016, 3:43PM

              • yesterday it was an economy based on housing.
                Some doubting thomases questioned the lack of wisdom in that.
                Today it is a war footing led recovery.

                Commenter
                fizzybeer
                Date and time
                February 25, 2016, 4:05PM

            • The UK submarine fleet is 6 in total. First launched in 1985. Last in 2011.

              If 6 is enough for them why do we need 12?

              There population is 64M ours 24M.

              We cannot afford them.

              Bill should come out and say he supports National Security but we cannot afford 12.

              Commenter
              absolutely enough is enough
              Location
              sunbmarines
              Date and time
              February 25, 2016, 3:37PM

              • Basically a nuclear sub can stay on station for greater periods of time, therefore they do not have to return to home base as frequently as diesel powered subs. So fewer are required.

                Commenter
                Pen of hrba
                Date and time
                February 25, 2016, 4:03PM

              • The poms have got a bit of deterrent with theirs.
                Do you know we still have millions of tons of uxb's spread all over the worlds oceans from WW11.
                As they release their poisons, and the rotting Russian fleet releases it's pent up toxins, there won't be much ocean left to defend.

                Commenter
                fizzybeer
                Date and time
                February 25, 2016, 4:13PM

              • Apparently we are a maritime power and an island and England is...hang on?

                Commenter
                Vote Mal Eat Pal
                Date and time
                February 25, 2016, 4:20PM

            • "In case you're wondering question time is not particularly scintillating today."
              Let me know whenever it is and then I will change more granddad nap time.

              Commenter
              Tucky
              Location
              Warragul
              Date and time
              February 25, 2016, 3:32PM

              • I think the first picture of old Canberra is actually The Canberra Hotel - Now the Hyatt.
                The parliament had flat roofs the hotel pitched?

                Commenter
                Jim
                Location
                Yackandandah
                Date and time
                February 25, 2016, 3:25PM

                • 3:08pm. The white jacket? Yes Malcolm I agree, the shoulder pads are a bit Dynasty, but fashion goes in cycles, (a bit like politics really) and the '80s are just so in at the moment.

                  Commenter
                  Pluto
                  Location
                  Melbourne
                  Date and time
                  February 25, 2016, 3:20PM

                  • Gazza from Grong Grong's Drivelometer must be spinning faster than the naked eye can see.

                    Commenter
                    Banjo
                    Location
                    Eden
                    Date and time
                    February 25, 2016, 3:20PM

                    • 1 trillion bucks spent on defense, Tony will be in 7th heaven

                      Commenter
                      fiberal
                      Location
                      darwin
                      Date and time
                      February 25, 2016, 3:17PM

                      • Defence Fiberal defence.
                        We're too cosy as it is with them.
                        Sorry for being a pendant, but it irks me.
                        Just like this new spelling of "rediculous".

                        Commenter
                        A country gal
                        Date and time
                        February 25, 2016, 3:59PM

                    • I've had a busy morning ...... who's the Prime Minister now ?

                      Commenter
                      A Green
                      Location
                      Australia
                      Date and time
                      February 25, 2016, 3:10PM

                      • Labor didn't want anybody to read its NG/CGT policy, says Captain Doolittle.

                        That must be why the released it.

                        Commenter
                        Real Politik
                        Date and time
                        February 25, 2016, 3:09PM

                        • The PM is simply dodging to answer questions on economy, jobs, growth but his key contribution seem to be on negative gearing, when thousands of ozzies cant afford housing, defence in the name of security and peace ... what a joke ???

                          Commenter
                          Ozbala
                          Location
                          Melbourne
                          Date and time
                          February 25, 2016, 3:09PM

                          • He's defending your right not to own a house. And he's defending his right to create a society where he can own multiple houses, with a view.

                            Commenter
                            Pluto
                            Location
                            Melbourne
                            Date and time
                            February 25, 2016, 4:36PM

                        • If the Government feels so inclined to claim that opposition party has no regard for defence or that an opposition party is actually working against the defence of the country it really needs to act in a way that is commensurate with the threat that it is throwing around and have the opposition rounded up and put away as a threat to the nation. Anything else is just tedious grandstanding.

                          Commenter
                          Quick Comment.
                          Date and time
                          February 25, 2016, 3:05PM

                          • New cars lose 20% just being driven out of the showroom. We could save billions on our subs. Couldn't we get some ex-demo ones or 2015 plate models or wait for the end of season run-out sale? Money saved - "Oh What a Feeling!"

                            Commenter
                            Tucky
                            Location
                            Warragul
                            Date and time
                            February 25, 2016, 3:03PM

                            • Malcolm !

                              Tell us about all the countries that have negative gearing. How long could it take to list them for the benefit of the House?

                              Commenter
                              Real Politik
                              Date and time
                              February 25, 2016, 3:03PM

                              • I have just read elsewhere that the Dept of Immigration is set to order stun guns/lasers for Border Force officers. What is the purpose of the Australian Federal Police?

                                Commenter
                                Banjo
                                Location
                                Eden
                                Date and time
                                February 25, 2016, 3:01PM

                                • Protect George.

                                  Commenter
                                  Conservative laxative
                                  Date and time
                                  February 25, 2016, 3:59PM

                                • Political.

                                  Commenter
                                  A country gal
                                  Date and time
                                  February 25, 2016, 4:02PM

                              • A lot of people could be watching Wyatt Roy in the not too distant future.

                                Commenter
                                John
                                Location
                                East Gippsland
                                Date and time
                                February 25, 2016, 3:01PM

                                • 2.47
                                  So now Captain Hornblower is going to vote Labor.
                                  Good choice compared to the alternative.

                                  Commenter
                                  fizzybeer
                                  Date and time
                                  February 25, 2016, 3:01PM

                                  • In light of his rhetoric on negative gearing I wonder if Malcolm has teed up Status Quo and a big red hand for his election advertising campaign.

                                    Commenter
                                    tasch2
                                    Location
                                    Mornington Peninsula
                                    Date and time
                                    February 25, 2016, 3:00PM

                                    • In bygone days leaders of countries would lead from the front in battle. Nowadays they make decisions from way behind the lines. Given our 20th century NBN perhaps they are way behind the times as well. Wouldn't it be wonderful to see our leaders out leading our troops into battle. If it was a prerequisite for being a parliamentarian then we would have a Peace Minister instead of a Defence Minister. Imagine what a trillion dollars could do for peace.

                                      Commenter
                                      Tucky
                                      Location
                                      Warragul
                                      Date and time
                                      February 25, 2016, 2:59PM

                                      • Spot on and a Ministry for Happiness like Bhutan.
                                        Take note how many Pollies have ther children in the Forces and how many were conscripted for Vietnamese!

                                        Commenter
                                        A country gal
                                        Date and time
                                        February 25, 2016, 4:06PM

                                    • And it looks like the Speaker has been given a bit of advice from his colleagues in the LNP about his role being primarily to protect the government.

                                      Commenter
                                      Real Politik
                                      Date and time
                                      February 25, 2016, 2:57PM

                                      • Now it is obvious why Turnbull left the law.

                                        Beside the Spycatcher case, did he ever win in court?

                                        Commenter
                                        Real Politik
                                        Date and time
                                        February 25, 2016, 2:55PM

                                        • 2:08pm

                                          "Tony, you had the gumption but why were you such a nong? We could have had it all!"

                                          Commenter
                                          Quote me
                                          Date and time
                                          February 25, 2016, 2:54PM

                                          • What!! No Terri Butler photos today???

                                            She hasn't been kicked out of QT yet...

                                            Commenter
                                            Paul
                                            Location
                                            Brisbane
                                            Date and time
                                            February 25, 2016, 2:53PM

                                            • I think you've got a crush on Terri.

                                              Commenter
                                              A country gal
                                              Date and time
                                              February 25, 2016, 3:55PM

                                          • Trying to watch question time but god it hard truly what a pathetic clueless lot this government are it staggers belief that this mob are in power i cringe at the thought of another 3yrs of it totally out of touch submarines appear to be the way to fix all our woes unbelievable!

                                            Commenter
                                            tom
                                            Location
                                            QLD
                                            Date and time
                                            February 25, 2016, 2:51PM

                                            • A few people on this forum need reminding that schools and hospitals etc are the domain of the States. Maybe they should be directing their anger to the State Premiers....

                                              Commenter
                                              The Sniper
                                              Location
                                              Sydney
                                              Date and time
                                              February 25, 2016, 2:46PM

                                              • The issue for state funding is the GST and the problems that the Fed govt controls and claws back the money. The Feds also direct funding and curriculum for schools and control medicare etc so it's not that simple

                                                Commenter
                                                Tucky
                                                Location
                                                Warragul
                                                Date and time
                                                February 25, 2016, 3:55PM

                                              • I believe Cori brung it up in Federal Parliament.

                                                Commenter
                                                Zapruder's Other Film
                                                Location
                                                Grassy Knoll
                                                Date and time
                                                February 25, 2016, 3:58PM

                                            • Got to love the bleeding hearts - if the ADF was say a "union run" industry like the car manufacturing industry, they'd be cheering for saving the jobs of a couple of hundred guys....

                                              Commenter
                                              The Sniper
                                              Location
                                              Sydney
                                              Date and time
                                              February 25, 2016, 2:41PM

                                              • Their jobs are not in danger with or without umpteen billion dollars.

                                                Commenter
                                                Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                Date and time
                                                February 25, 2016, 3:57PM

                                            • Turnbull makes a very good Laurel to Palmer's Hardy

                                              could be a 70's prog rock band

                                              Turn, Bull, and Palmer

                                              Commenter
                                              rod steiger
                                              Location
                                              toukley
                                              Date and time
                                              February 25, 2016, 2:34PM

                                              • 2:27 - Clive - you can be assured of one thing, and that is that Malcolm will not be retiring to the once-majestic Hyatt Coolum to be the sole guest.

                                                Commenter
                                                Hacka
                                                Location
                                                Canberra
                                                Date and time
                                                February 25, 2016, 2:32PM

                                                  • Why, he's the only one who can afford it?

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 3:55PM

                                                • The PM's biggest assets for winning the 2016 election are in place & don't look like changing.

                                                  Here they are & it's an impressive lineup:

                                                  Shorten; Bowen, Burke; Plibersek, Albanese; Wong; Conroy; Dreyfus.

                                                  Wow, what a team, Imagine that lot in charge. Oh, that's right they were in charge just a few short years ago & they messed it all up big time. Not again!!

                                                  Commenter
                                                  Shane
                                                  Location
                                                  Hammondville
                                                  Date and time
                                                  February 25, 2016, 2:31PM

                                                  • You forgot little Dasher in the background pulling the strings and sharpening the knives....

                                                    Commenter
                                                    The Sniper
                                                    Location
                                                    Sydney
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 2:51PM

                                                  • That is all Labor would need to beat the myriad of failures being recycled through the con front bench.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    fizzybeer
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 2:51PM

                                                  • Umm...they did actually have some ideas and weren't scared to implement policy.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 2:54PM

                                                  • where do CFMEU, ETU and AWU fit in ?

                                                    Commenter
                                                    faceless men
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 2:54PM

                                                  • Actually, the more senior members of Cabinet in 201 reads more like this: Rudd, Albanese, Wong, Bowen, Smith, Carr, B., Shorten, Carr, K., Butler, Gray, Dreyfus, Marles, Fitzgibbon.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Quick Comment.
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 3:01PM

                                                  • Mote? Beam? Ring a bell?

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Double Disillusion
                                                    Location
                                                    Sydney
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 3:02PM

                                                  • regardless of which drover's dog he faces, Thelma Turnbull can still get girlfriend Louise Joyce into the ute, hit the road, and drive the ute through the gate and over a cliff

                                                    he's got ute form

                                                    Commenter
                                                    rod steiger
                                                    Location
                                                    toukley
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 3:04PM

                                                  • You are easily impressed

                                                    Commenter
                                                    fiberal
                                                    Location
                                                    darwin
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 3:07PM

                                                  • All I have to do is imagine the current lot of misfits sitting on the Opposition benches and I'm a happy camper.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Real Politik
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 3:07PM

                                                  • So Shane you are pointing out the team that are actually coming out with policy and have hauled back in a massive honeymoon polls lead to the point where the Libs are crapping themselves and are too scared to announce anything.

                                                    Yeah, riiiiiiiight.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    davemac
                                                    Location
                                                    Melbourne
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 3:41PM

                                                  • Shane. It is instructive to see that you don't count the following among our Prime Minsiters greatest assets:

                                                    Leadership
                                                    Intelligence
                                                    Ideas
                                                    Purpose
                                                    Agility
                                                    Innovation
                                                    Wit
                                                    Charm
                                                    Gravitas

                                                    Commenter
                                                    tasch2
                                                    Location
                                                    Mornington Peninsula
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 3:41PM

                                                  • Wow Rod you just came up with the LNP mardi gras float.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 3:42PM

                                                • @2.27
                                                  hear hear...

                                                  Commenter
                                                  bonnie
                                                  Date and time
                                                  February 25, 2016, 2:31PM

                                                  • The sum total of my utilities per annum except for electricity is around $4k.

                                                    I'd get $80+ a week for the joint if I rented it out and I wouldn't have any trouble finding a tenant.

                                                    Turnbull is standing on his feet day after day and telling a pack of lies in order to protect the interests of his rich mates and LNP donors.

                                                    I won't ask how he sleeps at night, it looks to me like he doesn't at all.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Real Politik
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 25, 2016, 2:31PM

                                                    • The Pulse @ 2.14 pm

                                                      My liking for a poem
                                                      Is something I can use
                                                      So Malcolm and his ego
                                                      Take note of other views
                                                      Each time he makes decisions
                                                      Regarding what ensues.

                                                      He’ll struggle as a leader
                                                      Until he curbs his pride
                                                      By learning to be humble,
                                                      Reserved and dignified.
                                                      If you don’t know acrostics,
                                                      Scan down the left-hand side!

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Gazza from Grong Grong
                                                      Date and time
                                                      February 25, 2016, 2:29PM

                                                      • thanks, got it, good!

                                                        Commenter
                                                        Ruth
                                                        Location
                                                        Melbourne
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 25, 2016, 3:01PM

                                                      • Very clever Gazza. Now you'll have me checking for hidden text evrytime

                                                        Commenter
                                                        stevek
                                                        Location
                                                        Sydney
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 25, 2016, 3:20PM

                                                      • Clever!

                                                        Commenter
                                                        fizzy
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 25, 2016, 3:38PM

                                                      • I don't often read your material GfGG but I'm glad I read this one. I, like stevek, might be looking more carefully at your posts from now on.

                                                        Commenter
                                                        Quick Comment.
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 25, 2016, 3:53PM

                                                    • Meanwhile, Tony Abbott is in Tokyo giving one of his (in)famous $40,000 speeches, this time taking it up to China over the South Asian Seas. Diplomacy 101.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Banjo
                                                      Location
                                                      Eden
                                                      Date and time
                                                      February 25, 2016, 2:26PM

                                                      • Correction. Tony Abbott is giving his speech in Tokyo tomorrow.

                                                        Commenter
                                                        Banjo
                                                        Location
                                                        Eden
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 25, 2016, 2:51PM

                                                      • We can only hope they don't understand him.

                                                        Commenter
                                                        Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 25, 2016, 2:52PM

                                                      • So who is the person in the photograph at 2:08pm? Does Tony, like Vladimir Putin, have a body double?

                                                        Commenter
                                                        Pluto
                                                        Location
                                                        Melbourne
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 25, 2016, 3:08PM

                                                      • Are you saying that he is not in Parliament representing his electorate as a backbencher? Who approved that and do we dock his pay for being away from his job? This just shows yet again the self interested approach Abbott has taken to his job regardless if he was PM or a backbencher.

                                                        Why are the Australian people still paying him? If he wants to make more money doing other work during his work day then do what any business would do - sack him.

                                                        Commenter
                                                        Lance
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 25, 2016, 3:09PM

                                                      • vote mal eat pal

                                                        TA: "No-one understands me" :(

                                                        Commenter
                                                        rod steiger
                                                        Location
                                                        toukley
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 25, 2016, 3:37PM

                                                    • Spot on, plenty of cash fro endless wars in the mideast, never ending wars, but basically zilch for the things that really matter in our communities.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Piesnchess
                                                      Date and time
                                                      February 25, 2016, 2:25PM

                                                      • 'Endless' is a bit unfair. The White Paper states that the Department can't see much improvement in the situation happening there in the next 20 years.

                                                        Commenter
                                                        Quick Comment.
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 25, 2016, 3:03PM

                                                      • Imagine if we spent $1trillion on infrastructure and development in Australia and our Region.

                                                        We wouldn't have any enemies to fight.

                                                        Commenter
                                                        Real Politik
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 25, 2016, 3:15PM

                                                    • yellow tie today

                                                      that'll represent the tail-between-legs approach to tax reform

                                                      Commenter
                                                      rod steiger
                                                      Location
                                                      toukley
                                                      Date and time
                                                      February 25, 2016, 2:24PM

                                                      • 2.08pm Turnbull says that the Defence spending is "an investment in peace". So we're back to Roman thinking: "si vis pacem para bellum" ( if you want peace prepare for war).

                                                        Commenter
                                                        Banjo
                                                        Location
                                                        Eden
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 25, 2016, 2:21PM

                                                        • “War is peace.
                                                          Freedom is slavery.
                                                          Ignorance is strength.”

                                                          Commenter
                                                          rod steiger
                                                          Location
                                                          toukley
                                                          Date and time
                                                          February 25, 2016, 3:31PM

                                                        • ...work makes freedom.

                                                          Commenter
                                                          Nuff Nuff
                                                          Date and time
                                                          February 25, 2016, 4:09PM

                                                      • Turnbull has flicked the switch from vaudeville to boredeville.

                                                        Commenter
                                                        Real Politik
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 25, 2016, 2:18PM

                                                        • 2.08 "An investment in Peace"
                                                          So they'll just fir blanks and smiley emojis.

                                                          Commenter
                                                          A country gal
                                                          Date and time
                                                          February 25, 2016, 2:18PM

                                                          • Truffles Turnbull is in big trouble with no policies,and his negative gearing scare campaign in tatters. So he does what all LNP PMs in trouble do, he drags out the trusty old war wagon, massive defence spending ,, to distract and scare voters. Just watch the war wagon roll on today, it wont stop under Truffles now.!

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Piesnchess
                                                            Date and time
                                                            February 25, 2016, 2:17PM

                                                            • 2:08 - Bill's getting excited about economic leadership.

                                                              Did he happen to notice the Newspoll on Tuesday comparing public opinion on leadership attributes across policy sectors (economic - 51% Turnbull / 28% Billy) ?

                                                              Commenter
                                                              Hacka
                                                              Location
                                                              Canberra
                                                              Date and time
                                                              February 25, 2016, 2:17PM

                                                              • More interestested in Labor v Liberal hacka.
                                                                You know, how elections won.
                                                                If you want a popularity contest get Mr Squiggle as your next leader.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                fizzybeer
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 25, 2016, 2:50PM

                                                              • "Shorten, who is not in government, has introduced 50 fully costed, by the governments own treasury, policies with every independent economic advisor backs."

                                                                Commenter
                                                                Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 25, 2016, 3:08PM

                                                              • The election will be between Labor and the LNP, Bills approval rating won't change that

                                                                Commenter
                                                                nuffsnuff
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 25, 2016, 3:08PM

                                                              • Too busy looking at the 50:50.

                                                                That's the figure in play at the ballot box.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                Real Politik
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 25, 2016, 3:18PM

                                                              • Fully costed, sure. Has he built the tens of billions for his big new carbon tax and RET into the costings and projections, or staying silent on that one hoping nobody notices ?

                                                                Commenter
                                                                Hacka
                                                                Location
                                                                Canberra
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 25, 2016, 4:11PM

                                                              • Astonishing what difference a week make fizzy.

                                                                If the polls head back to say 52-48 next time, will you be so keen to talk about them ?

                                                                Commenter
                                                                Hacka
                                                                Location
                                                                Canberra
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 25, 2016, 4:13PM

                                                            • Now turbo, what about all the tax reform to pay for this.
                                                              Or is the plan to cancel the aged pension altogether and retrain all as submariners?
                                                              It never ceases to amaze that these cons hide behind the camouflage of a khaki election when they are too scared to tackle tax reform.
                                                              Distract with the expenditure of trillions so the accumulation of capital gains can continue unabated.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              fizzybeer
                                                              Date and time
                                                              February 25, 2016, 2:15PM

                                                              • What! No blue tie today Malcolm! You had one on yesterday, I thought I was back in business. My business has plummeted since you rolled Abbott.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                Blue Tie Salesman
                                                                Location
                                                                I'm Feeling Blue
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 25, 2016, 2:13PM

                                                                • @2.08 - "an investment is peace" Sounds awfully Orwellian to me.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  tasch2
                                                                  Location
                                                                  Mornington Peninsula
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  February 25, 2016, 2:11PM

                                                                  • A bit like the euphemism "pacification" in times of colonial expansion.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Banjo
                                                                    Location
                                                                    Eden
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    February 25, 2016, 2:56PM

                                                                • Could somebody pleasetell me who the enemy is? Surely not the Yellow Hordes - again!

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Katie
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  February 25, 2016, 2:11PM

                                                                  • 1:58 - Surely he means nearly time to give answers to the questions I wanted to be asked so I look and sound intelligent.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    John
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    February 25, 2016, 2:11PM

                                                                    • I'm a bit tired of politicians stating they are 'humbled' when accepting accolades from various sources. When Greg Hunt 'Worlds Greatest Minister' said it, I couldnt help but think of Winston Churchill's snide eulogy about an ex-politician. He stated "He was a humble man with much to be humble about".

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Blakduk
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Bega
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      February 25, 2016, 2:10PM

                                                                      • 2:08
                                                                        It is not an investment in peace. It is an investment in Japan.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Steve
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        February 25, 2016, 2:10PM

                                                                        • Always look forward to my daily dose of Questions without Answers.

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          Oliver More
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          February 25, 2016, 2:08PM

                                                                          • How many failed Defence Ministers has this mob had in the last year?
                                                                            And we are expected to believe that a newby is across her brief sufficiently to spend Trillions of dollars.
                                                                            I don't think so.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            fizzybeer
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            February 25, 2016, 2:06PM

                                                                            • All just deflection to take the heat of Mal and pixies and unicorns.

                                                                              Commenter
                                                                              Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                              Date and time
                                                                              February 25, 2016, 2:55PM

                                                                          • Wow. Didn't take long for Malcolm to retreat back to Jingoism.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            sick budget
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            February 25, 2016, 2:06PM

                                                                            • And the Member for Bass another golden haired boy.
                                                                              The Ex's fan bois this week.

                                                                              Commenter
                                                                              A country gal
                                                                              Date and time
                                                                              February 25, 2016, 2:06PM

                                                                              • @1.01am. Lovely old photos. When did they move Government House to Canberra (a bit like the old Mortuary Station at Rookwood Necropolis).

                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                Double Disillusion
                                                                                Location
                                                                                Sydney
                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                February 25, 2016, 2:06PM

                                                                                • Without the maccas wrappers and grafitti.

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 3:22PM

                                                                              • Why, when the submarines were the big ticket spend did Mal bring a guy to the presser who knows about planes but not boats?

                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                ah ha
                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                February 25, 2016, 2:03PM

                                                                                  • The guy who knows about boats (but not planes) might be all at sea.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Banjo
                                                                                    Location
                                                                                    Eden
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 2:58PM

                                                                                • Aboard the submarine HAMS Scuttlefish August 21, 2027.

                                                                                  “Captain”?

                                                                                  The Captain in his cabin: “What is it No 1”

                                                                                  No1: “Comms has a missile launch two thousand miles and a missile is heading this way."

                                                                                  Captain: “Ok, No1 don’t panic, turn ten degrees to starboard and dive to 200 metres."

                                                                                  No1: “Captain I already did that before I woke you, but the missile is still tracking us."

                                                                                  Captain: “Godamn it, No1, we are the first of a $150 billion sub programme, use your initiative.”

                                                                                  No1: “ I warned you not to enter Chinese waters, Captain. What should I do? God, the missile is closing in on us!” How can we stop it?
                                                                                  “Cap……

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  Pen of hrba
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 2:02PM

                                                                                  • Hmmm the Member for Dawson, is he the golden haired boy this week.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 2:01PM

                                                                                    • Pen believes in the God of common sense yet votes Greens. Go figure.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      enough is enough
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 2:00PM

                                                                                      • If you believe in god yet vote con that also would take some figuring.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 2:53PM

                                                                                    • Catch22
                                                                                      If we saved all this defence money we could buy back our country from ever increasing foreign ownership and have something to defend.
                                                                                      As it is forecast, we will have equipment, some obsolete before deployment, to defend an ever decreasing piece of realestate.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      fizzybeer
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 1:56PM

                                                                                      • 'potent', 'agile' sounds more like a mid-life crisis than a defence plan.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Arthur McKenzie
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        Canberra
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 1:54PM

                                                                                        • viagra-led recovery

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          rod steiger
                                                                                          Location
                                                                                          toukley
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 2:52PM

                                                                                      • "West Australian Luke Simpkins has told the House of Representatives that the program needs to go because it was leading to heterosexual kids being bullied (I know that seems strange but that is what he said)."

                                                                                        Not strange at all. This is the hard right's agenda now for the SSM plebiscite. Gay people are the bullies, and should be put back in their box.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Jace
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 1:48PM

                                                                                        • I never met a homophobe (that I didn't love).

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Double Disillusion
                                                                                          Location
                                                                                          Sydney
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 2:57PM

                                                                                      • Go Scott, you ripper.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        A country gal
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 1:48PM

                                                                                        • As usual Scott Ludlam to the rescue calling out the idiots foe what they are.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Pen of hrba
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 1:44PM

                                                                                          • 50B on submarines at a time when our schools and health system is failing millions of people - ridiculous. More money for war machines that we don't actually need. Did we ever use the Collins Class submarines??? Also Turnbull is looking very tired and lack luster. I think he might be regretting his move.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Code Red
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 1:42PM

                                                                                            • Wow this is heavy,we have been warned . The LNP would put us all in debt to eernity,if the billions are wasted on a war chest

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              DUmb luck
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 1:41PM

                                                                                              • Malcolm Turnbull , prime minister of innovation... i think not !

                                                                                                The guys a worse dud than Abbott

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                Pecking order
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 1:38PM

                                                                                                  • I really hope Shortern wins the next election, these liberals have been really bad for business

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    people smuggler
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    indonesia
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 1:48PM

                                                                                                  • Get China to build the submarines and crew them via 457 visas.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Arthur McKenzie
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    Canberra
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 1:53PM

                                                                                                  • @Pecking order,
                                                                                                    Malcolm Turnbull , prime minister of innovation, no please give him a little respect, Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister of the Capitulation Government and whimp.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    DukeofWoyWoy
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 1:58PM

                                                                                                  • Malcolm Turnbull, Prime Minister for Procrastination.
                                                                                                    I think so.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 1:58PM

                                                                                                • What a bunch of wasteful,selfish,self gratified mendacious lot. Poor excuse for a human being

                                                                                                  I think i ill just take out the cheque book,and write out a cheque for $150 billion on useless war toys.Money from hospitals,schools,roads,infrastructure and welfare,will be given drastic haircuts,so Mal can play Napoleon with the worlds bourgeoisie

                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                  Punch Drunk
                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 1:35PM

                                                                                                  • Soooooo typical. The PM wants to be re-elected, so he starts talking up the military and surrounds himself with khaki, because he has nothing else - apart from the smirk and the polish, that is.
                                                                                                    We're hardly being treated with intelligence, as he promised. Shame on him.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Jules
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    Sydney
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 1:52PM

                                                                                                • What have you done to the website?
                                                                                                  Can I have my subscription back?

                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                  Double Disillusion
                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                  Sydney
                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 1:35PM

                                                                                                  • I nearly went cross-eyed when that happened.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Banjo
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    Eden
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 1:50PM

                                                                                                  • Come to The Age, we're old fashioned down here, for the moment.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 1:54PM

                                                                                                  • All good now,, thank you. Don't do that again.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Double Disillusion
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    Sydney
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 2:00PM

                                                                                                  • I blame Brandis.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    fizzybeer
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 2:08PM

                                                                                                • Ground Control to Major Mal
                                                                                                  Ground Control to Major Mal
                                                                                                  Take your protein pills and put your helmet on Ground control to Major Mal (ten, nine, eight, seven, six) Commencing countdown, engines on (five, four, three) Check ignition and may God’s love be with you (two, one liftoff

                                                                                                  This is Ground Control to Major Mal You've really made the grade
                                                                                                  And the papers want to know whose shirts you wear
                                                                                                  Now it's time to fly the F35 if you dare
                                                                                                  "This is Major Mal to Ground Control
                                                                                                  The peddle’s jammed on the floor And The plane’s behaving in a most peculiar way
                                                                                                  And my stars look very different today
                                                                                                  For here Am I sitting in bloody a tin can
                                                                                                  Far above the world
                                                                                                  Planet Earth is blue
                                                                                                  And there's nothing I can do
                                                                                                  Though the engine hasn’t passed a thousand miles
                                                                                                  It is now very still
                                                                                                  And I think this plane knows which way is down
                                                                                                  Tell my wife I love her very much she knows
                                                                                                  Ground Control to Major Mal your circuit's dead, is there's something wrong
                                                                                                  Can you hear me, Major Mal?
                                                                                                  Can you hear me, Major Mal?
                                                                                                  Can you hear me, Major Mal?
                                                                                                  Can you "Here am in this bloody tin can
                                                                                                  Far below the moon
                                                                                                  Earth is blue
                                                                                                  Nothing works and there's nothing I can do"

                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                  Pen of hrba
                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 1:30PM

                                                                                                  • If Mr Roy was "incredibly humbled" to be selected as a young leader to watch then he would have instructed his office not to released information about it at all. Humility and politicians appear to be mutually exclusive.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Tucky
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    Warragul
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 1:27PM

                                                                                                    • He has an AFP investigation to live through before he goes on to greatness.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Real Politik
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 2:22PM

                                                                                                  • Lets talk about Judas,and lets talk about Malcolm,in the same sentence. Any difference...none a far as i can see.He and his government would sell us all out to the highest bidder,without regard,to the next generation of Australians

                                                                                                    MT is dead in the water as i can see for general tax payers lets come up with a new plan,,spend $150 billion on war toys. What a hypocrite,at the same time have a national fire sale,and sell,Australia's assets to the highest. bidder

                                                                                                    We don't need Mal to raid the treasury,to buy army toys to protect Australia.The Chinese don't need to invade,us,as they will buy us all out country and home

                                                                                                    Tony looks like a kitten,in comparison to this snake oil salesman

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Dumb & dusted
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 1:26PM

                                                                                                      • It's as if future historians will be lauding Turnbull's contribution to our 21st Century infrastructure or something.

                                                                                                        Now he want's to spend $2,000 per man, woman and child each year for the next twenty years on military hardware (and maintenance) that won't have a life-expectancy beyond a week in a modern war.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Real Politik
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 2:27PM

                                                                                                    • I think Roy is being watched by more than a glossy magazine.
                                                                                                      Wonder young Christopher wasn't nominated also.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      fizzybeer
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 1:19PM

                                                                                                      • Can't find anything with Dr Google, must be on the dark web.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        A country gal
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 1:53PM

                                                                                                    • Throwback Thursday indeed. We now have a defence plan based on 20th century understanding of defence. We have a fifties style attitude to refugees. We have politicians unwilling to realise that gender equality and gender preference can and should be now openly discussed. We have not moved that much forward with indigenous recognition and acceptance since the sixties. However some things have changed. Young people can no longer aspire to owning a family home in the short to middle term. We have sold of so many of our publicly owned companies and have to prop them up. But thank heavens we still have our public transport system that resembles the halcyon times of the 1960's and that makes us even more nostalgic.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Tucky
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      Warragul
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 1:13PM

                                                                                                      • Tucky
                                                                                                        Our defence plan is based on an FTA with Japan.
                                                                                                        Just like the Joint Strike Fighter was based on an FTA with the US.
                                                                                                        I wonder what Robb promised Korea and China. I guess we will have to wait to find out.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Steve
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 2:17PM

                                                                                                    • The Pulse @ 12.44 pm

                                                                                                      Pssst — wanna buy a submarine?
                                                                                                      I’ve got one going cheap!
                                                                                                      It’s just a billion and quite clean,
                                                                                                      but look before you leap
                                                                                                      and take it for a little run
                                                                                                      to see what it can do —
                                                                                                      I reckon you’ll have lots of fun,
                                                                                                      for it’s as good as new!

                                                                                                      A sweet old lady owned it last,
                                                                                                      and drove so very slow
                                                                                                      that there was nothing that she passed,
                                                                                                      so it’s now good to go.
                                                                                                      There’s just one thing I need to say —
                                                                                                      be careful not to drown.
                                                                                                      When you are out there, under way,
                                                                                                      don’t wind the window down!

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Gazza from Grong Grong
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 1:11PM

                                                                                                      • 12.56pm Which magazine, Stephanie, please. Knowledge of that might make this nomination more scrutable.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Banjo
                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                        Eden
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 1:10PM

                                                                                                        • Looks like the luvvies here better start one of their crowd funding efforts to help Fairfax replace their XP computer system.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          enough is enough
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 1:10PM

                                                                                                          • maybe getup can organise another March in March as fundraiser

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            head scratch
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 1:38PM

                                                                                                          • I thought you were a Liberal Luvvie.
                                                                                                            Aren't you?

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            PhilC
                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                            Sydney
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 4:52PM

                                                                                                        • Shorten has peaked too early! By the time it's election campaign time everyone will be so over his whining negative voice.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          The Sniper
                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                          out of earshot
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 1:09PM

                                                                                                          • No, I doubt it.
                                                                                                            He says something positive about policy.
                                                                                                            In return we get much waffle about nothing from turbo, and few have any idea at all what Morrison is attempting to say.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            fizzybeer
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 1:33PM

                                                                                                          • "Shorten, who is not in government, has introduced 50 fully costed, by the governments own treasury, policies with every independent economic advisor backs."
                                                                                                            Mal has done zip, nada.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 3:07PM

                                                                                                        • The white paper provides building nine anti-submarine warfare frigates? Wow, they will stop those 60 subs in the Chinese navy?

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          Pen of hrba
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 1:00PM

                                                                                                          • So we cut CSIRO jobs, slash health and education, condemn another generation to slow internet.... but there's billions and billions and billions of dollars for defence. I would've thought that a creative, well-connected, educated nation is our best defence against whatever the future may throw at us. Wars are won by smart nations. Dumb nations start them (Did someone say Iraq. Or was that Vietnam?).

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            thelonghaul
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 12:50PM

                                                                                                            • Binskin? Who saw Dr Who last night

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              rod steiger
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              toukley
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 12:44PM

                                                                                                              • Bye everyone, Im off to join the ADF so i can get a free upgrade for my XP operating system.

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                emmawren
                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                melbourne
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 12:40PM

                                                                                                                • For a minute I thought I had gone tone deaf to what Malcolm was saying on defence, then I remembered that I had turned my hearing aids off after hearing the words leading edge?.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:36PM

                                                                                                                  • Pen, were you in the audience or up on the stage for the White Paper announcements? surely they invited you given your self proclaimed expertise.

                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                    enough is enough
                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:33PM

                                                                                                                    • No I simply read up before I make comment, they teach this philosophy at university?

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 1:32PM

                                                                                                                    • More evidence about the state of our Universities. Look where it has got you Pen, the comments section on a political blog.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      enough is enough
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 1:59PM

                                                                                                                    • ...and I suppose you are the King of England einie?

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 2:48PM

                                                                                                                    • votemaleatpal -

                                                                                                                      That's Sir King of England to you

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      rod steiger
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      toukley
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 2:55PM

                                                                                                                  • Long time line for construction of submarines? If we were innovative with a 3D computer and pirating the plans off the internet we'd knock one up over the weekend.

                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                    Tucky
                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                    Warragul
                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:32PM

                                                                                                                    • Windows XP, surprise the Navy isn't using Commodore 64's.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 12:28PM

                                                                                                                      • Must be, got lost in Indonesian waters.

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 1:34PM

                                                                                                                      • Heh, heh fizzy, least they pretended to be.
                                                                                                                        The Commodore using the Commodore.

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        A country gal
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 1:47PM

                                                                                                                      • Please tell al, what's wrong with the commodore 64, I've got one and it's still working, a bit slow, but it gets there.
                                                                                                                        Just the name makes it suitable for the Navy.

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        DukeofWoyWoy
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 1:50PM

                                                                                                                      • Commodore 64 has still got the best version of "Batleships".

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        Stan
                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                        Montmorency, Vic
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 1:58PM

                                                                                                                    • Glenn Lazarus's dietary requirements: "I eat everything."

                                                                                                                      Including Prime Ministers?

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Banjo
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      Eden
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 12:28PM

                                                                                                                      • Wouldn't it be great if the world's countries worked towards peace, instead of every country wasting trillions of dollars on defence to outdo their neighbours.

                                                                                                                        Naïve - I know.

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        PEarn
                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 12:28PM

                                                                                                                        • A few others have had that idea. Mahatma Gandhi, John Lennon and Martin Luther King to name a few.Suggest you keep your head down. Lots of money going into defence. Lots of second hand assault and sniper riles soon to hit the market.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          Tucky
                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                          Warragul
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 1:35PM

                                                                                                                      • Kowtowing seems to be back in fashion. Malcolm has kowtowed to the the right wing conservatives over Safe Schools. He has kowtowed to the Real Estate lobby over Negative Gearing. He has kowtowed to the worried back-benchers over GST changes. He has kowtowed to the Americans over naval intervention in the South China Sea. He has kowtowed to media moguls over media ownership..... the list goes on. All this bending over backwards to appease everyone shows how agile he is, but also perhaps how spineless he could be too.

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        Tucky
                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                        Warragul
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 12:23PM

                                                                                                                        • People with disabilities, CSIRO climate scientists, domestic violence sufferers, imaging patients etc will be clambering to join the ADF where the funding is.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          emmawren
                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                          melbourne
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 12:23PM

                                                                                                                          • That's the idea you didn't twig!!

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            AMRO
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 4:01PM

                                                                                                                        • Good front foot announcement today by the government. They've followed a good process, done their due diligence and produced a detailed and substantial white paper. It impacts defence, national security, infrastructure, jobs and growth.

                                                                                                                          It restores defence spending to its rightful place prior the pre-RGR contraction.

                                                                                                                          Given all the boxes it ticks, presumably it'll have bipartisan support.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          Hacka
                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                          Canberra
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 12:21PM

                                                                                                                          • no doubt with the added bonus of extra GPS transmitters hidden behind the heads.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            fizzybeer
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 1:29PM

                                                                                                                          • Yes its an announceable. Well done. Quick, look over there.

                                                                                                                            And what a surprise, straight out of the Tones playbook of going to defence issues to deflect from an inability to govern.

                                                                                                                            So, I asked before and you declined to answer, what's your view on spending this massive sack o cash when we have such a budget emergency and are cutting the guts out of everything else? Quite happy to pay the interest bill in that case?

                                                                                                                            One things for sure, it cements this govt as the highest spending ever. Quite an achievement.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            davemac
                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 1:57PM

                                                                                                                          • Straight from the Conservative guide book: when in trouble, start talking about national security.
                                                                                                                            I think punters will be scratching their heads about why we need to fork out for 12 subs when we have got by with 6 Collins subs in the past, and where are those other F-35 JSFs we haven't yet received?

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            stevek
                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                            Sydney
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 2:06PM

                                                                                                                          • Is this a Dorothy Dixer?

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            MP
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 4:15PM

                                                                                                                        • Let me clarify my earlier comment. Social issues should not be taught from the perspective that one side is right and the other side is wrong to the point you spend millions promoting one point of view and you grow up in a society where we are Bill Shorten's who equate those right or wrongly defending the status quo as homophobes. That is called indoctrination in my books. For all his faults, Bernardi and co are free to oppose whatever they want as long as they don't promote discrimination and hate. Schools are free to discuss social issues in a construct where there is no wrong or right answer. Teachers have enough tools at play to counter bullying and extremism. I don't want programs promoting one point of view or religion and teaching kids all other religions or views are wrong.

                                                                                                                          If I have a child it's up to me to teach him that hating someone based on who they love is wrong not my local school.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          Piped Piper
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 12:19PM

                                                                                                                          • Indoctrination piped
                                                                                                                            I love god and my country and swear allegiance to the Queen.
                                                                                                                            O.k. when it is con indoctrination?
                                                                                                                            Hard to stomach for a republican and an atheist.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            fizzybeer
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 1:36PM

                                                                                                                          • A question and an observation, Piped:

                                                                                                                            In what way could homophobia to be presented as 'right'?

                                                                                                                            You seem to be saying that a world in which we rightly call out homophobes is to be avoided if it costs millions.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Quick Comment.
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 1:58PM

                                                                                                                          • Piped - I really do think you need to go and have a look at the Safe Schools hub. I cannot see how you would call the promotion of anti-bullying behaviour indoctrination. I wish it had been at my son's school when his friend was bullied and harassed simply for being gay. Or at my niece's school where her classmate was bullied for not meeting a certain standard of attractiveness. This is not all about sexuality or gender - it is all about common decency and leaving people who are perceived as different the hell alone.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            sybella
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 2:14PM

                                                                                                                          • Piped
                                                                                                                            The problem is that Bernadi and co are promoting discrimination and hate.
                                                                                                                            Bill is just calling it what it is.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Steve
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 2:18PM

                                                                                                                        • I bet the ADF cadets are having a ball.

                                                                                                                          It's rather like the UN, when no one wants to listen to a particular leader.

                                                                                                                          All the interns are rounded up and pressed to sit down and listen.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          Jason of Gold Coast
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 12:19PM

                                                                                                                          • Maybe they get 10% for turning up to this lecture

                                                                                                                            maybe it's a psych experiment and they get 10% for consenting to be subjects

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            rod steiger
                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                            toukley
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 2:32PM

                                                                                                                        • Another day, another Mal-function

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          Kuyf
                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                          Melbourne
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 12:18PM

                                                                                                                          • Malfunction junction.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 1:43PM

                                                                                                                        • If I pay for a Steyr combat weapon can I have my pension back, please?

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 12:17PM

                                                                                                                          • The Tories do like mixing it with the brass, though I guess they can't be blamed today.

                                                                                                                            I can only see two flags on the podium; what's going on here?

                                                                                                                            Tones used to have up to twelve.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Jason of Gold Coast
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 12:14PM

                                                                                                                            • We are only on turquoise alert.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 1:32PM

                                                                                                                            • Tones put them on Gumtree to pay for his home fridge.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 1:40PM

                                                                                                                          • 11.54
                                                                                                                            Credit where credit is due, at least Payne has some qualification and interest in her portfolio unlike her peers.
                                                                                                                            Just hope they don't skimp and build any ships out of the crummy Chinese steel flooding the market. We'll have a fleet of rust buckets in no time.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 12:09PM

                                                                                                                            • “There is also expected to be a commitment to raise and train thousands more military personnel and a plan to acquire armed drones for the first time, almost certainly Reapers” (Taken from the Australian Defence White paper).

                                                                                                                              Oh dear oh dear, does the left hand understand what the right hand is doing? What about the $74,300,000,000 needed over the next 40 years for the now redundant F35? Have I not warned for years that F35 technology is rapidly being replaced by drone technology?

                                                                                                                              Have I not warned of Taranis Britain’s top secret stealth drone? Taranis the most advanced aircraft ever built. Taranis is expected to provide the basis for future fleets of supersonic stealth drone bombers and fighters that can attack deep into enemy territory, while evading sophisticated defences. “Lessons learnt from Taranis is “producing a replacement for the Typhoon and F35 fighters (Philip Dunne, the minister for defence equipment). So what do our great Aussie leaders do? Surprise, they buy ageing US Reapers?

                                                                                                                              See, http://www.torontosun.com/2013/05/05/unmanned-taranis-could-succeed-troubled-f-35

                                                                                                                              God give us strength.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 12:06PM

                                                                                                                              • Which God today Pen? got any new ones?

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                enough is enough
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 1:27PM

                                                                                                                              • Nuffy

                                                                                                                                Yes, the one of common sense?

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 1:35PM

                                                                                                                            • "A stronger Australia is a safer Australia," concludes the Prime Minister of the 'Turnbull Capitulation Government', an organisation that for the past 5 or so months has sat on its hands and done nothing, zilch, zero.
                                                                                                                              Full marks to Marise Payne for her work, evidently the only one in the 'new fellas' current organisation that has appeared to be productive whilst the others sit and squabble amongst themselves.
                                                                                                                              It may be time for most, nearly all, of the members of the 'Capitulation Government' to consider a work or lifestyle change and join the military as they all appear be excellent 'gunnas'.
                                                                                                                              If not the military, then some other profession could be applicable providing that there is no Governance required.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              DukeofWoyWoy
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Central Coast NSW
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 12:03PM

                                                                                                                              • This is Tones' white paper.

                                                                                                                                How dare the usurper take the creidt for it.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Jason of Gold Coast
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 12:00PM

                                                                                                                                • Can't be Tone's. 12 subs was KRudd's number and therefore verboten.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Double Disillusion
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Sydney
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:22PM

                                                                                                                                • And Kev's, don't forget Kev Jason.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  A country gal
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:34PM

                                                                                                                                • Still missing Abbott, Jason?

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  adrian
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:41PM

                                                                                                                              • Defence IT - here comes another $1 billion spend.

                                                                                                                                And when you've just announced a bold $150 billion submarine strategy, why not throw in a bonus IT upgrade ?

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Hacka
                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                Canberra
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 11:57AM

                                                                                                                                • Its easy to spend when its not your money Hacka.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Snapperhead
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  The Reef
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:22PM

                                                                                                                                • Can we add an east coast high speed rail line onto that? Seems the only way to get stuff built is to tack it onto the defence budget

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  slow boat
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:22PM

                                                                                                                                • Explain the enemy, Hacka: China or Climate change, go on be brave on turn your common sense meter on.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:38PM

                                                                                                                                • Are you also saying that Centrelink should get a $1 billion IT upgrade? Social services spending is just under 20% GDP and Defence is 1/10 of that. Perhaps you are saying we should have a $10billion IT upgrade in Centrelink...

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Immal
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:49PM

                                                                                                                                • Snapperhead - when did you guys start worrying about money and funding ?

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Hacka
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Canberra
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 1:27PM

                                                                                                                                • Thought you guys had a spending problem?
                                                                                                                                  Hang on, that was last week and the last two and a half years.
                                                                                                                                  Mal has probably back flipped innumerable times since last week.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 1:42PM

                                                                                                                                • If you paid attention Hacka, you would see that “we” are the only ones calling for reform to Negative Gearing, Capital Gains, Super Concessions, Multi National Tax Rorts, and Tax Rorts for the Rich.

                                                                                                                                  We Guys are the only ones who are taking a real interest in fixing our tax system and the budget bottom line. You Guys only ever seem to come up with Slogans like Cutting Spending without bothering to look at the real rorters in our economy such as those I mentioned above.

                                                                                                                                  I have no issues with spending money to help the less fortunate in society but I have a massive problem with the Liberals habit of handing out massive amounts of tax payers money to the already well off so they can live in the lap of luxury owning their 10th house, whilst millions of Australians are forced out of the housing market due to the Liberal Parties Negative Gearing Policy.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Snapperhead
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  The Reef
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 2:07PM

                                                                                                                              • 11:48am

                                                                                                                                Windows XP hasn't been supported (available updates) for almost 2 years.

                                                                                                                                I know because my PC crashed when dowloading the last of the updates and I had to install a new OS.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Real Politik
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 11:57AM

                                                                                                                                • Try the new abacus.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  fu manchu
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:23PM

                                                                                                                                • Most ATMs around the world also run XP.

                                                                                                                                  Organisations can pay Microsoft to continue upgrading the system, which I'm pretty sure Defence still do. Last I heard it cost something like $2m a year but I'm happy to be corrected.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  AMac
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Canberra
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:59PM

                                                                                                                                • Feel another slogan coming on:

                                                                                                                                  Liberals. Towards 2000.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  davemac
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 1:17PM

                                                                                                                                • What about 1950 was the time?

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 1:27PM

                                                                                                                              • So Turnbull receives a Letter from the Property Council threatening voter backlash if eh reforms Negative Gearing and Capital Gains and he folds like a cheap suit and does their bidding for them.

                                                                                                                                Contrast this to Howards first term when he took on the Gun Lobby and his Right Wing Base to do what was right for the country after Port Arthur. Howard was facing massive voter backlash but he chose to do what was right for the nation.

                                                                                                                                Turnbull on the other hand gets threatened with losing a few votes is he reforms the Negative Gearing and Capital Gains Taxes and he runs away screaming. How can this man be Prime Minister if all it takes for him to do the bidding of the Property Council, is for them to threaten him with the loss of a few votes? Where is his conviction and what example does this set? He is a weak leader and has no place being Prime Minister of this nation. What a sad excuse!

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Snapperhead
                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                The Reef
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 11:53AM

                                                                                                                                • @Snapperhead. I hate to say this but unfortunately I agree.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:40PM

                                                                                                                                • Agree. And probably not the sharpest pin in the sewing box either. I mean, he has the far right of the LNP over a barrel. Who from their side could they possibly put forward to replace him that the populace would put up with? Nobody. That being the case, how is it that he doesn't realise this and tell the right side to 'you know what'?
                                                                                                                                  Clueless and gutless.
                                                                                                                                  If Labor change their hopeless leader right now, they could possibly take the next one. Not saying they are any better but this could be their chance. Shades of Hawke, Hayden.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  PB
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Brisbane
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 1:07PM

                                                                                                                                • Weak as piddle water - anther Fraser. Had the country right behind him even whilst they were discussing 15% GST. Then as you say a couple of peer groups show their true colours and the man's stuffed. What about the great majority of Australians????

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  toscart
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Bribie Island
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 2:17PM

                                                                                                                              • What's wrong with a computer that runs Windows XP? Many underfunded schools and hospitals would be happy to upgrade to that level?

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Tucky
                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                Warragul
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 11:52AM

                                                                                                                                • My father runs XP and it works fine - email, web surfing, you tube. If and when it fails then we'll upgrade - if it aint broke, why fix it?

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  emmawren
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  melbourne
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:26PM

                                                                                                                                • I can't see anything at all wrong with Windows XP, the Pyramids were built that technology so it has a body of work to speak for it

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  fu manchu
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:26PM

                                                                                                                              • That low rumble you hear is the sound of swinging centre left voters who would have joyously voted for Turnbull 4 months ago parking their support behind Labour.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                emmawren
                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                melbourne
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 11:48AM

                                                                                                                                • ['He also said he had never met a homophobe.']

                                                                                                                                  A surprising comment given he has an army and sporting background.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Jason of Gold Coast
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 11:46AM

                                                                                                                                  • Good point. If he has had a military background alone, and escaped hearing and/or using derogatory words or terms vilifying homosexuality, then I'm going to do a Cory here and call him a "fraud", and in this instance the term well and truly sticks!

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Simon
                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                    Malvern Victoria
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:31PM

                                                                                                                                • Has Malcolm got it right? He wants to us to remain having strong ties with the US. Trump could become president and then the US defence policy will change. Do we want be dragged into a war against Mexico, the Pope, China, Iowa, the disabled, reporters, Muslims, African Americans, Seventh Day Adventists, Asians, Women, POW's and.....?

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Tucky
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Warragul
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 11:45AM

                                                                                                                                  • You have to admit that Trump makes Abbott look like a Ghandi.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:08PM

                                                                                                                                  • Nearly right, Pen. Gandhi would make Abbott look like a Trump.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Banjo
                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                    Eden
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:25PM

                                                                                                                                  • His wall should stop those budging illegal Mexicans, as for the rest...
                                                                                                                                    Gawd help us if it does become a reality.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:32PM

                                                                                                                                  • Pen

                                                                                                                                    Gold!

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    PEarn
                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:40PM

                                                                                                                                • 11.34 Turnbull actually said:

                                                                                                                                  And as the opportunities expand, so does the cost of losing them.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Banjo
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Eden
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 11:44AM

                                                                                                                                  • He's channelling Rudd.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 1:20PM

                                                                                                                                • @11.34am "..., the stakes are high (we may actually lose this election to a nobody like Bill)."

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Double Disillusion
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Sydney
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 11:42AM

                                                                                                                                  • Australia's defense is always better under a Labor govt. Dont forget it was Curtin who got us through the War, while libs were bumbling around..
                                                                                                                                    Mal just wants to show he is strong so he dosent get knocked off by Hard right in his party

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Jacob
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:41AM

                                                                                                                                    • Bahahaha!

                                                                                                                                      The last time Labor were in power soldiers were running around yelling 'bank' because their Battalions couldn't afford blanks and our Main Battle Tanks were mothballed because they couldn't fuel or fix them.

                                                                                                                                      Labor hate Defence. Fact.

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      AMac
                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                      Canberra
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 12:42PM

                                                                                                                                    • Amac
                                                                                                                                      ever heard of John Curtin?

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 1:24PM

                                                                                                                                  • Suggestion for Marise Payne seeing that we can't get nuclear subs and the current diesel powered ones we have, and will order more of, are useless because of range limitations. Why don't we buy or build and island for a submarine base somewhere closer to where the action is. Perhaps the South China Sea. Peter Dutton however would be tempted to put asylum seekers there. He may suggest money could be saved as they could be used as slave labour and quote the Burma railway as a successful way of operating.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Tucky
                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                    Warragul
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:37AM

                                                                                                                                    • Get those Baby Terrorists doing the intricate work with their tiny chubby hands.

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 11:46AM

                                                                                                                                    • now you're talking!

                                                                                                                                      If we don't learn from history we're bound to repeat it!

                                                                                                                                      ..oh, damn...

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      rod steiger
                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                      toukley
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 11:47AM

                                                                                                                                    • The unions will never allow this unless a good deal is cut through via AWU.

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      not bill shortern
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 11:48AM

                                                                                                                                    • What a great idea.

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 1:19PM

                                                                                                                                  • Hmmm this doesn't make any sense. Luke Simpkins says Safe School is leading to heterosexual kids being bullied. But the Liberal Party's complaint about Safe Schools is that kids are too young for it and they don't know at that age if they are gay or transgender. If they're too young to know they're gay, doesn't that mean they're too young to know they're heterosexual? So how can he claim heterosexual kids are being bullied if they're apparently too young to be either hetero or homosexual?

                                                                                                                                    Me thinks Mr Simpkins is making it up.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    MJ
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:35AM

                                                                                                                                    • What happened to the budget emergency of 2 and a bit years ago, we are in more debt now than when Labor were in power, and they find 1 trillion for Abbott's white paper

                                                                                                                                      How can people tell blatant lies and not be accountable these liars should be held for breach of promise

                                                                                                                                      Abbott became PM on a raft of blatant promises he had no intention of keeping, no cuts to health, schools, pensions, ABC SBS, great Christian this guy

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      fiberal
                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                      darwin
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 11:33AM

                                                                                                                                      • They got in on lies, lies & more lies.

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        Bazza
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 1:05PM

                                                                                                                                    • Guns or butter?

                                                                                                                                      Guns! Guns! Guns!

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      rod steiger
                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                      toukley
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 11:30AM

                                                                                                                                      • "Truffles" transformation to his predecsssor is almost complete, even down to a blue tie.

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        Jason of Gold Coast
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 11:29AM

                                                                                                                                        • Twelve subs.

                                                                                                                                          How the hell are they going to be crewed.

                                                                                                                                          It was rare, for example, to have one fully operational boat when we had the Oberon-class.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Jason of Gold Coast
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 11:25AM

                                                                                                                                          • The obvious solution would be to privatize the subs as soon as they are completed, for a paltry sum to mate's company of course.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Good question, no good answers
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:32AM

                                                                                                                                          • Abetz has given Cash and Payne his Work for the Dole dossier.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:42AM

                                                                                                                                          • Foreign mercenaries?

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:49AM

                                                                                                                                        • And another scratch on the head for poor Marise:

                                                                                                                                          “Iran’s Defense Minister, General Hossein Dehqhan, announced that Iran will sign a contract with Russia for the co-production of an undisclosed number of Russian-made Sukhoi Su-30 multirole fighter aircraft.”

                                                                                                                                          Best watch out for those Aussie Super Hornets, Marise. Still you have two F35’s, oh dear what am I saying?

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 11:23AM

                                                                                                                                          • I thought the left believed that spending in defense was waste of taxpayers money

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            head scratch
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:31AM

                                                                                                                                          • if you're going to spend it, don't spend it on sh!t products hs

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            rod steiger
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            toukley
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:48AM

                                                                                                                                        • A failed treasurer told us the age of entitlement is over

                                                                                                                                          Now this donut muncher is pulling 500k a year in a cushy office in the USA

                                                                                                                                          It's over for us, the bums, but not for the multi millionaires

                                                                                                                                          All Liberal policy, if they can find one, is always for the rich and super rich, and they lie they are governing for all Australians, bollocks

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          fiberal
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          darwin
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 11:23AM

                                                                                                                                          • Only Swannie can deliver surpless as promised and planned in 2013.. oops..ohh damn !!!!

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            head scratch
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:33AM

                                                                                                                                          • "The four years of surpluses we announce tonight ...."

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:42AM

                                                                                                                                          • Hows your mob going on the financial side of things @H? People in glass houses and all that...

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            davemac
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:48AM

                                                                                                                                          • Hacka, 'we will deliver a surplus in our first year and every year after that'. That one ring a bell?

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:52AM

                                                                                                                                          • Look I can be puerile too! "we will achieve a surplus in our first year in office and we will achieve a surplus for every year of our first term".

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            nuffsnuff
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:59AM

                                                                                                                                          • @head scratch & Hacka - so you are conceding that the LNP are just as bad as the ALP was?
                                                                                                                                            That gives me a smile for the rest of my day - Cheers :-)

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Jump
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:59AM

                                                                                                                                          • Hacka, well at least Swannie came close.

                                                                                                                                            What happened to the Liberals promise of a surplus in the first year and every year after that?

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Fiscal Rascal
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 12:15PM

                                                                                                                                          • Sure does jofek, a statement made when Swan had told us that we had, in fact, returned to surplus.

                                                                                                                                            Joe's mistake was taking Swan at his word. You've forgotten that one quickly :-)

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 12:18PM

                                                                                                                                          • @Jump: i think the Coalition is worse as they were the ones arrogantly spouting about adults being in charge after they were voted in, followed abut 15 months later with the promise of good government starting on then. 2 1/2 years later ..pffft!

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            stevek
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Sydney
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 12:43PM

                                                                                                                                          • Fiscal Rascal - Swan came close ? The closest he got was a $20 billion deficit, and that was the year he declared he'd returned to surplus.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 2:05PM

                                                                                                                                          • Hacka, so the only way Joe could produce a surplus was if Swan had already produced one. Did you really mean to say that?

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 2:30PM

                                                                                                                                        • Issues such as safe schools have come to the fore because so many people have become so unsure what parenting is these days. There are many single parent families. There are many families where both parents choose, but in most cases, have to work. Social media and visual media have put parents under so much scrutiny that a lot of important parts of parenting get overlooked. For years schools have had so much thrust upon their role and they now have to teach tolerance and ethics. So where do the naysayers of Safe Schools believe that more tolerance and less bullying be taught? For years it hasn't been taught in homes and children have suffered. There are fewer and fewer role models available to parents and children. Parliamentarians themselves aren't good role models as they bully each other. How do we become a more tolerant society? How do we learn to accept people better who may be of a different colour, religion, gender preference etc.? It can only happen in schools it seems. Right wing Coalition people have bullied their parties into having a review of Safe Schools which was a bipartisan approach to the teaching of tolerance and ethics. Hopefully the review will show the needs that are being met by the program, the successes of it, the long term gains made by putting money into a preventative program and perhaps even provide ways that it can be improved even more.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Tucky
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          Warragul
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 11:21AM

                                                                                                                                          • Great comment, Tucky. Thanks for stressing the fact that Safe Schools was a bipartisan program.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Banjo
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Eden
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:31AM

                                                                                                                                          • Spot on Tucky, excellent analysis.
                                                                                                                                            All in all it just appears as a diversion for the Tea Party faction to show some muscle and keep Turnbull under the thumb.
                                                                                                                                            They're just reminding him of their numbers.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:38AM

                                                                                                                                        • Is there anything in the defence white paper prohibiting ministers and Prime Ministers from accepting Rolex's as gifts from Chinese business man? Yes/No?

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Rollee the Rolex's Big Adventure
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 11:20AM

                                                                                                                                          • When did Turnbull get gelded? I must have missed the announcement.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            ozzie_oz
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Gelding barn.
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:19AM

                                                                                                                                            • It was a little shriek in the night

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              rod steiger
                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                              toukley
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 11:34AM

                                                                                                                                            • Make that two.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              Banjo
                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                              Eden
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 12:34PM

                                                                                                                                            • You know...Australia...steers and queers.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              St Bernards Nightmare
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 1:16PM

                                                                                                                                          • Looks like the defence white paper release is an eight flagger.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Nick
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:18AM

                                                                                                                                            • 11.13
                                                                                                                                              Phew, they're not going to privatise our Defence Forces.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 11:16AM

                                                                                                                                              • Good to see deckchair's is releasing Tony Abbott's defense white paper

                                                                                                                                                Can you release something of your own Malcolm

                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                fiberal
                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                darwin
                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 11:15AM

                                                                                                                                                • I'm happy with an increase to Defense.
                                                                                                                                                  We'll need it if Trump makes it to the White House.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Oliver More
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 11:14AM

                                                                                                                                                  • "Defence", you are spelling it the US way, Donald will be happy.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:34AM

                                                                                                                                                  • D-Fens.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    jofek
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:53AM

                                                                                                                                                  • Sorry, ACG.
                                                                                                                                                    I had to second guess myself. My browser kept telling me Defence was wrong!

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    Oliver More
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:53AM

                                                                                                                                                  • And sorry to you too Oliver if I appear pedantic. it is one that bugs me, you're not alone in using their version.
                                                                                                                                                    See above.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:24PM

                                                                                                                                                • 11:06 - $150 billion bucks for subs, wow.

                                                                                                                                                  To put it in perspective, that's our annual welfare bill.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Hacka
                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                  Canberra
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 11:12AM

                                                                                                                                                  • and your point Hacka?

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    PEarn
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:17PM

                                                                                                                                                  • you got insider knowledge?

                                                                                                                                                    is that where the defence budget is coming from?

                                                                                                                                                    scrap the entire welfare budget?

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    toukley
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 2:17PM

                                                                                                                                                • 10:28 - when the nanny state, social "reform" agenda of the progressive side of politics tries to target kids who haven't even reached high school, you really know we've reached a bridge too far.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Hacka
                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                  Canberra
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 11:09AM

                                                                                                                                                  • I seem to remember it being a bipartisan decision back in the day. You do like to rewrite history don't you?

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    davemac
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:31AM

                                                                                                                                                  • I know!

                                                                                                                                                    That Sunday School is so subversive!!

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    toukley
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:32AM

                                                                                                                                                  • rud - Sunday school, are you back in the 1960's ?

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    Hacka
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Canberra
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:44AM

                                                                                                                                                  • Hacka, is that how you would classify the Howard government, which initiated the Safe Schools program with bipartisan support from Labor?

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    Banjo
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Eden
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:50AM

                                                                                                                                                  • Because everyone knows that children are asexual beings and have no sense of self until an arbitrary date when they start high school

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    Immal
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:12PM

                                                                                                                                                  • That’s right Hacka. Time to ban all Scripture Classes in schools until the children are old enough to decide for themselves!

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    Snapperhead
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    The Reef
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:13PM

                                                                                                                                                  • Fine with me Snapper - there's no place for religion in schools either.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    Hacka
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Canberra
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 2:03PM

                                                                                                                                                • An interesting test of whether Mr Turnbull has morphed into Mr Abbott will be the launch of the Defence white paper.

                                                                                                                                                  If there are 10 Australian flags..... then we are cooked.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Time to change
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 11:08AM

                                                                                                                                                  • 10:30 The problem with the changes being rushed through is that (as I understand it) there will be virtually no chance for independents to be elected in the senate and even new parties to get a foot in the door. If the Greens follow the path of the Democrats then we will be left with a 2 party system in the upper house and I think many Australians prefer the checks and balances in place. As Don Chipp said, at least they keep the bastards honest. The current micro party referencing is a problem for sure but we need a better and considered solution. The fact that it has been on the table for a long time proves that there are concerns all around and rushing it now proves that it is purely an opportunistic grab for power by the coalition, greens and xenophon. The current system is flawed but we need a better solution that is being legislated. It is a major change and should not be treated as a cheap political grab.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    monkeybiz
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:07AM

                                                                                                                                                    • newscorp reported today that Shortern has not had 1 single get together meeting with Di Natale since he took charge of Greens last year, this compared to regular catch up's Labor party had with Bob Brown and Christine Milne over many years.
                                                                                                                                                      Very interesting turn of events

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      observer
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 11:06AM

                                                                                                                                                      • If Malcolm has become weak as water as some people say, then he has also turned water into whine.

                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                        Tucky
                                                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                                                        Warragul
                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 11:06AM

                                                                                                                                                        • Will they be releasing the GST Whitepaper at 11:30?

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          Blue Paper
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 11:05AM

                                                                                                                                                          • 10.30
                                                                                                                                                            Completely agree with Shortern,
                                                                                                                                                            Greens seem to be hopping on in the bed with Liberals in anticipation of getting more seats, its a shame on what we will end up with in senate, wish bob brown and christine milne as party elders step in to stop Di Natale doing crazy things.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            self interest
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:02AM

                                                                                                                                                            • As usual, Nuffy fails to understand the complexities of having a submarine fleet. The distances Australian subs have to travel demand nuclear powered subs, diesel models simply do not have the range required for extended operations underwater. However, a nuclear option is simply not available to Australia, neither do we have sub reactor technology in Australia. So we are saddled with the worst option at enormous cost that is simply not viable.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 11:01AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Yep, a bit different in the bath tub.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 1:14PM

                                                                                                                                                            • Just whipped down to the bookies, checking out the odds on Liberals losing 2 PM's in one term, to go along with 2 treasurers and 2 speakers

                                                                                                                                                              I should have backed the trifecta, great party this current mess aren't they

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              fiberal
                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                              darwin
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 10:59AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Just wondering has anyone actually taken the time to look at the "Safe Schools Program" site. I have and frankly the hullabaloo is grossly exaggerated.
                                                                                                                                                                One can argue it's the Parents responsibility, but just be aware many parents/siblings have great difficulty in accepting that their child may be different.
                                                                                                                                                                Imagine Cory's response if his child was gay.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 10:56AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Correct ACG. It is apparent that the critics of this program are uniformed and relying on hearsay.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  meganjj
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 11:35AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Megan, Jill Stark's piece was excellent and provided many links. Jamie's story emotive.
                                                                                                                                                                  I doubt many of the posters there bothered to click on a link, listen to Jamie or even bothered to read what Jill had so thoughtfully and factuallyl written.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 11:55AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Thank goodness people are taking a stand against this 'safe schools' nonsense. Taking it out will make our schools safer from the crazies trying to distort our kids' minds

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                Bluey
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 10:47AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • The crazies trying to look out for our kids?

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    jofek
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:49AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • You mean like Catholic Priests

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    fiberal
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    darwin
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:56AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Oh dear it seems everyone is coming down with a bad case of confected moral outrage, except for me of course,

                                                                                                                                                                    Anyway I'm off to school now with the rest of the kiddies getting an education while they can.

                                                                                                                                                                    Have a nice day jofek.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    SteveH.
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:09AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Yes that School Chaplain program really does concern me.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    meganjj
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:21AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Except for you SteveH; that was never in doubt.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    jofek
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:31AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • The safe school coalition is not designed to change a child into someone who identifies as LGBTQ, it is simply designed to discourage bullying and queer hate to allow all students, regardless of sexuality and gender identity to be in a safe and understanding or tolerating learning environment. Before you make a comment in regards to the Safe Schools Coalition, please put in some time to research about it, and not just rely on the hearsay around you. And please don't decide that you have the right to "educate" others based on such hearsay. Just to remind you, it is simply a program to eradicate bullying. If you believe that muddling up your children's mind equates to letting them build a mindset of tolerance for the LGBTQ community, then please understand that it is people like you and the children you raise that leads to these bullied victims to consider to end their lives. However, if there is someone who is trying to convince your child that they should be queer, then please report this to your school, as this is not something they encourage. After all, you can't just learn to change your sexuality or gender identity.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Ally
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:01PM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Yes pleasing to see Andrews has stopped RSI in Victorian Schools during class time.
                                                                                                                                                                    This must be the ACL's retaliation tactic.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:03PM

                                                                                                                                                                • What's happened to the tax reform , Malcolm has turned out to be as weak as water.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Bill Grieve
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  Brisbane
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:41AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Some types of water are very potent, like the water used in homoeopathy.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Age of Aquarius
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:08AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • I think that Age of Aquarius accidentally left the im off the word potent

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Tucky
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    Warragul
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:22AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • confectionery water

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    toukley
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:24AM

                                                                                                                                                                • 10.30
                                                                                                                                                                  Well Mr Shorten I vividly remember your complicity with the Libs on Meta Data Retention. Who benefited from that dirty deal.
                                                                                                                                                                  Not us, that's for sure.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:39AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • You obviously missed Bill saying that Labor will revisit the issue should they be elected.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Real Politik
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:52AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Yes I obviously did. Obviously not a major platform or I would've.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:58AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • It was impossible to have a sensible and logical discussion when Abbott was drumming up so much fear and hate. Sometimes we live in a dictatorship without even knowing it. People really need to reflect on how bad things were when Abbott was PM and more importantly, how these traits are now surfacing in Turnbull.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    monkeybiz
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:59AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Monkeybiz, yes I'd agree it was a time of wedge politics and compromise on absurd policies. Terrorists under beds et al.
                                                                                                                                                                    Was about all he had.
                                                                                                                                                                    Labor should make a loud and clear commitment to repeal the invasion of our privacy, what little we have left.
                                                                                                                                                                    That list of 60 agencies was spooky enough, then there's the opportunity for falling into the wrong hands and corporates.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:26AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Unlike you, Nuffy Pen always ascertains the facts:

                                                                                                                                                                  "The Obama Administration has
                                                                                                                                                                  closed the door on nuclear cooperation. In Prague on 5 April 2009, Obama
                                                                                                                                                                  declared a need to secure all fissile material, including Highly Enriched
                                                                                                                                                                  Uranium (HEU). The UN Security Council in Resolution 1887 called on
                                                                                                                                                                  states to minimise the use of HEU ―to the greatest extent that it is technically
                                                                                                                                                                  and economically feasible‖.

                                                                                                                                                                  The question then is where else can Australia look for support on nuclear submarines? Rear Admiral David Holthouse raised this issue at the Navy League in November 2010. Holthouse declared that it had taken him thirty years to get permission to look inside a US nuclear submarine from his first visit to Pearl Harbour in 1958"

                                                                                                                                                                  (http://www.regionalsecurity.org.au/Resources/Files/SC9-4Reynolds.pdf).

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:39AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Now now Pen. You must try to understand that things do change in defence matters as the need arises and that your hero Obama is packing up his desk at the White House.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:46AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • eie, yep making way for Hillary

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Trumpy Combover
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:10AM

                                                                                                                                                                • @10.28. I agree with the argument that the state shouldn't be indoctrinating our children and taking responsibility away from the parents. The state is should not be responsible for setting the curriculum or social engineering. We are not the Soviet Union where child stand up for 20 minutes before class chanting over and over life is good. I am troubled that I agree with Bernardi on this but just because someone opposes it doesn't necessarily mean they are homophobic. I am against the school chaplaincy program as well but that doesn't make me anti-religion. Our kids should not be indoctrinated with religion or social issues in a secular educational setting. Bill pull your head in and stop with the dichotomous rhetoric.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:35AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Your analogy with the Soviet Union brain washing is completely out of whack. You need to imagine Cory Bernardi teaching his children about homosexuality or sexuality even to understand what oppressive mind control might look like.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    monkeybiz
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:39AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Careful Pipes

                                                                                                                                                                    It's looks suspiciously like you are borrowing dear old Pen's thoughts? What next a vote for the Greens?

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:43AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Piped, it's not about indoctrination, social engineering or any of the other political labels you want to put on it. It's about supporting kids and keeping them safe. Until two days ago it was bipartisan and not open to distraction and desperate politicking.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    jofek
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:44AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Piped - quite right, it's a very slippery slope Shorten's pushing here.

                                                                                                                                                                    Interestingly Bernardi said in an interview on PML last night that he also opposes the church interfering in schools, so at least he's consistent.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Hacka
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:47AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Why on earth would you NOT discuss social issues in a secular educational setting? In the past this has been done haphazardly in English lessons, in discussion of novels, etc. Piped, this program was initiated by the Howard government in 2003. Check out the federal education.gov.au website for details.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Banjo
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    Eden
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:54AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Not too sure what the Safe Schools program actually did, but I think it would be beneficial to give most kids some basic reassurance - so they can say to themselves I'm not gay, therefore I don't need to beat up or victimise the gay kid to prove anything.

                                                                                                                                                                    Too much anti-gay nonsense occurs because people - mostly males, whether it be young people or adults - are trying to prove something they don't need to prove.

                                                                                                                                                                    Most bogan parents are not going to give their kids this type of insight.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    comfortable
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    in your own skin
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:58AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Banjo, I'm increasingly of the opinion not many have much actual info on the Program.
                                                                                                                                                                    Just become a new hobbyhorse, a distraction.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:00AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • when I was at school we studied "To Kill a Mockingbird" and "The Grapes of Wrath" in English. Both these books were discussed through the social issues that they addressed - racism and inequality. In history we discussed the ideology of Hitler, Mussolini and Stalin and were encouraged to consider the ideology that drove the Allied forces to fight. This in the 1970's. School has always been a venue for addressing issues of social inequality and it is an issue of social inequality when children are bullied and isolated and scared just because their sexuality and gender identity differs from the dominant. Learning that treating another person negatively because of their gender identity/sexuality is as wrong as treating them negatively due to their disability, race, skin colour or religion is a perfectly legitimate and responsible action for schools to take. All children should feel safe and accepted at their school, not just those from the dominant group.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    sybella
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:31AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Sorry, schools should not teach or discuss social issues? Are you really serious piper?

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    davemac
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:33AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • I read that the website was very helpful to a young teen - who declared that if it wasn't for the site, he'd be dead.
                                                                                                                                                                    There is no inherent indoctrination in the Safe Schools at all - unlike the schools chaplaincy program, which I also do not support.
                                                                                                                                                                    Safe Schools is intended as a supportive place for young kids who are struggling with their sexual identity and it provides information (and links to other relevant information) that may help them cope, strategies to deal with and eliminate bullying and encouragement in promoting positive self esteem, rather than feeling ashamed.
                                                                                                                                                                    It was intended as a tool to help inform confused young people work out their issues and to address a major area where bullying occurs in our schools. So what's wrong with that?

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Jules
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:41AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • The idea that institutions should ignore the specific needs of those in its care merely because one claims to imagine a form of that institution that is value neutral betrays a gross failure of the moral imagination.

                                                                                                                                                                    The program in question serves not only the interests and well-being not only of children subject to cruelties but also those parents who are not equipped to educate on the matters at hand, but also makes the workplace of teachers a better one.

                                                                                                                                                                    If the state, or properly contextualized, society cannot safeguard the physical and mental health of all those who find themselves at schools on a regular basis, then it needs to explain why we should suffer the consequences of the behavior in society at large.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Quick Comment.
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:41AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Outrageous ! Appalling!!

                                                                                                                                                                    "12 December 2015
                                                                                                                                                                    The Safe Schools Hub, developed by Education Services Australia and supported by the Department of Education, has won an international award for the best e-learning resource.

                                                                                                                                                                    The prestigious International E-learning Association (IELA) Awards were announced in Dubai on 5 December. The award acknowledges the outstanding work undertaken by Safe Schools Hub in providing and promoting a one-stop-shop for information and resources on safe school strategies to assist teachers, students, school leaders, parents, student support specialists and pre-service teachers."

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    toukley
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:43AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Piped

                                                                                                                                                                    So you believe parents who are homophobic should teach their children about sexuality and bullying.

                                                                                                                                                                    I am possibly one of the few mothers within my group who discusses all of this with my children, whereas all my friends just don't go there through embarrassment.

                                                                                                                                                                    I think our schools are ideally placed to teach children all about tolerance.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:09PM

                                                                                                                                                                • "I am sceptical when I see the Liberals and the Greens announcing a deal which will favour Green party politicians and Liberal Party politicians."

                                                                                                                                                                  On the other hand if had favoured Labor politicians......

                                                                                                                                                                  Easy to see how Billy's principles work.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  SteveH.
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:34AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • At least he has some principles.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Real Politik
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:41AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Ask those workers in Victoria about Bill's principles. Or wait for them to appear in some TV election ads.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:48AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Sure the 'Wots good for me is good for me' principle.

                                                                                                                                                                    This bloke dumped on Rudd to get Gillard in then dumped on Gillard to get Rudd in.

                                                                                                                                                                    Who do you think all of those deals favoured in the long run?

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    SteveH.
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:49AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Phew, steve, for a moment there I thought you were talking about JBish?

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Conservative laxative
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:03AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • I can't see how it won't favour Labor. It's up to the voter which boxes they tick.
                                                                                                                                                                    I'm somewhat sceptical of the timing though, The Greens have been pushing this for years, same as they have for Donation Reform which the duopoly clearly rejects, with exception to Labor wanting minor reform.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:09AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • really tricky to see how Mal's principles work

                                                                                                                                                                    CGT, not CGT, NG, not NG, ETS, not ETS, FTTH, FTTN, the windows are where the doors should be and the doors are where the windows should be ..

                                                                                                                                                                    It''s all so confusing.

                                                                                                                                                                    I think Mal's principles must be made of mirrrors generated by smoke

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    toukley
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:28AM

                                                                                                                                                                • http://www.smh.com.au/comment/malcolm-turnbull-terrified-by-tax-reform-20160223-gn1xrw

                                                                                                                                                                  If we ever needed any more proof that the Liberal Party only cares about their Big Business Mates and Donors, then this is it. Here we have The Property Council dictating and controlling the Governments policy position on Negative Gearing and Capital Gains Tax and all they had to do to make Turnbull fall into line, was hand him a piece of paper and Turnbull folded like a cheap suit.

                                                                                                                                                                  He has no care or concern about what is best for the Community or Australia as a whole, all he cares about is those who have negatively geared their properties in his electorate and he will do whatever he can to ensure the gravy train keeps flowing. What a weak and gutless man we have running the country.

                                                                                                                                                                  How did we get to a point where a Lobby Group has the power to control government? By allowing this to happen, Turnbull has disqualified himself as a viable leader of the nation and he should be voted from Parliament at the first opportunity. By bowing to threats from The Property Council, Turnbull has shown that his only concern is his grasp on power and he will do anyone’s bidding, who will help him maintain it.

                                                                                                                                                                  Malcolm Turnbull, is no longer the Prime Minister of Australia, he is nothing more than the Prime Minister for The Property Council.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Snapperhead
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  The Reef
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:33AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • The Pulse @ 9.19

                                                                                                                                                                    I checked the Drivelometer
                                                                                                                                                                    while Mal was letting fly,
                                                                                                                                                                    and saw it shoot right off the scale,
                                                                                                                                                                    and had to wonder why
                                                                                                                                                                    a man of such intelligence
                                                                                                                                                                    would utter so much rot,
                                                                                                                                                                    until I twigged the strange disease
                                                                                                                                                                    that Mal has surely got.

                                                                                                                                                                    He’s caught the Abbott pathogen,
                                                                                                                                                                    a vicious viral strain
                                                                                                                                                                    that sneaks up very quietly
                                                                                                                                                                    and calcifies your brain.
                                                                                                                                                                    Decay attacks you from the right
                                                                                                                                                                    with pain you can’t endure,
                                                                                                                                                                    and, sadly for the sufferer,
                                                                                                                                                                    there simply is no cure.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Gazza from Grong Grong
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:28AM

                                                                                                                                                                    • Oh Gazza, and you were probably worried sick you'd run out of material when the Ex copped the knife.
                                                                                                                                                                      There's a smorgasbord once again.

                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 10:52AM

                                                                                                                                                                    • You are so right, A country gal,
                                                                                                                                                                      it’s quite beyond belief
                                                                                                                                                                      that Malcolm has such talent
                                                                                                                                                                      for self-inflicted grief!

                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                      Gazza from Grong Grong
                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 11:03AM

                                                                                                                                                                    • Gazza, I reckon epidemiologists would have a field day studying that pathogen, although they'd have difficulty getting funding for their research. I cherish the notion of a Drivelometer.

                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                      Banjo
                                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                                      Eden
                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 11:05AM

                                                                                                                                                                    • Gazza, do you dream in rhyme?

                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                      Pluto
                                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 3:11PM

                                                                                                                                                                  • 10:17am. Now Stephanie, just say it, be bold (unlike our PM): our elected representatives are just a bunch of mugs!

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Pluto
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:27AM

                                                                                                                                                                    • Correct me if I'm wrong but wasn't this new "tax policy" what Abbott was going to go to the election with? In effect 6 months of corpspeak, waffle and empty promises has resulted in zilch. Full circle to back Abbot's election plant. And what was Abbott's election plan? Win again and start all over with the 2014 budget and worse. Mal playing the electorate just like Abbott used to. Go to an election with a postage stamp policy and reap havoc if you get in.

                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                      monkeybiz
                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 10:25AM

                                                                                                                                                                      • @10:02
                                                                                                                                                                        What??? Surely Luke Simpkins attends his own party's State Conference.
                                                                                                                                                                        Not to mention all those party meeting with fellow MPs?

                                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                        meganjj
                                                                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                                                                        melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 10:25AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • They've had a shocker of a week where their messages are in contradiction to each other. CGT, NG.
                                                                                                                                                                          Messy.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 10:48AM

                                                                                                                                                                      • I knew this tax debate was a scam by the Libs

                                                                                                                                                                        Since when have these Liberal's been reformists, Liberal, reform, those two words should never be used in the same breath

                                                                                                                                                                        It's Labor that reforms, the Libs are too gutless, it's too risky, they need to be elected/reelected, they take the safe route, the easy way, the populist way

                                                                                                                                                                        When this guy says everything's on the table, then removes it all, that is called lying, it's the same measure Abbott used to get elected, deceit, electoral fraud, deception, people who do this should be referred to the police

                                                                                                                                                                        If your waiting for reform from deckchair's don't hold your breath

                                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                        fiberal
                                                                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                                                                        darwin
                                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                        February 25, 2016, 10:24AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • I think Marise Payne is a future leader of the liberal party.

                                                                                                                                                                          Near future!

                                                                                                                                                                          She'll be the first female Liberal Party leader since....... um ....... since whats her name.....

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Get With The Times
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 10:23AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • Well, as they have two or three per term, I think you may be right.

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 11:33AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Why 12 submarines for Australia? At one stage 5 of our 6 Collins class subs were out of service due to maintenance issues and crew shortages, leaving only one in operational service. And now we are going to get 12? Oh well, Admiral Abbott wanted them and it's only taxpayers' money. Hey Finance Minister Mathias Cormann - whatever happened to "budget emergency" and "debt and deficit disaster"? Did you fix it?

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Mike
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          February 25, 2016, 10:22AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • What a waste of time and energy all this babble is;. more like Babel, many voices crying in the wilderness with no common language. The government is a complete turn off, with each little faction pushing a different barrow with no clues as to a destination. Hats off to the much abused Ms Gillard, She was attacked from all sides, but had more brains and intestinal fortitude than these whinging wimps.

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            polym
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 10:19AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Agreed, miss JG. Vision, energy and the sheer tenacity to get on with the job.
                                                                                                                                                                              Imagine what she could've achieved had she been given a fair go.
                                                                                                                                                                              She'd still be there, reaching that destination.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 10:24AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • Mardi Gras is coming up, maybe Mal can use the opportunity to reinvent himself?

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 10:18AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • He'll have to send in an apology, they won't let him attend.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 10:27AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • "Senator Payne said it was more likely to be 2,500 new jobs "

                                                                                                                                                                            Going into the 2019 election, will the Liberal opposition leader try to include these troops in with the public servants when they call for cuts to the number of public servants, just like Abbott did in 2013?

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            rubbery bunch of numbers
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 10:17AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • That's 0.00125 % of the 2 million jobs Sir Pository promised

                                                                                                                                                                              keep digging!!!!

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              toukley
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 2:14PM

                                                                                                                                                                          • Turnbull's "new thinking" comes in the form of what can I do to get as many of my colleagues over the line until the next election. he is like a weakened prize fighter hoping the round will end soon. He's not landing punches merely dodging and weaving and this is where he shows his "agility". Trouble is he is on the ropes and may not be able to come out or the next round if he makes it this round's end

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            Tucky
                                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                                            Warragul
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 10:15AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Ha ha poor old 'progressives' can even begin to understand that little Billy has already put his foot through the canoe before it even got in the creek.

                                                                                                                                                                              Turnbull will win for two reasons: he isn't Tony Abbott and he isn't Bill Shorten.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              SteveH.
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 10:30AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • I agree 100%

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 10:36AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • SteveH

                                                                                                                                                                              Then the electorate are fools voting for a team with no policies, which has done absolutely nothing in the last 2 and 1/2 years.

                                                                                                                                                                              And yet Shorten, who is not in government, has introduced 50 fully costed, by the governments own treasury, policies with every independent economic advisor backs.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 11:47AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • It seems that Nuffy has caused Marise Payne to scratch her head having advised Malcolm to purchase 12 nuclear submarines, although the options are somewhat limited to the US Virginia class at a cost of $2.688 billion, length 115 metres to accommodate 135 crew. So $32.256 billion and 1620 sub mariners with pay scales between $136,000-$176,000 so 1620 x say $156,000 = $252,720,000 a year for say 40 years = $10,108,800,000 + $32,256,000,000 = $42,364,800,000 billion plus inflation, plus maintenance.

                                                                                                                                                                            The other option is the UK’s astute class of slighter smaller size and compliment, but the cost is about the same as the Virginia class. So with Australia having no submarine nuclear technology the boats would be required to be maintained in the US or the UK, but Nuffy being Nuffy this is of little consequence other for poor Marise.

                                                                                                                                                                            Another problem with Nuffy’s fantasy is the US has never exported or leased a naval nuclear reactor. The US will not simply hand over sensitive nuclear military knowledge, even to a close ally. Therefore the USN has no role for Australian submarines. As we cannot fight a major war on our own, then obviously submarine codes and other technologies must match US systems and they can’t because the US will not release all of them. So what’s the point?

                                                                                                                                                                            You see the very best submarine technologies are locked away in US and UK defence, non-nuclear subs are basically inferior Japanese and like models with limited range. This creates a problem of housing Australian subs away from Chinese anti sub warfare, so they are limited to Western Australia? Again what is the point?

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 10:15AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Now now Pen, we all know you have absolutely no professional expertise in military matters or geo-politics. The USA has never said they wouldn't supply Nuclear Subs unless you have a reference?

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 10:23AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Now EiE, I have no military expertise either but I am not brain dead. Nobody who supports the military machine can explain to me the rational of spending so much on"defence". We are worried about china, so we build ships for fighting . Where exactly are we fighting them? Oh I see, in their back yard. A $2m missile can destroy a $2b ship . My mind then asks the logical question. Why not buy missiles instead? We have a budget "crisis" and so cant fund urgently needed infrustructure but sure as hell we can fund this alice in wonderland stuff.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              andyfreeze
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              pascoe vale
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 1:21PM

                                                                                                                                                                          • Malcolm in the middle.

                                                                                                                                                                            Not Left. Not Right.

                                                                                                                                                                            Done nothing good. Done nothing Bad

                                                                                                                                                                            For his Ego he has Prime Minister of Australia.badge.

                                                                                                                                                                            Abbott may not be there at the moment because he was not popular. Because he was prepared to do the things that the country needed.

                                                                                                                                                                            Malcolm will sit there polishing his Badge and the country will get nothing.

                                                                                                                                                                            Sit quietly Tony. When you have the numbers in the Senate then return and get our country up and running.

                                                                                                                                                                            Then let them eat cake (Humble Pie)

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            4Ken
                                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                                            Auburn
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 10:14AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • @4ken
                                                                                                                                                                              please, what was it that Mr Abbott did that was good for our country?

                                                                                                                                                                              Health?
                                                                                                                                                                              Education?
                                                                                                                                                                              Tax reform?

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              Time to change
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 10:17AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Three word electioneering slogans.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 10:21AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Mal.

                                                                                                                                                                              He would have reformed them all if he was able to get his reforms through.

                                                                                                                                                                              Abbott had set the agenda and all those discussion papers and policies are still in place.

                                                                                                                                                                              The self interest society with the aid of the senate that did not want to contribute to our society by way of paying for it in the short term, complained complained complained.and prevented real change.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              4Ken
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Auburn
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 10:39AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • The Pulse @ 9.04

                                                                                                                                                                            So Gutless is now leading Gormless,
                                                                                                                                                                            and running away from reform,
                                                                                                                                                                            too scared to be hit by the raindrops
                                                                                                                                                                            from any electoral storm.

                                                                                                                                                                            What happened to that innovation,
                                                                                                                                                                            the “agile” approach that we heard
                                                                                                                                                                            would galvanise lots of new thinking?
                                                                                                                                                                            I guess that it’s all been deferred.

                                                                                                                                                                            So now we will have an election
                                                                                                                                                                            where safety-first rules, so it seems,
                                                                                                                                                                            both parties attacking each other,
                                                                                                                                                                            and trampling all over our dreams.

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            Gazza from Grong Grong
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            February 25, 2016, 10:07AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Malcolm Turnbull, the lion of politics. Just hasn't made it far enough along the yellow brick road yet.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              Tucky
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Warragul
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 10:05AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • Malcolm is busy throwing the yellow bricks instead; he keeps forgetting to let go though.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                jofek
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 10:15AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • Life is sad, believe me, Missy,
                                                                                                                                                                                When you're born to be a sissy
                                                                                                                                                                                Without the vim and verve.
                                                                                                                                                                                But I could change my habits, never more be scared of rabbits
                                                                                                                                                                                If I only had the nerve.
                                                                                                                                                                                I'm afraid there's no denyin' I'm just a dandelion,
                                                                                                                                                                                A fate I don't deserve.
                                                                                                                                                                                But I could show my prowess, be a lion not a mowess
                                                                                                                                                                                If I only had the nerve
                                                                                                                                                                                Oh I'd be in my stride, a king down to the core
                                                                                                                                                                                I would roar the way I've never roared before
                                                                                                                                                                                And then I'd rrrwoof! and roar some more
                                                                                                                                                                                I would show the dinosaurus who's king around the forres'
                                                                                                                                                                                A king they better serve
                                                                                                                                                                                Why with my regal beezer I could be another Caesar
                                                                                                                                                                                If I only had the nerve

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                                toukley
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 11:53AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • 10.02 am. There are at least two ALP Senators criticising the Safe School program as well. Shorten needs to pull his head in and get with the times. Reviewing any program to make it more relevant is a good thing.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 10:04AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • Do the same for the chaplaincy program, which costs 30x as much, and I'll completely agree with you. There's no room for indoctrinating young susceptible minds with stories about sky fairies either.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                Rugger
                                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                                Melb
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 10:14AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • E=E, no one denies there are homophobes on both sides.

                                                                                                                                                                                This is a good early indication of how nasty Mal's unnecessary plebiscite is going to be. Your guy just can't do a thing right can he?

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                jofek
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 10:18AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • Oh dear, the distraction/strawman argument. Deflect deflect.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 10:25AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • Turns is developing into a complete spineless dud, as is his treasurer.
                                                                                                                                                                                Plenty of bluff, bluster and talk talk talk, not much else.
                                                                                                                                                                                Its all making Shorten look creative and positive, with actual policies.
                                                                                                                                                                                The electorate is appreciating it too. Watch all the attack dogs get unleashed if the next poll shows Labor slightly in front.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                Danger Ranger
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 10:38AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • einie, please address the issue of chaplaincy vis a vis indoctrination in schools

                                                                                                                                                                                completely on point and relevant to the issue of Safe Schools indoctrination

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                                toukley
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 11:10AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • Why are you concerned about the distraction/strawman argument EIE? Possibly worried someone else is using you only tactic in commenting? Pity you can't see that forced indoctrination of young children should be looked at wherever it occurs - hardly a strawman, and entirely relevant. Especially in light of the shocking behaviors coming out of the RC, by some of those who deliver said forced indoctrination.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                Rugger
                                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                                Melb
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 1:07PM

                                                                                                                                                                            • It is crystal clear now, as if it wasn't before, this PM was brought in specifically for one reason, just one, try and sell the policies the Libs had stacked up in the senate

                                                                                                                                                                              Abbott is going nowhere, these are his policies, but being unable to sell them to the voter because of his belligerence and other unsavory traits, they bring in the smiling salesman, popular with the voting public

                                                                                                                                                                              Check them out, SSM, Abbotts, climate policy, Abbotts, NG, Abbotts, he was the one who said nope, no fiddling with NG, same with Super, CGT, the dismantling of medicare

                                                                                                                                                                              In fact the only thing deckchair's has

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              fiberal
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              darwin
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              February 25, 2016, 10:04AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • eie describes the ALP as a train wreck but their is carnage everywhere on all lines. The health system won't cope with the errant antics of the drivers. Passengers are leaping for their lives as the ALP and the coalition go off the rails.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                Tucky
                                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                                Warragul
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 10:03AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • This comment looks like what Pugsley did to train sets on the Adams Family.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:12AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • And Mal looks like what Dr Frankenstein did to Tone.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:17AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • Unfortunately it seems, up until the election we will only have three word slogan debate, thanks to Tone.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 10:02AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • hmmm yours is a four word slogan

                                                                                                                                                                                  can you reduce it to three and retain the meaning?

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                                  toukley
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 11:39AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • To our friends from the right who always bleat on about the daily interest bill and how money for hospitals and schools 'has to come from somewhere' and crying out for cuts cuts and more cuts.....

                                                                                                                                                                                Now how about the massive sack o cash about to be spent on Defence? A good thing?

                                                                                                                                                                                Discuss, prefereably without looking like total hypocrites.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                davemac
                                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 10:02AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • Waste of time trying to explain it to you. Maybe one word - China.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:13AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • So why is Scomo selling them the farm...is there an underlying military plan?

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:16AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • I feel another scare campaign coming on.
                                                                                                                                                                                  "Look. Over there. It's the Labor, oops sorry it's China."

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  Double Disillusion
                                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                                  Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:17AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • EIE - you've been on these pages accusing anyone from the left of xenophobia re-China and the import of cheap labour, FTA etc. Why the change of heart? Why would you spend a trillion dollars defending yourself against the owner of all your assets and supplier of all your labour?

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  Rugger
                                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                                  Melb
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:28AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • eieio – 'Waste of time trying to explain it to you. Maybe one word - China.'
                                                                                                                                                                                  No, please, give us the benefit of your explanation. Is it that $150bn will enable us to defeat China in a war? Is that it?

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  PhilC
                                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                                  Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 12:16PM

                                                                                                                                                                              • Those attacking Shorten for his response to Bernardi yesterday are kidding themselves. You obviously missed how the free to air tv media reported the event on the news last night. You also forget that Bernardi represents a small pocket of self righteous fools using religion as their platform for marginalising minorities and spreading fear and hate. The reality is these people are of little consequence to Australia which is why Turnbull's decision is a major failing and another nail in his political coffin.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                monkeybiz
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                February 25, 2016, 10:00AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • Gary Gray slammed Shorten and the ALP yesterday about lacking any logic in electoral reforms. The problem is Gray offered to resign as Shadow special minister of state last week - the ALP's spokesperson on electoral matters. Shorten wouldn't accept his resignation but is now obliged to sack him today. Come on Bill show some ticker or the troops will all revolt and take over the sinking ship.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:00AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • E=E, hey let the people decide on electoral reform; what's another $150m between friends?

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    jofek
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:21AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • wishing, wishing, hoping, sinking

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    nuffsnuff
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:04PM

                                                                                                                                                                                • All these major reforms forgot to take into account expendables. Back-benchers and others on slim majorities didn't wish to become expendable for the greater good of Australia.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  Tucky
                                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                                  Warragul
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 10:00AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • I am praying Chrissy Pyne is expendable.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:35AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • Every child of an ALP MP is fretting today that their toys will be taken to QT and subsequently confiscated. The poor little darlings just can't take this any more.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 9:53AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • Do you think the libs will confiscate them and hand them out more deserving kids, perhaps Nauru?

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 9:57AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • Children from Nepal use different toys. It's part of their safe and prosperous culture.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:01AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • Good hit last night, well played, you really ripped that chair umpire a new one eh?

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    davemac
                                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:03AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • Yeah, nice backhand...shame on the tank though.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:10AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • Children of those on the left side of politics are taught to share eie. A foreign concept to you no doubt.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    meganjj
                                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                                    melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:10AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • Perhaps their folks can play them a recording of one of ScoMo's fairytales to settle them down.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    jofek
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:11AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • @9:19 - does it really matter if house prices go down 5%? Does it matter if house prices are flat for a few years?

                                                                                                                                                                                  If you have invested in property you will get growth over time.... provided you paid a sensible price.

                                                                                                                                                                                  If it is your family home... then you live in it. What it is worth is interesting but doesn't change how you live day/day.

                                                                                                                                                                                  On the other hand, if prices level off or drop a bit, then perhaps our kids can by homes if they want to.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  Time to change
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 9:51AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • There's too much commonsense in this reply.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    Banjo
                                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                                    Eden
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:04AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • One must question how Turnbull could come up with a figure of 278 billion wiped off the national balance sheet so quickly by any other method other than guesswork.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 9:50AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • He has plucked the number out of the air just so he can use balance sheet which is code for I am a businessman and obviously I know what I am talking about. He thinks people will believe him and even admire him because he has that business experience. Hilarious really.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    monkeybiz
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:04AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • The housing market in Australia is purportedly worth $3 trillion. What is 5% of that figure? (Sorry, can't do the maths - all those zeroes make my brain spin.)

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    Banjo
                                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                                    Eden
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:59AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • More divisions in the ALP. ALP MPs have joined Cory Bernardi in wanting a review of the Safe Schools program. Helen Polley and Joe Bullock have defied Shorten. The cracks are getting bigger in the ALP trainwreck.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 9:49AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • eie

                                                                                                                                                                                    One can only assume you don't have children and that you are 100% sure they will not identify as LGBTI.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Don't you worry about other people's kids though eie - as long as yours are catered for.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:33AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • help!!

                                                                                                                                                                                    my metaphor ate itself!!

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                                    toukley
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 11:06AM

                                                                                                                                                                                • To those who say Turnbull lacks courage in tackling reform. Perhaps you're right. I don't think he is a patch on Swan who threw the Henry Tax review out the window because he thought he was the smartest man in the room with his treasurer of the year award thinking he could spend his way to a surplus. Ironically the reforms the ALP are now proposing were in the Henry Tax review except it's 6 years too late. Thanks Wayne.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 9:47AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • Better late than never ever piped.
                                                                                                                                                                                    In times of trouble attack anyone else eh?

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 9:51AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • @pp.... we could also debate the Howard/Costello tax cuts but what is the point? it is history.

                                                                                                                                                                                    The question is where to from here?

                                                                                                                                                                                    We need to see some more courage from Mr Turnbull.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    Time to change
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 9:53AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • Say what you like about RGR, but compare the policy output. Whether you agree with the policies or not, better to have govts that have a crack rather than do nothing.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Seems to be a Lib trait, we had it in Vic under Ballieu, now at the federal level. They are like the dog chasing the car who catches it.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    davemac
                                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 9:57AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • Still talking about Labor Piped? Wouldn't be so bad if you could occasionally say something positive about your own mob.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    jofek
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:29AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • @Jofek. Playing the my mob/your mob game again. I might have something positive to say about the government if the senate passed some reforms.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:37AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • Piped, and I might not have a go at you for talking about Wayne Swan if at the same time you focused on the fact that is the current Government who are failing us woefully. We can go back to Howard/Costello if you like?

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    jofek
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 10:48AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • Funny how some 38 of henry proposals were implemented but any that troubled the 1% ripped out by Abbot/turnbull LNP.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    toupee
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 12:25PM

                                                                                                                                                                                • The idea that the IPA aren't involved in the political process is ludicrous.
                                                                                                                                                                                  They presented a list of 75 "suggestions"/demands to Abbott and were ticking them off one by one until he was rejected.
                                                                                                                                                                                  They did after all create the Libs so would consider it their monster to control.

                                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                  fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                  February 25, 2016, 9:46AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • Do the words of T.S. Eliot ring true for Malcolm Turnbull?

                                                                                                                                                                                    "We are the hollow men
                                                                                                                                                                                    We are the stuffed men
                                                                                                                                                                                    Leaning together
                                                                                                                                                                                    Headpiece filled with straw. Alas!
                                                                                                                                                                                    Our dried voices, when
                                                                                                                                                                                    We whisper together
                                                                                                                                                                                    Are quiet and meaningless"

                                                                                                                                                                                    Has he too become a Hollow Man?

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    Tucky
                                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                                    Warragul
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 9:44AM

                                                                                                                                                                                    • He's hollow, we're stuffed.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                      Banjo
                                                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                                                      Eden
                                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 10:08AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • Labor has had a good week this week. For us non ALP voters that is a good thing. A strong opposition always puts the pressure on governments to perform better. Malcolm has been asleep at the wheel taking a minimalist approach to policy and disappointing all the centre-left and left voters who would never vote for his party by not declaring a republic, legalising same sex marriage and reducing the worlds temperature by 2 degrees as soon as he put his hand on the bible last September. Hopefully the events of the last week wake Malcolm up from his slumber and we start to see some policy around tax reform. He has the intelligence to educate the voters on dismantling the Howard and RGR era of entitlements for all but does he have the courage? If not some of us conservative will start to question why he bothered destroying the party for?

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 9:40AM

                                                                                                                                                                                    • If you don't know why he destroyed the party for, I will inform you

                                                                                                                                                                                      EGO

                                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                      fiberal
                                                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                                                      darwin
                                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 9:50AM

                                                                                                                                                                                    • So, if the Libs refuse to change their policy positions, it will be Turnbull's fault?

                                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                      Real Politek
                                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 9:51AM

                                                                                                                                                                                    • Asleep at the wheel or just not really having his hands on the wheel. I think Bill Shorten was correct in portraying MT as the man the Right installed to make the Coalition more acceptable. Who is actually steering?

                                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                      stevek
                                                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                                                      Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 9:52AM

                                                                                                                                                                                    • Thanks for the honesty piper, but I feel he's cooked. He was really poor as LOTO and I felt he would have learnt from that and would have been a pretty good - even great PM. Reckon I got that very very wrong. The fact that he's now jetissoned all his key principles just illustrates he's in it for the power, not the passion.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Libs stand to be condemned for wasting 3 years now. Time to get out off the way.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                      davemac
                                                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 9:54AM

                                                                                                                                                                                    • Question away all you like.
                                                                                                                                                                                      He did it for himself.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                      fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 9:56AM

                                                                                                                                                                                    • @davemac. If you recall I was never warm on Turnbull taking over from Abbott or leading the party for the exact same reasons we are seeing now. When he did take over my attitude was please prove me wrong. I'm yet to be proven wrong and I still hope I will be. I told you guys on the centre-left and left that he will disappoint you. Turnbull needs to take some tips off Baird on how a socially conscience and small l Liberal can lead an LNP government.and control the ultra right not the other way around.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                      Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 10:24AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • When he said, and I quote, "everything's on the table", this heartless individual was talking about his big night out at the Chinese restaurant

                                                                                                                                                                                    The heart the size of a pea

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    fiberal
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 9:39AM

                                                                                                                                                                                    • Wasn't that big night out at the Chinese restaurant with Clive Palmer? I hear the latter has put his central Queensland cattle station on the market. Money woes here, money woes there.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                      Banjo
                                                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                                                      Eden
                                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 10:06AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • I was never great at Maths, but if we are so much in deficit and the government doesn't want to change revenue streams i.e. tax; then how can we afford to spend one trillion on defence? Can the government's accountancy firm please show me how this is possible and I will use the same methodology for my floundering business.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    Tucky
                                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                                    Warragul
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 9:38AM

                                                                                                                                                                                    • Tucky

                                                                                                                                                                                      With innovation, agility and spin.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                      PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 10:08AM

                                                                                                                                                                                  • It's definitely been an eventful week so far. Labor have had the upper hand over the government in the tax debate, with at least an idea on the table.

                                                                                                                                                                                    On Senate reform though they've head back to the comfort zone of infighting, whilst the government appears headed for a victory in another rare bipartisan approach with the Greens. Turns out Shorten and Di Natale hadn't even had a proper chat until this week.

                                                                                                                                                                                    But sadly the week will be remembered for the LOTO reducing himself to personal slurs in a brief, on-camera exchange with Cory Bernardi. Presumably we'll get the apology today, over to you Bill.

                                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                    Hacka
                                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                                    Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                    February 25, 2016, 9:36AM

                                                                                                                                                                                    • @Hacka. Bernardi is known for his confrontational approach to politics. That's why he is not a minister and never will be a minister. Shorten is the LOTO and shouldn't be following Bernardi's lead nor that of Gillard in labelling your opponent with tags. Or maybe he is channeling Trump thinking if you insult your opponents your popularity will increase.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                      Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 9:44AM

                                                                                                                                                                                    • I think you will find Bernardi started it with the 'fraud" slur.
                                                                                                                                                                                      Good on Bill for returning fire.
                                                                                                                                                                                      No need for an apology.

                                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                      Nick
                                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                      February 25, 2016, 9:44AM
                                                                                                                                                                                  Comments are now closed