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Politics Live: February 23, 2016

Date

Senior writer

View more articles from Stephanie Peatling

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Hello and welcome to another day in federal politics where the talk is all about whether or not Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull will pull the trigger on an early double dissolution election. And a bit of tax.

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  • Q to the Greens.
    Ever considered leveraging your reforms relating to political donation laws, to your agreement to the Senate voting reforms?
    A golden opp may be going begging.
    Whether the Govt would play ball on such reforms or not, may depend on how desperate it is to get the Senate voting reforms passed. If it has calculated that a DD is required soonish, before MT's gloss is totally worn off, it may be just desperate enough.

    Commenter
    Lyn
    Date and time
    February 23, 2016, 5:22PM

    • By the way Turnbull - 'vote Labor and be poorer' is a total oxymoron. You'll never get away with that smear on the campaign trail. Try again.

      I've just lost interest now.

      Commenter
      misspunch
      Date and time
      February 23, 2016, 5:06PM

      • Shortens spot on. The Liberals will fight to the last drop of blue blood to protect the bastions of privilege. You're looking good Shorten. Keep throwing down the gauntlet.

        This election will be a bare knuckle fight and Shorten will win. All Turnbull can do is mock and hide. Game on.

        Commenter
        misspunch
        Date and time
        February 23, 2016, 4:56PM

        • A wet noodle looking for a back bone would have a better chance than Billy.

          Even if they do have a lot in common.

          Commenter
          SteveH.
          Date and time
          February 23, 2016, 5:03PM

      • 4.09pm tanned and tutu'd

        Commenter
        Ruth
        Location
        Melbourne
        Date and time
        February 23, 2016, 4:45PM

        • Mal folded again, no ticker this guy, follows through on nothing

          Commenter
          fiberal
          Location
          darwin
          Date and time
          February 23, 2016, 4:43PM

          • wonder if Zimmerman has a view on the Safe Schools review?

            Commenter
            rod steiger
            Location
            toukley
            Date and time
            February 23, 2016, 4:43PM

            • Or a few undeclared others.
              Awaiting "Freedom Boy's" response.
              Totally irresponsible and especially after the teens visiting yesterday to really kick the boot in.

              Commenter
              A country gal
              Date and time
              February 23, 2016, 5:03PM

          • Well it didn't take long for Turnbull to be influenced by the Australian Christian Lobby and other interest groups did it. Watching him descend in the same animal as Tony Abbott has been an eye opener for some I'd say. Where are the Nationals on regional media? Still the worst government in history it's just being run by Dr Jekyll who is channelling the former Prime Minister Mr Hyde.

            Commenter
            Rollee the Rolex's Big Adventure
            Date and time
            February 23, 2016, 4:42PM

            • 2:54pm

              "What you talkin bout Willis?"

              Commenter
              Quote me
              Date and time
              February 23, 2016, 4:39PM

              • "Either this Prime Minister is dishonest or he is incompetent - he can't be both."

                Recent history shows that a Prime Minister can be both - and can even excel at both.

                Commenter
                left right out
                Date and time
                February 23, 2016, 4:33PM

                • Fact: “Rather than supporting the housing supply and boosting construction-related employment, negative gearing has effectively encouraged speculation and boosted house prices. Statistics from the Australian Tax Office paint a clear picture: property investment is popular in Australia but few of those investments generate sufficient rental returns to cover their costs.

                  According to the ATO, Australia had 1.9 million property investors in the 2011-12 financial year. Most of those investors failed to cover their costs, suffering a collective $6.8 billion net rental loss. Losses of this magnitude have become exceedingly common in Australia over the past decade.”

                  The only reasonable conclusion is that most Australian property investors don’t really care about rental yields. They are in it for the capital gains, which is the very definition of speculative activity.
                  But despite the fact that negative gearing has failed to meet its objectives and distorted our housing market it remains a popular policy. Given our housing market is worth over $5 trillion that is hardly a surprise; a number of investors would be left vulnerable if negative gearing was wound back.”

                  Commenter
                  Pen of hrba
                  Date and time
                  February 23, 2016, 4:33PM

                  • 4:09 - what a happy bunch of Vegemites !

                    Commenter
                    Hacka
                    Location
                    Canberra
                    Date and time
                    February 23, 2016, 4:31PM

                    • Hacka

                      "Living in a Gangsta's Paradise" ?

                      Commenter
                      A Green
                      Location
                      Australia
                      Date and time
                      February 23, 2016, 5:06PM

                  • @4.23 "Turnbull ramped up his criticism" should read Turnbull ramped up his hyperbole or invective. The word criticism suggests that he was actually making an argument rather than just venting about the fact he didn't come up with it first.

                    Commenter
                    ah ha
                    Date and time
                    February 23, 2016, 4:29PM

                      • house, you've strayed so far off the track I can barely see you. Let's just agree to disagree.

                        Commenter
                        Gigondas
                        Date and time
                        February 23, 2016, 4:26PM

                    • 4.04. That's downright sad, wanting to returned to Manus? Least he would have some friends.

                      Commenter
                      A country gal
                      Date and time
                      February 23, 2016, 4:26PM

                      • 3:21pm

                        "This is how I helped Malcolm climb the ladder of power."

                        Commenter
                        Quote me
                        Date and time
                        February 23, 2016, 4:25PM

                        • Why did Luke Hartsuyker get dropped from the Ministry - it can't be to make a place for a "younger generation" ?

                          Commenter
                          Not Happy Jan
                          Date and time
                          February 23, 2016, 4:25PM

                          • Dutton
                            Whatever it takes.
                            Fair is foul
                            and foul is more foul.

                            Commenter
                            fizzybeer
                            Date and time
                            February 23, 2016, 4:13PM

                            • And Dutton is fast getting a reputation as the foulest. But that's what it's all about. It's a kind of fame. Like Barnaby taking on a pair of dogs owned by a celebrity thus getting his face in the paper. Dutton wants to be seen as more "foul" than Ruddock or Morrison before him.

                              Commenter
                              Pluto
                              Location
                              Melbourne
                              Date and time
                              February 23, 2016, 4:17PM

                          • @4:03, and the Liberals keep going on about how they’re a broad church…

                            Commenter
                            Gigondas
                            Date and time
                            February 23, 2016, 4:12PM

                            • It was less than three years ago since the LNP boasted to abolish the carbon tax with the following lies.
                              “An economy-wide carbon tax: No
                              Impact on families: More than $3,000 better off
                              Tax cuts without a carbon tax: Yes
                              A carbon tax that rises to $350/tonne: No.
                              Billions of taxpayer dollars spent on foreign carbon credits: No
                              A massive carbon bureaucracy: No
                              Australia’s carbon emissions: Down.
                              Your cost of living: Lower.
                              Electricity prices: 10% lower
                              Gas prices: 9% lower.
                              Cost to make an Australian car: $400 cheaper
                              Impact on aluminium production: 61% higher.
                              Impact on coal production: 17% higher.
                              Impact on steel and iron production: 21% higher.
                              Local councils better off: Yes
                              Emergency services better off: Yes
                              Public transport better off: Yes.
                              Hospitals better off: Yes.
                              Schools better off: Yes.
                              Small businesses better off: Yes.
                              Taxpayers better off: Yes.”

                              Now we are being treated to the same lying formula by Malcolm Turnbull on housing and negative gearing.

                              Commenter
                              Pen of hrba
                              Date and time
                              February 23, 2016, 4:07PM

                              • 3.34 christopher, Blue Diamond this Saturday, trying to pick a winner ?

                                Commenter
                                Good Gov't starts when ?
                                Location
                                Illawarra
                                Date and time
                                February 23, 2016, 4:00PM

                                • If I spent every afternoon glued to my cell phone a la Julie Bishop while my employer would have parted company with me

                                  Commenter
                                  Banish Blue Ties
                                  Date and time
                                  February 23, 2016, 3:59PM

                                  • "Every child has the right to go to school in a safe environment." Tell the church. Tell the government. Tell government departments. But I guess we will all hear more about the consequences at a later date.

                                    Commenter
                                    Pluto
                                    Location
                                    Melbourne
                                    Date and time
                                    February 23, 2016, 4:12PM

                                • Can someone translate this into intelligent English - the comment "indoctrinate children into a Marxist agenda of cultural relativism" (Bernadi) makes no sense

                                  Commenter
                                  Really ?
                                  Date and time
                                  February 23, 2016, 3:56PM

                                  • Basically a classless society based on a culture that is not true in absolute terms.

                                    Commenter
                                    Pen of hrba
                                    Date and time
                                    February 23, 2016, 4:16PM

                                • Did the RGR Governments have so many censure motions bought against them? Seems a daily occurrence for the Abbott Turnbull Government and its yet to conclude 1 term.

                                  Commenter
                                  phil from kilmore
                                  Date and time
                                  February 23, 2016, 3:54PM

                                  • Pretty much, and they all came to nothing just like Labor's will.

                                    Complete waste of time.

                                    Commenter
                                    SteveH.
                                    Date and time
                                    February 23, 2016, 3:56PM

                                • If you look around the world most housing markets are going up without being negative geared. Why would Aust be any different ?

                                  Commenter
                                  Rod
                                  Location
                                  the Coast
                                  Date and time
                                  February 23, 2016, 3:53PM

                                  • House prices go down.

                                    Rents go down.

                                    More voting renters than negative gearers.

                                    Someone was always going to get hurt bringing the Budget into line.

                                    Commenter
                                    A Green
                                    Location
                                    Australia
                                    Date and time
                                    February 23, 2016, 3:50PM

                                    • Only an economic fool would believe that a country with a rapidly expanding population is going to see house prices significantly fall simply because negative gearing is limited.

                                      Commenter
                                      SteveH.
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 4:12PM

                                    • SteveH, if removing negative gearing will discourage investors from just flipping old houses every few years then it's a good start. We can do without all that hot air being blown into the bubble.

                                      They might even start putting more pressure on new builds, which even you would have to agree will be good for prices.

                                      Commenter
                                      flipping hell
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 4:29PM

                                    • house prices will plummet

                                      house prices won't fall

                                      i confused Mr Turnbull

                                      so maybe scrapping the negative gearing lurk will get the revenue and not have any significant effect, except for those using the lurk?

                                      Commenter
                                      rod steiger
                                      Location
                                      toukley
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 4:41PM

                                    • Might help people renting instead of 1 year leases they could have five years, the 1 year lease is a racket landlords use it to raise the rent, then people move out as they can't afford the rent and landlord claim a loss.

                                      Commenter
                                      Amro
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 5:20PM

                                  • 3:48pm. Good on you Dan.

                                    Commenter
                                    Pluto
                                    Location
                                    Melbourne
                                    Date and time
                                    February 23, 2016, 3:50PM

                                    • Yes, Dan is rapidly "growing on" me.
                                      On social issues he has grown immensely of late.

                                      Commenter
                                      A country gal
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 3:58PM

                                  • The Pulse 3:04PM

                                    Has the Foreign Minister for Movie Stars got someone up in the Gallery to take a "selfie" ..... to tweet to Academy Award winners ?

                                    Commenter
                                    A Green
                                    Location
                                    Australia
                                    Date and time
                                    February 23, 2016, 3:48PM

                                    • housemartin

                                      Turnbull may well have lifted the ban on wind farms but he kept the wind commission. He is not prepared to go the whole hog.

                                      Commenter
                                      PEarn
                                      Location
                                      Melbourne
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 3:48PM

                                  • Why are there so many photos of Terri Butler but no mention made of the ALP wasting parliament time with these stupid suspension orders....??

                                    Commenter
                                    paul
                                    Location
                                    Brisbane
                                    Date and time
                                    February 23, 2016, 3:47PM

                                    • Because she's better looking than George Christenson.

                                      Commenter
                                      A country gal
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 4:14PM

                                  • Of course Mr 14 % has had some good news his approval rating jumped a whacking 30%, ie. 1 point.

                                    Unfortunately that's in the range of statistical anomalies, so it might have even happened.

                                    Commenter
                                    SteveH.
                                    Date and time
                                    February 23, 2016, 3:47PM

                                    • Really. Time to put the cue in the rack pal. You still have a bit of a reputation for sensible comments. Still you might just be an avatar for Malcolm's departure from reason.

                                      Commenter
                                      ah ha
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 3:59PM

                                    • SteveH

                                      You should be worried.

                                      The silver tongue appears to be glued down and voters are hearing it.

                                      Commenter
                                      A Green
                                      Location
                                      Australia
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 4:01PM

                                    • Why should I be worried my job's not on the line.

                                      Actually neither is Bill's his is safe until he loses the election, then he can quietly disappear into political obscurity.

                                      From whence he first arose.

                                      Is that vaguely poetical?

                                      Commenter
                                      SteveH.
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 4:16PM

                                  • 3.21 Channeling Al Jolson

                                    Commenter
                                    A country gal
                                    Date and time
                                    February 23, 2016, 3:40PM

                                    • Or Marcel Marceau.

                                      Commenter
                                      Gigondas
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 3:47PM

                                    • Jolson had talent.

                                      Commenter
                                      Pluto
                                      Location
                                      Melbourne
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 3:54PM

                                    • I thought it was a rather shy and restrained attempt at a Benedict Cumberbatch - style photobomb

                                      Commenter
                                      Immal
                                      Location
                                      Melbourne
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 3:58PM

                                    • Yes Pluto, was the entertainer bit I meant.
                                      Could have done better.
                                      Hey checkout this great Jazz number
                                      "All About The Bass"- Postmodern Jukebox, European Tour Version.

                                      Commenter
                                      A country gal
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 4:03PM

                                  • it's impossible to follow the pulse and the comments at the same time on the canberra times.
                                    at least have the comments ''newest first"
                                    this will be the new layout for the smh too? not looking forward to that.

                                    Commenter
                                    Nick
                                    Date and time
                                    February 23, 2016, 3:38PM

                                    • You can control that yourself, whether comments are latest, oldest or most commented on by simply clicking on the tab up to your right under featured comment.
                                      Changing that is also a good way to refresh your page.

                                      Commenter
                                      A country gal
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 3:56PM

                                    • ACG
                                      New format has no FC.

                                      Commenter
                                      Nuff Nuff
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 4:10PM

                                    • It's hopeless on an IPad. But newest isn't first newest it's the oldest. Everytime a new comment comes in you get a pop sign if you press dismiss you end on the pulse page it's not another comment it's another pulse comment. Annoying as.

                                      Commenter
                                      Amro
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 4:15PM

                                    • Nuff Nuff, i do on this PC and on my iPad.

                                      Commenter
                                      A country gal
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 4:17PM

                                    • ACG - I can't see the featured comment on the Canberra Times new website - I also can't choose if I want to the newest or oldest comments, I can keep clicking "next" on the comments area - but with 500 odd comments I don't have time to do that

                                      Commenter
                                      Not Happy Jan
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 4:20PM

                                    • eie will be happy with no featured comment - he will no longer miss out . . .

                                      Commenter
                                      Not Happy Jan
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 4:23PM

                                    • AMRO, yes iPad has been challenging, why I'm on PC. Did even have live Feed for a short time.
                                      A first for the year.
                                      Is it the Beta format?
                                      FC and variety of comment choices still working for me.
                                      Using Chrome today, some days on Firefox.
                                      Annoying I know.
                                      Nearly gave up last session of QT.

                                      Commenter
                                      A country gal
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 5:02PM

                                  • On the cabinet roundabout surely it is time for Turnbull to bring Abbott back into the tent to distract from how woeful Mal himself is looking.
                                    Not missed,
                                    but never forgotten.

                                    Commenter
                                    fizzybeer
                                    Date and time
                                    February 23, 2016, 3:38PM

                                      • "Cabinet roundabout" vintage 2016.
                                        A complex blend of mixed fruit, grown on terra bleu in the financial valley of despair on the eastern seaboard..
                                        A distinctive aftertaste that will leave you wishing you'd left it in the cellar to mature.
                                        Best drunk 2046.

                                        Commenter
                                        A country gal
                                        Date and time
                                        February 23, 2016, 4:11PM

                                      • Least that would remind everyone why they wanted Malcolm in the first place.

                                        Wots Bill's excuse Fizzy?

                                        Commenter
                                        SteveH.
                                        Date and time
                                        February 23, 2016, 4:24PM

                                    • Once again ALP backbencher Terri Butler gets her photo in this site...why? Its almost a daily event.....is there someone in Fairfax who really likes her?

                                      Commenter
                                      paul
                                      Location
                                      Brisbane
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 3:38PM

                                      • paul

                                        Missing Truss already ?

                                        Commenter
                                        A Green
                                        Location
                                        Australia
                                        Date and time
                                        February 23, 2016, 3:45PM

                                      • Terri is very photogenic

                                        Commenter
                                        fiberal
                                        Location
                                        darwin
                                        Date and time
                                        February 23, 2016, 4:47PM

                                      • Gigondas: "The fact that his inaction is due to a deal with the Nationals just supports my point that he’s done nothing about those issues, and it is that which is losing him support in the middle."

                                        He's losing support from the extreme left that's all. The centre realises that the plebiscite is democracy at work and with the profound impact of such an issue and the change it could reflect on peoples lives whether it be real or imagined, spiritual or legal the people should have the ultimate say on the matter no politicians. For the extreme left to stick two fingers up at the silent majority represents a profound arrogance and dismissal of people's views.

                                        The nation accepts that GW has always been the preserve of the extreme left, hence the term "eco fascists".

                                        Commenter
                                        housemartin
                                        Location
                                        hong kong
                                        Date and time
                                        February 23, 2016, 3:37PM

                                    • 3:34pm: The vote is being counted.

                                      why bother they already know the result.

                                      Labor loses

                                      Commenter
                                      SteveH.
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 3:36PM

                                      • Didn't stop Tony Abbott during his time as LOTO. Well, before he got elected as PM, that is.

                                        Commenter
                                        stevek
                                        Location
                                        Sydney
                                        Date and time
                                        February 23, 2016, 3:51PM

                                      • Fortunately they don't show the result of the vote on the evening news. Just the Government looking inept, rudderless and out of its depth.

                                        Commenter
                                        ah ha
                                        Date and time
                                        February 23, 2016, 4:13PM

                                      • Nobody out there really cares, only the party hacks who can't enough of this kind of thing do.

                                        Australians made their mind up about Bill ages ago, unfortunately nobody bothered to tell the ALP, they once thought he could have been a contender he might have had class.

                                        But we all know now they don't even believe it any more.

                                        Commenter
                                        SteveH.
                                        Date and time
                                        February 23, 2016, 4:21PM

                                    • 3:04pm. Julie is communicating with the good Lord. Yes any time now you will be called. Patience is a virtue. She hopes.

                                      Commenter
                                      Pluto
                                      Location
                                      Melbourne
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 3:34PM

                                      • Always the Bridesmaid, never thrown the bouquet.

                                        Commenter
                                        A country gal
                                        Date and time
                                        February 23, 2016, 4:05PM

                                      • Seriously - she's not paid to emoji.

                                        Commenter
                                        Lagwagon
                                        Date and time
                                        February 23, 2016, 4:39PM

                                    • what an utter shemozzle this government is.

                                      Commenter
                                      Nick
                                      Date and time
                                      February 23, 2016, 3:30PM

                                      • I have seldom seen a man as intelligent as Turnbull talking such rubbish.

                                        This is the sort of nonsense that we had for two years from Abbott.

                                        Commenter
                                        Good to Go
                                        Location
                                        Melbourne
                                        Date and time
                                        February 23, 2016, 3:30PM

                                          • When panic sets in reason goes out the window.

                                            Commenter
                                            fizzybeer
                                            Date and time
                                            February 23, 2016, 3:48PM

                                        • 3:21pm. Christopher is saying that, post election, he will accept a posting to any country where they play netball.

                                          Commenter
                                          Pluto
                                          Location
                                          Melbourne
                                          Date and time
                                          February 23, 2016, 3:30PM

                                          • 3:26pm: Labor's Tony Burke is confused:

                                            Doesn't stop him from babbling.

                                            Commenter
                                            SteveH.
                                            Date and time
                                            February 23, 2016, 3:28PM

                                            • Not one of your best efforts. Reads like a scripted insult from My Kitchen Rules.

                                              Commenter
                                              ah ha
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 3:52PM

                                            • Wouldn't know about that, don't watch that kind of rubbish.

                                              Commenter
                                              SteveH.
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 4:38PM

                                            • Nuff Nuff: "Sorry...I didn't get that...a conservative lecture on relevance."

                                              Hint, hint, I'd suggest you look at the time stamp I posted first Nuff.

                                              Secondly, I didn't think my comment was too difficult to understand, i'm sorry you couldn't see it, next time i'll try to couch my comments in much simpler terms.

                                              Commenter
                                              housemartin
                                              Location
                                              hong kong
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 3:27PM

                                          • negative gearing - this is magic

                                            when he says "Australians will be poorer" all you can hear is "I will be poorer"

                                            hits Turnbull smack in the middle of his obvious self-interest

                                            Commenter
                                            rod steiger
                                            Location
                                            toukley
                                            Date and time
                                            February 23, 2016, 3:24PM

                                            • I seriously doubt that even the country that invented rampant capitalism would elect a Goldman Sachs Wall Street type for president yet here we are.

                                              Commenter
                                              monkeybiz
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 3:35PM

                                            • Now we wouldn't want to hit any Australian politician smack in their own self interest would we? The whole purpose of government in this country would be destroyed.

                                              Commenter
                                              Pluto
                                              Location
                                              Melbourne
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 3:43PM

                                          • Who taught Malcolm so speak,coz I"m falling asleep,from those banal negative statements,he incessantly repeats in parliament

                                            Commenter
                                            Bored to tears
                                            Date and time
                                            February 23, 2016, 3:23PM

                                            • Yeah it was much better in Gillard's day, that was a real non-stop circus.

                                              Commenter
                                              SteveH.
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 3:33PM

                                            • Agreed SteveH

                                              Commenter
                                              fizzybeer
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 3:45PM

                                            • but only the first part

                                              Commenter
                                              fizzybeer
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 3:47PM

                                            • You should have been here on the would be Harmony Day coup Fizzy, that was the best Pulse ever, we thought they were going to send in the clown but he never showed up.

                                              It was absolutely hilarious.

                                              Commenter
                                              SteveH.
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 4:29PM

                                            • Yeah it was much better in Gillard's day, that was a real non-stop circus.

                                              Commenter
                                              SteveH.
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 3:33PM

                                            • Agreed SteveH

                                              Commenter
                                              fizzybeer
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 3:45PM

                                            • but only the first part

                                              Commenter
                                              fizzybeer
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 3:47PM

                                            • You should have been here on the would be Harmony Day coup Fizzy, that was the best Pulse ever, we thought they were going to send in the clown but he never showed up.

                                              It was absolutely hilarious.

                                              Commenter
                                              SteveH.
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 4:29PM

                                          • "In 2012, then 24-year-old Kate Moloney and her 23-year-old husband, Matt, were crowned Investors of the Year in Your Investment Property magazine. Today, if the Moloneys sold all their properties, they would still owe $3.5 million to the banks."

                                            http://www.domain.com.au/news/what-to-do-when-property-bubbles-burst-35-million-in-the-red-20160223-gn086p/

                                            Looks like housing affordability sailed in Abbott's time.

                                            Commenter
                                            A Green
                                            Location
                                            Australia
                                            Date and time
                                            February 23, 2016, 3:20PM

                                            • How is this allowed just tell me. How is this allowed, it's outrageous that's not investment, my father always told me to invest you need capital, this is straight out gambling.

                                              Commenter
                                              AMRO
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 4:41PM

                                            • Gee, house, for someone with no interest in addressing people such as me who dress up abuse as comment, you sure did a lot of addressing.

                                              Anyway, the one concrete example you gave (lifting the ban on wind investment by the CEFC) is a minor concession to give the illusion of progress. His “refusal to engage in any meaningful international policy debate on the Middle East” is your perspective only. His support for SSM and renewables is well known- yes, that’s the point- he’s doing very little about them. The fact that his inaction is due to a deal with the Nationals just supports my point that he’s done nothing about those issues, and it is that which is losing him support in the middle.

                                              Commenter
                                              Gigondas
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 3:19PM

                                          • 2.03 Knife must be in the other hand.
                                            I mean it has been 6 months!

                                            Commenter
                                            fizzybeer
                                            Date and time
                                            February 23, 2016, 3:18PM

                                            • Turnbull has admitted housing is "vulnerable".
                                              If nothing is done except waffle on about it.. Kaboom.
                                              Who wants an economy solely reliant on housing anyway?
                                              That is the corner he has painted himself into.

                                              Commenter
                                              fizzybeer
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 3:16PM

                                              • Who? The Liberals do, and their property developer mates.

                                                Commenter
                                                Pluto
                                                Location
                                                Melbourne
                                                Date and time
                                                February 23, 2016, 3:27PM

                                            • Its not working Malcolm. Shorten look and sounds great.

                                              Commenter
                                              misspunch
                                              Date and time
                                              February 23, 2016, 3:15PM

                                              • Members on my right, members on my right!!

                                                Commenter
                                                A country gal
                                                Date and time
                                                February 23, 2016, 3:15PM

                                                • 3:05 - Shorten: "Saying one thing and doing another" ?

                                                  Kev, Jules, your thoughts ?

                                                  Commenter
                                                  Hacka
                                                  Location
                                                  Canberra
                                                  Date and time
                                                  February 23, 2016, 3:14PM

                                                  • Hacka

                                                    Multi tasking.

                                                    2 up on the coalition.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    A Green
                                                    Location
                                                    Australia
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 23, 2016, 3:29PM

                                                  • Abbott
                                                    Promising one thing
                                                    Lying about another.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    fizzybeer
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 23, 2016, 3:33PM

                                                • 3.05
                                                  BILL!
                                                  Yes he can, he is both!
                                                  They all are!

                                                  Commenter
                                                  fizzybeer
                                                  Date and time
                                                  February 23, 2016, 3:12PM

                                                  • Bill Shorten "the great Australian dream". Says it all really.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    monkeybiz
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 23, 2016, 3:11PM

                                                    • My "great Australian Dream" is a great Australian government. Now like the great Australian dream of home-ownership, the notion of a great Australian government has, latterly, gone out the window or is in the process of doing so.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Pluto
                                                      Location
                                                      Melbourne
                                                      Date and time
                                                      February 23, 2016, 4:23PM

                                                  • Can't the Libs just admit a good idea when they see it, and put all their scare campaign energy into Labor's ETS where they feel more comfortable?

                                                    Looks like for the second election in a row the LNP will be going with the slogan:

                                                    Vote LNP. Yes we are sh1t, but we're not Labor.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    davemac
                                                    Location
                                                    Melbourne
                                                    Date and time
                                                    February 23, 2016, 3:09PM

                                                    • 3.04 pm: But PM Turnbull doesn't know anything about Australian tax, he only knows about Cayman island tax.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Sharron
                                                      Date and time
                                                      February 23, 2016, 3:08PM

                                                      • Go Bill, back on fire.
                                                        Yesterday Wilkie and Bandt to Dutton.
                                                        Mal is under pressure and it shows.

                                                        Commenter
                                                        A country gal
                                                        Date and time
                                                        February 23, 2016, 3:05PM

                                                        • If bashing labor is going to be the Libs go to election policy, its going to be a very, very bad election for them.

                                                          Commenter
                                                          roll me own durries
                                                          Location
                                                          Perth
                                                          Date and time
                                                          February 23, 2016, 3:02PM

                                                          • "Everything Is Broken"

                                                            Broken lines broken strings
                                                            Broken threads broken springs
                                                            Broken idols broken heads
                                                            People sleeping in broken beds
                                                            Ain't no use jiving
                                                            Ain't no use joking
                                                            Everything is broken.

                                                            Broken bottles broken plates
                                                            Broken switches broken gates
                                                            Broken dishes broken parts
                                                            Streets are filled with broken hearts
                                                            Broken words never meant to be spoken
                                                            Everything is broken.

                                                            Seem like every time you stop and turn around
                                                            Something else just hit the ground
                                                            Broken cutters broken saws
                                                            Broken buckles broken laws
                                                            Broken bodies broken bones
                                                            Broken voices on broken phones
                                                            Take a deep breath feel like you're chokin'
                                                            Everything is broken.

                                                            Everytime you leave and go off someplace
                                                            Things fall to pieces in my face
                                                            Broken hands on broken ploughs
                                                            Broken treaties broken vows
                                                            Broken pipes broken tools
                                                            People bending broken rules
                                                            Hound dog howling bullfrog croaking
                                                            Everything is broken.

                                                            This Bob Dylan song sums up the LNP

                                                            Commenter
                                                            "Everything Is Broken"
                                                            Date and time
                                                            February 23, 2016, 2:59PM

                                                            • One of my favourite Dylan songs....this lyric relates too..
                                                              -"something is happening, but you don't know what it is, Do you Mr Jones?"...

                                                              Commenter
                                                              Mark
                                                              Date and time
                                                              February 23, 2016, 5:07PM

                                                          • Even the speaker is telling Malcolm to stop waffling..

                                                            Commenter
                                                            roll me own durries
                                                            Location
                                                            Perth
                                                            Date and time
                                                            February 23, 2016, 2:56PM

                                                            • Confected offence .... from the Innovation Minister.

                                                              Another .... Hallelujah ! .... moment.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              A Green
                                                              Location
                                                              Australia
                                                              Date and time
                                                              February 23, 2016, 2:56PM

                                                              • Come round to my place Mr Fixy Fix...I need a new fence.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                Nuff Nuff
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 23, 2016, 3:11PM

                                                              • Nuff, Nuff what's he selling?
                                                                Subs on the sly.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                A country gal
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 23, 2016, 3:24PM

                                                              • I'm just grateful she made no spelling mistakes. Knowing how Jacqui views these things she could easily have misspelled election.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                Pluto
                                                                Location
                                                                Melbourne
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 23, 2016, 2:56PM

                                                            • Vote Labor and be poorer? More like, vote Liberal and become destitute.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              Banjo
                                                              Location
                                                              Eden
                                                              Date and time
                                                              February 23, 2016, 2:56PM

                                                              • Then they would have us all were they are aiming to take us anyway!
                                                                Sounds like Mal is handing out how to vote cards for Bill.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                fizzybeer
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 23, 2016, 3:10PM

                                                              • Or Vote Liberal and be treated like an idiot.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                davemac
                                                                Location
                                                                Melbourne
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 23, 2016, 3:13PM

                                                              • We are already poorer by nearly $11000pa after the changes to calculate old age pensions on super income as at 1/1/16.This was supposed to hit the "rich" but with no assets other than our home worth only $33000- I don't believe we can be classified as rich.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                frecko
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 23, 2016, 4:20PM

                                                              • Gigondas: "Extreme Right? Bah humbug, I have no interest in addressing someone who tries to suggest they're posting genuine comment when they're only motivation is to dish out abuse instead. It's a bit like opinion dressed as news. How leftist of you. How about this, "Extreme Hard Left"?

                                                                Malcolm Turnbull lifted the ban imposed by Tony Abbott on wind investment by the Clean Energy Finance Corporation as he believes greatly in renewable energy. His support for SSM is common knowledge, but it was a part of his deal with the Nats in being supported for the leadership, his refusal to engage in any meaningful international policy debate on the Middle East is a sop to the apologist left on Islamic violence etc. I could go on.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                housemartin
                                                                Location
                                                                hong kong
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 23, 2016, 2:55PM

                                                            • Innovation MInister happy for govt support to stop Whyalla wipeout.

                                                              "Free Trade" steel from China must a good deal for Australia according to coalition.

                                                              $100 legs of lamb to all Whyalla residents compliments of LNP.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              A Green
                                                              Location
                                                              Australia
                                                              Date and time
                                                              February 23, 2016, 2:54PM

                                                              • 2.48 pm: When things are looking bad, one must revert to the "I'm a Little Teapot" dance.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                Sharron
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 23, 2016, 2:51PM

                                                                • So good Sharron, got me in the giggles.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  A country gal
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:56PM

                                                                • Shorten and stout.

                                                                  Here is my handle, here is my sprout.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Hacka
                                                                  Location
                                                                  Canberra
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:58PM

                                                                • hahaha : ) that's PM Turnbull "steamed up" at his best.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Sharron
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  February 23, 2016, 3:03PM

                                                                • There you go Sharron first FC I've noticed for you, Knocked off Gazza.
                                                                  Every time i scroll I see the teapot.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  A country gal
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  February 23, 2016, 3:23PM

                                                                • sprouts hacka.
                                                                  I hate sprouts!

                                                                  Might be easier for you to use a tea bag old chap:)

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  fizzybeer
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  February 23, 2016, 3:25PM

                                                                • Yay Country Gal! And Julie Bishop has reverted to thinking about the US National anthem at 3.04 pm : )

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Sharron
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  February 23, 2016, 3:26PM

                                                                • I thought the new fella must've been up in the Gallery @ 3.04

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  A country gal
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  February 23, 2016, 3:37PM

                                                              • Using Turnbull's argument of house prices coming down wouldn't rents also come down ?

                                                                More renters than negative gearers.

                                                                Shocker of an argument from Turnbull.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                A Green
                                                                Location
                                                                Australia
                                                                Date and time
                                                                February 23, 2016, 2:50PM

                                                                • 2.44 pm: Not looking good for Turnbull.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Sharron
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:49PM

                                                                  • Sorry...I didn't get that...a conservative lecture on relevance.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Nuff Nuff
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:48PM

                                                                • Rapid access to Rock Lobsters in China!! That could be really handy if your on annual leave in China but you also have a completely unexpected need to celebrate any mining deals while you're there.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Immal
                                                                  Location
                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:45PM

                                                                  • Not sure who or if anyone is advising Turnbull but his position on negative gearing and capital gains is an absolute stinker. He is in full merchant banker mode and it is very ugly.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    monkeybiz
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:45PM

                                                                    • See that Mals checking his computer looking for brownie points from the electorate .I"m sick of to death of his hubris , artificial,candour

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Had enough
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:45PM

                                                                      • "Hyperbole" ..... appears to be the word of the day from the coalition.

                                                                        Property falling off a cliff ...... oxymoron.

                                                                        From the Prime Minister of Australia.

                                                                        Expect it from the Deputy P.M. .... not uno numero !

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        A Green
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Australia
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:43PM

                                                                        • Nuff Nuff: Whether that be true or not, what's that got to do with what i'm saying?

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          housemartin
                                                                          Location
                                                                          hong kong
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          February 23, 2016, 2:41PM

                                                                      • Well. Lambie just made the case for changing the senate voting process.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Puzzled
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:41PM

                                                                        • I'm just grateful she made no spelling mistakes. Knowing how Jacqui views these things she could easily have misspelled election.

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          Pluto
                                                                          Location
                                                                          Melbourne
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          February 23, 2016, 2:56PM

                                                                      • Isn't what Jacqui Lambie has posted to Twitter at 2:10pm, the same type of thing that Sam Newman was pilloried for on the AFL Footy Show, Stephanie Peatling? If it was considered sexist and disrespectful then, I don't know that it needs to be promoted by the Fairfax Press at 2:28 is all.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Peter from Kew
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:38PM

                                                                        • Disrespectfull???....Only if the body is yours?

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          Nuff Nuff
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          February 23, 2016, 2:56PM

                                                                      • Lets call Mal - Strawman,his rhetorical words,and arguments are hollow.

                                                                        He doesn't look like a leader to me .I thought Thatcherism,and,work choices, laissez faire were dead.It doesn't appear so with Mal in the drivers seat

                                                                        Grocery Bill looks unperturbed by MTs attacks,coz he has policies that are social and inclusive,not class divisional

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Bush Pig
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:36PM

                                                                        • 7 million Australian voters will never be able to negative gear.

                                                                          5 million Australians will never be able to afford a house.

                                                                          15 million voters in Australia.

                                                                          The silver tongue is going to have to work harder to win the next election.

                                                                          And all blows back on Abbott and his gang.

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          A Green
                                                                          Location
                                                                          Australia
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          February 23, 2016, 2:35PM

                                                                          • @ 2.28
                                                                            I am confused, i thought Di Natale was leader of greens and not The Pink

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            billy
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            February 23, 2016, 2:39PM

                                                                        • Why does Turnbull always sound like he is giving a millionaires a business investment lecture?

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          monkeybiz
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          February 23, 2016, 2:34PM

                                                                          • Because he is. It's all that he knows.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            Pluto
                                                                            Location
                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            February 23, 2016, 2:40PM

                                                                          • Elementary, my dear Monkey

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            rod steiger
                                                                            Location
                                                                            toukley
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            February 23, 2016, 2:47PM

                                                                          • I don't think I have ever seen a PM try and self immolate before. Nice going Mal.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            ah ha
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            February 23, 2016, 3:04PM

                                                                          • Any more of this and Mal may be in for a Northern Hemisphere killing season. Right around Budget time.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            ah ha
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            February 23, 2016, 3:27PM

                                                                          • Because Monkey, he knows the leaners have no interest in knowing how to get ahead and start contributing or they're simply just not talented enough to do so.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            housemartin
                                                                            Location
                                                                            hong kong
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            February 23, 2016, 3:30PM

                                                                          • Not too many jobs for US ambassadors around eh Housemartin?

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            Nuff Nuff
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            February 23, 2016, 4:05PM

                                                                          • What's your point Nuff?

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            housemartin
                                                                            Location
                                                                            hong kong
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            February 23, 2016, 4:29PM

                                                                        • 2:28 DD

                                                                          DD dating site??
                                                                          Anyone want one of these ...slightly used?

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          Nuff Nuff
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          February 23, 2016, 2:34PM

                                                                          • @ 2.28
                                                                            As a Labor supporter i cant stop laughing right now.. Ha ha ha

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            billy
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            February 23, 2016, 2:33PM

                                                                            • me too!!!

                                                                              Commenter
                                                                              Sharron
                                                                              Date and time
                                                                              February 23, 2016, 2:52PM

                                                                          • Such high hopes for Turnbull, now he is reduced to slogans like "smash house prices". Only took what, 4-5 months? As a centre-left voter i would have voted for Turnbull in a heartbeat, but with the recent lines from Morrison and Turnbull over tax reform (ie squibbing on it) and especially if LNP force a DD election, I and other potential Turnbull voters will stick with Labour regardless of Shorten. Too bad Malcolm, you really did have me there for a while.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            emmawren
                                                                            Location
                                                                            melbourne
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            February 23, 2016, 2:32PM

                                                                            • Barn Door makes Turnbull sound on topic and succinct. That front bench is a big big problem.

                                                                              Commenter
                                                                              monkeybiz
                                                                              Date and time
                                                                              February 23, 2016, 2:31PM

                                                                              • Gotta love Jackie Lambie.
                                                                                Di natale looks hot in pink !!
                                                                                this tweet might not go down well with the noisy left crowd

                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                Troy
                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                February 23, 2016, 2:31PM

                                                                                • Troy

                                                                                  According to the AMA its the coalition that is tearing apart the fabric of Australian society.

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  A Green
                                                                                  Location
                                                                                  Australia
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:37PM

                                                                                • But Magnifico Mal in yellow really suits him down to a Tee. Words associated with yellow, impatience, criticism, cowardice,judgemental, deceitful, lacking compassion, overly analytical, clown, comic performer, loves to talk (waffle).intellect, impatience, optimism, communicator,

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  A country gal
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:50PM

                                                                                • What Jacqui has done is mild. My thoughts about politicians, particularly those that sell out, is unprintable and would probable elicit a visit from Australia Border Farce and their sniffer poodle.

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  Pluto
                                                                                  Location
                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 3:02PM

                                                                              • Turnbull says 'Let me be crystal clear.....' hmmm today hes channelling his buddy Abbott who probably leaked Turnbulls no longer secret notes & talking points.

                                                                                As for weakly mocking the opposition as childish; it downright dangerous lying to Australians that house prices will collapse. Turnbull is willing the worst and prepared to blame anyone but himself when its well known this mendacious Turnbull/Abbott LNP have no effective economic policies whatsoever, if they did, they'd be shouting from the rooftops.

                                                                                This LNP will burn the house down trying to stay in power. Wake up Australia.

                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                misspunch
                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                February 23, 2016, 2:28PM

                                                                                  • Just more lies from this government which is what we have come to expect. Yes, Turnbull will soon be called Truthless Turnip soon if he continues with the deliberate spin job to hide the lies such as saying they won't increase the CGT which he knows was a carefully hidden lie because they are going to reduce the tax free threshold by 50% so what that means is that while the tax rate doesn't chneg the amount of tax you actually pay will go up by 50%. As you can see from that example, another well crafted lie just like Hockabbott used to do.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Lance
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:41PM

                                                                                  • "small government advocates like Bernardi, Hastie and Abetz" @PP I think you just redefined the meaning of the word "hypocrites."

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Simon
                                                                                    Location
                                                                                    Malvern Victoria
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:27PM

                                                                                • Why are govt Ministers so shrill today.

                                                                                  An adverse reaction to Poll fever ?

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  A Green
                                                                                  Location
                                                                                  Australia
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:25PM

                                                                                  • Mal's been letting of thought bubbles.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Nuff Nuff
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:29PM

                                                                                • Well done IT,
                                                                                  The Live Feed we can now see.

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  A country gal
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:23PM

                                                                                  • Spoke too soon.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:55PM

                                                                                • Any reports on which cake Peta cooked for the Monkeypod meet today?
                                                                                  More to the point is the meet still on?

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  A country gal
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:21PM

                                                                                  • ACG

                                                                                    Don't know about cake.

                                                                                    Hot tongue and cold shoulder seems the be all the LNP is serving today.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    A Green
                                                                                    Location
                                                                                    Australia
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:26PM

                                                                                  • AG, served with relish and pickle

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:36PM

                                                                                  • Cakes? She only just finished ironing their ties.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Nuff Nuff
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 3:21PM

                                                                                • 12:53pm: Turnbull realises that he needs to get back the conservatives he's lost and that Labor and Green voters would never vote for him regardless of how much love they showed him when he toppled TA. Duh Malcolm, you really never saw that the left would eventually turn on you simply for being in the Liberal party? Malcolm's election prospects were always going to be damaged by disaffected conservatives who feel they had their party taken away from them by Turnbull in his arrogant swing to the left. Perhaps Malcolm realises that he needs to put forward views that recognise a plurality of views and not just pet leftist causes such as GW, SSM etc.

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  housemartin
                                                                                  Location
                                                                                  hong kong
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:19PM

                                                                                  • You seem to forget Housemartin that Mal is there only because he isn't Tone.
                                                                                    No more...no less.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Nuff Nuff
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:26PM

                                                                                  • Agreed housemartin.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Puzzled
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:29PM

                                                                                  • housemartin, some comments:

                                                                                    Turnbull has already ‘lost’ the extreme right both within and outside the party, but they’re little more than a rump given traction by their noisy media stars (Jones, Bolt etc). You are right to say he’s also now losing the middle ground, but you contradict yourself by saying he’s sent the Government on an “arrogant swing to the left” and is absorbed by “pet leftist causes such as GW, SSM etc.”. The opposite is true- he’s done nothing about those issues, and it is that which is losing him support in the middle.

                                                                                    He actually needs to do what you accuse him of doing- ignore the extreme rump and govern at the middle- to regain traction and support.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Gigondas
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:32PM

                                                                                  • And we'd never want the PM wasting his and our time by giving any credence to those "rightist" homophobes requesting an allowance of their vile hate-speech, would we now @housemartin?

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Simon
                                                                                    Location
                                                                                    Malvern Victoria
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:41PM

                                                                                • What a shame the Innovation Minister is no longer Minister FixIt.

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  A Green
                                                                                  Location
                                                                                  Australia
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:18PM

                                                                                  • 2:09 - no wonder Bill doesn't rate on education. Malcolm's already answered the CGT question a few times. Seems poor Bill hasn't leaned to listen.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Hacka
                                                                                    Location
                                                                                    Canberra
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:18PM

                                                                                    • More to the point, seems MT hasn't learnt how to answer.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      davemac
                                                                                      Location
                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:23PM

                                                                                    • well well hacka, it seems you are the deficient one. If Malcolm cant answer the question without waffle, it has to be repeated until he understands the question, no? lol
                                                                                      Bill is trying to pin him down and Malcolm is trying to avoid stating any position- easy to do when you dont have one.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      andyfreeze
                                                                                      Location
                                                                                      pascoe vale
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:25PM

                                                                                    • Which part of "no changes" are you struggling with dave ?

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      Hacka
                                                                                      Location
                                                                                      Canberra
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:28PM

                                                                                    • Meanwhile the level of your leaning is clear.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      ah ha
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:28PM

                                                                                    • Hacks perhaps he is a bit put off by the Government previous use of the term "no changes" in relaiton to superannuation changes, the ABC & SBS, changes to closing the gap funding, not shutting medicare locals, no changes to pensions, no changes to Prime Minister etc etc

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      tasch2
                                                                                      Location
                                                                                      Mornington Peninsula
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:42PM

                                                                                    • He could be tasch2, although with the exception of a well earned haircut to the hapless ABC, there haven't been any other policy changes to those things.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      Hacka
                                                                                      Location
                                                                                      Canberra
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:56PM

                                                                                    • Hacksy, please. Do we not, at least, have a Prime Minister now that is different to the one we had this time last year? You don't even need to resort to google to find the answer to that one. As to the rest I suggest a little googling may assist you.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      tasch2
                                                                                      Location
                                                                                      Mornington Peninsula
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 3:00PM

                                                                                  • Can Di Natale rule out doing any future dirty deals with the Liberal party.
                                                                                    Ever since turnbull got elected Greens have been scared of losing their supporters to a Turnbull and have let go of various legislation which they should be blocking with Labor party

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Dan
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:17PM

                                                                                    • Turnbull talking directly to the camera in Parliament.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      Quick Comment.
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:16PM

                                                                                      • Where are all these "young couples" supposedly buying houses ?

                                                                                        Rely on those votes Turnbull and you will get a bigger thumping than Abbott was overdue for.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        A Green
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        Australia
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:14PM

                                                                                        • Green (inner city) voters would be the worst hit due to negative gearing changes, Di Natale might not survive if he supports this dumb changes.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          russ
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 2:19PM

                                                                                        • They are in China buying off the plan.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Pluto
                                                                                          Location
                                                                                          Melbourne
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 2:21PM

                                                                                        • In ToysRus.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          A country gal
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 3:04PM

                                                                                      • I don't think Malcolm is as bright as he's always told us he is, going on his pathetic arguments today.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Real Politik
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:13PM

                                                                                        • Lectured by the silver tongue.

                                                                                          The bottomless pit of LNP politics.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          A Green
                                                                                          Location
                                                                                          Australia
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 2:09PM

                                                                                          • Hastie is right and I agree with that comment, however I have serious doubts whether he would apply the same logic to the school chap program. I'm all for smaller government but small government advocates like Bernardi, Hastie and Abetz need to be consistent when it comes to the SCP as well otherwise the hypocrite tag deserves to be applied.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Piped Piper
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 2:08PM

                                                                                            • "small government advocates like Bernardi, Hastie and Abetz" @PP I think you just redefined the meaning of the word "hypocrites."

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              Simon
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              Malvern Victoria
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 2:27PM

                                                                                          • Perhaps enough is enough can tell everyone if Charity shops are being inundated with blue ties ?

                                                                                            Or have they been stored for future use.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            A Green
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 2:07PM

                                                                                            • HAHAHAHA I can't stop laughing.... that comment made my day :)

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              Lost 4 Words
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              nearly finished work for the day
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 2:22PM

                                                                                          • 2.02 "Let me make it Crystal Clear".
                                                                                            It really is him incognito.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 2:07PM

                                                                                            • or David Cameron

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              rod steiger
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              toukley
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 2:36PM

                                                                                          • Can we expect a presser from preselection Candidate "Freedom Boy" over the repealing and controversy surrounding the Safe School Program?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 2:05PM

                                                                                            • having said its no be deal on election reform, it is a big deal that its done through parliament with due dilligence , not rushed to a DD time table.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              andyfreeze
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              pascoe vale
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 2:05PM

                                                                                              • Poor old Malcolm. Would have been an OK PM if he didn't have to tell the truth.

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                Real Politik
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 2:04PM

                                                                                                • when is that expected to occur?

                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                  fizzybeer
                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:10PM

                                                                                                • @fizzybeer. Not any time soon. Malcolm's already started to cave in. Absolutely no.guts at all. Just shows you what an easy life can do to your values: when it comes to political survival and the continued smooth running of the gravy train, the values are given the boot.

                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                  Pluto
                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:28PM

                                                                                              • Voting reform is an interesting proposition. I dont like the idea of micro parties with less than 1% of the vote but the lived experience isnt so bad. Personally it doesnt affect how I vote. I vote below the line and number every box. In changing the system, My preference would be to only mark who I want and no one else. eg 1-3 or 1-4 or even just 1. So nobody gets a preference off me unless i chose to do so. As it is, or will be, it doesnt add up to a big deal to me.

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                andyfreeze
                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                pascoe vale
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 2:02PM

                                                                                                • Hastie’s not slow (boom boom- just giving Bill some zinger material) in aligning himself with the Bernardi/Abbott/Abetz/Andrews right. Of course he was hand-picked by Tony, but it is interesting that he feels no need to pull in the head now a more moderate leader is in the big chair, and his backers are all back with him on the back bench. Is he punting on a Return of the King?

                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                  Gigondas
                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 2:01PM

                                                                                                    • Careful there Gig, Bish got most irate when the Ex claimed Hastie as his trophy.
                                                                                                      She takes full credit for him.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:13PM

                                                                                                    • Now, now, Gigondas, you know there are no factions in the Liberal Party. Malcolm told you so.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Banjo
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      Eden
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:21PM

                                                                                                    • acg, that’s interesting- Hastie is obviously a work dating from Julie’s conservative period.
                                                                                                      Banjo, I remember now- Sorry.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Gigondas
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:41PM

                                                                                                  • 1:49PM: "Sexuality is a matter that children should learn about from their parents, not their schools, (Andrew Hastie) says."

                                                                                                    Yeah, right. Hands up those who learned the 'important' stuff from their friends. Of course you did. I remember my old man taking to one of those film nights at the tender age of 10 but I didn't get the important bit about how the sperm ends up in mum's body. My mates clued me up later

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    stevek
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    Sydney
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 1:57PM

                                                                                                    • You reckon that's bad. Bernardi was born under a cabbage patch and Hastie was delivered by a lost and misguided stork.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      monkeybiz
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:00PM

                                                                                                    • If it wasn't for your mates you would be completely ignorant, just like some members of this government. Be thankful.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Pluto
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:01PM

                                                                                                    • Please explain?

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      fizzybeer
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:03PM

                                                                                                    • @Pluto: on the other hand shouldn't i blame my mates for missing out on a career as a conservative MP? I could now be earning up to $200K pa

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      stevek
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      Sydney
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:19PM

                                                                                                    • fizzy, sit down son while I explain.
                                                                                                      It goes into a test tube, then mum has IVF at the clinic.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:19PM

                                                                                                    • i'll need a diagram

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      rod steiger
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      toukley
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:34PM

                                                                                                    • rod, that comes in the next lesson. The one on contraception

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:39PM

                                                                                                    • A flowchart is what you are after Rod

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      stevek
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      Sydney
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:43PM

                                                                                                    • I see what you did there Acg. Clever.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      stevek
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      Sydney
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:50PM

                                                                                                    • What's that joke about whiteboards and huge grants?

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:52PM

                                                                                                    • In 1961, rod steiger, diagrams were all we got. Of frogs reproducing. Fascinating stuff.

                                                                                                      No sex ed, just science lessons.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Banjo
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      Eden
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:54PM

                                                                                                    • @stevek. Look at it this way. Sure you could be earning K200,000 as a conservative politician but you would also be ridiculed on a regular basis. You might even end up in a pink bra and panties. Now is that the way you want to be remembered by your descendants?

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Pluto
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 3:21PM

                                                                                                  • Bernardi and Hastie. The future of the LNP. God help us all.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    monkeybiz
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 1:57PM

                                                                                                    • Here we go again with the daily grind of pointless and empty comments.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      housemartin
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      hong kong
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:06PM

                                                                                                    • Whats there on other side,
                                                                                                      ohh yes, Pibersek, Bandt, Rhionen & Hanson Yong

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      the other side
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:09PM

                                                                                                    • Monkey: Why don't you just announce to everyone here what it is about Hasties that makes you lament the future of the LNP.

                                                                                                      I'll bet you don't know a single thing.

                                                                                                      Whilst Hastie's, words are poorly chosen, perhaps he's suggesting that Parents be allowed to have a major say in the sex ed curriculum rather than schools having the arrogance to take it upon themselves to dictate the entire agenda effectively leaving parents out of the process as it relates to their own children.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      housemartin
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      hong kong
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:11PM

                                                                                                    • Perhaps he is, perhaps Mal really knows how to govern, perhaps Scomo has some idea about economics, perhaps the LNP really cares about boat people, perhaps the LNP really cares about the environment...

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Perhaps
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:23PM

                                                                                                    • Housemartin, I can tell you what it is. Its this apocalyptic black and white view of the world these guys have. Without even blinking or understanding the nuances of the policy they are against it 100%. This my friend is not honesty, its head in the sand stuff.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      andyfreeze
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      pascoe vale
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:29PM

                                                                                                    • @housemartin. Pointless and empty comments have caused the fall of of great nations. Get enough pointless and empty comments together and the people can achieve great things too, even a change of government.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Pluto
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:34PM

                                                                                                  • Andrew Hastie
                                                                                                    Hmmm, are you still o.k. with that if their parents are gay?

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    fizzybeer
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 1:53PM

                                                                                                    • Bingo, fizzy.
                                                                                                      Noted during his campaigning a very vocal Christian School in Canning was in the local Mandurah Mail often, where they would not accept any students from Gay parents.
                                                                                                      Guess he's already booked his baby in there.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:01PM

                                                                                                  • The Liberal Party. A completely humane party that decries racism and sexism. Except when there are votes to had somewhere, anywhere. In that case babies and gays become fair game.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Pluto
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 1:51PM

                                                                                                    • Mr Bernardi might do well to refer to the recent comments by the Pope regrading the gospel being about building bridges not walls.

                                                                                                      (yes Pen, I know that there is lots of literal bad stuff in all of the religious books but I think the Pope's recent comments have merit)

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Time to change
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:38PM

                                                                                                      • I think there is a silent protest against the pope by the LNP/IPA mob. They don't like his progressive agenda. I mean, he even believes in climate change. Who'd have thought? If you were unfortunate to see Gerald Henderson on Insiders on Sunday you will have noticed him defending Trump after the pope had given him a dressing down. Strange old cocktail this conservative politics and religion. Pretty much explains why there isn't any truth to conservative politics.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        monkeybiz
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 1:49PM

                                                                                                      • Based on the book of Hypocrisy.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 1:55PM

                                                                                                      • @Time To Change. I agree with the Pope on the Trump remark and I rarely agree with Bernardi but I don't agree that Bernardi's political views should be dictated by the Pope. Let's keep the church and state seperate.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Piped Piper
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:03PM

                                                                                                      • @Piped
                                                                                                        I agree with your comment.

                                                                                                        I was pointing out the inconsistency/ hypocrisy of Mr Bernardi's comments.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Time to change
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:11PM

                                                                                                      • I hate the church and all its trappings, but for once the Pope has stated the bleeding obvious. Christianity is all about sharing. If Trump wants to build a wall he cant call himself a christian. All these other half arse guys who want to defend Trump obviously dont understand christianity. Its not about the bible, its about Christ. Hence the duplicious nature of the ultra right wing christian neocons. Christian in name but fascist in policy.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        andyfreeze
                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                        pascoe vale
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:38PM

                                                                                                    • I know this is tempting fate, but it seems that the Fairfax Microbee is working relatively well today.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Gigondas
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:34PM

                                                                                                      • Microbee? I won't have that. I understand they have at least two now (and the Premium model with 32KB RAM, mind you).

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        stevek
                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                        Sydney
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 1:52PM

                                                                                                      • We should do a whip-around and buy them a Commodore 64.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Gigondas
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:04PM

                                                                                                      • No let's lash out on an Amiga 500

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        stevek
                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                        Sydney
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:21PM

                                                                                                      • Whoa, let's keep it under control there Steve. Next thing you'll be lashing out on an Apple 11e.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Gigondas
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:48PM

                                                                                                    • Don't know why it's even worth discussing, as the LNP will continue as government for next term, and most likely for many more to come. They will get hold of the Senate as well, and then there will be real progress with getting things done.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Pistol Pete
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:28PM

                                                                                                      • The main "progress' would be enlarging border farce in an effort to cope with exit visa applications.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 1:33PM

                                                                                                      • And I expect to win the lottery, even though I don’t have a ticket.

                                                                                                        A double dissolution and a long campaign and this clueless mob of incompetents will be well and truly cooked.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Wentworth whitewash
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 1:38PM

                                                                                                      • So good government is starting soon? Great to know.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Rugger
                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                        Melb
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 1:45PM

                                                                                                      • Ha ha!, I needed a good laugh, thanks son, predicting the future eh! you are a genius

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        fiberal
                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                        darwin
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 1:46PM

                                                                                                      • Ironically having a hostile Senate has probably saved them. Given Tones and the rest of his crew have been systemically booted by their own based on Polls for the tripe they tried to implement but got blocked by the Senate you would imagine they would have been walloped at the next poll had they actually got that stuff through.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        ah ha
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 1:47PM

                                                                                                      • So the last 29 and a half months have just been a tease?
                                                                                                        Apart from hitting moderately well off retirees, what has the LNP government actually done since September 2013?
                                                                                                        Their budgets have targeted the less well off with the task of budget repair. Our budget deficit shows no sign of improving while government debt is around $110 billion more on their watch.
                                                                                                        Secrecy, lack of vision, a jumbled economic policy where things are put off the table and put back on at will.
                                                                                                        Imagine if they controlled the Senate, how much better off the 0.1% would be, while the rest of us will struggle with stagnant wages, fewer penalty rates and employers continuing to ask their workers to give up more of their hard won working conditions.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Barry of Nambucca
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 1:47PM

                                                                                                      • Lucky there's no economic emergency...hang on?

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:00PM

                                                                                                      • "They will get hold of the Senate as well, and then there will be real progress with getting things done."
                                                                                                        Gee whiz Pete, with them sorta fighting words you'd do very well writing propaganda fluff-pieces for Kim Jong-un!
                                                                                                        Great to see you're in favour of proper democratic processes.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Simon
                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                        Malvern Victoria
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 2:06PM

                                                                                                    • Will the micro parties now take the proposed changes to the voting system to the Equal Opportunity Commission arguing that big parties are getting a better deal?

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Tucky Warragul
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:27PM

                                                                                                      • St Bernardi quoted today in relation to the Safe Schools Program:

                                                                                                        “It makes everyone fall into line with a political agenda. Our schools should be places of learning, not indoctrination.”

                                                                                                        So, we'll now dispense with the $250m program teaching children about sky fairies, will we? Isn't that indoctrination too?

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Grizwald
                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                        Sydney
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 1:24PM

                                                                                                        • Nah... The conservatives are not hypocrites!
                                                                                                          Their motto:
                                                                                                          Only those who are 'not with us' need to follow our instructions.....

                                                                                                          Typical tripe from Bernardi et al.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          Jump
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 1:29PM

                                                                                                        • If Mr Turnbull supports the right of his party - eg Mr Bernardi - then he will lose the centre of the electorate.

                                                                                                          His decision.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          Time to change
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 1:37PM

                                                                                                        • St Bernardi just keeps digging deeper holes for himself.

                                                                                                          Children have been "being bullied and intimidated into complying with a radical program", he says, and "most parents" do not support the program.

                                                                                                          Exactly! Get the Chaplains out, quickly!!

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          Grizwald
                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                          Sydney
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 1:40PM

                                                                                                        • So true. I read his quote, not realising the LGBTI context, and thought he must be talking about the forced indoctrination of religious education. And on that point he is correct - most parents do not support it either.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          Rugger
                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                          Melb
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 1:47PM

                                                                                                      • 1:19pm. Oh Penny, Penny. Sensible people in the Coalition? Oh Penny, Penny.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Pluto
                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 1:23PM

                                                                                                        • Come on pluto, there's Warren Entsch and...errr...well....then there's...errr...ummm

                                                                                                          OK, just give me a minute.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          davemac
                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                          Melbourne
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 1:43PM

                                                                                                        • davemac
                                                                                                          Warren Entsch and all the rats abandoning the coracle.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          fizzybeer
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 1:52PM

                                                                                                      • Are we going to have a DD or not? This promo for parliament is really the same as for Australia's Got Talent. And from what we have seen there is no talent in that show and the comedy called parliament.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Tucky Warragul
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 1:22PM

                                                                                                        • Ah Stephanie 11.30
                                                                                                          does that mean that everything is on the table, off the table, nowhere near the table, or they haven't decided yet on the shape of the table.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          fizzybeer
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 1:22PM

                                                                                                          • Just waiting on the Pink Marble from Italy to arrive.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 1:35PM

                                                                                                          • This lot believe they are knights of the round table. They are, of course, totally deluded.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            Pluto
                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 1:41PM

                                                                                                        • Pretty uneventful day so far. If Barnaby is playing wing man though, does that make him Maverick or Ice Man ?

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          Hacka
                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                          Canberra
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 1:17PM

                                                                                                            • Shot down in flames

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              fizzybeer
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:18PM

                                                                                                            • Neither, Hacka, knowing Barnaby as we do, he'll most probably pull the seat eject button instead of the throttles and have a slow swim back to the ship.

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              DukeofWoyWoy
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:23PM

                                                                                                            • He's only just taken off. Probably about to engage thrusters and break through the sound barrier.

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              Hacka
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              Canberra
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:24PM

                                                                                                            • Flat spin.

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:28PM

                                                                                                            • You mean the hypo-critical sound barrier, don't you Hacka?

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              DukeofWoyWoy
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:29PM

                                                                                                            • Don’t call him “Ice Man”… That will just give Lambie another reason to hate him.

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              Snapperhead
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              The Reef
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:30PM

                                                                                                            • Goose!

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              Immal
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:33PM

                                                                                                            • Chicken Man

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              rod steiger
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              toukley
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:33PM

                                                                                                            • "Maverick to Barnyard...is that you or me screaming?

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:34PM

                                                                                                            • first man to break the sound barrier in reverse thrust

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              fizzybeer
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:36PM

                                                                                                            • The red faced one seems so harmless at times like these, he's almost kinda likable...until he starts talking politics.....

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              davemac
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:41PM

                                                                                                            • It makes him a sirry idiot.

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              Jason of Gold Coast (awash with Tory malcontents)
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:43PM

                                                                                                            • message from Barnaby to ground control hacka.......

                                                                                                              which way is up?

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              fizzybeer
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:43PM

                                                                                                          • LGBTI being discussed by Bernardi? He thinks the B is for beastiality. Perhaps if he condemned paedophile priests with the same amount of vehemence, he may attain some respect and credibility.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            Tucky Warragul
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 1:16PM

                                                                                                            • Spotlight, a must watch movie on how the Catholic cartel operates, we knew already, as if we needed proof of moving around reptiles that prey on young boys

                                                                                                              This is movie of the year, actually movie of the decade

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              fiberal
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              darwin
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:35PM

                                                                                                          • Well the ALP has done nothing today except
                                                                                                            form a scrum and shuffle some paper around trying to look busy. Meanwhile the Greens are getting on with bleeding the Unions dry of election funds. Shorten, fiddling while Rome burns.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            enough is enough
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 1:15PM

                                                                                                            • All you've done today is throw stones at mixed metaphors growing no moss.

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              Immal
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:17PM

                                                                                                            • And what has Turnbull done while Rome burns, apart from setting off further conflagrations?

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              Banjo
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              Eden
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:19PM

                                                                                                            • metaphorical overload ... brain hurts...

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              rod steiger
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              toukley
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:20PM

                                                                                                            • Well don't just sit there eie, call the Italian Fire Brigade...pronto!

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              davemac
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:40PM

                                                                                                          • Definitely some divisions in the coalition. Last week Malcolm said the leadership team was like "Thelma and Louise" and now Barnaby says it is more like "Top Gun" - although I suspect Barnaby would be better as "Goose" rather than "Cougar".

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            Immal
                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 1:14PM

                                                                                                            • The Pulse @ 12.53 pm

                                                                                                              Is Mal an explosion
                                                                                                              that’s more fizz than bang,
                                                                                                              a long-dead volcano,
                                                                                                              a bell without clang?

                                                                                                              Is Bill more the tortoise
                                                                                                              and less of the hare,
                                                                                                              not showboating daily,
                                                                                                              but always just there?

                                                                                                              If so, this election
                                                                                                              could be quite a race,
                                                                                                              but will we be winners,
                                                                                                              or stuck in last place?

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              Gazza from Grong Grong
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:09PM

                                                                                                              • That's so good Gazza.
                                                                                                                How's that book coming along!

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                A country gal
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 1:18PM

                                                                                                            • Another day with Truffles Turnbull, whingeing about negative gearing, caring more for those with seven homes plus getting a huge govt subsidy whilst young folks cant even get into the market to affore their first home. ! All Truffles thinks of is the next election, a DD, no policies, nothing of substance.

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              piesnchess
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:07PM

                                                                                                              • It astounds me that we have a government who will actively make life easier and more lucrative for the already well off, at the expense of the poor and middle class. They are actively making it more difficult for people to put their own roof over their heads, just so they can make it easier for their rich mates to own multiple investment properties. This is wrong on so many levels and the Liberals really need to take a long hard look at themselves.

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                Snapperhead
                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                The Reef
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 1:33PM

                                                                                                            • 12.36, This really is an outright insult to the likes of Georgie and her Mum who had audience with reps from the Major Parties yesterday concerning the need for Court approval on hormonal supplements when transitioning.

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:07PM

                                                                                                              • Makes me really mad I have a personal friend who's transgender as if there isn't enough obstacles, their just like the loony right wing in the states with their no men in women's toilets campaign, what do you do on a plane.

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                Amro
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 5:02PM

                                                                                                            • Andrew Giles 1.00
                                                                                                              All he has to do now is weasel out of the plebiscite after the election and it will be mission accomplished for Abbott.

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              fizzybeer
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:06PM

                                                                                                              • Then he can take off the rubber mask 'scooby doo' style and - bloody hell it was Tones all the time!!!!!

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                davemac
                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 1:09PM

                                                                                                            • so the member for Darling Point, Double Bay, Rose Bay, Vaucluse, Bondi Junction and Kings Cross promises to abandon respect for the lgbti

                                                                                                              kinda unrepresentative

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              rod steiger
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              toukley
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 1:04PM

                                                                                                                • No... I believe the electoral division is Packer.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 1:09PM

                                                                                                              • What happened to innovation, agility, future happiness and prosperity

                                                                                                                Well it's been replaced by, uncreative, unimaginative, old,traditional, customary

                                                                                                                Lethargic, sluggish,stiff, lazy, clumsy

                                                                                                                Loss, shrinkage,(sorry George), stagnation, restriction

                                                                                                                You see it's easy to use words that impress people, like agility, innovative and the like

                                                                                                                It is another thing to actually put them into practice

                                                                                                                You are currently a failure Malcolm, what you should have done is have a DD 3 or 4 months ago, because you are on your way down, you missed the window of opportunity

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                fiberal
                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                darwin
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 1:04PM

                                                                                                                • Spot on Fiberal. Tony Turnbull was given 5 months of good grace by the voter, to put his house in order and change direction but he has totally squandered the opportunity. He has stuck with all of Abbotts Ideological agenda whilst the scandals continued on his new front bench with 3 Ministers gone in less than 5 Months.

                                                                                                                  Its easy to come out with the buzz words and catchy slogans, but unless you follow them up with actions, you will be seen as all talk and one thing Malcom has shown is that he is definitely all talk.

                                                                                                                  Malcom assumed that the bad polls where all the fault of Abbott so he thought he could walk in, throw around a few buzz words like innovation and how exciting it was to be alive and then he could just coast to an easy election. This was a total miscalculation as it was not just Abbott that the people did not like, it was the Liberals Ideological Agenda and they were looking to Malcolm to change course.

                                                                                                                  Malcolm had a unique opportunity to bring the Liberals back from the brink but he has continued on course and if people had any doubt, he cemented the perception that he is not different to Abbott when he went on a fear campaign about Negative Gearing, rather than debating policy, like the adult government he claimed to be. Nope, Turnbull made a massive error in judgement on this one, by going the fear campaign, and he will be forever known as Tony Turnbull.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  Snapperhead
                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                  The Reef
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 1:27PM

                                                                                                                • LOL,

                                                                                                                  Sydney & Melbourne property prices are amongst the highest in the world.

                                                                                                                  Business Council of Aust and plenty of other business owners and LNP politicianns think business costs are too high. (Read wages.)

                                                                                                                  The big Q no one seems to ask is: how will high property prices (rent / mortage), high wages and high cost of living expenses attract the innovators / start ups which usually struggle for funds to start anyway.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  nolongerconfused
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 4:51PM

                                                                                                              • 12:57
                                                                                                                Ha Ha Barnyard "wing man to the PM'.
                                                                                                                ...more like Malcolms pistol or boo?

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 1:03PM

                                                                                                                • Yes, Mardi Gras is on soon.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  enough is enough
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 1:01PM

                                                                                                                  • I hope there is still enough papier mache left. I just can't see Mal being there in person.

                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                    Pluto
                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 1:09PM

                                                                                                                  • And I'm sure you will be in there somewhere

                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                    fiberal
                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                    darwin
                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 1:21PM

                                                                                                                  • Pluto
                                                                                                                    He could probably rejig the Howard / Bush float into the Mal / Big Business float?

                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                    Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 1:31PM

                                                                                                                  • @fiberal. Flattery, flattery!

                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                    Pluto
                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 2:08PM

                                                                                                                • So sorry the match was rained out, Joe.

                                                                                                                  But, - and if a maybe so impertient - the fallout from your 2014 budge's still reverberating.

                                                                                                                  Accordingly, how in hades did you secure the most plumb diplomatic posting on offfer, other than, arguably, Dolly's.

                                                                                                                  Do you have friends in high places?

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  Jason of Gold Coast (awash with Tory malcontents)
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 1:01PM

                                                                                                                  • 12.57
                                                                                                                    A "Wing Man"?
                                                                                                                    Here's hoping he's just a "Fling Man".

                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 1:00PM

                                                                                                                    • a wing man covered his leaders back and was most often the first shot down.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      fizzybeer
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:09PM

                                                                                                                    • that's ricky muir

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      rod steiger
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      toukley
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:10PM

                                                                                                                    • @A country gal. @fizzybeer. I know it sounds a bit Benny Hill. but would you want to be in a cockpit with Barnaby Joyce? I'd want to bail out as soon as poss.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Pluto
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:21PM

                                                                                                                    • Guys, I can't see their bromance lasting too long.
                                                                                                                      And it won't take much to upset the Ying/Yang "harmony".
                                                                                                                      Mind you Magnifico Mal appears to have had a personality transplant.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:23PM

                                                                                                                    • Pluto
                                                                                                                      tough question.
                                                                                                                      Do I have a parachute on or not?
                                                                                                                      oh, who cares about that.
                                                                                                                      Bail out.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      fizzybeer
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:29PM

                                                                                                                    • @A country gal. That's what happens when you don't pay sufficient attention to the Feng Shui in your investment properties.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Pluto
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:35PM

                                                                                                                    • Pluto, yes a little Benny Hill.
                                                                                                                      I've just had a visual of a "Carry On Barnaby" or the Goodies too. All those rabbits.
                                                                                                                      And no I wouldn't want to be within cooee of Barnyard let alone in such a compromising position.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:48PM

                                                                                                                  • So if house values decrease with the elimination of NG, won't banks be foreclosing on loans where the value of lending exceeds the value of the house?

                                                                                                                    Maybe Shorten should think this all the way through first....

                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                    Careful what you wish for
                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                    here & there
                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 12:51PM

                                                                                                                    • I'm sure Bill will deal with those nasty bankers, just like he did when representing the cleaners, or workers on the Melbourne road project....

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      The Sniper
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      Just there
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 12:57PM

                                                                                                                    • anything that allows young folks to get their first home cheaper is fine by me. Why should they be denied their first home, while those with seven plus homes live off the govt subsidies, a fat taxpayer dollar subsidy.?

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      piesnchess
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:05PM

                                                                                                                    • You believe then that there is a capital city housing bubble and it must go pop anyway?

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      fizzybeer
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:07PM

                                                                                                                    • Not that I'm aware. Would have though if you keep the payments up the value is irrelevant.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      davemac
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:10PM

                                                                                                                    • Is the foreclosure matter a problem for investors as much as it is for those seeking to own a home?

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Quick Comment.
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:13PM

                                                                                                                    • So you think the banks are in the business of proactively revaluing house assets every time there is a perceived movement in the market? I hardly think so, but the owners might be out of luck when they want to borrow against their home for that new caravan or whatever other rubbish they can't do without.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      steve
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      caulfield
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:22PM

                                                                                                                    • davemac

                                                                                                                      As far as I know, the Banks can and have foreclosed when the ration shifts. I recall ANZ foreclosing on farmers who were meeting their re-payments. I am sure the sting will be in the outer suburbs if there is any correction (natural) or fall (changes to NG). In all, the ALP has not thought this one through. Changes to NG should be gradual over ten years, thereby mitigating any seismic shift, as well as allowing investors ample time to change their asset mix.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      $keptic
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:28PM

                                                                                                                    • $keptic
                                                                                                                      isn't a grandfather clause mentioned thereby fulfilling your criteria?
                                                                                                                      p.s
                                                                                                                      try aloe vera juice, can't hurt.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      fizzybeer
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:40PM

                                                                                                                    • piesnchess,

                                                                                                                      Exactly what government subsidies are they living off? What taxpayer moneys are they living off? I don't know of anyone that negative gears that lives off money from the government. They just pay less tax - which is not illegal.
                                                                                                                      Compare that to the people who could work but choose not to. They are living off taxpayer & government subsidies.

                                                                                                                      But that's ALP (leftie) logic, isn't it. Bring everyone down to the lowest common denominator. If you work hard you should have to share it with the guy that doesn't. Fair right?

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Realist
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      Sydney
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:43PM

                                                                                                                    • steve,

                                                                                                                      Yes that is exactly how the banks make their money. They will not let you have a mortgage of $800k when the property you are securing that mortgage against is only worth $750k.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Realist
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      Sydney
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:47PM

                                                                                                                    • $keptic, be surprised if the same holds in the city as banks simply don't do regular revals, but you'd have to have a very large balance outstanding as a % of the total to be affected.

                                                                                                                      In any case would be very surprised if prices fell much, I'd say they'd prob just not rise as fast. Don't just swallow the Libs Kool aid my friend.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      davemac
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:48PM

                                                                                                                    • realist
                                                                                                                      the LCD.
                                                                                                                      reducing your taxable income to minus zero?

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      fizzybeer
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:48PM

                                                                                                                    • fizzy,

                                                                                                                      It's not illegal. Why doesn't Bill Shorten go all out and make tax minimization illegal?

                                                                                                                      Think of how popular that would be with all the "battlers"....

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      realist
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      Sydney
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 2:07PM

                                                                                                                  • @12.36. How is scrapping a program that teaches respect for fellow students a Christian trait? The ACL should worry about it's declining base due to it's position on things like this.

                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                    Piped Piper
                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 12:51PM

                                                                                                                    • Couldn't agree more, Piped. Unfortunately it seems to be a trait of some Christian sects to demonstrate intolerance towards people of different sexualities. Stephanie pointed us yesterday to an article examining the nature of ACL's membership and sources of funding. It all seemed very amorphous, and I really can't see how it isn't a form of astroturfing.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Banjo
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      Eden
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:08PM

                                                                                                                    • @Piped - from what I hear, the program is really good.
                                                                                                                      Why do they want to get rid of it?
                                                                                                                      Perhaps they fear redundancy and irrelevance?

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Jump
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 1:11PM

                                                                                                                  • Careful with the champers at the Chinese tonight Mal, can see you doing "six months in a leaky boat" during Karaoke, leaking like a sieve and getting worse.

                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                    Apologies Enz
                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 12:49PM

                                                                                                                    • 12.36, who would've guessed!
                                                                                                                      Reith makes mention of the Safe Schools Program as a savings measure, a paltry $8M, no mention of the $250M+ they waste on indoctrination of studentsd in spreading the Gospel as a savings.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 12:48PM

                                                                                                                      • “… socially conservative MPs extracted a promise from Mr Turnbull that he would review the Safe Schools program which runs in schools and teaches respect for LGBTI students.”

                                                                                                                        Chalk one up for ideology over good government. I’d prefer the government to be talking about how they’re going to get the economy moving, perhaps even how they’re going to fund the economic infrastructure to promote growth and employment. They should leave sectional, peripheral, symbolic issues such as this to Jones and Bolt where they belong.

                                                                                                                        (And Malcolm, what about showing a bit of backbone? Say to Cory and his acolytes, “PM says No”.)

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        Gigondas
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 12:43PM

                                                                                                                        • I think Malcolm rents a backbone when he needs it for publicity purposes. He just rings Party Hire.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          Pluto
                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                          Melbourne
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 1:02PM

                                                                                                                      • The hagiography of Mal is reaching a critical mass.

                                                                                                                        What I'd like to see is Senator Abetz standing for a seat in the House, there having been precedent.

                                                                                                                        Once ensconced therein, he should make a tilt at the leadership, and once this somewhat tricky manoeuvre is realised, the patrician Kevin Andrews should become his deputy.

                                                                                                                        Today here, tomorrow das world

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        Jason of Gold Coast (awash with Tory malcontents)
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 12:42PM

                                                                                                                        • I know you're missing Kev, Jason but hey that's taking it a bit too far.
                                                                                                                          Wishing that upon the Nation, just so you can admire Kev's hirsuteness on a more regular basis.
                                                                                                                          Wonder how that Heartland gig went, yet to hear of any follow ups.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          A country gal
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 1:31PM

                                                                                                                      • "Dutton accused of 'dirty politics""

                                                                                                                        http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/peter-dutton-accused-of-dirty-politics-after-report-suggested-mother-deliberately-burnt-baby-asha-20160222-gn0wif.html

                                                                                                                        Hard to believe, isn't it ?

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        A Green
                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                        Australia
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 12:42PM

                                                                                                                        • Standard Liberal response. If they don't like the outcome of a policy they blame the victim. That's the case whether it's people who lose their jobs when a whole industry is told to "get lost" as with the car industry, or when support is removed for renewables or when a toddler pulls a bowl of hot water over herself in a tent with no kitchen facilities where the mother has to boil all water before letting her daughter drink it.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          mitch of ACT
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 1:15PM

                                                                                                                      • I can't help but notice there a few LNP supporters lashing out over the last few days. Turnbull seems to have been caught out by his own office's backgrounding of journalists over the tax changes he told parliament he has no intention of making. Looks like the halo has now slipped around the ankles. He's stumbling from one crisis to another.

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        Rollee the Rolex's Big Adventure
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 12:41PM

                                                                                                                        • It's really tragic to see how those who benefited from preference deals under the old system - and the Labor Right - are misrepresenting the Senate reforms. Ms Jacquie thinks the Greens and Illibs will do a preference deal. First, I think that's unlikely and secondly, under the new system parties will only be able to *recommend* where preferences go and the voters will be able to make up their own minds. What on earth is wrong with that (unless of course you're Glenn Druery or a party secretary)?

                                                                                                                          And Fairfax, why is your composition box so annoying? Every time the text overfills the space it goes blank for a couple of seconds before repositioning the text. FIX IT!

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          Brisbane Jack
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 12:39PM

                                                                                                                          • Brettie 11.06
                                                                                                                            missed you, sorry.
                                                                                                                            No I don't think what is proposed is democracy at work.
                                                                                                                            Major change concerning the nation as a whole is surely worth a plebiscite.
                                                                                                                            At con instigation we are forced into an expensive stalling tactic by plebiscite to keep right wing adherents in the camp for SSM.
                                                                                                                            Surely fair minded assessment would demand at least the same consideration for a move that will change the future makeup of our political system?

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            fizzybeer
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 12:33PM

                                                                                                                            • Strange how the Laborites are crying about Electoral Reform.

                                                                                                                              Look at Lazarus or Leyonhjelm and the work they are doing in the electorate and one can see that they will be easily returned.

                                                                                                                              Just because they worked hard.

                                                                                                                              Just like Xenophon has being doing all these years.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              A Green
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Australia
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 12:32PM

                                                                                                                              • @A Green. The way they are carrying on you'd think passing these reforms will mean the senate will instantly be redistributed based on the 2013 election and the Libs will pass all types of evil reforms tomorrow. Di Natale needs to prescribe some of our precious senators some chill pills. These changes will be ratified at the next election with senate seats based on results of the 2016 election.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:42PM

                                                                                                                            • Why wouldn't Hockey be smiling, failed treasurer, a failure, gets rewarded with a plum job earning between 360k- 450k a year, more than when he was treasurer of failure
                                                                                                                              Why am I supporting this loser with my taxes, there is something sinking in politics

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              fiberal
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              darwin
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 12:24PM

                                                                                                                              • Government approval ratings.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:34PM

                                                                                                                              • Does a change of government assure a change of Ambassador to the US or are we stuck with this double-dipping incompetent?

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                misspunch
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:40PM

                                                                                                                              • No, looks like a five year term.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:47PM

                                                                                                                              • A lot of people there. Must have been a raging success.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                John
                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                East Gippsland
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:49PM

                                                                                                                            • Ahh, Liberal economic policy. Once it was cigars all round, but now it's just ifs and butts.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Gigondas
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 12:18PM

                                                                                                                              • There's a delegation off to Cuba for more Liberal cigars!

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Sharron
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:37PM

                                                                                                                            • The senate voting changes are for one thing only, control of the senate so they can push through the remnants of the 2014 budget, they don't wan't anyone stopping them from putting hurt on the Australian people

                                                                                                                              These people, the Libs, think because they won the election in 2013, that they can do anything they wish, they do not have a mandate for those gross, evil policies that Abbott tried to impart on us

                                                                                                                              Thank Christ for the senate, other wise, we would be paying a $7 co payment, pensions would be slashed, you would wait 6 months for the dole

                                                                                                                              And Tony Abbott would still be PM,

                                                                                                                              Why do you think Turnbull want's this passed within 3 weeks, why the rush

                                                                                                                              Well, he is rushing in case the 50/50 doesn't hold up, he want's a DD as quickly as he can before he loses complete control

                                                                                                                              You think he would have a DD if it's Labor 52/Liberal 48, or worse

                                                                                                                              The word for today is " Desperate"

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              fiberal
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              darwin
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 12:17PM

                                                                                                                              • fiberal Sums it up perfectly.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                w
                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                Great Southern Land
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:30PM

                                                                                                                              • Guess what Fiberal. If these reforms are passed you'll have the chance to reduce the influence how many Liberals are in the senate at the next election. If there are enough of like minded people you'll get your wish. How's that for democracy?

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:40PM

                                                                                                                              • fiberal yes it's suspicious on the urgency. But, with the absence of these preference deals, I see it as a way for your vote to go to who you want it to.
                                                                                                                                I don't follow any Party preferencing. I do my own.
                                                                                                                                If you had followed Labor or Greens' preferencing in SA for example you voted in Day.
                                                                                                                                Day who is totally ideologically opposed to both Labor and The Greens.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                A country gal
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 1:15PM

                                                                                                                            • 12:04pm Di Natalie is handing the ALP a very big opportunity by sleeping with the devil. The ALP will get traction from all those voters that are already turning their backs on Turnbull because he just isn't the decent bloke they all thought he was and now the Greens cuddling up with him means that a large number of Green voters will also go back to the ALP. Play with fire and all that...

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              monkeybiz
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 12:17PM

                                                                                                                              • @monkeybiz

                                                                                                                                what will the green voters who came to the party through the Libs or Nats do?

                                                                                                                                is there research that shows that greens voters are so willing to retreat on their environmental and social policies?

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Quick Comment.
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:30PM

                                                                                                                              • dump shortern and make Piberserk Labor leader and more green voters will switch support and vote labor

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                telly
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:31PM

                                                                                                                            • In the 2013 half Senate election, the LNP, Labor, Greens and Xenephon in total got 78% of the vote and 91% of the seats. After this reform, between them, they are likely to get 100% of the seats. How is that an improvement? The system already favoured these Parties; now we need to change preference voting to make their dominance absolute?

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              jofek
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 12:12PM

                                                                                                                              • too bad that the greens are determined to cut deals with Liberals and let this one go through.
                                                                                                                                Jackie Lambie is seems right,
                                                                                                                                Di Natale is eyeing the health portfolio under the next Liberal Govt.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                rio
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:15PM

                                                                                                                              • @Jofek. Under these changes Xenophon would have another senator and Day would be given the chop. Seeing as though Xenophon received more than twice the votes of Day how is that unfair?

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:15PM

                                                                                                                              • Try again jofek. Tell us what % of the S.A. vote Xenophon got? well over 25% but his running mate didn't get a seat in the Senate. Meanwhile Muir gets 0.5% of votes in Victoria and gets elected.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                enough is enough
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:16PM

                                                                                                                              • jofek

                                                                                                                                Muir got 0.51% of the primary vote.

                                                                                                                                Democratic ?

                                                                                                                                Perhaps a voice for the voiceless ..... all 0.51% of them.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                A Green
                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                Australia
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:18PM

                                                                                                                              • have you met the crossbench?

                                                                                                                                largely idiosyncratic nutters no-one knew of until they were elected on 1-5% primary vote - the only "party" among them exploded like Mr Creosote

                                                                                                                                give me a party that has coherent cogent published policies and the discipline to stick to them

                                                                                                                                ... although Abbot kinda blew that one ..

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                rod steiger
                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                toukley
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:19PM

                                                                                                                              • rio, absurd.
                                                                                                                                You've obviously forgotten or dismissed the deal that Labor did with the Govt on Meta Data Retention.
                                                                                                                                Plenty of other bipartisan legislation that doesn't cause a stir.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                A country gal
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:19PM

                                                                                                                              • viz Lambie's wacky statement above

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                rod steiger
                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                toukley
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:20PM

                                                                                                                              • @ rio:

                                                                                                                                ['too bad that the greens are determined to cut deals with Liberals…']

                                                                                                                                This could be a Meg Lees' moment.

                                                                                                                                I wonder what Bob Brown thinks of this chicannerey?

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Jason of Gold Coast (awash with Tories)
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:23PM

                                                                                                                              • Guys, the system already favours the major Parties. Once more, 78% of the vote bought 91% of the seats. The change will make that 100%. Why is that distortion better than the current one? Why is preferencing only ok when it favours those you want to favour?

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                jofek
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:44PM

                                                                                                                              • I'm with you jofek, surprised a few more here don't know how preferences work. The amount of 'first' votes is pretty much irrelevant.

                                                                                                                                The 2nd+ positions on the major parties tickets get very few first votes as well don't forget.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                davemac
                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 1:08PM

                                                                                                                              • jofek: The 2013 quota was calculated at 48,137 votes Lambie initially polled 21,794 votes or 0.45 of a quota. By the 154th preference transfer she was still 16,994 votes shy of that quota. But at the 155th count she struck it lucky in the form of surplus votes from the ALP and ended with a total of 55,572 votes - well in excess of the quota. Her ultimate victory owed as much to the 33,778 votes she harvested from other candidates as the 21,794 she won in her own right.

                                                                                                                                That is not democracy at work. I'd much rather the main parties occupy the Senate than irresponsible and inexperienced micro parties and independents like Lambie who you will recall without merit vowed to never support any of Abbott's Bills until he promised pay rises to armed service personnel.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                housemartin
                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                hong kong
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 2:31PM

                                                                                                                              • housemartin, so an over-representation of micro-Parties is bad but an over-representation of major-Parties is fine in your version of democracy?

                                                                                                                                If 22% of the population don't want any of those, why shouldn't we have a disparate ragtag bunch keeping them accountable?

                                                                                                                                housemartin, the LNP Government is not failing because the micro-Parties are deliberately causing trouble; the LNP Government is failing because their policies are bad and the micro-Parties are doing their job responsibly.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                jofek
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 3:24PM

                                                                                                                              • jofek: The main parties contain the collective experience that the micro parties, independents etc. do not, therefore from a practical and pragmatic point of view they stand a much better chance of governing more effectively and not like an undergraduate with an ego> For example it is only the Labor Party structure that prevents Dastyari's immature ego from getting away from him.

                                                                                                                                Your comments on policy I disagree but my views are well known so I don't feel compelled here to explain in detail again as to why you are wrong.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                housemartin
                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                hong kong
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 3:47PM

                                                                                                                            • Is there no end to the largesse, nepotism and cronyism within this government? I’m waiting for Browyn Bishop to declare she is standing down at the next election and taking up a position as ambassador at large for Australian Helicopters.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              RTP
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 12:11PM

                                                                                                                              • No, Ambassador at Large for ministerial accountability and Queen's Representative for Westminster System Probity?
                                                                                                                                Patron of hairdressing Australia and Helicopters Australia.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:24PM

                                                                                                                            • @12.04
                                                                                                                              I dont think any commentator on this message board would have contemplated this theory
                                                                                                                              Di Natale & Greens want to become a minister or form a coalition with Liberals ?

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Huh What ?
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 12:09PM

                                                                                                                              • The Greens aren't exactly an anti-capitalist party. The idea that Greens might sit in an ALP cabinet has, IIRC, already been floated. Given the similarity of theALP and the LNP on many issues, I don't think it would be much of a stretch to see either major party a portfolio in which the Greens would have little leeway or could be ignored in.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Quick Comment.
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 12:33PM

                                                                                                                            • 12.04. Sounds like Lambie objects with how democracy works. If the Greens and the Liberals campaign on those platforms and are voted in the senate then the senate reflects the will of the people. Just because Lambie objects to the Greens policy on Ice or the GST doesn't mean her will carries more weight than anyone else.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Piped Piper
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 12:08PM

                                                                                                                              • Kenny says "the will of voters on election day"! More like HK democracy of here are your same of a type 2 party cabal choices. As he points out unknown preference whispering is going on anyway. The will of voters might involve primaries of candidates funded by the taxpayer, no parties and no preferences at all. This would involve 100% independent MPs and an elected head.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                us1jacck
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 11:59AM

                                                                                                                                • The Senate voting system doesn't need changing. If you want your vote to count vote below the line.If you don't care vote above the line.while we are at it make Senate voting non-compulsory.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Wise One
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Great Southern Land
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 12:08PM

                                                                                                                                • @ Wise One:

                                                                                                                                  How dare you insinuate that the Senate is comprised of "unrepresentive swill."

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Jason of Gold Coast (awash with Tories)
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 12:19PM

                                                                                                                              • 11:14am Here we go again. The coalition demonising asylum seekers. Children overboard and now what? Parents burning their children with hot water? You can paint the coalition any way you like but there are serious racial undertones this mob because you can add MPs walking out during the apology to Indigenous Australians and the recent Close the Gap speech in parliament with all those empty seats to the right of the house. Pity nobody in the media is prepared to confront the LNP on this because it would seem a fundamental principle in it's make up.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                monkeybiz
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 11:59AM

                                                                                                                                • 1980. Fraser can't run on his record. He has a do-nothing Treasurer.They could run on the "chaos and dysfunction" theme, but it's getting a bit tired.

                                                                                                                                  Labor has a reasonable leader but he slightly underwhelms. He is competent and a former Minister.

                                                                                                                                  Labor make some mild statements about tax. Enter the great scare campaign. Enter the final death throes of Hayden, Fraser, and the oncoming of Hawke and Keating.

                                                                                                                                  Enjoy the future. And if you think you are Labor's next Hawke and Keating (Albo plus Leigh?), put you hand up now so I can polich the narrative.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Peter Warrington
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  marrickville
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:58AM

                                                                                                                                  • Pulse @12.36: If the meetings are not quite so secret squirrel, then there must be a morocco mole!

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Quick Comment.
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 12:51PM

                                                                                                                                • after the success of Transport Workers union in getting huge pay increase, Dan the union man is under pressure to give 21 % pay rise by the Teachers Union + increased overtime payment. this compared to the average joe in the street gets 1 - 2 percent wage increase in private sector.
                                                                                                                                  VIC might go broke by the time Dan the Union man calls an election.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Can this get any worse
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Mill Park
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:57AM

                                                                                                                                  • This mob are in fact more Tory than the real Tories in the Palace of Westminster.

                                                                                                                                    I think, though, the electorate is beginning to suss this mob out, evidenced by a narrowing in the polls.

                                                                                                                                    I further think that Labor will claw back votes from the Greens, after their grubby deal to secure what could be a Tory Senate majority.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Jason of Gold Coast (awash with Tories)
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 11:52AM

                                                                                                                                    • 11.44 Interestingly the Govt has a penchant for dealing with Communist regimes.
                                                                                                                                      Why is it so? When they are so ideologically opposed to State Services.
                                                                                                                                      Perplexing.

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 11:52AM

                                                                                                                                      • Free travel to Cuba plus those Havana cigars. Another junket for a not so old colleague. He can probably sell them some Cantonese language aged care while he is there.

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        monkeybiz
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 12:04PM

                                                                                                                                      • Their extreme political ideology is not that dissimilar.
                                                                                                                                        Remember Hitler's Germany was often compared and likened to Stalin's Russia.

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 12:14PM

                                                                                                                                      • It's no more mysterious than producers needing markets, and new markets being easier to grow in than established markets. It's been this way since the Holt government secured record wheat exports to China when it looked like the UK was going to focus on the EU..

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        Quick Comment.
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 12:27PM

                                                                                                                                    • Murdoch owns Galaxy research, they fabricated a story Turnbull beats Shorten on every issue, that's why the polls are showing 50/50 Mal's so great on all issues his party is on level terms with Labor, yea that sounds believable

                                                                                                                                      If that is the case Libs are in deep you know what

                                                                                                                                      He is so fantastic he cannot lift his party above the hopeless Labor

                                                                                                                                      How does that work people

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      fiberal
                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                      darwin
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 11:52AM

                                                                                                                                      • not sure about that

                                                                                                                                        Morgan still has L-NP 52.5% to maintain clear 2PP lead over ALP 47.5%

                                                                                                                                        why would Galaxy have it at 50%-50% if biased?

                                                                                                                                        i think it's just the rose coloured glasses Mal's nailed onto the voters' visages

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        rod steiger
                                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                                        toukley
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 12:10PM

                                                                                                                                    • Turnbull in QT yesterday...

                                                                                                                                      ""Increasing capital gains tax is no part of our thinking whatsoever."

                                                                                                                                      And today reports he wants to cut CGT concessions for super funds. Not a policy to tackle generous super breaks for the wealthy. Instead a tax on every low income earner. A GST/co-payment in disguise. Not falling for it Cayman Mal.

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      Rollee the Rolex"s Big Adventure
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 11:52AM

                                                                                                                                      • @11.30. Does the ALP have any credibility when it comes to tax? Carbon tax= failure. Mining Tax= Failure. Changes to negative gearing will probably go to funding one of Shorten's thought bubbles instead of going back to taxpayers. If only the Libs could loosen the shackles and go after negative gearing.

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 11:41AM

                                                                                                                                        • PP

                                                                                                                                          Budget 2014 = Fail

                                                                                                                                          Budget 2015 = Fail.

                                                                                                                                          Looks like the coalition are the adults when it comes to failed Budgets.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          A Green
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          Australia
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:45AM

                                                                                                                                        • and exactly how did the carbon tax 'fail'?

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          harry
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:45AM

                                                                                                                                        • zzzzzzzzz

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          fiberal
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          darwin
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:45AM

                                                                                                                                        • Piped the POC was not a failure, besides it would be an ETS by now.
                                                                                                                                          The MRRT a result of a massive campaign by the Industry which basically castrated it.
                                                                                                                                          It should've been implemented under Howard during the boom- there's the greatest failure and disservice to the Nation by Costello.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          A country gal
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:48AM

                                                                                                                                        • Piped, it sounds like you object to Labor's sensible policy on negative gearing because the LNP didn't come up with it?

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          jofek
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:53AM

                                                                                                                                        • Err...PP. Labor did not actually fail with the CT and MRRT. It succeeded in getting these through both houses with a hung parliament. The CT succeeded in reducing emissions; unfortunately the mining boom horse had bolted by the time the MRRT passed (if only KRudd had shown more ticker).The fact that these taxes are no longer around is the result of those on your side.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          stevek
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          Sydney
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:54AM

                                                                                                                                        • You are starting to sound as hysterically shrieky as MT...

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          JM
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:55AM

                                                                                                                                        • No Jofek. I don't object to Labor's policy on Negative Gearingn. I agree with it. I'm just concerned with what they'll do with the savings. Either over-estimate the savings and fund social programs off the back of it or totally botch it. With the Liberals there is more of a chance we'll see personal income tax.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 12:00PM

                                                                                                                                        • Well Qantas would disagree with the success of the Carbon Tax and the staff they had to lay off. As with the MRRT if the ALP was in power we'd be funding 12% super off a tax that generates no revenue increasing the deficit, which is probably what we'll see with negative gearing savings being over-estimated to fund the next though bubble.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 12:02PM

                                                                                                                                        • "O wad some Power the giftie gie us To see oursels as ithers see us!"

                                                                                                                                          Piper: being a Tory is nothing to be ashamed of. In fact, in some circles it's considered modish.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Jason of Gold Coast (awash with Tories)
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 12:07PM

                                                                                                                                        • Carbon Tax was a success lauded the world over, pity the Liberals in their pettiness got rid of it and made us a laughing stock! Tell me what credentials do the current mob have, bearing in mind they are the no excuses government who will own the budget from day one? Also don't forget the surplus to be achieved in the first year!!!!!!!!

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Reek
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 12:20PM

                                                                                                                                        • Piped, how about we stop obsessing about tax cuts and about spending. How about we look at the many ways the budget imbalance can be addressed without ripping the guts out of spending that is in the public interest. We don't need tax cuts Piped - we are not going to tax cut our way to prosperity. How about some vision from these clowns instead?

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          jofek
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 12:26PM

                                                                                                                                      • Ok where are we up to so far today.
                                                                                                                                        GST scare campaign - tick
                                                                                                                                        Baby Asha - tick
                                                                                                                                        Joe Hockey - tick
                                                                                                                                        NG/CGT scare campaign - tick

                                                                                                                                        So the afternoon must be devoted to:
                                                                                                                                        Climate change
                                                                                                                                        SSM
                                                                                                                                        #savetheabc
                                                                                                                                        #savesbs
                                                                                                                                        #mergeabc&sbs
                                                                                                                                        Tony Abbott

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        enough is enough
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 11:40AM

                                                                                                                                        • Don't forget:
                                                                                                                                          #totallackofpolicies
                                                                                                                                          #taxconfusion
                                                                                                                                          #twoleftfeet
                                                                                                                                          #dailywaffle
                                                                                                                                          #attacklabour

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Reek
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:43AM

                                                                                                                                        • not yours obviously champ...attack lefty luvvies, support the great right. Where and how do you find the time, all day every day?

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          gregars
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:45AM

                                                                                                                                        • gregars

                                                                                                                                          enough is enough is also playing the stock market and buying Mercedes Benz.

                                                                                                                                          He's very "productive" and a firm favourite of Innovation Minister Pyne whose schtick used to be "productivity".

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          A Green
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          Australia
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:54AM

                                                                                                                                        • I'm organising a fundraiser to support Border Force to protect Australia from wiley and manipulative self-harming babies. I'll save a sausage for you EIE.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Immal
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          Melbourne
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 12:18PM

                                                                                                                                        • If it's a vegan sausage, I'm in.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          is enough enough
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 12:27PM

                                                                                                                                      • You think if a big miner contributes millions in donations to a political party, that person want's nothing in return, you think the party that received these donations would then turn around and introduce a carbon tax, au contraire, they would remove said tax

                                                                                                                                        You think media and newspapers have no impact on voting results, those that are undecided look to these rogues for guidance, sheep led around by the nose, unable to think for themselves

                                                                                                                                        That is some of the people who run our country, politicians are puppets, told what to do by the men that matter, the money men, they make policy, how in hell could you leave money policy to Hockey or ScoMo

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        fiberal
                                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                                        darwin
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 11:36AM

                                                                                                                                        • Trickle down policy?

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:52AM

                                                                                                                                        • The $2M in 2 years donation must be investigated as must Stuart Robert's not so secret trip to China and the Rolex watches. We are a failed democracy when we can allow this to happen. We need an independent authority and not the AFP to investigate these matters.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          monkeybiz
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 12:08PM

                                                                                                                                      • The changes in the senate won't change my voting selection.

                                                                                                                                        Because this Turnbull/Abbott mendacious government is so untrustworthy on every level; its going to be very important to read the small, small print and relearn how to vote most effectively and I imagine many politically, uninformed people really don't care if their vote is accurate or not.

                                                                                                                                        Heres the rub. Its better to make those changes after the next election, because Turnbulls latest recycled team, regardless of what they profess, are trying to manipulate the numbers to their advantage and get rid of the senate because its obstructed them pushing through punitive legislation for which the LNP never had a mandate.

                                                                                                                                        Lets not forget; this LNP came to power through deceit not well developed policies. The micro parties did exactly what all political parties have done time immemorial; swap preferences.

                                                                                                                                        Cartoonists presented the micro parties as aliens and ratbags......has anyone walked through our city streets of late because the Turnbull/Abbott LNP is wholly unrepresentative of our contemporary, multi cultural, innovative young society.

                                                                                                                                        The cross bench is very cross and its obvious Rattled Turnbulls holding a gun to their heads - so much for measured, thoughtful negotiation.

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        misspunch
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 11:36AM

                                                                                                                                        • Shorten is no different to the born to rule ideologues Rudd and Gillard. Wanting power at any cost to the country and its people. You can polish a turd as much as you like but the mushroom workers won't forget Bill.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          enough is enough
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:35AM

                                                                                                                                          • enough is enough

                                                                                                                                            " the mushroom workers won't forget Bill."

                                                                                                                                            That would be the 1 million homeless and the 4 million who can't afford a home mortgage.

                                                                                                                                            Add in those who are not on the negative gearing gravy train and you are the one with the problem.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            A Green
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 11:56AM

                                                                                                                                          • EIE it must be bliss to live in such a delusional state (metaphorically, not physically).
                                                                                                                                            Actually I'm not sure if you aren't a Labor Stooge, planted to wake the somnolent masses after one of Bill's speeches.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Double Disillusion
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Sydney
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 11:57AM

                                                                                                                                          • Well, we know it's not Turnbull

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            fiberal
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            darwin
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 11:30AM

                                                                                                                                        • If the next Fairfax-Ipsos poll reflects Monday's Newspoll, I wonder if we'll see Turnbull's arrogance meter turned down a notch or two(?).

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Jason of Gold Coast
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:29AM

                                                                                                                                          • The real test will be if The Australian bothers to mention the Fairfax-Ipsos poll.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            enough is enough
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 11:42AM

                                                                                                                                          • Jason

                                                                                                                                            Confected outrage as displayed by Turnbull in parliament yesterday.

                                                                                                                                            Or any of enough is enough's Comments.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            A Green
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 11:51AM

                                                                                                                                          • the real test will be if anyone notices that the Australian has/hasn't mentioned the Fairfax poll

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            rod steiger
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            toukley
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 11:52AM

                                                                                                                                          • nuff nuff
                                                                                                                                            I am concerned we may be in the process of doing that by stealth now.
                                                                                                                                            Nothing Mal said he stood for, and his actions since, make sense.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 11:23AM

                                                                                                                                        • @11.14am - it seems that the Coalition just can't help going overboard trying to justify their rhetoric on this subject.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          ah ha
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:23AM

                                                                                                                                          • ##letthemstay will soon go the same way as:
                                                                                                                                            #illridewithyou
                                                                                                                                            #marchinmarch
                                                                                                                                            #bringourgirlshome

                                                                                                                                            The luvvies keep failing with their social engineering propaganda

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            enough is enough
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 11:21AM

                                                                                                                                            • Really einie, and how's the white Australia policy going?

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 11:28AM

                                                                                                                                            • Define "failing".

                                                                                                                                              You clearly don't understand the purpose and momentum of such campaigns or why people get behind them.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              Feeding the trolls
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 11:37AM

                                                                                                                                            • You have to forgive this guy, it's not his fault

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              fiberal
                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                              darwin
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 12:01PM

                                                                                                                                          • 11.14 beneath contempt if true.
                                                                                                                                            Why is it that my first reaction is to believe they are capable of such underhand behaviour?

                                                                                                                                            Conditioning.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 11:19AM

                                                                                                                                            • The Pulse @ 10.53

                                                                                                                                              If Labor showed some common sense
                                                                                                                                              they’d help these changes through,
                                                                                                                                              for there is simply no defence
                                                                                                                                              supporting what we do
                                                                                                                                              right now with Senate voting laws —
                                                                                                                                              they simply can’t reflect
                                                                                                                                              what people want, they’re full of flaws,
                                                                                                                                              a farce we can’t respect.
                                                                                                                                              Mark Kenny’s right and Labor’s wrong —
                                                                                                                                              no matter what they say
                                                                                                                                              we need the system to be strong
                                                                                                                                              and mirror what we say.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              Gazza from Grong Grong
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 11:19AM

                                                                                                                                              • At last you are beginning to understand. Keep it up. You'll like it.

                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 11:31AM

                                                                                                                                            • 11.14
                                                                                                                                              Political Nadir.
                                                                                                                                              "Children Overboard" err "Children Burnt".

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 11:18AM

                                                                                                                                              • Can anyone tell me what Mr Turnbull has done since usurping the crown? Anything, at all?
                                                                                                                                                Ignoring the coup, what has the Liberal/National coalition done since it took office 3 years ago? Apart from in-fighting, that is.
                                                                                                                                                ... and before that, what did Labor do in their term as government? No, I said APART from in-fighting.
                                                                                                                                                High time we had a government that did SOMETHING... (apart from in-fighting).

                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                Snidery Mark
                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 11:15AM

                                                                                                                                                • He has been able to fulfill his lifelong ambition of hosting pyjama parties for world leaders at his mega mansion.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  ah ha
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:21AM

                                                                                                                                                • Yes.

                                                                                                                                                  He has put an interior designer through The Lodge.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Good to Go
                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:22AM

                                                                                                                                                • Well, they collect their handsome pay checks and super.
                                                                                                                                                  Not an easy job to figure out what to do with all that money?

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:22AM

                                                                                                                                                • Yes, apologies, I stand corrected. Those points are, in fact, things he's done apart from in-fighting. Quite right. Here's me thinking Mr Turnbull used the Abbot takeover as an excuse for the Coalition not doing ANYTHING in their whole term and reducing his time on the playing field by half - so that Mr Turnbull can say he hasn't done anything ONLY in his half. But you're right, that party he sprang where Mr Palmer got free drinks and canapes must be worthy of credit somewhere (probably with the caterers - oh, and Mr Palmer).
                                                                                                                                                  Yes, well done, Mr Turnbull, lead by example, eh!

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Snidery Mark
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:31AM

                                                                                                                                                • He's sparked revived interest in Thucydides. And let's face it, his speeches are pulchritudinous.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Immal
                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:40AM

                                                                                                                                                • Immal, well a word for the day.
                                                                                                                                                  Had to google, but I'd hardly say his speeches are beautiful, beautiful waffle no less.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  A country gal
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:45AM

                                                                                                                                                • he's had John and Bronagh Key round to dinner ?

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                  toukley
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:49AM

                                                                                                                                                • They are all the same,I don't think there is a politician in this country that is not a trough swilling self serving parasite. What other country would support people like Hockey, Bishop and Ruddock to name a few.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  EXO
                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                  Port Macquarie.
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 12:06PM

                                                                                                                                                • ACG, I take your point on the waffle. I listen to his speeches for the same reasons people buy Playboy "for the articles".

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Immal
                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 12:08PM

                                                                                                                                                • "A multi-mode Morgan Poll on Federal voting intention has found that support for Australia's ruling Liberal-National Coalition on a two-party preferred basis is steady at 52.5 per cent. The poll, which was carried out on the weekends of 13-14 and 20-21 February 2016, also shows that the Coalition's primary vote is unchanged at 43.5 per cent, while the Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating has fallen by 7.5 points to 105."

                                                                                                                                                  will hakka now embrace the Morgan poll, which was deemed ALP biased all of last year?

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                  toukley
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:14AM

                                                                                                                                              • Why, all of a sudden, has a majority of the Government pollies, been displaying stern and straight looks on their faces, is it because of the recent polling figures or is ti because, like a runaway train, they're not so sure as to where they are heading.
                                                                                                                                                Surely it's time for the Cabinet to release some policies any policies will do, serious ones or fantasy ones, it doesn't make any difference as their recent full on scare campaign is definitely not working and they need something, anything to brighten up their day.
                                                                                                                                                It's been a long time since their spirits have been, noticeably,so low.
                                                                                                                                                Come on N.L.P. do some magic so that your members can feel more confident about their future, a one horse race is not enjoyable, serious competition is required, and required urgently.

                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                DukeofWoyWoy
                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                Central Coast NSW
                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 11:11AM

                                                                                                                                                  • Come on Duke, the LNP have no idea how to debate policy let alone formulate one. It is bereft of ideas, particularly Turnbull who is trying to pull the wool over the eyes of the electorate. He cannot get his facts right he is so bamboozled.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    Another Tom
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 11:25AM

                                                                                                                                                  • They should take a leaf out of Labor's book and just announce throwing money at something. Never mind the purpose, delivery or how it will be funded, just get the kudos for announcing it.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    adrian
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 11:59AM

                                                                                                                                                • Malcolm, just keep doing what you've been doing.

                                                                                                                                                  Build that Deficit.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Good to Go
                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:11AM

                                                                                                                                                  • Maybe we can save money, cut out the middlemen, and just outsource the government to a listed corporation.
                                                                                                                                                    What can possibly go wrong with that?

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 11:07AM

                                                                                                                                                • A very happy looking Caucus. There's nothing like a good poll result.

                                                                                                                                                  Shorten's tenacity is starting to pay dividends.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Jason Gold Coast
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:05AM

                                                                                                                                                  • 10.53, I've been questioning my opinion on Senate Reform after reading so many comments in opposition to it.
                                                                                                                                                    Kenny makes another valid argument for it it. That labor and The Greens basically elected Day is proof in the pudding.
                                                                                                                                                    We dodged a big bullet with this interesting crossbench. But there's a lot of nut jobs out there and I'm not one for risking another gamble.
                                                                                                                                                    Who is elected in the Senate will be the will of the people with this reform, not the faceless men and horse traders.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    February 23, 2016, 11:04AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Qld police interviewed baby "Asha" parents after being told by security guard that parents admitted burning their own child.

                                                                                                                                                      http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/peter-dutton-accused-of-dirty-politics-after-report-suggested-mother-deliberately-burnt-baby-asha-20160222-gn0wif.html

                                                                                                                                                      Parents release hospital records ..... no sign of Qld police interviewing security guard about vexatious complaint.

                                                                                                                                                      Dutton was a former Qld plod ..... and there's nothing wrong with that and nothing should be implied.

                                                                                                                                                      Because Dutton is "Honourable".

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      A Green
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Australia
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      February 23, 2016, 11:03AM

                                                                                                                                                      • Why was a former Liberal PM's daughter hired to help with the renovations for the Lodge, Malcolm Turnbull?

                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                        Sharron
                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 10:59AM

                                                                                                                                                        • Painter or plumber?

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 11:21AM

                                                                                                                                                        • Cronyism, having said that she does specialise in such and is a councillor on the Australiana Fund. Having lived there also a bonus.
                                                                                                                                                          Thing is though, was the appointment offered to anyone else? Seems not.
                                                                                                                                                          Anyway pleased to see one of the artworks hung, a Nolan is of my village - painted during his formative works in The Wimmera.

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          A country gal
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 12:37PM

                                                                                                                                                      • Looking forward to the passing of the Senate reforms and the end of the "I won't support anything until my one pet issue is addressed" independents. Good riddance.

                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                        adrian
                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                        February 23, 2016, 10:59AM

                                                                                                                                                        • In 2005 Turnbull penned the classic,
                                                                                                                                                          "The Way Ahead"
                                                                                                                                                          mentioned in it....
                                                                                                                                                          Negative gearing "tax avoidance."

                                                                                                                                                          " every tax deduction develops a constituency which will fight to defend it"

                                                                                                                                                          The power behind the throne has massive influence when he will not stand and defend his own convictions.
                                                                                                                                                          This is not an isolated incidence.
                                                                                                                                                          Who is ruling this country?

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 10:56AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Maybe we can save money, cut out the middlemen, and just outsource the government to a listed corporation.
                                                                                                                                                            What can possibly go wrong with that?

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 11:07AM

                                                                                                                                                          • nuff nuff
                                                                                                                                                            I am concerned we may be in the process of doing that by stealth now.
                                                                                                                                                            Nothing Mal said he stood for, and his actions since, make sense.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 11:23AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Well, we know it's not Turnbull

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            fiberal
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            darwin
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 11:30AM

                                                                                                                                                        • Coalition's reform to suit the Coalition. How can it be democratic? The government is oozing with negativity.

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          Tanked
                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                          Sydney
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          February 23, 2016, 10:55AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Here we go again: another condescending lecture by Turnbull.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            Jason Gold Coast
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            February 23, 2016, 10:49AM

                                                                                                                                                            • Turnbull may be biting off more than he intends with Senate "reform".
                                                                                                                                                              Does he realise that riding roughshod over voters will backfire at the first hint of abuse of power?
                                                                                                                                                              For ever and a day, if by any circumstance a minor party or independent holds the balance of power in the Senate they will vote against the LNP/ country party regime.
                                                                                                                                                              It could get very messy.
                                                                                                                                                              I for one will put the cons where they deserve to be on the ballot paper.
                                                                                                                                                              Last.
                                                                                                                                                              I don't like blatant power grabs.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 10:44AM

                                                                                                                                                              • By blatant power grabs.. you mean democracy

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                Brettie
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 11:06AM

                                                                                                                                                              • The Libs were happy with above the line voting when it benefited them.

                                                                                                                                                                With this change the major Parties will now be over-represented in the Senate; why is that better than the current situation?

                                                                                                                                                                At least now they have to work hard to convince a disparate mob to support their policies; in future they'll only have to convince one minor Party (the increasingly flexible and 'pragmatic' Greens).

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                jofek
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 11:10AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Turnbull morphing into Abbott, when you polish a gilded turd,the gloss guilt comes off leaving revealing the true substance underneath

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                we pay these idiots
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Runaway Bay
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 11:23AM

                                                                                                                                                            • 9:56am: Glad to see Jo carrying on the proud tradition of this lazy government!

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              Reek
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              February 23, 2016, 10:41AM

                                                                                                                                                              • 10.20 am. Plenty of fake smiles when the cameras are around.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 10:25AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Not fake. Bill just cracked a Zinger.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Double Disillusion
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:46AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Winners are grinners mate.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  davemac
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:55AM

                                                                                                                                                              • 9:43am This has to be a real worry to the coalition. If people think that Turnbull is doing better than Shorten on health and climate change then they are obviously not paying attention. What will happen when they start to see the ads peppered at them during MKR that the coalition is trying to destroy public health and is spending billions on what is purely a numbers game climate change policy?

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                monkeybiz
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 10:23AM

                                                                                                                                                                • monkeybiz, this is just a reflection of their relative popularity; if this was about the LNP vs Labor on these issues I think the results would be very different. If people don't like Shorten they are hardly going to give him a thumbs up on an item by item basis are they?

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  jofek
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:41AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Well that 50 / 50 Newspoll yesterday was some short-lived good news for Bill. Today he's become the first Labor leader in ten years to be rated a worse custodian of education. Not to mention health, national security, climate change and of course economics.

                                                                                                                                                                Guess that 50% RET and new carbon tax haven't resonated too well.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                Hacka
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 10:18AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Hacka

                                                                                                                                                                  Why sounding so dismal ?

                                                                                                                                                                  Shouldn't you be happy ?

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  A Green
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  Australia
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:22AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Hacka, confirmation that nobody likes Shorten.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:26AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Yes, and you know well that governments lose elections rather than oppositions win.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  stevek
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:30AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Successfully grasped that one, Hacka. Let's hope another straw floats by soon.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Gigondas
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:31AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Funny...no mention of Malcolm's drop...selective memory perhaps?

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:35AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Not that surprising Hacka; Shorten's personal polling is well behind that of Turnbull. What does the scoreboard say about Labor vs the LNP on these issues; bet that would be a different story?

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  jofek
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:36AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Oh dear that straw clutching gets more desperate the longer your man Mal is at the helm!!!!

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Reek
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:37AM

                                                                                                                                                                • stevek - that's generally true, but Bill's climate change policy is certainly going to help.

                                                                                                                                                                  Even Tone would probably have beaten Bill partly as a result of it,;imho.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Hacka
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:50AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Good try my friend. Keep your chin up won't you?

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  davemac
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:53AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Well battlelines haven't been drawn yet hacka. We will wait until MT announces the election and see how it goes. Until then, the government may find its fortunes dwindling with PC Plod in the wars again about alleged claims about Asha's mother. Dutton's children overboard moment?

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  stevek
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:00AM

                                                                                                                                                                • and yet it is nevertheless 50/50.
                                                                                                                                                                  And the chart is in an upward flow.

                                                                                                                                                                  I do love the smell of fear in the morning!

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:05AM

                                                                                                                                                                • this is painful to watch

                                                                                                                                                                  for the love of god, ring the bell for round one !!

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  toukley
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 11:22AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Morrison will soon unveil one of the greatest economic reform packages this country has seen. The media knows something is happening because Morrison isn't feeding the chooks as usual. The ALP will have no answers. Goodbye ALP.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                February 23, 2016, 10:14AM

                                                                                                                                                                • enough is enough

                                                                                                                                                                  No more "on water" secrecy ?

                                                                                                                                                                  Is ScoMo going to throw open the gates to the Treasury.

                                                                                                                                                                  Will Dutton follow and throw open the gates to Detention centres ?

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  A Green
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  Australia
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:17AM

                                                                                                                                                                • HAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH!

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  NelsoninQld
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  Brisvegas
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:17AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Let me guess...the pixies to take over middle earth and then on my fine unicorn I will slay the dragon sleeping in the castle on a pile of gold?

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:21AM

                                                                                                                                                                • You’re the candy-coloured clown they call the sandman
                                                                                                                                                                  Tiptoes in your dreams every night
                                                                                                                                                                  Just to sprinkle star dust and to whisper
                                                                                                                                                                  "Go to sleep, everything is alright"

                                                                                                                                                                  You close your eyes then I drift away
                                                                                                                                                                  Into the magic night, You softly say
                                                                                                                                                                  A silent prayer like dreamers do
                                                                                                                                                                  Then I fall asleep to dream of you

                                                                                                                                                                  In dreams Abbott talks with you
                                                                                                                                                                  In dreams Turnbull talks to you
                                                                                                                                                                  In dreams you're fine all the time
                                                                                                                                                                  All together in dreams, in dreams

                                                                                                                                                                  But just before the dawn
                                                                                                                                                                  You awake to find their gone
                                                                                                                                                                  You can't help it, you I can't help if you cry
                                                                                                                                                                  You can’t remember when they said goodbye

                                                                                                                                                                  It's too bad that it only seems
                                                                                                                                                                  to only happens in your dreams
                                                                                                                                                                  Only in dreams
                                                                                                                                                                  In beautiful dreams.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:26AM

                                                                                                                                                                • I refer the Honorable Member to the words of the Honorable Member for Grong Grong, (published in the Pulse Hansard at 10:08 today)

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  stevek
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:29AM

                                                                                                                                                                • E=E, they've already flagged that the next budget will do nothing much, they won't say boo about any policies they are developing and Mr Shiny has become Mr Shouty. Not sure where you're getting your intel but it seems kinda dodgy.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  jofek
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:33AM

                                                                                                                                                                • And to think that in another post I said that the right can’t do humour. You've shot me down in flames.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Gigondas
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:36AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Maybe he will find the 200 fully costed policies Tony and Jo stored in that safe place they couldn't remember????

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Reek
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:40AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Is that before or after Tones comes back to lead the team to victories for a second and third term?

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  gregars
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  February 23, 2016, 10:48AM
                                                                                                                                                              Comments are now closed