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Politics Live: March 16, 2016

Date

Senior writer

View more articles from Stephanie Peatling

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Hello and welcome to the day in politics. As well as more talk about the budget - what's in, what's out, when it will be - the report into the Safe Schools is the topic of conversation. It's basically a stick of dynamite that will get thrown onto an already fiery week.

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  • 4:41pm. Whatever is going on in the Senate behind closed doors and which cannot be photographed, must be indecent. That can be the only reason. I bet they are lolling about, disporting themselves in semi or undress, inebriated and mouthing foul words of political incorrectness.

    Commenter
    Pluto
    Location
    Melbourne
    Date and time
    March 16, 2016, 4:58PM

    • That was Wong, Dasher, RDN and the other extreme far lefties who are running amok. Listen to the audio - a national disgrace.

      Commenter
      enough is enough
      Date and time
      March 16, 2016, 5:13PM

  • A heads-up for the new IPA senator, James Paterson and his citing of the Charter School movement in the USA.

    From http://credo.stanford.edu/reports/MULTIPLE_CHOICE_CREDO.pdf (yes - that would be the Stanford University type standord.edu) who assessed Charter Schools:

    'The group portrait shows wide variation in performance.  The study reveals that a decent fraction of charter schools, 17 percent, provide superior education opportunities for their students.   
    Nearly half of the charter schools nationwide have results that are no different from the local public school options and over a third, 37 percent, deliver learning results that are significantly worse than their student would have realized had they remained in traditional public schools.' - from the Executive Summary, page 1.

    But then again, the IPA and facts have never been on speaking terms.

    Commenter
    Grizwald
    Location
    Sydney
    Date and time
    March 16, 2016, 4:53PM

    • 4:26pm. What the dole should be increased to what Jenny? You're not suggesting, are you, that you now want to live on $36 per day instead of $35 per day? That is an outrageous increase in your allowance. For doing what?

      Commenter
      Pluto
      Location
      Melbourne
      Date and time
      March 16, 2016, 4:53PM

      • Tanya is wearing black today. There are many bloggers here interested in color conspiracies - ties, suits.
        One theory is that Bill's getting the punt tonight. Tanya's ready for the wake.

        Commenter
        enough is enough
        Date and time
        March 16, 2016, 4:50PM

        • Do you have any cogent conspiracy theories about the rainbow colours adopted by the LGBTIQ movement?

          Commenter
          Banjo
          Location
          Eden
          Date and time
          March 16, 2016, 5:12PM

      • Let's be blunt.

        There can be no surpluses until the LNP controls its spending.

        And there's little sign of that happening.

        They've been in nearly three years.

        Spending is at record highs and they don't have the heart to cut the perks of the rich where the money is going.

        They thought they were onto a winner with a rise in the GST - but the public woke up that they were being gamed.

        So the Libs went back into their bunker and did what they do best - borrow more money for more spending.

        They are now borrowing a billion dollars a week to keep their record spending going.

        There will be no surpluses from this Government - just a record debt for future generations to pay off.

        Matthias Cormann used to take great pleasure in saying that the Government of the day owns its own deficits.

        And that's true.

        Come to think of it - I haven't heard him saying that much lately.

        Time for the Government of the day to step up and take responsibility for its own increased spending.

        What a team of stars !

        Commenter
        Good to Go
        Location
        Melbourne
        Date and time
        March 16, 2016, 4:49PM

        • Did George Christensen walk into the meeting with a closed mind. If so, what is actually enclosed in that mind? Is there any space for new ideas? Is there a whole lot of space and no idea? It's mind boggling really.

          Commenter
          Tucky
          Location
          Warragul
          Date and time
          March 16, 2016, 4:46PM

          • Turnbull's run out of puff. Morrison's run out of rants. The nodders in QT seem to be suffering melancholy. Julie Bishop's office has run out of celebs for photo shoots and the usual extremists are taking homophobia to dizzying heights.

            Commenter
            Welcome to the LNP 2016
            Date and time
            March 16, 2016, 4:44PM

            • Indeed: Welcome to the LNP.

              Commenter
              Pluto
              Location
              Melbourne
              Date and time
              March 16, 2016, 4:55PM

            • One of the nodders was in electoral trouble even before the redistribution. Dobell is now notionally Labor, so her nodding career almost certainly only has one more day to run.

              Commenter
              Gigondas
              Date and time
              March 16, 2016, 4:55PM

          • Photogate. Priorities, priorities. Why wasn't this rule changed 2007-213? and why wasn't anyone complaining about it then?

            Commenter
            enough is enough
            Date and time
            March 16, 2016, 4:44PM

            • E=E, good point. Anything Labor didn't get done isn't going to get done, if left to the current Government anyway.

              Commenter
              jofek
              Date and time
              March 16, 2016, 5:05PM

            • You didn't complain about it for six years Jofek. Any particular reason why?

              Commenter
              enough is enough
              Date and time
              March 16, 2016, 5:18PM

          • Now lets see. Macklin was a Minister for 6 years but has taken two years to write a road map for the area she was in charge of for those 6 years. My God what the hell has she been doing for 8 years?
            Pen, do you have a theory on this?

            Commenter
            enough is enough
            Date and time
            March 16, 2016, 4:42PM

            • And Macklin is going to fund these policies without raising taxes, you just watch.

              Commenter
              Sure
              Date and time
              March 16, 2016, 4:39PM

              • So you wouldn't want to pay a few bucks extra week to make the country a better place.

                Scrooge.

                Commenter
                ah ha
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 4:50PM

              • ah ha, the Left never fails with the name calling. Maybe the low income earners can't afford a few extra bucks a week? Not your problem?

                Commenter
                Sure
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 5:02PM

            • You’d like to think people elected to govern the country would approach decision making with an open mind and with the best outcomes for the nation at heart. At best you’d expect them to pay some lip service to the idea.

              The self-elected Leader of the Quasi-Opposition, Mr Christensen, seems confused by this concept.

              "I walked in to the briefing thinking the program should be axed and I walked out thinking the same."

              Commenter
              Gigondas
              Date and time
              March 16, 2016, 4:38PM

              • Yep, it's foregone conclusions all the way.

                I read the wiki entry on George Christensen today (I know, very Greg Hunt of me) and was truly horrified at the number of groups he's offended. He even attacked the National Health and Medical Research Council for demonising sugar.

                He's not without education - he has a degree in journalism - but it doesn't seem to have benefited him.

                Commenter
                Banjo
                Location
                Eden
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 4:48PM

              • Banjo
                That degree only helps him to write and report intelligently on someone else ideas and issues - it doesn't enrich him with any knowledge - and it shows

                Commenter
                Mais51
                Location
                Sydney
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 5:13PM

            • Macklin thinks money grows on trees. And here I was thinking the Greens are crazy.

              Commenter
              enough is enough
              Date and time
              March 16, 2016, 4:32PM

              • I am sure the greens and the rest of us think likewise.

                Commenter
                fizzybeer
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 4:35PM

              • they are doing a deal with the LNP so yeah, they are crazy

                well spotted old McDonald

                Commenter
                DirkDiggler
                Location
                LNPHQ
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 4:36PM

              • E=E, the LNP by contrast only recognise spending as wasteful if undertaken by someone other than them.

                Commenter
                jofek
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 4:44PM

              • eie, with full employment won't the country be saving money paying less welfare plus extra tax coming in from those additionally employed?

                I think that it is very innovative and not a blue tie in sight.

                Commenter
                John
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 4:44PM

              • This from the woman who said she could live on $35 a day when getting $903 a day in 2013, sure.....

                Commenter
                Smack
                Location
                City of the Fallen
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 4:48PM

              • Smack, I'm sure Jenny wouldn't give up the Chardy no matter what. Just borrow some money to pay for it.

                Commenter
                enough is enough
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 5:02PM

              • Smack. Absolutely. And you wonder why people are fed up with politicians. Here, there and everywhere.

                Commenter
                Pluto
                Location
                Melbourne
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 5:03PM

              • EiE and you have a 28 yr old in the senate that's going to do wonderful things for Australia..... Yeah right lets see how long he lasts before he does a LNP nose in the freebies bowl . Another LNP crap artist coming our way .

                Commenter
                Supa350
                Location
                Wodonga
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 5:04PM

            • @3.46 - George: most people walk into briefings with an open mind. Leave your prejudices at the door.

              Commenter
              ah ha
              Date and time
              March 16, 2016, 4:21PM

              • Oh yeah sure, that's almost as good as the idea that when people start writing reports they don't know how its going to end.

                Commenter
                SteveH.
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 4:30PM

              • The report writer and the report reader are in different boats. Of course the report writer knows how the report is going to end, they have done the research drawn conclusions and then sit down to write the report.

                Whats your point. That you can recite a truism? Give me a spell.

                Commenter
                ah ha
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 4:38PM

            • I wish Gazza from Grong Grong were here to do us a poem about nihilism and denialism.

              Commenter
              Banjo
              Location
              Eden
              Date and time
              March 16, 2016, 4:20PM

              • I wish he was the treasurer, or PM.

                Commenter
                fizzybeer
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 4:26PM

            • Stephanie,

              Terri Butler during her facebook video of the class of 2013 had some of the women saying they participating in a parliament vs press netball team. Any results about that? Nice to hear about a sport that isn't male dominated!

              Commenter
              Philvarce
              Location
              Brisbane
              Date and time
              March 16, 2016, 4:19PM

              • The IPA, ACL and big business have too much control of the LNP. When is Mal going to show some integrity and distance the party from big Business, the ACL and the IPA? Another IPA senator means the LNP will be towing the IPA line into the near future.

                Or is that just a line about Unions and the Labor party?

                Commenter
                DirkDiggler
                Location
                LNPHQ
                Date and time
                March 16, 2016, 4:17PM

                • 11.59 Best pic of the day goes to Andrew, gorgeous.
                  Till Tomm.....

                  Commenter
                  A country gal
                  Date and time
                  March 16, 2016, 4:16PM

                  • 3:59pm. Stephanie, it's just amazing how many people Malcolm Turnbull is letting down. He's got quite a gift for it. Who would have thought.

                    Commenter
                    Pluto
                    Location
                    Melbourne
                    Date and time
                    March 16, 2016, 4:15PM

                    • Well you shouldn't have all convinced yourselves he was secretly in the wood elf brigade in the first place.

                      Commenter
                      SteveH.
                      Date and time
                      March 16, 2016, 4:25PM

                    • hahahahahaha

                      Where is your messiah now

                      Commenter
                      DirkDiggler
                      Location
                      LNPHQ
                      Date and time
                      March 16, 2016, 4:28PM

                  • Why cant Yes or No to SSM be printed on the reps voting paper at the election?
                    costs nothing. If our current rules do not allow this THEY are stupid

                    Commenter
                    bob
                    Location
                    kinda
                    Date and time
                    March 16, 2016, 4:10PM

                    • Seriously does GC think he is JC, preaching to the masses.
                      Someone is very busy using him as the fall guy.

                      Commenter
                      A country gal
                      Date and time
                      March 16, 2016, 4:01PM

                      • George Christensen has a messiah complex.

                        Commenter
                        Pluto
                        Location
                        Melbourne
                        Date and time
                        March 16, 2016, 4:20PM

                    • @3:43
                      The IPA, disappointed with Tony’s failure to fully implement their 100 demands, and alarmed by the subsequent leftoid/warmist/Marxist coup, have sent in their own special operative to get things back off track. Stand by for James Bond-like fireworks and train wrecks.

                      Commenter
                      Gigondas
                      Date and time
                      March 16, 2016, 3:54PM

                        • Casino Royale comes to Canberra carried on the back of an IPA hack.

                          Commenter
                          fizzybeer
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:13PM

                        • Why would the IPA have a vested interest in moving the Australian Embassy in Israel from Tel Aviv to Jerusalem? I don't get it.

                          Commenter
                          Banjo
                          Location
                          Eden
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:29PM

                        • Banjo, good question. Obviously something ideological. It will be on their website!

                          Commenter
                          Gigondas
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:53PM

                      • I predict the budget will be a blank page.

                        Commenter
                        Amro
                        Date and time
                        March 16, 2016, 3:48PM

                        • Wow, spending cut 100%. Sounds a bit harsh but we might get a surplus at least and start repaying some debt.

                          Commenter
                          Hacka
                          Location
                          Canberra
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:04PM

                        • On the back of a sticky note or stamp!

                          Commenter
                          A country gal
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:07PM

                        • Acg
                          not a stamp.
                          Two weeks late if posted.

                          Commenter
                          fizzybeer
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:14PM

                        • Got confused eh Hacka a blank page means they have nothing absolutely to offer can't decide it al too much.

                          Commenter
                          AMRO
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:16PM

                        • or maybe the back of a label from a nice Penfolds grange. They have lots of them laying around

                          Commenter
                          DirkDiggler
                          Location
                          LNPHQ
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:19PM

                        • Amro - i figured a blank page meant no spending or revenue, but we'll still get the Future Fund interest income, meaning a surplus of a few billion bucks.

                          Thanks Costello.

                          Commenter
                          Hacka
                          Location
                          Canberra
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:32PM

                        • It might have a note: "IOU one budget"

                          Scotty.

                          Commenter
                          ah ha
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:57PM

                      • As distressing as it was to watch Turnbull going on and on and on (just imagine what he's like at a dinner party after a couple of glasses of grange under the belt) the really distressing problem with the LNP is how the extreme elements within (and there are many of them) can hijack just about anything they see as fair game to drive their own very limited agenda. It is appalling to watch them carry on about the Safe Schools program and now they want a parliamentary enquiry.

                        I shudder to think what will happen if they go ahead with the SSM plebiscite even though the majority of Australians aren't concerned about it. We are being taken for fools a la Abbott by a coalition more intent on playing political games. And that's the rub. This government has no focus and is being driven by elements within on non substantial issues (not saying they aren't important). It can only mean the end for the coalition. There has never been clearer evidence of a failed government. Unrepresentative swill.

                        Commenter
                        monkeybiz
                        Date and time
                        March 16, 2016, 3:46PM

                        • The majority of Australians want a SSM plebiscite according to the most recent poll.
                          Why are toe left so against giving the people a vote ?

                          Commenter
                          andrew
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:50PM

                        • And there it is @ 3.46 to prove your point monkeybiz. Is that all they've got ideology.

                          Commenter
                          A country gal
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:51PM

                        • Andrew, I haven't seen it but anyway, when you even have Christians being 60/40 in favour of SSM and even John Howard supports people's right to live their lives the way they want, Turnbull previously having stated that it is a human right what is the point? Just what is the point other than a government that has never found it's way playing games and unrepresentative elements flying the flag for the IPA and extreme elements of society that cling to questionable values and a church that has not been able to change since it's inception. Just more chaos. I'll say it again. SSM is a non issue.

                          Commenter
                          monkeybiz
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:17PM

                        • @andrew - a straw poll of your mates doesn't count. Care to name the poll you refer to?

                          Hers one: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/nationals-electorates-reject-plebiscite-on-samesex-marriage-20160201-gminy0.html

                          Ironic that the Coalition had to have a joint party room meeting to decide on the plebiscite using the conservative national mps to get over the line and the national mps constituents don't even want a plebiscite.

                          This government is totally out of touch with Australia.

                          Commenter
                          ah ha
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:18PM

                      • What is with the facial hair in the house? Is there a tax on razor blades I wasn't aware of?

                        Commenter
                        Piped Piper
                        Date and time
                        March 16, 2016, 3:44PM

                        • Least the Ladies aren't taking to the trend Piped.
                          Some did movember, maybe they are doing The Big Shave. See Bandt has got rid of his.
                          Having said that I'm rather partial to a decent beard.

                          Commenter
                          A country gal
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:06PM

                      • We are over half way through march and Turnbull has still not had a ministerial reshuffle. More inaction from this lazy government.

                        Commenter
                        Ken of Brisbane
                        Date and time
                        March 16, 2016, 3:43PM

                        • Scomo looking doomed.

                          Commenter
                          fizzybeer
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:51PM

                      • 1:55 photo

                        We have this much idea of how to run the country. Isn't that right ScoMo?

                        Commenter
                        davemac
                        Location
                        Melbourne
                        Date and time
                        March 16, 2016, 3:40PM

                        • Heh, heh and it suits their whimsical smiles.

                          Commenter
                          A country gal
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:43PM

                        • Ah, the ring of economic confidence is shrinking.

                          Commenter
                          Banjo
                          Location
                          Eden
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:46PM

                        • Yay, now it's dm for FC.

                          Commenter
                          A country gal
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:03PM

                      • Listening to Bill Shorten's carping gives me an ear ache. The pain might be worthwhile if he said something new and interesting but he keeps regurgitating the same old rhetoric and empty promises. The more he carps the more he is convincing voters that he could not possibly be the PM. It would be a contest to see whether he would bore the Australian economy into a recession or whether that would be the outcome of his flawed thought bubbles. We can't afford to waste Australia's future with the Australian equivalent of Donald Trump.

                        Commenter
                        AG
                        Date and time
                        March 16, 2016, 3:40PM

                        • I believe Abbott is the equivalent of Trump, Shorten the equivalent of Clinton.

                          You need to hone up on your 'right' and 'left'.

                          Commenter
                          PEarn
                          Location
                          Melbourne
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:54PM

                        • I don't her him spreading hate and fear and talk,ping of putting up walls and sprouting racists shrill about Muslims.

                          Commenter
                          Amro
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:57PM

                      • Looks like the opposition aren't even interested in asking questions yet again today.

                        May as well start calling it Censure Time.

                        Commenter
                        Hacka
                        Location
                        Canberra
                        Date and time
                        March 16, 2016, 3:37PM

                        • With good reason.
                          Answering questions seems to a forgotten art in the con world.
                          What day did Mal decide on for the budget again?

                          Commenter
                          fizzybeer
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:43PM

                        • They could revice it if the opposition would ask a variety of questions.
                          Poor Billy and his troops have become quite one dimensional .
                          Tanya ask any on Foreign affairs today or has she given up completely?

                          Commenter
                          andrew
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:48PM

                        • Yet during the Gillard regime censure motions were most unparliamentary, right fizzy ?

                          Commenter
                          Hacka
                          Location
                          Canberra
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:54PM

                        • didn't give a fig hacka.
                          Every time yesterdays hero got up to say no I turned the sound down.

                          Commenter
                          fizzybeer
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:04PM

                        • That's some selective listening fizzy.

                          Just imagine what you'd learn if you used both ears openly - other viewpoints !

                          Commenter
                          Hacka
                          Location
                          Canberra
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:11PM

                        • When I did listen to Abbott all I learnt about was how to divide a nation on just one September night.
                          Could go to a Trump rally and hear the same crap plus watch a few cons fighting with each other.

                          Commenter
                          fizzybeer
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:19PM

                        • About as much response as me asking you a question @H.

                          Hey I'm not in the naughty corner again am I? It's not fair, eie put me up to it...whatever it was.

                          Commenter
                          davemac
                          Location
                          Melbourne
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:29PM

                        • fizzy - that's a bit much - never heard Tone proposing a wall to keep out the Mexicans or some of the other bizarre comments ("i'm so popular i could walk down a street with a gun ....").

                          Speaking of Mexicans - hi dave.

                          Stephanie never responded my really kind offer yesterday - i thought so at least - of helping her out on the moderating front, in her week of need. Disappointing, can't imagine why.

                          Commenter
                          Hacka
                          Location
                          Canberra
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 5:00PM

                      • Malcolm Turnbull is being OWNED

                        Commenter
                        Jules
                        Location
                        Melbourne
                        Date and time
                        March 16, 2016, 3:36PM

                        • IPA?
                          or you have someone else in mind?

                          Commenter
                          fizzybeer
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:44PM

                        • Nope, IPA will do it

                          Commenter
                          DirkDiggler
                          Location
                          LNPHQ
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 4:02PM

                      • Two days into the week and it could best be described as Musical Chairs.

                        Commenter
                        A country gal
                        Date and time
                        March 16, 2016, 3:26PM

                        • the way Scomo was blinking away the tears soon to be musical front bench again.
                          Total loss, embarrassing to see him shrinking before our eyes.
                          I almost feel sorry for him, almost, but I have compassion burn out from thinking about the demise of the greens.

                          Commenter
                          fizzybeer
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:32PM

                        • Or pass the policy parcel.

                          Commenter
                          Banjo
                          Location
                          Eden
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:37PM

                        • He is embarrassing fizzy, it must be a tad humiliating being shown up for being out of his depth.
                          As for The Greens, I'm more patient. I'll wait before I pass such harsh judgement.
                          I've made my position clear enough on their missed opportunities on this issue.

                          Commenter
                          A country gal
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:48PM

                      • Why is Tony Burke so outraged all the time? Maybe he needs another holiday in Central Australia??.

                        Commenter
                        paul
                        Location
                        Brisbane
                        Date and time
                        March 16, 2016, 3:26PM

                        • Dunno, probably the same reason a lot of other people are as well.

                          Commenter
                          davemac
                          Location
                          Melbourne
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:30PM

                      • Perhaps we should elect politicians who are
                        - "lower" in self importance,
                        - "fairer" when treating ALL Australians and - able to give complete and "simpler" explanation of what they are saying and doing.

                        Commenter
                        Tucky
                        Location
                        Warragul
                        Date and time
                        March 16, 2016, 3:25PM

                        • The ALP and their suspension orders. Even the desal plant in Kurnell has a better chance of being turned on that one ever passing.

                          Commenter
                          Piped Piper
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:24PM

                          • Ever done a count of how many Tony launched as LOTO? It was a daily occurrence, and dutifully reported in the Murdoch media to give it gravitas.

                            Commenter
                            Doug
                            Location
                            Canberra
                            Date and time
                            March 16, 2016, 3:33PM

                          • Nope. Maybe because it was a minority government and required one independent to swing the other way. Not an apple to apple comparison Doug.

                            Commenter
                            Piped Piper
                            Date and time
                            March 16, 2016, 3:46PM

                        • Good one, Banjo.

                          In my view you should be more often gonged.

                          And I'm not just saying that because it's true.

                          Commenter
                          Jason of Gold Coast (where we used to have more knights tha King Arthur's court)
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:21PM

                          • yes, plucking good effort there banjo

                            Commenter
                            davemac
                            Location
                            Melbourne
                            Date and time
                            March 16, 2016, 3:31PM

                        • QT
                          Mal took a few on the glass jaw.
                          Burke finished him off, mercy rule required to stop the carnage.

                          Commenter
                          fizzybeer
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:20PM

                          • Rubbish, Turnbull's tactics are obvious (to me, not to you) he's sucking the oxygen out of the place, all Shorten will be left with is these stunts, which never go anywhere.

                            I'd bring back the toy unicorns.

                            Commenter
                            SteveH.
                            Date and time
                            March 16, 2016, 3:30PM

                          • So the toy treasurer has something to play with?
                            Mal has sucked the oxygen out of the place, he was running on fumes.

                            Commenter
                            fizzybeer
                            Date and time
                            March 16, 2016, 3:46PM

                          • Tell yourself what you like, this afternoon as been anything but 'fiery' it's been as interesting as watching the porridge go cold, which says it all.

                            The Wiggle social media crew here might think things are going their way, but they also spend their evenings admiring moonbeams.

                            Commenter
                            SteveH.
                            Date and time
                            March 16, 2016, 4:15PM

                          • what made you bring Di Natale into the exchange?

                            Commenter
                            fizzybeer
                            Date and time
                            March 16, 2016, 4:24PM

                          • Why not, it's a bit like smoking I suppose.

                            Commenter
                            SteveH.
                            Date and time
                            March 16, 2016, 4:44PM

                          • SteveH
                            thanks for a good laugh to finish the day.
                            Imagery.
                            Was it good for you too RDN?

                            Commenter
                            fizzybeer
                            Date and time
                            March 16, 2016, 4:53PM

                        • Re: "Mr Turnbull recycles a slogan saying the government's philosophical position on tax is keeping them lower, fairer and simpler."

                          Err, Mal forgot the qualification: provided one is a member of the wealth sector.

                          Commenter
                          Pen of hrba
                          Date and time
                          March 16, 2016, 3:18PM

                          • Poor Scotty: he just doesn't cut it as treasurer.

                            He under-acted as imigration minister, on the basis of "operational matters"; he overacts as treasurer to cover his palpable deficienies in this crucial portfolio.

                            An aside, Bowen should shave.

                            Commenter
                            Jason of Gold Coast
                            Date and time
                            March 16, 2016, 3:18PM

                            • That was waffle extraordinaire.
                              Who could possibly be as innovative as that.

                              Commenter
                              A country gal
                              Date and time
                              March 16, 2016, 3:15PM

                              • Nuffy

                                Re: "Plenty of Rain."

                                How many times can a person be wrong, Nuffy? You are breaking all known records in the ignorance category.

                                "More than 80 per cent of Queensland and parts of northern New South Wales are in severe drought, with some areas not seeing decent rainfall in three years.

                                Drought-stricken farmers and rural communities will soon share in $333 million of Federal Government support, which includes freight subsidies, water rebates and concessional loans.

                                The Bureau of Meteorology has officially declared a major El Nino event, which is likely to lead to prolonged drier, hotter conditions across much of eastern Australia."

                                Commenter
                                Pen of hrba
                                Date and time
                                March 16, 2016, 3:07PM

                                • Mal baby, consumer confidence has risen???
                                  Where did you get that figure,
                                  BIS Shrapnell or the Dick Smith administrators?

                                  Commenter
                                  fizzybeer
                                  Date and time
                                  March 16, 2016, 3:05PM

                                  • Morrison caught in the headlights and blinking away the tears.
                                    Can't win an argument with Barnaby, or was that Bambi?
                                    Go Bill.
                                    Slip in a mention of the IPA and I think you have them all covered.

                                    Commenter
                                    fizzybeer
                                    Date and time
                                    March 16, 2016, 3:02PM

                                    • Bill Shorten has had a dose of whatever EIE had yesterday - very animated today.
                                      What was in the juice at lunchtime EIE?

                                      Commenter
                                      Immal
                                      Location
                                      Melbourne
                                      Date and time
                                      March 16, 2016, 3:00PM

                                      • It's amazing how spot on Bills assessment of Malcolm and the LNP is.

                                        It's almost like he has a crystal ball

                                        Uncanny how accurate it is

                                        Commenter
                                        DirkDiggler
                                        Location
                                        LNPHQ
                                        Date and time
                                        March 16, 2016, 3:00PM

                                        • 2.02 The three Amigo's - "Andrew Nic, don't worry mate you and young Andrew H can toss a coin over Defence. I'm working on it".

                                          Commenter
                                          A country gal
                                          Date and time
                                          March 16, 2016, 2:59PM

                                          • Forget tax reform....Turnbull should be censured for the worst ever NBN.

                                            Commenter
                                            Bazza
                                            Date and time
                                            March 16, 2016, 2:57PM

                                            • The cluster ...something version of the nbn from the ex minister responsible before he became PM responsible.
                                              Or has that been innovated in the March 16
                                              budget?

                                              Commenter
                                              fizzybeer
                                              Date and time
                                              March 16, 2016, 3:26PM

                                            • you got something against a couple of cans and string?

                                              Commenter
                                              davemac
                                              Location
                                              Melbourne
                                              Date and time
                                              March 16, 2016, 4:30PM

                                          • Given the chaos in and around the libs and their factions I think Bill is going a little too easy on Turnbull and the interchange bench.

                                            Commenter
                                            fizzybeer
                                            Date and time
                                            March 16, 2016, 2:56PM

                                            • He should've raised the issue over the new Visa for $3 Foreign Maritime workers that will destroy our Shipping Industry.

                                              Commenter
                                              A country gal
                                              Date and time
                                              March 16, 2016, 3:01PM

                                            • As it already costs twice as much to ship a brick from Sydney to Perth as it does to Spain that would be a good thing for coastal trade.
                                              The exorbitant wages of the MUA have destroyed to local shipping industry.

                                              Commenter
                                              andrew
                                              Date and time
                                              March 16, 2016, 3:46PM

                                            • andrew
                                              the way this place is not going shipping myself to Spain is more likely than posting a brick.
                                              I like Spain, they all speak Mexican over there you know.

                                              Commenter
                                              fizzybeer
                                              Date and time
                                              March 16, 2016, 4:32PM

                                          • 2.23
                                            Can Bandt ask any decent questions on jobs and growth,
                                            99/100 questions he's put forward in last 5 years have been either SSM or climate change related

                                            Commenter
                                            yawn
                                            Date and time
                                            March 16, 2016, 2:51PM

                                              • They get 1 question each question time.
                                                They already know LNP policy, the Greens/light Blues are the new coalition partners
                                                Your point is................

                                                Commenter
                                                DirkDiggler
                                                Location
                                                LNPHQ
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 3:01PM

                                              • Why, you reckon he might get an answer?

                                                The Libs have no clue so dont see how...

                                                Commenter
                                                davemac
                                                Location
                                                Melbourne
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 3:03PM

                                            • 2.47 Jones actualises his own 94a.

                                              Commenter
                                              A country gal
                                              Date and time
                                              March 16, 2016, 2:51PM

                                              • Finally someone on the glnp side realises that they are hopeless.

                                                Commenter
                                                John
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 3:00PM

                                            • Does Turnbull honestly believe people are falling for his negative gearing scare campaign? Honestly between him and Morrison dithering and cluelessness has reached a new level. People have woken up. We're being lead by a couple of soufflés. And three times in QT he and his so called "economic team have revived Abbott's three word slogans......."lower, fairer,simpler"....."have a go"......Honestly Turnbull can not even answer the question he's asked. Pathetic. And Tony Smith is becoming Bronwyn Bishop.

                                              Commenter
                                              What a rabble
                                              Date and time
                                              March 16, 2016, 2:50PM

                                              • Mal thinks everyone is in awe of him. In reality we are waking up to the fact that he makes Tony Abbott look mildly competent

                                                Sad isn't it

                                                Commenter
                                                DirkDiggler
                                                Location
                                                LNPHQ
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 2:54PM

                                              • @Dirk. And...Scott Morrison makes Eleventy Joe look positively Numerate.

                                                Commenter
                                                roll me own durries
                                                Location
                                                Perth
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 3:12PM

                                            • Photo 2.06 Oh look, is that a travel brochure that Bronny's reading?

                                              Commenter
                                              Banjo
                                              Location
                                              Eden
                                              Date and time
                                              March 16, 2016, 2:44PM

                                              • You beat me to it, balloon ride over Canberra.

                                                Commenter
                                                Amro
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 2:48PM

                                              • No, no never.
                                                Just a guide to "Study Tours" in the Mediterranean.

                                                Commenter
                                                A country gal
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 2:49PM

                                              • Banjo, Hawaiian helicopter tours maybe?

                                                Commenter
                                                John
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 2:50PM

                                              • Bingo, Banjo!

                                                Commenter
                                                A country gal
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 3:05PM

                                              • Probably the travel brochure on Uluru lent her by Burkey....

                                                Commenter
                                                Smack
                                                Location
                                                City of the Fallen
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 3:13PM

                                            • "Prime Minister, what is the Govt's Tax policy"? Zinger alert.

                                              Commenter
                                              A country gal
                                              Date and time
                                              March 16, 2016, 2:44PM

                                              • Waffle, waffle, waffle that's all we've heard from Mal. For the last six months.

                                                Commenter
                                                Amro
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 2:51PM

                                              • Amro, go to a cafe and ask for a Turnbull for Breaky and they'll know exactly what you're ordering.

                                                Commenter
                                                A country gal
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 3:20PM

                                              • But ACG, The saying is.. You can't make an omelette without breaking a few eggs. Where are Malcolm's eggs? He's still using Tony's eggs to make his omelette and it's still inedible for the majority of Australians. When will Malcolm make his Omelette available?

                                                Commenter
                                                roll me own durries
                                                Location
                                                Perth
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 3:27PM

                                              • ACG I just about to cook up a batch of waffles to hand around....with loads of creme fraiche of course.

                                                Commenter
                                                Amro
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 3:33PM

                                              • roll me, looking more and more like scrambled eggs or an egg flip?

                                                Commenter
                                                A country gal
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 3:37PM

                                              • Thanks Amro, I'll pass, I think I'm waffled out.

                                                Commenter
                                                A country gal
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 3:42PM

                                            • Transitioning economy, transitioning economy, says Scomo for me that means from poor, to proverty stricken.

                                              Commenter
                                              Amro
                                              Date and time
                                              March 16, 2016, 2:44PM

                                              • The ALP chaged their minds about senate reform.
                                                All gungho for it especially Gary Grey who lead the charge with Billy just behind.
                                                Now Billy has back flipped and Gary has cut and run from Billy.

                                                Commenter
                                                andrew
                                                Date and time
                                                March 16, 2016, 2:38PM

                                                • Got to give it to Dasher. Calling the black skivvy wearing Di Natale 'the cat burglar of Australian politics'. With comedy like that no wonder everyone calls Dasher the 'Mr Bean of Australian politics'.
                                                  What the two of them don't realise is that the joke is on them. Good work Malcolm and team.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  enough is enough
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 16, 2016, 2:37PM

                                                  • Given his gong for best supporting actor with an iphone 6 in a political re-enactment, Dasher probably has his own bundle of black skivvies for all those arty promotional appearances.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Fruitcakes and Watermelons
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 16, 2016, 2:57PM

                                                  • Are you living on this planet or do you just make this stuff up to amuse yourself.

                                                    What exactly has Mal and Co done in the last 6 months for the "good Work"? Or are you just now saying thanks for getting rid of Abbott. Pretty sure that's Mal's only claim to fame so far. Apart from having lots of money not invested in this country and being a part owner in 711 while they ripped off workers

                                                    Commenter
                                                    DirkDiggler
                                                    Location
                                                    LNPHQ
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 16, 2016, 2:57PM

                                                  • EIE, you are hilarious have you ever thought of a gig in standup comedy? Negative humour is a burgeoning area of the entertainment business, Donald Trump is a prime example, oh that's right Donald means it and you I guess you do as well...

                                                    Commenter
                                                    SanchoP
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 16, 2016, 3:19PM

                                                • Ms O'Dwyer, Cate Carnell ex Chief Minister ACT Government, poor choice.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  Amro
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 16, 2016, 2:36PM

                                                  • Monty Python eat your heart out.

                                                    Malcolm blathers incomprehensively: “We are transitioning from an old economy to a new one. Climate change is part of that response. We are optimistic we can tackle climate change through innovation.”

                                                    … and then has a go at Adam Bandt for using “imprecise language”!

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Gigondas
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 16, 2016, 2:31PM

                                                    • And completely avoids answering to what his chief scientist says.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Banjo
                                                      Location
                                                      Eden
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:38PM

                                                    • Yes Banjo, but at least MT used the "i" word (innovation). There is now nothing too hard for the Coalition to address when they have the word 'innovation' to trot out when the occasion demands.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      stevek
                                                      Location
                                                      Sydney
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:48PM

                                                  • Whoops someone pushed the wrong button I'm back to first comment again.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    A country gal
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 16, 2016, 2:29PM

                                                    • It's that damn Fairfax Microbee. I hate that Fairfax Microbee. I hate it...

                                                      Hang on, be calm, be patient. Visualise a peaceful scene. Ommmmmmm.

                                                      Ah that's better.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Gigondas
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:39PM

                                                    • The lights went out on mine completely. I thought the last politician must have left the building.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Banjo
                                                      Location
                                                      Eden
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:39PM

                                                    • Yes totally went to error then, which gave me that scene gig, read the article on young Toby who has sent "a letter to the world". A beautiful story.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      A country gal
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:43PM

                                                  • 2:32

                                                    Is there anything that innovation can't fix?

                                                    How innovative.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    davemac
                                                    Location
                                                    Melbourne
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 16, 2016, 2:28PM

                                                    • Seems the SMH needs a little innovation on this site to fix the dancing comments

                                                      Commenter
                                                      andrew
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:35PM

                                                    • Davemac: The too hard basket.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      John
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:40PM

                                                  • Pen, better tell Brandt that Australia has had two cyclones this year. Fizzers both of them.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    enough is enough
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 16, 2016, 2:25PM

                                                    • Pen, better tell eie that cyclone season is Nov to April but, especially given the unusual weather patterns we've seen, could occur any time. Sure, the 3 (not 2) cyclones we have had this season have all been Cat 2 cyclones but a wind gust of 100km/h is still strong enough to blow down trees and cause damage/

                                                      Commenter
                                                      stevek
                                                      Location
                                                      Sydney
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:44PM

                                                    • He was talking about the heat just in case you haven't noticed in your air conditioned dig it's hot everywhere.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Amro
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:46PM

                                                    • They don't cal them cyclones south of the tropic of Capricorn, they call them East Coast Lows. We tend to get a couple a year around the time of the equinoxes. We've had five in the past 12 months, including one a few weeks ago that dumped 160mm rain in one night, accompanied by winds of over 100kph, and much flooding and other damage.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Banjo
                                                      Location
                                                      Eden
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:51PM

                                                    • eie,

                                                      Have you forgotten about the first ever category-6 storm that hit Fiji?

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Econorat
                                                      Location
                                                      Sydney
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 3:25PM

                                                  • Shorten's ash tray tax, negative gearing changes, climate change policies and child care cost increases have blown up in his face with huge numbers of ALP voters angry at being hit in the hip pocket. It's like Shorten wants Di Natale to take over as spokesperson of the left.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    enough is enough
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 16, 2016, 2:24PM

                                                    • "huge numbers of ALP voters angry at being hit in the hip pocket."

                                                      Empirical evidence? A source for this information? Or just wishful thinking?

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Gigondas
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:35PM

                                                    • No Gig, Just more 'making sh1t up'

                                                      Commenter
                                                      davemac
                                                      Location
                                                      Melbourne
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:40PM

                                                  • Scott Morrison is now showing exactly why he should not be treasurer. Nothing but ranting What a joke this guy is.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Get rid of him
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 16, 2016, 2:22PM

                                                    • Not watching at the moment. Is he bobbing up and down like one of those drinking bird toys?

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Double Disillusion
                                                      Location
                                                      Sydney
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:34PM

                                                  • Innovation
                                                    Small Business
                                                    Media Ownership
                                                    Domestic Violence
                                                    Defence
                                                    Senate Reform

                                                    Not bad for a government over the past 6 months that apparently hasn't done anything.

                                                    It's called working thru the process & not rushing into it.

                                                    There will be a Budget in May & more announcements.

                                                    Of course Labor's approach, get it out there & we'll work out the details later is what got the country into trouble in the first place.

                                                    Negative Gearing??

                                                    Labor, looks like another 3 years in Opposition as punishment.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Shane
                                                    Location
                                                    Hammondville
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 16, 2016, 2:20PM

                                                    • Damn fine set of announceables they are, indeed. Nothing there that actually does anything you'll notice. Except the senate reform which is all about re-election.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      davemac
                                                      Location
                                                      Melbourne
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:31PM

                                                    • Shhh! You will upset the narrative going on here each and every day.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      enough is enough
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:31PM

                                                    • what has been innovated?

                                                      Commenter
                                                      fizzybeer
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:41PM

                                                    • Domestic violence had funding taken away

                                                      Commenter
                                                      fizzybeer
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:42PM

                                                    • senate reform.
                                                      stacking the deck chairs neatly but neglecting the engine room

                                                      Commenter
                                                      fizzybeer
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:44PM

                                                    • Shane

                                                      Saying the word “innovation” isn’t actually doing anything.
                                                      Small business – are you talking about the $20k tax write offs under Abbott that tanked after one month?
                                                      Media ownership – they just ticked the box.
                                                      Domestic violence – promising money whilst cutting funds to community law, and I am pretty sure the funds haven’t gone through.
                                                      Defence – meh
                                                      Senate reform – you don’t see this as trying to increase their own numbers, keep their jobs, instead of actually running the company.
                                                      The debt has doubled since this mob has been in – and for what?

                                                      Commenter
                                                      PEarn
                                                      Location
                                                      Melbourne
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:44PM

                                                    • Shane, that's your honour board? About sums it up really.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      jofek
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 3:02PM

                                                  • Is the "too hard basket" kept on the table or off the table. Does anyone actually know what's in it and why it is overflowing? It seems to be getting fuller with each new government. Perhaps we can help the politicians by having a plebiscite on each item? If we use the politicians super fund to pay or the plebiscites, that would make sense as we are actually doing the work that our politicians were elected for and are paid to do.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Tucky
                                                    Location
                                                    Warragul
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 16, 2016, 2:15PM

                                                    • Could we please have "a broader review, a parliamentary review, implemented" into how a small group of right wing politicians can hold a larger group of moderate politicians hostage to agendas that run contrary to popular opinion.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Tucky
                                                      Location
                                                      Warragul
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 2:10PM

                                                      • Now you're talking Tucky, and in the terms of reference let's include the powerful lobbyists the unelected ACL.

                                                        Commenter
                                                        A country gal
                                                        Date and time
                                                        March 16, 2016, 2:19PM

                                                      • Tony Abbott has been in control of the political agenda in this country since December 2009, and this shows no sign of changing soon.

                                                        Commenter
                                                        Drige
                                                        Date and time
                                                        March 16, 2016, 2:30PM

                                                    • “Community is like a garden, it is an organic living thing; if it is neglected, it can overgrow with weeds and suffer decline. Communities must be actively maintained... all this activity is the lifeblood of culture, and this is where the essence of patriotic spirit and a sense of togetherness is born.”
                                                      ― Cory Bernardi
                                                      The problem is Senator Bernardi and his conservative colleagues have taken it upon themselves to decide who the weeds are. If the conservatives had anti-weed, anti-gay, anti-migrant spray, it would be wielded with, dare I say it, gay abandon around the rose garden. The plants would be fed trickle down economics (better than chook poo) and we would all go off to bed at night with a glass of milk after watching an episode of " A Country Practice" or "The Sullivans".
                                                      Give me a rambling garden any time.
                                                      I suspect Senator Bernardi's garden also has many signs saying "Keep Off The Grass".

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Immal
                                                      Location
                                                      Melbourne
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:58PM

                                                        • No point being in government if you don't want to be the one who makes up the rules.

                                                          Commenter
                                                          SteveH.
                                                          Date and time
                                                          March 16, 2016, 2:07PM

                                                        • The very definition of a weed depends on which side of the fence you are. And where you place the fence. You are so right, Immal.

                                                          Commenter
                                                          Banjo
                                                          Location
                                                          Eden
                                                          Date and time
                                                          March 16, 2016, 2:07PM

                                                        • Further, what did Voltaire's Candide learn from his years of wandering the world?Cultivate your own garden. Not everybody else's garden.

                                                          Commenter
                                                          Banjo
                                                          Location
                                                          Eden
                                                          Date and time
                                                          March 16, 2016, 2:09PM

                                                      • It was an interesting interview on TV last night on the '.....' show hosted by '.....' with '.......' being interviewed.
                                                        Apparently the Republic, the Flag and SSM were in the 'too hard basket' 2007-2013. But these issues have suddenly become a national priority. Strange indeed.

                                                        Commenter
                                                        enough is enough
                                                        Date and time
                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:52PM

                                                        • MKR? Channel 10? Kermit the Frog?

                                                          Am I right?

                                                          Commenter
                                                          davemac
                                                          Location
                                                          Melbourne
                                                          Date and time
                                                          March 16, 2016, 2:32PM

                                                      • Has that bloke from the electorate of Sydney said anything useful today or has he been obfuscating and bleating Labor this, Greens that? I bemoan the demise of Bingo halls I really do.

                                                        Commenter
                                                        When will it be enough.
                                                        Date and time
                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:51PM

                                                        • 12:19pm. Ah, but is The Donald a "true conservative" Cory? Lots of wolves in sheep's clothing in politics Cory. There are Republicans who seriously doubt Trump's conservative credentials. He's a great showman though. And there are always a few of those in politics.

                                                          Commenter
                                                          Pluto
                                                          Location
                                                          Melbourne
                                                          Date and time
                                                          March 16, 2016, 1:51PM

                                                          • Showman/shaman - it's amazing how similar these words are.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Banjo
                                                            Location
                                                            Eden
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 16, 2016, 2:11PM

                                                        • Hacka, nice featured comment but you may have unintentionally put in an extra 'C' at the end?

                                                          Commenter
                                                          enough is enough
                                                          Date and time
                                                          March 16, 2016, 1:49PM

                                                          • All of the above then eie:

                                                            ABC
                                                            ABCC
                                                            HRC
                                                            SBS

                                                            Any others ?

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Hacka
                                                            Location
                                                            Canberra
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 16, 2016, 2:59PM

                                                        • Photo 12.17 That's a very illuminating silhouette, Andrew Meares. Won't someone shed some light on the Prime Minister?

                                                          Commenter
                                                          Banjo
                                                          Location
                                                          Eden
                                                          Date and time
                                                          March 16, 2016, 1:48PM

                                                          • The lights were on, but nobody's home.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            A country gal
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 16, 2016, 2:15PM

                                                          • Will the last politician standing turn out the lights?

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Banjo
                                                            Location
                                                            Eden
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 16, 2016, 2:20PM

                                                          • There's a light at the end of the tunnel.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            A country gal
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 16, 2016, 2:28PM

                                                        • more talkfest by Turnbull, i can't remember a single reform he has put forward. And all this time Morrison is bumbling around with yes/no/not sure for GST, negative gearing, income tax cuts.
                                                          What a mess,

                                                          Commenter
                                                          shattered green
                                                          Date and time
                                                          March 16, 2016, 1:45PM

                                                          • Does anyone else find it concerning that the Government would even have a "too hard" basket?

                                                            Commenter
                                                            ah ha
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 16, 2016, 1:44PM

                                                            • first they need to find a basket which can fit in the too hard basket

                                                              Commenter
                                                              shattered green
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 16, 2016, 1:58PM

                                                            • ah ha, it's a concern but not a surprise. Most things are too hard for this Government.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              jofek
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 16, 2016, 2:05PM

                                                            • I'm thinking washing basket, rinse and repeat.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              A country gal
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 16, 2016, 2:16PM

                                                            • This government is a basket-case.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              Banjo
                                                              Location
                                                              Eden
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 16, 2016, 2:17PM

                                                          • I can not understand the constant prurient interest of right wing conservatives in the sexual activities of others. Alternative sexual practices have been practised since we crawled out of the swamp or fell down from the trees. Most likely it took a while to realise who was who and what was what.
                                                            Turn your minds to the economy or other parliamentary pursuits and stop sticky beaking.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            polym
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 16, 2016, 1:43PM

                                                            • They probably don't understand the Luvvies obsession with the subject either.

                                                              Two pots on the same stove apparently.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              SteveH.
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 16, 2016, 1:59PM

                                                            • Me either, it's religion I was brought up in a religious family (glad I saw the light) and sex was a dirty thing.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              Amro
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 16, 2016, 2:05PM

                                                            • And notably focused on male sexual activity in most commentary.
                                                              I'm convinced they are obsessed with visual imagery.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              A country gal
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 16, 2016, 2:23PM

                                                          • 'Companies are "more innovative if the hot breath of competition is breathing down their necks."' Unfortunately governments don't seem to perform better with the hot breath of an election breathing down their necks.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Pluto
                                                            Location
                                                            Melbourne
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 16, 2016, 1:40PM

                                                            • Deserves a Featured Comment, Pluto. Well said.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              Banjo
                                                              Location
                                                              Eden
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 16, 2016, 1:52PM

                                                            • Certainly not with this mob of incompetent wafflers.
                                                              And yes great comment.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              A country gal
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 16, 2016, 3:12PM

                                                            • Well thanks Banjo, but it looks like the fates smiled on you today instead. Congrats. (But we aren't in it for the Featured Comment accolade; we are in it to take part in the democratic process, is that not so? That's what we tell ourselves anyway!)

                                                              Commenter
                                                              Pluto
                                                              Location
                                                              Melbourne
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 16, 2016, 3:38PM

                                                          • How can turbo say we don't put things in the too hard basket but we take them out!
                                                            This bloke was supposed to be good on feet, best he has a lie down before making a statement off the cuff.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            fizzybeer
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 16, 2016, 1:36PM

                                                            • 1:10PM,
                                                              Mr. Turnbull, "We've been taking a lot of things out of the too hard basket lately," and what have they done with them, put them back on the bloody table, of course.
                                                              You didn't expect any firm decisions from them did you??

                                                              Commenter
                                                              DukeofWoyWoy
                                                              Location
                                                              Central Coast NSW
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 16, 2016, 1:34PM

                                                              • I tried to type "honest" and "politician" in the one sentence but it keeps coming up with an error. What does "mutually exclusive" mean?

                                                                Commenter
                                                                Tucky
                                                                Location
                                                                Warragul
                                                                Date and time
                                                                March 16, 2016, 1:32PM

                                                                • Green

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  fizzybeer
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 1:37PM

                                                                • It's called an oxymoron, or in the Australian vernacular, an ozzymoron.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Doug
                                                                  Location
                                                                  Canberra
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 2:15PM

                                                              • I suggest that Parliament today should start a process to abolish all future elections if a simple plebiscite is going to cost so much in lost earnings (when people stop mowing the lawn to go and vote) and mental anguish and so on. Imagine the cost in mental anguish to millions of people every time an election is held and people see their favourite politicians getting beaten, plus all the other mental costs. No more elections I say, or perhaps one every 20 years to give people time to recover their equipoise.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                David Morrison
                                                                Location
                                                                Blue Mountains
                                                                Date and time
                                                                March 16, 2016, 1:19PM

                                                                • I look forward to the referendum on taxing religion.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  cranky bilby
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 1:24PM

                                                                • PwC should focus more on tax evasion by big corporate then give commentary on other matters

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Ouch
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 1:37PM

                                                                • I find politicians invoking religion quite taxing.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Tucky
                                                                  Location
                                                                  Warragul
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 1:37PM

                                                                • @ouch - PwC is privately owned. They will do whatever they want.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  ah ha
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 1:53PM

                                                              • Let's see what's going on today. Oh dear, the Green voters are still angry. The ALP voters have no recollection of the RGR worst Govt ever years.
                                                                Pen, lots of rain about. Maybe that's upset the apple cart of lefty politics.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                enough is enough
                                                                Date and time
                                                                March 16, 2016, 1:19PM

                                                                • How was your nap?

                                                                  All primed and ready to cause trouble?

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  davemac
                                                                  Location
                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 1:24PM

                                                                • That's not true...it's not raining.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 1:25PM

                                                                • eie

                                                                  You're late! Been studying your talking sheet?

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  PEarn
                                                                  Location
                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 1:38PM

                                                                • No nap, apparently I must have used up all the credits yesterday as this morning's T&Cs have returned to Eileen to the left.
                                                                  I promise not to mention:
                                                                  Bill Shorten
                                                                  ABC's 7.30 Report
                                                                  Union corruption

                                                                  Am I back in?

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  enough is enough
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 1:46PM

                                                                • PEarn

                                                                  ""eie

                                                                  You're late! Been studying your talking sheet?""

                                                                  Nah me thinks EIE was hiding in the too hard basket, plenty of company there .

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Buffalo Bill
                                                                  Location
                                                                  Sydneys Northshore
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 2:24PM

                                                              • 12:57 So, Scott Morrison, there was "a broad variety of views but governments make decisions"? Should that not apply to same-sex marriage? Avoid the mammoth cost of a plebiscite & enact the clear will of your constituents.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                Roarts
                                                                Location
                                                                Canberra
                                                                Date and time
                                                                March 16, 2016, 1:15PM

                                                                • Fizzy believes the Greens are only in the game for political gain?

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Pen of hrba
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 1:14PM

                                                                  • Not only fizzy.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    fizzybeer
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 1:28PM

                                                                  • Unfortunately Pen, it is looking increasing that way. If it were not for the Greens, blocking it, we would have an ETS now and most likely would have avoided the Abbott disaster.

                                                                    The current Cross Bench has saved us from the worst of the Abbott agenda but now the Greens are going to sacrifice them for their own gain and remove the very checks and balances that saved us from the Abbott disaster.

                                                                    So yeah, it looks very much like the Greens are sacrificing what’s best for Australia, for their own political gain.

                                                                    As the Dems once did, now the Greens shall follow. Oblivion awaits

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Snapperhead
                                                                    Location
                                                                    The Reef
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 1:46PM

                                                                  • And the non compos mentis award goes to? Why else is a political party in politics?

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Pen of hrba
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 3:59PM

                                                                • Morrison: "a broad variety of views but governments make decisions"

                                                                  Well that will be a first - decision that is.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  PEarn
                                                                  Location
                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 1:05PM

                                                                  • Quick frame it.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    A country gal
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 1:15PM

                                                                  • So...after three years he's worked out that governments make decisions...smart fella this one...NOT.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 1:21PM

                                                                  • Should have it stuffed.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Gigondas
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 1:24PM

                                                                  • The decision is to make a future decision.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    davemac
                                                                    Location
                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 1:25PM

                                                                • The game of government spending cuts are actually spending increases due to population increase, averaging one million additional people every four years, with 70% being migrant increases, the spending increases are found to be unaffordable so the cuts are on a per capita basis.

                                                                  The massive spending cuts of this kind demonstrate that the Australian population annual increases are economically unsustainable in particular migrant increase to the population, which is the greatest burden on the Australian economy especially with “18% of the workforce unemployed” (Morgan March Poll).

                                                                  Government cuts to health, education, welfare, and age pensions while trying to sustain spending of 2% of GDP on defence plainly illustrates the economic problem facing the Australian government. However, the problem has manifested by both ALP and LNP immigration policies that have seen a 24.7% population growth since 2000, the highest population growth in the world in percentage terms and one that is clearly unsustainable.

                                                                  The cost of 700,000 migrants every four years is approximately $250,000 each for additional services and infrastructure amounting to over $17 billion with 18% of the workforce unemployed. It does not take rocket science to work out that this is the major problem with the economy.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Pen of hrba
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 12:58PM

                                                                  • Pen. I keep telling you to stop looking at government spending through the cost only prism. It's like saying I spent $200 on a lawnmower for my lawnmowing business and disregarded the money I made from cutting the grass.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Piped Piper
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 1:11PM

                                                                  • So Piped,
                                                                    The 18% migrant unemployed are all going to start lawn mowing businesses with their first dole cheques?
                                                                    Sounds like something Hoe Jockey thunk up.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 1:19PM

                                                                  • And I keep telling you Piper that the maintenance of the lawn mower costs more than it is worth. Even you should be able to work out that spending $17 billion every four years to maintain immigration flows with over 1 million people unemployed from a 12 million workforce does not add up.

                                                                    Work out the cost of unemployment per week.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Pen of hrba
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 1:21PM

                                                                  • Pen. I'm not arguing whether it makes a return on investment or not, I'm simply saying your costs do not factor any money coming in to offset it. A basic error.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Piped Piper
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 1:31PM

                                                                • Truly frightened now, Australian politics morphing into some old style Eastern Bloc country where elected officials rape and pillage the economy and the 'peoples' rights for their own ideological and economical ends

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  SanchoP
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 16, 2016, 12:55PM

                                                                    • Agreed. It's very insidious. Someone pointed out the other day the multitude of conservatives who have been planted/inserted into a multitude of boards, centres, commissions etc. A kind of democratic death b y a thousand cuts.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Banjo
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Eden
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:14PM

                                                                    • Yes, may the sky fairies save us if this mob gets another three years.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:20PM

                                                                  • 12:19

                                                                    Not surprised Cory is a Cruz man - no-one likes either of them.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    davemac
                                                                    Location
                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 12:43PM

                                                                    • Yes the same gun mad Cruz that cooked bacon on the end on his semi automatic rifle...nice you have a role model Cory

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      SanchoP
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 12:57PM

                                                                    • God bless them both !! Need an emjol here.....

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      AMRO
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 12:58PM

                                                                    • Well apparently god isn't a Rubio man, the Pope doesn't fancy Trump. So that leaves Ted if you're Cory.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Piped Piper
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:08PM

                                                                    • You made me laugh out loud, davemac. Startled the Labrador.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Banjo
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Eden
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:11PM

                                                                    • Mmm, Machine Gun Bacon

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Snapperhead
                                                                      Location
                                                                      The Reef
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:20PM

                                                                    • sancho - have a hankering for some 'machine gun bacon'

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      davemac
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:21PM

                                                                    • davemac and Banjo: Interesting observation when you consider the overwhelming support that Trump has right now.

                                                                      Twas a forensic observation by davemac?

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      housemartin
                                                                      Location
                                                                      hong kong
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:24PM

                                                                    • Housemartin, davemac can make wittily forensic observations until the last trump as far as I'm concerned.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Banjo
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Eden
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:43PM

                                                                    • After Grimsby, Trump will be worried.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:44PM

                                                                  • How to pump the housing bubble further 101.

                                                                    Decrease super salary sacrifice to $20k.

                                                                    LNP outsmart Australia again.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    JohnBB
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 12:36PM

                                                                    • JohnBB

                                                                      Read any good economic articles lately?

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      PEarn
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:28PM

                                                                    • 4-5 years should do it... in an ideal world

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Brettie
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:36PM

                                                                    • @PEarn

                                                                      Why do you ask?

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      JohnBB
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:37PM

                                                                  • We should be very worried about Shorten's quest for full employment. I can't see it happening without huge governments subsidies to keep the manufacturing sectors afloat. We simply can't compete in the automative industry after the unions were given free reign to set wages. His quest to tax the hell out of MNC's will see a steady stream of 457's if not them moving operations to other countries. So how will Shorten achieve full employment without cutting wages, penalty rates or massive subsidies?

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Piped Piper
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 12:34PM

                                                                    • Open your eyes piped
                                                                      It has already happened, Howard started the 457 rort/con in '96 and had a catalogue of anti Australian employment policies hot on it's heels.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      fizzybeer
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 12:51PM

                                                                    • Good work there piper, the scare campaign is coming along nicely. Probably need to throw in that the economy will grind to a halt, the sky will fall in and Collingwood will win the AFL flag every season.

                                                                      But 'A' for effort.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      davemac
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 12:51PM

                                                                    • Slashing the 457 scheme for a start would to the benefit of the Australian workforce. Have you ever read the near book of eligible occupations Piped?

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      A country gal
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 12:53PM

                                                                    • @davemac. It's not a scare campaign. How will the economy be stimulated without government subsidies? How will you attract large companies when you propose to tax them instead of incentivising them? This sounds like a policy straight out of Frank Underwood's America Works program. Unfortunately though this isn't a fictional series run on Netflix.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Piped Piper
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:06PM

                                                                    • I'd just retrain Aussies and vrtually wipe out the need for 457's

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Brettie
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:08PM

                                                                    • PP - you seem to be really hung up on this.
                                                                      We can try to achieve the aim by improving education, diversifying and modernizing the economy.
                                                                      The big problem is there are not many jobs a robot can not do, especially when you look 10-20 years into the future.
                                                                      But contrary to common fears, past waves of mechanization have not lead to massive unemployment, as new jobs have emerged.
                                                                      I don't know what jobs many of the current school kids will be doing, many of them haven't been invented yet.
                                                                      The right wing of the LNP is stuck in a 1950's view of the world, the world is rapidly changing and all the big opportunities will be in emerging sections and many of the legacy sectors will struggle, it is called progress.
                                                                      Bill can only do what all governments can do, try to give things a nudge in the right direction, there are many factors in play and it is hard to predict the future.
                                                                      All I know is relying on 1950's philosophies and technologies is a recipe for falling far behind the rest of the world.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      MarkC
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Sunshine Coast
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:11PM

                                                                    • AFR Business Summit.....presented by BHP Billiton, where you'll learn how to respond to the challenges and opportunities of being a risk taker and a growth maker so they claim.... interviewed the chief of Atlassian.
                                                                      “It is not the first time Atlassian has called for changes to 457 work visas that allow foreign citizens to work in Australia, including the reinstatement of the Living Away From Home Allowance (LAFHA).
                                                                      A quarter of Atlassian's Sydney staff are 457 visa holders but the cost of living in Sydney where rents are high and it costs $5000 to send one child to a public school is a turn-off for software engineers who have their pick of roles back in the US and elsewhere.” Cost of living pressures not wages sending bosses offshore. But hey... what would he know

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      dipaha
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:16PM

                                                                    • piper - 'America works', worked, poor ol Frank just had to pull the funding.

                                                                      Just getting real real sick of the right applying eie 101 which states:

                                                                      Labor ideas=bad, Liberal ideas missing but still good.

                                                                      If you're not part of the solution you are part of the problem.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      davemac
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:23PM

                                                                    • Brettie: Well yes, that's lovely in theory, but how long do you propose that will take before they can be placed into the workforce and how long do you think business should wait until they can employ the expertise they need? Business doesn't sit around waiting for training programs to finish.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      housemartin
                                                                      Location
                                                                      hong kong
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:27PM

                                                                    • @davemac. The equation is a simply one. Other countries provide incentives for MNC's to operate in their country because it provides job and skills to the local population. Shorten is proposing to punish MNC's as well as create full employment. It doesn't make sense. Last I heard the mining sectors weren't exactly booming and there have been no major oil discoveries so where are these extra jobs coming from?

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Piped Piper
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 1:34PM

                                                                  • Photo@12:17: MT looks like he is about to cock a snook. Good to see he is taking electoral reform seriously.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    stevek
                                                                    Location
                                                                    Sydney
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 16, 2016, 12:22PM

                                                                    • Senate reforms need to be done to stop these 2 bit senators from causing havoc in the Senate of which they probably know little to nothing about seeing they got in on a handful of preference votes with little to know experience in politics, economics law or even at the basic level of running a business etc etc

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Really
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 12:22PM

                                                                      • the etc etc saved us from the 2014 budget etc etc.
                                                                        Be thankful.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:02PM

                                                                      • This has been an effectiveand efficient House of Review, however we might not always be so lucky. Imagine if it was filled with One Nation, RUP, ALA, Reclaim Australia, Fortitude!!!!
                                                                        I think we may have dodged a bullet this time but there are some serious and dangerous nutters out there forming micro Parties.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        A country gal
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:13PM

                                                                      • ACG: It's a House of Review and not a house of obstruction and destruction as the cross benchers have used it for.
                                                                        Jacqui Lambie:

                                                                        "I will vote to defeat all Abbott Government legislation until they stop using ANZAC and Remembrance days as photo opportunities and ADF members as extras in a Liberal party promotional film,” she said."

                                                                        "JACQUI Lambie’s colleagues have distanced themselves from the Senator, who intends to block all governnment legislation until a decision to effectively cut the wages of ADF personnel is reversed."

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        housemartin
                                                                        Location
                                                                        hong kong
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:52PM

                                                                    • With all the frivolity around election dates and double dissolutions, is there a chance that the Senate might be recalled in April for special sittings to debate some of the more contentious issues including the ABCC ?

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Hacka
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Canberra
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 12:17PM

                                                                      • Ask Mal.
                                                                        he has to be given the chance to decide something sometime.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:52PM

                                                                      • fizzy, you're a few minutes too early.
                                                                        Stop Press,
                                                                        They've actually decided something on competition Laws.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        A country gal
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:19PM

                                                                      • You should know shouldn't you Hacka - haven't you got this weeks talking sheet?

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        PEarn
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:27PM

                                                                      • Acg
                                                                        and Turnbull is six months too late .
                                                                        Polly waffle for breakfast and we cop the reflux of it day after day.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:32PM

                                                                    • It's another Super Tuesday. The system in America is not simple by any means. Ostensibly there are two political parties. In car racing terms they are Holden and Ford. Each want to win. They spend a huge amount of money to win a championship. Each car has a number of drivers to choose from. The decision about who will drive for each team is made not by a team owner or based on any performance criteria. It comes down to who can woo each car's fans the best and therefore is a marketable quantity. In other words you don't have to be good to win, just be noticed. So people spend millions and make exorbitant claims to be noticed. What is happening is that Ford fans like Trump more than other drivers. The Holden fans currently like Hilary Clinton better than Bernie Sanders. Each state gets a chance to choose a driver and sends delegates to a big Team meeting later in the year. At that stage a driver is picked for Holden and another for Ford and these two race against each other in November. As there aren't many people really into motor sport in the US only just over half the population usually randomly decide who they like the least and the other one becomes President. Trump is in with a good chance but he still needs to sweet talk Ford fans quickly or he won't have enough delegates at the team meeting who will say yes you can drive the car. Hopefully Trump will have earned enough demerit points so that he can't drive. There are also some weird and wonderful cars that enter too. They are neither Ford nor Holden but they end up at the wreckers very quickly.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Tucky
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Warragul
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 12:16PM

                                                                      • Great analogy Tucky.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        PEarn
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:24PM

                                                                    • By Li'l Bills assessment the LNP has achieved nearly full employment at 5.8 % in a short time, even with the Mining downturn - thanks for the endorsement billy

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      gc
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 12:09PM

                                                                      • 5.8 % is a long way from 5. But you already knew that, right?

                                                                        Hey, and anytime your side has the fluttering of an idea, wake me up eh?

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        davemac
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:35PM

                                                                      • The last unemployment figures were 6%. When the LNP took over in September 2013 it was 5.6%. That's a fantastic achievement!

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Dags
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:42PM

                                                                      • bc, before you get too excited about the 5% figure Bill gave, economists say that technically full employment is about 4% to 5% (other figures are also given). This allows for people in transition from job to job, in transition into the workforce, and the small number of people who are not really 'employable' due to other circumstances.

                                                                        Can I suggest, bc, that you have a go at arguing issues rather than just trying to score points.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Gigondas
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:52PM

                                                                    • I see on another story Shorten would review the VET program.
                                                                      Seeing the current disaster being ripped off billions by shonky operators was introduced by the ALP in government it would show yet again the inept implementation of an ALP policy without thinking through the consequences.
                                                                      Think Pink Batts!
                                                                      Think MRRT etc etc etc.
                                                                      And we can already see it in their current policies for the election.
                                                                      Any modelling on negative gearing impacts Shorten and Bowen might care to share?

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      andrew
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 12:09PM

                                                                      • Plenty of economists out there that give the neg gearing approach a big tick. Not so much BIS Shrapnel that appear to have been funded by a vested interest, come a cropper and taken ScoMo with them.

                                                                        Easy to tear down ideas. Not so easy to think of them....you're finding that out I guess.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        davemac
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:37PM

                                                                      • andrew,
                                                                        Yer, and I can't think of anything the LNP have actually done.
                                                                        At least with pink batts 1,000,000 were insulated and the number of deaths per 100,000 insulation jobs in the industry was exactly the same beforehand as during.
                                                                        As for MRRT, at least it raised money. Removing the MRRT didn't do anything for the budget deficit except make it worse

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Econorat
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Sydney
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:11PM

                                                                      • rat, the MRRT raised a few hundred millions and cost almost to administer as it collected.
                                                                        The Gillard government put $11 Billion in spending against a few hundred million .
                                                                        The Pink batts cost twice the price because most had to be taken out and replaced because of a shonky policy to begin with.
                                                                        No comment on the ALP VET disaster unfolding before our eyes?

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        andrew
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:56PM

                                                                      • andrew,

                                                                        A couple of fallacies there.
                                                                        The MRRT did not cost more to monitor than it raised.
                                                                        Very little of the insulation was replaced. The cost was almost all spent on auditing the installation, very little needed to be rectified because of only a few shonks in the industry.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Econorat
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Sydney
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 3:30PM

                                                                    • I wonder whether many of our politicians have actually explored the Safe Schools hub http://www.safeschoolshub.edu.au/home and looked at what it really contains. The activities for students are divided into school year level groups F-1, 2-4, 5-8, 9-12. Activities and information relative to each of the year levels have been selected from the best tried and tested available and cover a range of issues. Special sections have been made for students, parents and teachers. If it is to be fully comprehensive it must deal with issues that children are being exposed to. Cybersafety, bullying, homophobia, racism are just some of the topics that are covered in an attempt to provide a well rounded education model. What other option do young students have when it comes to learning? Behind the shelter shed? Internet porn? Radio shock jocks? Most won't ask their parents and most parents have extreme difficulty explaining things anyway. Safe Schools offers an opportunity to provide real answers in an informative way. Some politicians believe it seems that ignorance is bliss. Sadly ignorance can be self-destructive too.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Tucky
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Warragul
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 11:54AM

                                                                      • Spot on, from a family of teachers. These so called uneducated politicians need to attend a training session. they need to start at the lowest level with the little kids which is about their intelligence level. Kids need to feel safe at school, a lot are not even safe in their own homes, school is their refuge. And that brings us to DV which has had its funding gutted too.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        ausgaia
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Adelaide
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:19PM

                                                                      • Yeah, I doubt it.

                                                                        The Libs thrive on ignorance. On this, on climate change science, on reports they don't read but still try to tear down the author.

                                                                        We simply deserve better than these bozos (with apologies to actual clowns).

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        davemac
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:30PM

                                                                      • Just to preface, I am from the conservative side of politics, however I am a believer that you are born gay. Whether I am right or wrong, I don't know for sure. If I am right, then how can anyone believe that a program that intends to protect ALL children, be a bad idea. Safe Schools is for the protection of children. There should be no reason as to why any child is denied protection in our schools and if that means protection is in the form of being free from bullying for being gay, then we have to support that. Education is the key to eradicate ignorance. I believe this is one step closer to solving the problem of all those young kids that were/are bullied and hurt because of their sexuality.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        MDS
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Sydney
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:39PM

                                                                      • @ausgaia, you are definitely categorising them at a too high a level, even in the lowest range, they'd be out of their depth.
                                                                        We are talking about politicians remember, particularly the one walking around with blindfolds on and earplugs fully inserted in their ears.
                                                                        'Dumb and Dumber' was originally written about politicians, they shouldn't have changed the story.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        DukeofWoyWoy
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:17PM

                                                                    • So if I understand a little about economics, Morrison intends to cut company tax to stimulate growth. However he intends restraining the amount of discretionary spending money of possible purchasers of goods and services by not giving income tax cuts and allowing bracket creep to erode any extra existing discretionary spending money the public will have. Will companies use the money they save to provide more jobs in a shrinking sales market? I don't think so. they will merely say thank you for the unconditional gains they have been given. The whole company tax cut idea might work if the insidious bracket creep was halted. As it is what we are facing is a further revenue cut and continued spending. For the budget for years to come in the immortal words of Split Enz, "I see red, I see red, I see red."

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Tucky
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Warragul
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 11:48AM

                                                                      • You busy May 10?

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:58AM

                                                                      • There's some $3 jobs on the go, but they come with a catch. They're only for foreigners.
                                                                        As for Scotty, just doing what he's told to do. For I don't think he has a clue.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        A country gal
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:59AM

                                                                      • Acg

                                                                        Touche !

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Buffalo Bill
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Sydneys Northshore
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:23PM

                                                                      • Surely it's a no brainer to prime the economy by throwing money at business, for example, just look at the supremely succesful 'Tones tradies' scheme. Now there was an idea, and not rorted at all!!

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        davemac
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:39PM

                                                                      • Buff, that new visa has me totally stirred up.
                                                                        Been following the Alcoa case for awhile, but to read this yesterday had steam coming out my ears. We all know Cash's history with the MUA, but.....
                                                                        This should he headline news!
                                                                        See if Shorten pursues it in QT, he should be!

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        A country gal
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:41PM

                                                                      • Also the MV Portland issue to?

                                                                        If Senator Cash cares about workers as she professes to then she has an awfully strange way of showing it!

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Buffalo Bill
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Sydneys Northshore
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:52PM

                                                                      • Yes Buff the MV Portland,related issue.
                                                                        A mate is a retired Merchant Navy Navigator and we had a lively convo on the issue last night.
                                                                        He's also a Pensioner undergoing Chemo and first hand witnessing the erosion of Medicare and increased pathology costs under this mob.
                                                                        Cash couldn't give a damn, none of them could about workers, pensioners, the sick...anyone much really.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        A country gal
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 2:13PM

                                                                    • Perhaps if Scotty gives the paperwork to the cobbler the elves will get to the budget one night after they have finished making the shoes.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      ah ha
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 11:41AM

                                                                      • Are you saying that the budget will be just some cobbled together piece of work. I suppose if the shoe fits..............

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Tucky
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Warragul
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:21PM

                                                                      • Unfortunately this isn't going to be a Cinderella story....

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        ah ha
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:21PM

                                                                    • Bit concerned about the budget all the bright ideas have been taken off the table, so what's left , crumbs.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Old Aged Pensioner
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Brisbane
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 11:30AM

                                                                      • Don't worry OAP ... they can just recycle Joe's bright ideas ..... opps

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        MarkC
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Sunshine Coast
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:40AM

                                                                    • Have to say I am enjoying watching the progressive side of politics go after each other. Penny Wong accusing RDN of silencing her when only a few months prior she voted with the government to silence the Greens from discussing troop involvement in the Middle East. Then again hypocrisy is Penny's strong suit. Other ALP members claiming the moral high ground and accusing the Greens of being anti SSM for deferring the debate to Thursday and voting with the government when the ALP voted with the government to send little children to Nauru. It's a strange day when lefties are cheering on the likes of Leyonhjelm and Day because they want a broken system that denies a senate that better reflects the popular vote. It's never been a more exciting time to be conservative observer of the senate and watching the progressives tear each other apart.At the end of the day when progressive voters weigh up ALP and the Greens. They'd much prefer a vote for someone who fixed a broken system than a government that jails children. I don't think the Greens will lose votes unless a more extreme leftist group emerges.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Piped Piper
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 11:26AM

                                                                      • Yep, Piped Piper - I can tell you the Chablis last night had an extra crispness to it after watching news reruns of the Senate and Shorten's bumbling through the 7.30 Report with "Abbott Abbott Abbott" and deft sidestep about the CFMEU, (must open another one tonight to accompany Penny's crocodile tears)

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Smack
                                                                        Location
                                                                        City of the Fallen
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:36AM

                                                                      • Err, yeah, it's called politics piper. As much as your side likes to paint the Greens/Labor as one, there's not a lot of love lost.

                                                                        Meanwhile the Nats/Lib coalition is just fine and dandy and easily explained away as a Broad Church. Never really worked out why it is only permissible for one side of politics to team up.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        davemac
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:46AM

                                                                      • Piped .... I am very happy with the senate as it is.
                                                                        Good ideas always pass even when some negotiation is required.
                                                                        If it is a really good idea or a good policy, it is often a no-brainier with bi-partisan support from the main parties.
                                                                        The idea that don;t pass are bad policy or ideological policy driven by the agenda of the backers of the main political party.... both sides can be prone to bad policy.
                                                                        Simply put democracy is the dilution of power, dictatorship is the concentration of power.
                                                                        I don;t trust or lollies enough to give them unfettered power.
                                                                        Hopefully the electorate is one the same page and we get a similar senate after the next election.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        MarkC
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Sunshine Coast
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:47AM

                                                                      • Pipes has discovered political gamesmanship.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Pen of hrba
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:52AM

                                                                      • Piped, the major parties may be broken but the system is not. The current ragtag band of crossbenchers saved us from the worst excesses of the current Government; they did their job as one would hope they would. A Labor/LNP duopoly will be the outcome of these changes. I'd rather the party of Government had to negotiate with a disparate group rather than only the increasingly 'pragmatic' Greens. You may not be happy with the current process of democracy but the current system is better in practice than what we will be moving to.

                                                                        The whole idea of this major change to our system of voting being determined by the vested interests who believe they will benefit from it appals me.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        jofek
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:57AM

                                                                      • Go easy Smack, nothing left for election night to drown your sorrows.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:00PM

                                                                      • Jofek
                                                                        yep

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:01PM

                                                                      • Maybe it's your turn for a change Piped.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        A country gal
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:10PM

                                                                      • davemac: You only have to do a small bit of research on the Libs/Nationals history to know that both are conservative with the Nats co-opted to represent conservative views in the bush. When one looks to the Greens and Labor, yes they are both red, but Labor tries to portray themselves as more centrist and therefore different.

                                                                        Libs and Nats have always portrayed themselves as being cut from the same cloth. It's called being honest a novel idea for the left.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        housemartin
                                                                        Location
                                                                        hong kong
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:12PM

                                                                      • jofek: You still can't see that the Senate is a house of review not a house of obstruction and destruction as the cross benchers have turned it into. You are always eeking to deny it but as I pointed out to you yesterday, you'd be well advised to remember Lambies, iron fisted promise not to pass any bills on merit or otherwise from the coalition until she received her promise on increased pay for the defense. Why do you continue to defend positions that are indefensible?

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        housemartin
                                                                        Location
                                                                        hong kong
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:17PM

                                                                      • Smack

                                                                        Give the CFMEU bashing a rest for a minute until such time as those charged have their day.

                                                                        But you conveniently forget to say that many who have been "charged" those charges have been dropped due to lack of evidence that was supposedly uncovered and referred to Police by the TURC

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Buffalo Bill
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Sydneys Northshore
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:17PM

                                                                      • @PP
                                                                        >> Have to say I am enjoying watching the progressive side of politics go after each other."
                                                                        Meanwhile, on the conservative side, the captain does not have control of the ship and the mutineers who put him in power want to steer the ship to the right but there be the sirens of the ACL and the rocks of electoral despair. Meanwhile, the purser has lost the map to the buried treasure.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        stevek
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Sydney
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:19PM

                                                                      • Agreed Piped, Penny is a massive hypocrite especially with all her talk about marriage equality, you know, that thing she didn't care about when Gillard was PM and Labor could have done something about it.

                                                                        As for Senate reforms, just get it done. I'm sick of smug, self-important nobodies dying for an ego boost, and refusing to pass legislation until their one pet issue is addressed.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        adrian
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:20PM

                                                                      • housemartin, thanks for setting me straight, yet again. What would we do without you preaching to us from somewhere far far away?

                                                                        So I would then ask - why the need for two separate parties, why not join up as per the qld arrangement? I would also ask who represents the bush, as the Nats have long ago vacated that particular field.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        davemac
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:33PM

                                                                      • housemartin, regardless of Lambie's over the top rhetoric, the Senate has been neither obstructive or destructive. They have blocked bad policy. This Government has broken virtually every promise and commitment they took to the previous election, they have lied to us continually, their budgets have been unfair; they do not deserve their appalling policies to have been waved through by the house of review.

                                                                        Good policy would have sailed through the house with the support of the conservative crossbench; good policy would have sailed through with the support of the Greens. There has been precious little good policy to be seen.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        jofek
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:33PM

                                                                      • fizz - You haven't seen the size of my cellar, have you? Besides maybe not until 2019 at the earliest in any case. I could lend you some for those impeding tears perhaps?

                                                                        Ah, my good friend, Buff - Very timely to mention the CFMEU, those bunch of funsters got a mention last night in dispatches from Leigh with 78 unionists currently up on charges. Oh and if you chase up the CT this week or last week, you'll note one has already pleaded guilty and is awaiting sentencing(you might need to lift the eye patch to read said article though). Keep supporting the 1% and they'll keep supporting you eh?

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Smack
                                                                        Location
                                                                        City of the Fallen
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:14PM

                                                                      • Smack

                                                                        Yes I agree with you a single CFMEU official from the ACT, pleaded guilty, but four others charged in NSW were dropped and a further 33 in WA, again lack of evidence.

                                                                        Now about your eye patches, note plural.

                                                                        Charges Smack, not convictions that's the difference.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Buffalo Bill
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Sydneys Northshore
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:47PM

                                                                      • Oh dear, Buff - Using the Thompson defence gambit again, are we? Deny deny deny, get charged, fight & fight & delay & delay, get found guilty, appeal appeal appeal which by that time - "hmmm has everyone forgotten about me?"....Expect more convictions Buff

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Smack
                                                                        Location
                                                                        City of the Fallen
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 3:10PM

                                                                    • They did it in Victoria and QLD Bill, so you too can do it...get rid of a one term disaster govt federally! Now that would be cause for a celebration...a great time to be Australian Mal!

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      JT
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 11:16AM

                                                                      • JT: It must frustrate you knowing that it won't happen and that the coalition will walk into a federal election victory with their eyes closed proving yet again that the nation has no interest in hearing what the left has to say on anything.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        housemartin
                                                                        Location
                                                                        hong kong
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:53AM

                                                                      • And it would have the same disastrous result for Australia that it has in Victoria and Queensland.
                                                                        Queensland is sliding backwards so fast we are about to fall below Tasmania and SA on many economic indicators!

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        andrew
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:54AM

                                                                      • housemartin
                                                                        walking into an election the same way they attempt to govern.
                                                                        Sounds painful.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:03PM

                                                                      • If Shorten campaigns on starting the boats and bringing in a carbon tax, a Coalition victory is assured.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        adrian
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:23PM

                                                                    • Rather amusingly Morrison is talking about cutting Government spending.

                                                                      No LNP Government has cut government spending in any single year since Billy McMahon in 1971.

                                                                      This Government is a record spending government that needs to engage in massive spending cuts just to bring their spending down to way above Labor's.

                                                                      We have runaway Government Debt that is racing ahead at one and a half times the rate under Labor.

                                                                      Whenever this Government finishes it will hand over a record Government Debt and record Government spending to the Government that succeeds it.

                                                                      Well done, fellas. You're a team of champs !

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Good to Go
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 11:13AM

                                                                      • or, maybe a team of chumps, or chimps (with apologies to actual chimps).

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        davemac
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:47AM

                                                                      • Might I suggest a little study of the recent budgets and note the trends in government spending.
                                                                        By the time ALP RGR were thrown out they had the fastest growing rate of government expenditure in the OECD.
                                                                        Now to suddenly stop that ALP runaway train would have stopped the economy cold.
                                                                        The LNP have managed to bring some control to it but Shorten only plans to put his foot back on the accelerator and back on that profligate trajectory.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        andrew
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:58AM

                                                                      • andrew I think you need to review the debt figures at Sept 2013 and now. The Libs didn't have a GFC to contend with either, guess they are just plain ol incompetent.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        davemac
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:34PM

                                                                      • Let's try this for the 5th time:

                                                                        GtG:

                                                                        1. Costello cut income tax each year following the GST whilst increasing the income rates and a raft of ineffective taxes after the introduction of the GST.

                                                                        2. The first Coalition government budget, the public service was "down-sized", the Commonwealth Employment Service (CES) was privatised, and cuts were made to all departments including with the exception of defence. $8 billion in spending cuts were made over the government's first two budgets.

                                                                        Next.

                                                                        Someone's worried about conservative views in here today.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        housemartin
                                                                        Location
                                                                        hong kong
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:57PM

                                                                      • the GFC was in 2009 .
                                                                        Why was the debt blowing out still in 2013?
                                                                        Becuse of all the spending the incompetent ALP had built into the budget.
                                                                        Since 2013 we have borrowed $14 Billion a year just to pay the interest on the ALP debt.
                                                                        We have borrowed to cover the $30 Billion deficits the last Swannie budget built in the expenditure going forward.
                                                                        Dillicult for the debt not to rise as you try to control the ALP runaway debt.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        andrew
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 2:03PM

                                                                      • Andrew: The left's overblown rhetoric on the GFC also fails to take into account that income from the mining boom was at it's highest under RGR. Guess what? They blew that too.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        housemartin
                                                                        Location
                                                                        hong kong
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 2:10PM

                                                                    • 11.03 I think I see some deadwood in that tree.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      A country gal
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 11:05AM

                                                                      • acg, Mal's picking the low hanging fruit.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Gigondas
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:12AM

                                                                      • There is nothing quite like a good prune cg. Get those shears out and cut, cut, cut. Put the leavings in the bin and place bin on nature strip ready for next collection. Don't forget to wash your hands as some plants can be quite toxic.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Pluto
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:14AM

                                                                      • ACG - would have thought a green finger like you would see flourishing and vibrant tree life there.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Hacka
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Canberra
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:15AM

                                                                      • Well spotted, ACG. Pure lignite.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Banjo
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Eden
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:24AM

                                                                      • He was trying to chop down the tree with his voice

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Immal
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:34AM

                                                                      • Tiiimmmber !

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Buffalo Bill
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Sydneys Northshore
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:41AM

                                                                      • Apologies for this bad joke in advance, but it sure sounds like Macca is about to make like a tree and leave.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        davemac
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:49AM

                                                                      • Now now, Hacka don't get discussing things that you do not understand, err? Oops, what am I writing?

                                                                        "Tree (dendron) teacher.

                                                                        Life (zoe) Initiation into spiritual life.

                                                                        Hence death (thnesko) spiritual death (excommunication).

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Pen of hrba
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:50AM

                                                                      • Day's chainsaws might come in handy after all.
                                                                        Who next we might ask at the midnight hour.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        A country gal
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:51AM

                                                                      • Hacka can't you see that branch just under the canopy? Was obviously headhunted given the pic.
                                                                        And Banjo's onto it, a Coal Commisioner a perfect fit.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        A country gal
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:56AM

                                                                      • ACG - so you read the term "Resources Commissioner" and all you can think of is "Coal Commissioner" ?

                                                                        Wow, go and have a look at the resources sector on the ASX, you be shocked to learn they do a little more than mine coal.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Hacka
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Canberra
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:05PM

                                                                      • Immal, any wonder those leaves appear to be quivering and wilting.
                                                                        Remove that bough with a rasp (sorry)

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        A country gal
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:06PM

                                                                      • Davemac, does that mean he is going to bough out. And leave Mal out on a limb.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        A country gal
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:09PM

                                                                      • Hacka, did you read Banjo's comment?

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        A country gal
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:43PM

                                                                      • no acg, news just in he's taken root again and won't be blowing around in the wind

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        davemac
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:45PM

                                                                      • ACG - yep, Banjo's and yours. The question still stands.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Hacka
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Canberra
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:58PM

                                                                      • davemac, He lost a lot of bark when he was pared down after the harvest.
                                                                        Tried to plant himself in another paddock.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        A country gal
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:06PM

                                                                    • Joe Hockeys letter to the New York Times.

                                                                      "Australia’s climate commitments

                                                                      Re “Australia turns its back on climate science” (March 4): Australia remains committed to climate science research and to increased global action to address climate change. The Commonwealth Science and Industrial Research Organization, or CSIRO, Australia’s top science agency, is making a strong contribution to the growing body of international climate change knowledge.

                                                                      There is also significant research being funded under the National Environmental Science Program, through the Australian Antarctic Division, and the climate data analysis, monitoring and forecasting efforts of the Australian Bureau of Meteorology.

                                                                      CSIRO will continue to lead the way, spending about 83 million Australian dollars a year on research into climate change mitigation and adaptation.

                                                                      Australia will continue to meet its climate change obligations and commitments, including those made in the Paris agreement.

                                                                      Joe Hockey, Washington

                                                                      The writer is Australia’s ambassador to the United States."

                                                                      Joe Hockey proves his systemic laziness. Okay lazy, Joe why don't you write an in depth article on your LNPs systemic failure to support science & refusal to act strongly on proven climate change.

                                                                      People laugh; that Joe Hockey who finds wind farms so ugly is now in Washington surrounded by the very wind farms he finds offensive. In a state which is moving quickly towards zero carbon emissions through renewables and an ETS.

                                                                      Hockeys a joke.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      misspunch
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 11:02AM

                                                                      • Hockey is a lightweight. No question. The saddest bit about it is the fact that he doesn't seem to have the slightest inkling which makes his appointment so embarrassing for Australia.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        monkeybiz
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:16AM

                                                                      • and...a hypocritical nobody.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        JT
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:18AM

                                                                      • He's a Gilbert and Sullivan kind of ambassador.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Banjo
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Eden
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:27AM

                                                                      • Joe Hockey thinks he's the new Alistair Cooke. Joe Hockey's Letter from America just does not sound quite the same though, and I doubt that Joe would have the breadth of knowledge or intellect of the late Mr Cooke. (If you don't know what I'm talking about check Letter from America by Alistair Cooke, online)

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Pluto
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:27AM

                                                                      • Joe Hockey? Didn't he used to be somebody once?

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        stevek
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Sydney
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:29AM

                                                                      • Ad what are the LNP doing with the results of all that research: sacking scientists and pretending climate change will go away of own volition. Should I mention the potential one trillion dollar cost of sea rise?

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Pen of hrba
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:55AM

                                                                    • "Which Australian politician said this?

                                                                      The Prime Minister cannot even summon up the courage to try to fix this mess. His threat of a double dissolution and an early election proves to all of us what this budget is really about. It is not about protecting the jobs of Australians, least of all the one million Australians it says will soon be out of work; it is about the job security of one man and one man only. A Prime Minister frightened of the consequences of his mismanagement now wants to cut and run before he is found out. [House of Representatives Hansard, 14 May 2009]

                                                                      Why, it was Prime Minister Malcolm Bligh Turnbull as Leader of the Opposition in May 2009."

                                                                      http://northcoastvoices.blogspot.com.au/

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      A Green
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Australia
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 16, 2016, 10:53AM

                                                                      • I noticed on Kitchen Cabinet a few months ago now that Richard expressed a keen desire to be a health minister in a coalition (ALP or LNP) govt.....he's dropped all of his green principles and has gone with pure selfish self interest to do a deal with the devil....picked the most likely to win at next election and suck up to them......I hope it does end in many tears.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        JT
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:48AM

                                                                        • The Greens had sided with the Libs in senate voting reforms, why do you all make it out to be that they are joining the coalition or something. Labor also supported the reforms.
                                                                          Doesn't it bother you in the slightest that 97% of senate votes are done above the line and that this means the senate make up is heavily influenced by preference deals rather than who is actually voted in?

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          Desp
                                                                          Location
                                                                          Canberra
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          March 16, 2016, 11:27AM

                                                                        • Labor did not support the reforms. Also, the senate comprises people from each state who get a quota, irrespective of the primary vote. That is irrelevant...if preference deals are done so be it but it is one way for Australia to not be a dictatorship....ie passing legislation through a controlled senate that has never been taken to an election.....keep the bastards honest...this is what we won't have any more.

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          JT
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          March 16, 2016, 11:45AM

                                                                        • We already have a mechanism to keep the bastards honest, JT. It's called the next election.

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          adrian
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          March 16, 2016, 12:26PM

                                                                      • 10:31am The budget is beginning to look like a game of pin the tail on the donkey which pretty much sums up Scott Morrison and this government.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        monkeybiz
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:48AM

                                                                        • More like pin the donkey on the tail.

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          Banjo
                                                                          Location
                                                                          Eden
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          March 16, 2016, 11:09AM

                                                                        • Banjo, very good, very good.

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          A country gal
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          March 16, 2016, 11:23AM

                                                                      • 9:10am Richard Di Natalie and his people have spent quite a bit of time on social media trying to differentiate themselves from the LNP and assure their supporters that they are still there. Same party, same values etc The obvious problems with doing deals with the arch enemy is that you show your hand and it gets people in the guts because this is a party driven by strong ideology and ideological supporters.

                                                                        The deal may not be of the magnitude of the Molotov/Ribbentrop pact but it is just as shady and one would not be surprised if Di Natalie wasn't meeting with Hunt looking to adopt a new climate change policy.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        monkeybiz
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:45AM

                                                                        • Democracy goes way beyond party politics. At the moment we don't have a Senate that was democratically elected. Well done to the Greens for being able to lift themselves above the parapet and stand for important electoral reforms that should be bi-partisan.

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          AG
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          March 16, 2016, 12:16PM

                                                                      • Pen
                                                                        read your post, mostly do when there aren't too many figures.
                                                                        Bull.
                                                                        Trying to justify a sellout.
                                                                        The Greens are only doing this for their own political gain, the rest is window dressing.
                                                                        Xenophon similar.
                                                                        Be aware, when you grab a Taipan by the tail it can strike backwards.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:44AM

                                                                        • RDN's post @8:41am
                                                                          "Safe Schools program keeps LGBTI kids safe by promoting empathy & understanding", who he tying to kid, at that age they don't know the meaning of 'empathy' and proper 'understanding'.
                                                                          We are basically talking about primary school kids, where some still live in a bash/barge world.
                                                                          Time for RDN to fill out a transfer voucher and take it over to the L.N.P. where he appears to be more suited.

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          DukeofWoyWoy
                                                                          Location
                                                                          Central Coast NSW
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          March 16, 2016, 10:43AM

                                                                          • Duke, the SSP is aimed at secondary kids. They way the right are portraying it, it's part of the kindergarton syllabus.
                                                                            It's also not compulsory for schools to adopt the program.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            A country gal
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            March 16, 2016, 11:21AM

                                                                          • I'm not sure what you mean - are you saying that kids don't have empathy and hence they are on a pathway to psychopathy? Or are you saying they don't know the meaning of a word and hence we can't teach kids about concepts until they have a solid grounding in vocabulary and grammar?
                                                                            I would doubt that many kids know what Escherichia coli means, but we still teach them to wash their hands after going to the toilet.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            Immal
                                                                            Location
                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            March 16, 2016, 11:31AM

                                                                        • I'm glad that finally Morrison has figured out that in this part of the economic cycle you just can't give tax cuts....how long did this take the incompetent Morrison...my Aunt Gladys had it worked out a year ago!

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          JT
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          March 16, 2016, 10:33AM

                                                                          • and yet Shorten thinks that you can just throw more money at things instead.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            adrian
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            March 16, 2016, 12:27PM

                                                                        • That's 34 too many

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          JT
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          March 16, 2016, 10:30AM

                                                                          • Re Senate photography ban - they're possibly worried about photos showing all the empty seats - odd because at the moment I have Doug Cameron live on "Watch Parliament" with a heap of empty benches behind him. No wait, one senator just came in and sat down behind him! Dynamic stuff!

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            Brisbane Jack
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:30AM

                                                                            • There is absolutely no compromise on climate change by the Greens. Their compromise is for the allowance of superannuation and age pensions reform. What evidence do you have for any compromise on climate change?

                                                                              The fact is only yesterday the Greens published “More than one in four clean energy jobs have disappeared in the last 5 years thanks to the Liberal and Labor parties slashing our Renewable Energy Target and PM Turnbull's policy of axing the Australian Renewable Energy Agency and the Clean Energy Finance Corporation.
                                                                              It makes no sense. This short-sighted addiction to coal is costing us jobs, it's costing us an industry and it's costing us our future.
                                                                              It's time to ‎go to RenewAustralia‬ and transition to a 21st century clean energy economy: www.renewaustralia.org.au”

                                                                              Commenter
                                                                              Pen of hrba
                                                                              Date and time
                                                                              March 16, 2016, 10:30AM

                                                                              • So purely altruistic on the part of the Greens.
                                                                                No extra seats are at stake?
                                                                                I say again.
                                                                                Bull.
                                                                                2cnd last on my ticket.

                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                fizzybeer
                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                March 16, 2016, 10:47AM

                                                                            • Bill "full employment is aah aaah about 5% " Shorten - hopeless on 7.30 report as usual

                                                                              Commenter
                                                                              gc
                                                                              Date and time
                                                                              March 16, 2016, 10:29AM

                                                                              • gc

                                                                                Has "full employment" ever been 100% of the workforce?

                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                Buffalo Bill
                                                                                Location
                                                                                Sydneys Northshore
                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                March 16, 2016, 11:01AM

                                                                              • what is hopeless is Leigh Sales interrupting and her complete lack of humour with Shorten compared to her her pathetic school girl crush on MT and all her smiley giggles when she interviews him. Yes ABC, it is that bad Feel free to google it folks

                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                eggs and faces
                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                March 16, 2016, 11:02AM

                                                                              • That's a fairly well accepted definition, you can never get below that.

                                                                                Bill impressed on 7:30, answered everything thrown at him.

                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                davemac
                                                                                Location
                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                March 16, 2016, 11:42AM

                                                                              • Thanks DMac an BBill for biting - LNP Govt. has just about achieved Full Employment at 5.8% even with the mining downturn - what is Shortern waffling on about then ??

                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                gc
                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                March 16, 2016, 12:01PM

                                                                              • What is hopeless is Bill Shorten not being able to answer a very simple question on CFMEU donations to the Labor party. All we heard was his pre-scripted response to any question he was asked. Sales was right to pull him up rather than let him waffle off-subject.

                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                AG
                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                March 16, 2016, 12:21PM

                                                                            • they should vote for the gay marriage in parliament before the next election and then the voters can make a decision about who they want in power at the next election. $150 million is a lot of money women refuges could do with.

                                                                              Commenter
                                                                              kbf
                                                                              Date and time
                                                                              March 16, 2016, 10:28AM

                                                                              • Greens should stop supporting Coalition's electoral reform bill as protest after the far right attacks on safe school program.

                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                shattered green
                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                March 16, 2016, 10:28AM

                                                                                  • They have a squillion leverages they could be making the most of, hope there's more going on behind the scenes than we're told about. If not I will be sorely disappointed.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    March 16, 2016, 10:58AM

                                                                                • 10.15 Bob Day is a Senator due to lazy Labor and Greens voters either voting above the line or following the parties prefs.
                                                                                  Oh the irony.

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  A country gal
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  March 16, 2016, 10:26AM

                                                                                  • "Whatever Education Minister Simon Birmingham did in a past life it cannot be bad enough to deserve being the government's point person on the Safe Schools program."

                                                                                    He's a minister in the same government and party which has tolerated and promoted the likes of Bill Heffernan, Eric Abetz, Corey Bernardi, Peter Dutton, Kevin Andrews, Tony Abbott et all for years. You don't need to look to a past life. If you agree to be a minister in a Liberal government, this is part of what you sign up to. Lie down with dogs, wake with fleas.

                                                                                    Whether you're Simon Birmingham or Malcolm Turnbull, you can't complain that you didn't sign up to defend this bigotry- you did.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Arky
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    March 16, 2016, 10:25AM

                                                                                    • I hope they don't get the opportunity for a DD election....all their plotting and scheming and manipulation to get control of both houses deserves to fail. And, the Greens are finished with me....never will they ever get my vote again in the Senate.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      JT
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      March 16, 2016, 10:20AM

                                                                                      • Second last on my card also.
                                                                                        Not their former position which was 1or2

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:25AM

                                                                                      • I am/ was a greens voter but with the change of policy and change of leader, they have lost me.

                                                                                        Looks nothing about what I supported ,now going in a different direction.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        TASHMAN
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        MELB
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:02AM

                                                                                      • I’m with you JT & Fizzy. This is just one dirty deal too many from the Greens so they will be 2nd last on my voting form as well.

                                                                                        The Greens cost us an ETS during Rudd’s first stint, which allowed Abbott to get a foot in the door and now they are doing a dodgy deal with the Liberals on voting reform, which will hand increased power to the Lieberals.

                                                                                        The Democrats did their dirty deal on the GST which led to their ultimate demise and the same will now happen with the Greens. I use to preference the Greens second as I thought they had principals, but in reality, they are just in it to increase their own power and they don’t care who they have to jump into bed with to do it.

                                                                                        The Greens need to realise where there support comes from and it is not from Liberal Voters. It is from Labor Voters looking for a safeguard against the Liberals. But now that the Greens have jumped into bed with the Liberals, they had better expect their vote to fall as Labor Voters will now be looking for a Third Option. The Democrats failed to realise where their support came from, but they quickly found out after they did their deals with the Liberals and now the Greens will go the same way.

                                                                                        The Greens are now the Lap Dogs of the Liberals. Such a shame.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Snapperhead
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        The Reef
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:52AM

                                                                                      • Don't you love the progressives complaining about dirty deals? They turned dirty deals into an art form and now they don't like the game.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        AG
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:24PM

                                                                                      • Snapper: It's just another example of why conservative parties have ruled Australia longer than any other party in this nation's history. Australians and other parties instinctively know who should really have their hands on the levers of government and it sure isn't the left. Even the Greens know that now.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        housemartin
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        hong kong
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:46PM

                                                                                      • No Housematin, I think it has more to do with the intelligence of Voters.

                                                                                        We on the Progressive Side expect our representatives to deliver and will change our vote when they fail to do so. The Conservative side however, will continue to vote the same way, year after year, with no thought for the reality of that which they are voting for.

                                                                                        The Rise of Trump, Cruz and Abbott tell you all you need to know about the average intelligence, or lack thereof, of the Conservative voters.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Snapperhead
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        The Reef
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:30PM

                                                                                    • Hacka

                                                                                      The waste of half a billion dollars to discover if equality under the law regarding marriage is consistent with the law being blind and is therefore not discriminatory is to say the least a gross abuse of tax payers’ money and another LNP farce.

                                                                                      The plebiscite is based on forlorn expectation that the majority of Australian's will play no part in the concept of equality under the law, that in some bizarre LNP delusion Australian’s don’t understand the difference between right and wrong, that they will ignore the right to love within marriage for a minority, disregard integrity, impartiality and the fairness of law, all for the sake of the LNP’s obnoxious stance, one that is clearly seen by the majority for what it is. Hence the LNP plebiscite is and will remain nothing but a gross waste of money.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      Pen of hrba
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      March 16, 2016, 10:13AM

                                                                                      • So then why waste half a billion dollars when a future ALP government will introduce it?

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Piped Piper
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:28AM

                                                                                    • Watched Shorten on 730 last night and he seems to have a bit of a swagger about him these days. Projected positive body language and spoke confidently and with conviction sans the defence of the CMFEU. For the non engaged, which is the majority of the population, Shorten's current approach would be worrying for any conservative (Social or fiscal) when we have Turnbull offering little to no narrative. For the engaged, Shorten's argument had as many holes as Swiss cheese. As a fiscal conservative this has me worried. I don't think we can underestimate Shorten anymore if he maintains his current performance.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      Piped Piper
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      March 16, 2016, 10:03AM

                                                                                      • Tortoise to Turnbulls hare.
                                                                                        Will have the same end result.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:20AM

                                                                                      • So go for it, Piped. What are the holes in Shorten's argument.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Banjo
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        Eden
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:22AM

                                                                                      • For one full employment when you plan to tax the hell out of MNC's? Skimping on labour costs and offshoring will surely follow.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Piped Piper
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:34AM

                                                                                      • piped
                                                                                        "skimping on labour costs and off shoring will surely follow" what?
                                                                                        It is now piped.
                                                                                        Been getting worse every time the cons get back in.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:50AM

                                                                                      • Very emotive, Piped. Multinational corporations have many ways of avoiding tax, as you are well aware. Do you really think that MNCs will up and disappear from Australia if we tax them properly and in such a way that they can't avoid paying that tax. We are a market of 24m. consumers.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Banjo
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        Eden
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:57AM

                                                                                      • Pretty simple Piped.
                                                                                        If corporations want to do business in our country we try to tax them, they try to avoid tax, but we hopefully get some money.
                                                                                        If they don't want to do business here because they don't want to pay any tax, then we simply find some that are prepared to be more co-operative.
                                                                                        We are a significant market everyone will want to sell products in this market.
                                                                                        I am not saying we will get them to pay a lot more tax, or even their fair share, but we may get them to pay a bit more tax.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        MarkC
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        Sunshine Coast
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 11:36AM

                                                                                      • Piped, Shorten has the swagger of a Man who has done the work. He may be behind in the Polls and written off by most, but he has done the hard yards and developed his policies so he is walking into the final exam knowing he has done all he can to prepare himself.

                                                                                        When you contrast this to Turnbull, who promised so much but has now done nothing but backtrack on all of his policies, you can understand why Shorten would be feeling quietly confident.

                                                                                        It does interest me however, that you expect us to allow Multi Nationals to operate in this country for free, and not pay any tax. We provide the Roads to transport their goods, we provide the Ports for their ships and the workers for their businesses. Workers that get to work using our public transport and kept healthy by our Health System. Workers who were educated by our public system. And their goods are protected by our Police Force and our stable economy which is all funded from our hard earned tax dollars.

                                                                                        So I am interested to know why you think that we should pay our taxes to keep our society functioning but these Overseas Businesses should be given a free ride to show up here, reap massive profits and sail off into the sunset without contributing a cent for the services they use whilst here?

                                                                                        A Smart Multi National would realise the security we offer with our stable economy and law enforcement and would be happy to contribute to maintain the system in which they operate. So if a company is unwilling to contribute (pay tax) to maintain the system, I say good riddance. We have no room for corporate bludgers and plunderers here!

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Snapperhead
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        The Reef
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 1:00PM

                                                                                    • Go Gorgeous Grandmothers!
                                                                                      You are all beautiful!
                                                                                      Thankyou.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      March 16, 2016, 10:02AM

                                                                                      • Lets hope a Green Labor coalition govt gets elected and there Bill shortern closes down all detention centre.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        hip chat
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:30AM

                                                                                      • One can live in hope. Offshore at least.
                                                                                        There's obviously a need for onshore with illegal overstayers. But no excuse for kids, ever.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        A country gal
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:46AM

                                                                                      • I was proud to be an Honorary Grandmother outside NSW State Parliament yesterday.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Double Disillusion
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        Sydney
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 12:05PM

                                                                                    • @9:41
                                                                                      Warren Entsch the voice of reason. Thank goodness there are still some moderates left in the Liberal Party.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      meganjj
                                                                                      Location
                                                                                      melbourne
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      March 16, 2016, 10:02AM

                                                                                      • Bill (5% is FULL Employment) Shorten, is getting a rails run with all the focus on the government, senate, budget, election etc. Eventually Bill, the focus will turn to you, so enjoy it while it lasts.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Shane
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        Hammondville
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 10:00AM

                                                                                        • So Shane you're against the aspiration of having full employment are you?

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Buffalo Bill
                                                                                          Location
                                                                                          Sydneys Northshore
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          March 16, 2016, 10:25AM

                                                                                        • PS

                                                                                          If you want the spotlight placed on Bill then tell the LNP to pull their collective socks up, do something !, stop continually clearing the table and put a meal on it that the electorate can feast on.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Buffalo Bill
                                                                                          Location
                                                                                          Sydneys Northshore
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          March 16, 2016, 10:28AM

                                                                                        • Full employment used to be considered to be about 3% so BS is setting a really low bar for success. He doesn't have the ticker to tackle the hard yards!

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          AG
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          March 16, 2016, 12:32PM

                                                                                        • AG in the current global climate full employment will be difficult task, but we have to try,

                                                                                          What's Malcolm's alternative? $3 Shipping, and reduce penalty rates.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Buffalo Bill
                                                                                          Location
                                                                                          Sydneys Northshore
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          March 16, 2016, 12:55PM

                                                                                      • Could a jouralist get hold of these right wing politicians who oppose the safe schools programme and ask their opions on self harm and suicide amongst young gay Australians and what they think should be done to address this issue?
                                                                                        Three years ago the G.G of this country stated that lesbian, gay, transgender, bisexual and intersex Australians were six times more likely to take their own lives than mainstream Australians.
                                                                                        I dont imagine that figure has improved at all and still there is opposition totrying to solve this national tragedy and disgrace.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        mirrorsofsmoke
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        Sydney
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 16, 2016, 9:59AM

                                                                                        • Between the bizarre estimates of the cost of a plebiscite, to attacks on the review of the safe schools program, to the muzzling of the Tasmanian church's right to free speech, the gay lobby are throwing everything at raising LGB issues in the national debate. Some might even call it an attempt at social re-engineering.

                                                                                          What they risk is spending the political capital that exists by pushing too far. The plebiscite is a good way of gauging the public's real views, is the gay lobby scared of something ?

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Hacka
                                                                                          Location
                                                                                          Canberra
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          March 16, 2016, 9:41AM

                                                                                          • I think the real question, Hacka, is this. Are the Christian fundamentalists scared of something?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Banjo
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Eden
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:53AM

                                                                                          • Are the religious zealots scared of something?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            ah ha
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:54AM

                                                                                          • Social re-engineering - sending your dough to the Caymans to pay less tax for schools and stuff.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Dr Doh
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:56AM

                                                                                          • It's not the gay lobby making all the fuss, it's your mates the ACL, George, Cory et al.
                                                                                            Must say Kevvie is quiet.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:59AM

                                                                                          • What is bizarre is that you would call a cost estimate done by Price Waterhouse Coopers a bizarre estimate.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            tasch2
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Mornington Peninsula
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:02AM

                                                                                          • As a representative of your party I accept that you know much about social engineering.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            fizzybeer
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:03AM

                                                                                          • Didn't the Member for Warrringah admit he felt threatened by LGBTI people?
                                                                                            Didn't John Howard change the marriage act because he felt threatened by LGBTI people?
                                                                                            Why are these conservative dinosaurs so threatened by what type of loving relationships consenting adults form?
                                                                                            The conservative groups keep throwing up flash grenade arguments such as
                                                                                            1) Tradition (sure, it dates all the way back to Howard's reform in 2004)
                                                                                            2) Think of the Children - irrelevant to issues of marriage
                                                                                            Anymore arguments I've missed Hacka?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Immall
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:05AM

                                                                                          • what many people are worried about, regardless of their own sexuality and family structure, is a cruel and unnecessary "debate" that will harm people. Whether it costs $160 million or $500 million is really not the point, although I must say that the LNP shills are extraordinarily free with how money is spent now - imagine if this was Labor proposing this sort of expenditure on an issue that could be decided by Parliament. I do look forward to your arguments for proposing a plebiscite on assisted suicide given the strong feelings that this engenders across the community. Or would that upset Kevin Andrews ? Can't have that

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            sybella
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:07AM

                                                                                          • Hacka. I'm far from a religious zealot or a fan of the arch conservative wing of the LNP but the arguments from the LGBTI lobby are very binary and offer little room for negotiation or pragmatism. For instance if you are against SSM you are a homophobe. If you call for a review of the safe schools program because you are concerned your 7 year old will learn about cross-dressing then you are pro gay and lesbian bullying. The LGBTI lobby accuse the other side of being zealots, while ignoring their own behaviour in muzzling debate by throwing labels to legitimate concerns from parents.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Piped Piper
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:07AM

                                                                                          • The problem with free speech for the Church is it has spent the last 1600 years deliberately lying through back teeth, hasn't it Hacka?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Pen of hrba
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:08AM

                                                                                          • Hacka,,history is littered with the damage and harm done to societies by religious zealots. Let them keep their indoctrinations to themselves

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Another Tom
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:13AM

                                                                                          • Hacka, are the homophobes scared of something? Yes, by definition.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:13AM

                                                                                          • #hacka. We've all seen how excited you get when a poll that costs a few thousand dollars makes the conservatives look good or the progressives look bad. Funny how an inexpensive poll with an accuracy better than +- 2.5% isn't good enough to gauge "the publics real views" on SSM.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            jessie
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:15AM

                                                                                          • Well there is much to inspire us with this hand picking the Safe School Program.
                                                                                            Similar to the ongoing campaign such as that which haunts the US over its Planned Parenthood programs... on and on and on and on it goes for years. The usual attempt to shut down funding the Federal Government via blocking few millions devoted to the "evil" Planned Parenthood programs.
                                                                                            Who knows with such a high profile earned waging this campaign over the evils of Planned Parenthood a candidate can run for President. Oh look there they are running for President.... the hand of god steering all of them to victory. It will be great... great ....great.... for years and years and years

                                                                                            In the meantime there is the NRL announcing today with their evil All Inclusive Program beaming live into living rooms and invading sport fields across the nation.... hurry George hurry hurry run as fast as you can

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            dipaha
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:16AM

                                                                                          • There is likely a number of gays who dread the SSM bill being introduced- and passed; the pressure is on them then, to get married.... and possibly get messily divorced later.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            gc
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:16AM

                                                                                          • tasch2 - did you read the detail of that PWC report - $20 million for "mental health and wellbeing of Australian citizens ".

                                                                                            What a joke ! How on earth could you even start to justify that claim ?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:23AM

                                                                                          • Piped - good post, agree. I don't generally care too much for the views of Bernardi or big George, but when they speak you get people like the ACT Chief Minister calling their comments "horrific" and themselves "neanderthal conservatives". When asked which particular comments he was referring to, Barr ducked for cover.

                                                                                            Arguing the issue, not the man is something the gay lobby seem to struggle with. Resorting to labels of "Homophobe" seems to be the primary weapon.

                                                                                            Perhaps they should try debate, see if that works.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:30AM

                                                                                          • Hacka

                                                                                            No not a joke - based on evidence of data from around the world in similar countries.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            PEarn
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:43AM

                                                                                          • Banjo - that you reduce this issue to one of religion shows scant consideration for the mainstream beliefs of most Aussies, most of who aren't religious. Sad really.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 11:08AM

                                                                                          • Hacka, throw off your rusted on armour for a moment and answer honestly.
                                                                                            What do you think of the ACL's undue influence on Australian politics (doesn't matter which govt is in).
                                                                                            It was their recommendation for a Plebiscite after all.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 11:18AM

                                                                                          • Piped, homophobe is not an insult as such; it is simply describing an illogical and irrational fear of homosexuality.

                                                                                            Those who are against marriage equality would seem to satisfy that definition.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 11:25AM

                                                                                          • @Jofek. So you accept the dichotomous argument that if you oppose SSM that you are a homophobe? I don't necessarily believe that. That kind of language just shuts out those who think they have legitimate concerns. Perhaps if the LGBTI allowed debate we could listen and counter the argument against it.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Piped Piper
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 11:38AM

                                                                                          • ACG - ideally the church would stay right away from politics, but of course they, like everyone, has the right to speak up.

                                                                                            Part of the problem though is progressive types, whenever they hear a dissenting viewpoint around gay issues, immediately try to blame the church, e.g. safe schools.

                                                                                            Here's a really simple non-church view - a ten year old kid should learn about girls and boys way before they learn about boys and boys. That's not homophobia, that's life in the mainstream.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 11:43AM

                                                                                          • Hacka, those who are attacking the review into Safe Schools are those who were calling for the review in the first place. Which are the same people who are saying that they will ignore the results of the plebiscite on same-sex marriage, right after calling for the plebiscite on same-sex marriage. I'm surprised your outrage here is at 'the gay lobby', and not those members who consistently ignore facts, the will of the people, and even logic, so long as their narrow-minded agenda is serviced.

                                                                                            As for the half a billion dollar price tag to the plebiscite, why do you doubt it? One of the most respected companies in Australia did the math on it, experts in their field. Yes, they may be wrong, but considering their reputation I doubt they can be too off base. What price would you consider to be too much if $525 million, or even $160 million, isn't?

                                                                                            And to both Piped Piper and Hacka, you both show more concern that Bernardi and Christensen are being called homophobes (even though it is quite arguable that their behaviour merits that moniker), than you are that Christensen compares an anti-homophobia program to grooming by paedophiles and that Bernardi says that same-sex marriage will lead to calls to legalised bestiality. There is no evidence for either of their claims, but it isn't okay to call them out for it?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hush
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Wollongong
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 11:47AM

                                                                                          • Hacka - I read both the PWC report and your comment. Unfortunately I found the PWC report more convincing owing to the fact it made arguments based on facts and then drew cogent conclusions form the same. All of which was lacking in your analysis, although you did draw conclusions based on general hysteria. Good try.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            tasch2
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Mornington Peninsula
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 12:00PM

                                                                                          • Piped, I am more than comfortable using the word to describe people who are against marriage equality for whatever reason. What possible reason, other than fear, is there to oppose marriage equality?

                                                                                            As I said, I don't use it as an insult; merely a statement of fact (in my opinion). Quite clearly I am not shutting down debate through my use of the word.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 12:05PM

                                                                                          • Piped - 11:38. Such narrow mindedness is to be pitied frankly.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 12:07PM

                                                                                          • tasch2 - jolly good. Then could you explain to us please, in English, specifically how $20 million will be spent on "mental health and wellbeing of Australian citizens" ?

                                                                                            Thanks.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 12:20PM

                                                                                          • Hacka, I daresay that the money spent on mental health and wellbeing of Australian citizens would be for the gay youth, who are already six times more likely to attempt suicide, who have to listen to homosexuality and gay issues being compared to paedophilia and bestiality, as has been the case with comments from Coalition members such as George Christensen and Cory Bernardi. And if the ACL get their way and hate laws get suspended for the plebiscite, then it could very well be more than $20 million.

                                                                                            But even if that figure is wrong (which you offer no reason that it is, merely your doubt weighed against this company's excellent reputation) then that puts the plebiscite at $505 million, still half a billion dollars. At what point does this plebiscite become too expensive for you, Hacka? For me, it was at $160 million.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hush
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Wollongong
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 12:58PM

                                                                                          • Well Hush firstly the PWC report calculated mainly opportunity cost. Taxpayers don't pay for voters time to go and vote - election, plebiscite, but a bunch of people haven't worked that little one out yet.

                                                                                            But your post says that LGBTI youth will be so traumatised by a plebiscite on SSM (for grown ups) that they'll need special counselling. Seriously - they'll be traumatised because voters would be asked for their opinion ?

                                                                                            We're really venturing into the ridiculous here.

                                                                                            Btw what specific words did either George or Cory use to create such offence - a quote perhaps ?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 1:17PM

                                                                                          • Hacka, I am not sure you are attempting levity or selective ignorance. The mental anguish wouldn't be because people were voting, but because of the media blitz, and my comment made that quite clear. You don't think it is likely, or even possible, that gay youth who are already vulnerable would be subjected to a campaign that portrays them as abnormal, less than? Even now our politicians are comparing same-sex marriage to bestiality, as Cory Bernardi did in parliament, and comparing an anti-homophobia program to grooming by paedophiles, as George Christensen did. And I know I don't need to provide you with quotes, as you have commented on articles detailing those comments, but you only need to quickly look, it shouldn't take long to find.

                                                                                            But you are right, we are venturing into the ridiculous. On the issue of same-sex marriage, the Coalition calls for a plebiscite and then those members who do say they will ignore the results anyway. Then Coalition MPs find an anti-homophobia program objectionable and call for a review, and then complain when it doesn't give the results they want. That is ridiculous.

                                                                                            And you still haven't answered my question: at what price would you consider this plebiscite to be too expensive? At the moment, it has been projected to cost half a billion dollars. Even at half that would be too expensive in my opinion. What about you?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hush
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Wollongong
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 2:07PM

                                                                                          • Hush: "At the moment, it has been projected to cost half a billion dollars. "

                                                                                            Grow up, Hacka very specifically pointed out to you that PwC's activist report was mostly opportunity cost. The figure of $160 million is still the likely cost to taxpayers.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            housemartin
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            hong kong
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 2:22PM

                                                                                          • Housemartin, I did read Hacka's comment, but I found it unpersuasive. Quibbling over opportunity costs notwithstanding (and I have not yet heard a reason to disregard such costs other than making the plebiscite look cheaper), the project costs would still be at least a quarter of a billion dollars without them. Still too expensive in my book, especially considering some of those who voted in favour of the plebiscite plan on ignoring its results.

                                                                                            Again, I ask: at what point is this too expensive for you?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hush
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Wollongong
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 2:46PM

                                                                                          • housemartin, $160m is a huge amount of taxpayers' money for an unnecessary non-binding opinion poll on marriage equality. The $340m of opportunity cost is hardly irrelevant though. Or do you think it makes the dollar cost look quite modest by comparison?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 2:58PM

                                                                                          • Hush: The predicted cost was $160 million, where has your $250 come from now? You don't do your arguments any favour by making things up.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            housemartin
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            hong kong
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 3:00PM

                                                                                          • Hush - the question you ask yourself is "what price for democracy". Presumably your slippery slope argument comes back to the point where you claim that SSM is supported by a majority, according to current polls, so it should be implemented as a result.

                                                                                            If government by polls was the case then Abbott wouldn't have lasted more than two months, Gillard not much longer, there'd be no need for a republic debate, safe schools would be immediately scrapped, and Shane Warne would be Prime Minister.

                                                                                            SSM is contentious - not to the closed progressive mind which struggles to comprehend any other argument (e.g. simple accounting) - but to the general population. The government's argument is that the simplest way to get a consensus view is via plebiscite. Can't be more democratic than that.

                                                                                            Why are you guys scared of the people's voice ?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 3:30PM

                                                                                          • jofek: The opportunity costs are irrelevant? So let me see if I have this correct; a justification for not holding the plebiscite by PwC is that people will have to take the day out voting which will cost business money? Ok, so I can now extend that out to every single solitary social function, pursuit and lifestyle choice that takes people away from work? Heck, you may as well throw in that having cancer is no excuse to take a day off. In fact, cancel the federal election as well. The PwC report is an activist report simply to attract the best and brightest in the LQBTQI community and is a perversion of democracy.

                                                                                            There are millions who disagree with you that the plebiscite is not necessary. Perhaps you would like to thuggishly bully them by automatically defaulting to "homophobe" ... that ought to shut down the debate.

                                                                                            Since when did the left care about other people's tax dollars anyway?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            housemartin
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            hong kong
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 4:09PM

                                                                                          • Housemartin, if you had read the information provided by PwC, you would see that it wasn't split between opportunity costs and the $160 million. There were other costs too, the opportunity costs were about $220 million, I think. I am not making up facts and numbers, I am just using the numbers provided by PwC. I encourage you to read them, before disregarding them.

                                                                                            And Hacka, why is it that it is considered democracy for every issue except same-sex marriage when parliament votes? The votes are already there in parliament if only the Coalition were allowed a free vote - far from actually implementing democracy, they are holding it up. I have no doubt that the plebiscite would show that most Australians want same-sex marriage legalised. My concerns are not for its outcome, but its unintended consequences. Aside from costing half a billion dollars, a negative media blitz would seriously harm the mental wellbeing of many gay Australians, as I have said before. Gay youth are six times more likely to attempt suicide, but by all means let's suspend hate laws and have Christensen and Bernardi compare gay rights issues to paedophilia and bestiality. And then getting to the point that if the plebiscite is implemented and when that result comes back in favour of same-sex marriage, the very people who wanted the plebiscite will choose to ignore it.

                                                                                            There are many reasons to be against the plebiscite, Hacka. And to be honest, given how you hate frivolous government spending, I'm surprised you aren't.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hush
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Wollongong
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 4:15PM

                                                                                          • Hacka, we are a Parliamentary democracy; the Government is not required to spend $160m to delegate the task of making a decision to the people who have delegated the task of making a decision to them. Hacka, we know opinion polls confirm the bulk of the population have no problem with marriage equality. We do not need a plebiscite to determine if we are going to treat people as equals.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 4:17PM

                                                                                          • Hacka@12.07pm, you don't believe in marriage equality but you want to call other people narrow-minded?

                                                                                            I might try to take you seriously but you are one of the most one-eyed of political commentators on these blogs; hardly a sign of an open mind.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 4:20PM

                                                                                          • Hacka, what is your 'case against' marriage equality? I've heard you and Piped accusing anyone using the word homophobe (to describe people who fear homosexuality) of trying to gag debate but I haven't actually heard you state a non-fear based argument against SSM. The floor is yours - please go on?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 4:26PM

                                                                                          • Hush - frankly if it was up to me i would have passed SSM months ago, not because of any great passion towards it but more to get it off the agenda and move on.

                                                                                            But something more sinister is at work here frankly, a real social agenda. When we hear that kids should be taught not to identify as a boy or a girl based on chromosomes - for the benefit of probably 0.0001% of kids - something troubling is creeping into schools. And it's been pushed hard by the LGB lobby.

                                                                                            And guess what it's achieved - a soap box for the likes of George and Cory. People are listening to them. Classic lobby group overreach.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 4:36PM

                                                                                          • housemartin, I wonder if people who are afraid of the word 'homophobe' are homophobe-ophobes? Take a moment, take a breath; now try to explain how the use of the word 'homophobe' (an irrational fear of homosexuality) is in any way shape or form an attempt to gag debate? It hasn't stopped you has it?

                                                                                            On the question of opportunity cost, $160m is a huge amount of money already (I think I mentioned that). However, PWC are quite right to point out what a humungous waste of time, effort and energy the whole pointless exercise of a non-binding plebiscite is.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 4:42PM

                                                                                          • Hacka, the kids are being taught not to beat up on their classmates; they are not being taught 'not to identify as boys and girls'.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 4:50PM

                                                                                        • Anyone taking bets on how long the Greens/Coalition alliance on Upper House voting reform lasts. I know RDN doesn't have a high opinion of the current system and happy to accept any preferences from Coalition voters. However, the issues of ME, SafeSchools and ABCC are hanging around, reminding Green party members and voters how little they have in common with the conservatives. in fact, i wonder if this small note of accord is actually a bum note in a traditionally dissonant relationship and the drawbacks may outweigh the benefits.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          stevek
                                                                                          Location
                                                                                          Sydney
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          March 16, 2016, 9:38AM

                                                                                          • How could a Green leader be dumb enough to get into bed with CC denialists?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            fizzybeer
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:40AM

                                                                                          • Nice pun or two, stevek.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Banjo
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Eden
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:40AM

                                                                                          • Anyone taking bets on how long the Greens/Aquas/light Blues last?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            DirkDiggler
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            LNPHQ
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:53AM

                                                                                          • It's well worth reading an article on the G which includes voting patterns for crossbenchers et al. The amount of times Labor has voted with the Govt far exceeds The Greens.
                                                                                            This is a concerted election year attack and a foolish one at that.
                                                                                            Labor is worried about Wills, Grandler and Sydney.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:53AM

                                                                                          • Acg, you're right but this isn't about Labor. I was referring to Green voters concerned about seeing their party in bed with the enemy for any reason.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            stevek
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Sydney
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:09AM

                                                                                          • fizzy

                                                                                            The fact is they haven't, the Greens are merely indulging compromise. See my 9:16 am post below.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Pen of hrba
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:17AM

                                                                                          • ACG, I am worried about the death of the house of review. A Labor/LNP duopoly only having to negotiate with the swing vote of the increasingly 'pragmatic' Greens is not an improvement to the process of democracy.

                                                                                            The inclusion of minor parties and individuals in the Senate has never been a problem and in fact has been Australia's saviour given the policies of the current Government. The Greens are making a huge mistake.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            jofek
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:17AM

                                                                                          • stevek, I agree with you; it will end in disaster. It is well to remember that only 30,000 political party members decide on the majority of senators in the upper house while over 3 million people voted for the independents. And it is the independents who have saved this country from some horrible legislation that has passed through the House of Representatives.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Another Tom
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:24AM

                                                                                          • Stevek, yes am concerned about the perception. But, Reform has long been on their radar.
                                                                                            I'd challenge Anyone, no matter what side of politics or what they profess is ever 100% happy with their Party of choice's decisions.
                                                                                            Bad timing is my perception of this Reform and who with.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:31AM

                                                                                          • jofek, I hear you loud and clear and am hoping it won't ever lead to that.
                                                                                            I just think they missed a huge opportunity on Donor Reform, they should've dug their heels in with that major issue.
                                                                                            Because without Donor Reform only those with a war chest will gain a seat, unless by some amazing turn of events voters start voting with some due diligence.
                                                                                            Yes, I'm concerned but also see many taking a political opportunity to give it to The Greens.
                                                                                            RDN has done a poor job of selling their position.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 10:38AM

                                                                                        • Full blown enquiry into the safe schools program but a nod and a wink to getting stitched up by finance sector practices that can be "self regulated".
                                                                                          Con priorities seem to focus on the welfare of their mates.
                                                                                          And a blinkered ideology.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          fizzybeer
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          March 16, 2016, 9:34AM

                                                                                          • Lets hope today's sitting is not as depressing and unproductive as yesterday.

                                                                                            I am over this 'do-nothing' government.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            PEarn
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:32AM

                                                                                            • It would follow then, you are over the drongoes and misfits in the Senate blocking Government legislation then - and the dopey ALP of course led by Ms Wong

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              gc
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 10:21AM

                                                                                          • The title "Safe Schools" is an Orwellian smokescreen. They were hardly going to be candid and label it "Neo-Marxist Socio-Sexual Re-engineering Course", were they? Every reasonable Australian knows precisely what is going on here, and they will enforce their opinion at the next election. As we are seeing in the USA, for the Leftist 'elites', electoral Judgement Day is coming.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Michael
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:30AM

                                                                                            • there there little camper, everything will be alright

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              DirkDiggler
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              LNPHQ
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 10:04AM

                                                                                            • Why would they label it as something it is simply NOT?
                                                                                              Just what aspect of the program is Marxist pray tell?

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              meganjj
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              melbourne
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 10:09AM

                                                                                            • Michael

                                                                                              Pray tell, how does one change the sexual orientation of a child?

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              PEarn
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 10:11AM

                                                                                            • Refer to the pragmatic and reasonable Warren Entsch's comments.
                                                                                              I've read near the whole program and there is nothing Neo/Marxist <insert derogative word here>. I'm wondering if you have bothered to read it or know any kids and now adults who have been bullied due to their sexuality?

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 10:12AM

                                                                                            • By that token you ought to rename the "liberal" party the "Conservative elitist born to rule you can exercise your freedom of individual choice only if you have a trust fund" party.

                                                                                              By your comments it would seem you think there only are only about 4 reasonable Australians in the country.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              blah
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 10:19AM

                                                                                          • James Merlino, Victoria's Deputy Premier, and a staunch Catholic, has for many years believed in the conservative and conventional view of marriage. But in last week's Sunday Age he reports that he has changed his mind.

                                                                                            'What I've concluded is that if one of my kids said to me "dad, I'm gay", there wouldn't be an ounce of difference in my love for my child. I would want them to be happy and safe at school; I would want them to find as partner and fall in love; I would want them to get married and have kids. And if that's what you want for your own kids, that's what you want fore all kids.'

                                                                                            Very movingly stated.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Banjo
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Eden
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:29AM

                                                                                            • Yes read that Banjo and was equally impressed.
                                                                                              I don't think George even has a partner, let alone kids so not sure what is driving his obsession.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 9:49AM

                                                                                            • Banjo

                                                                                              This is exactly what I do not understand those voting against SSM - that is the possibility of their own children identifying as gay. Too late to change their opinion after the laws are final.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              PEarn
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 10:09AM

                                                                                          • 9.24 Well of course George would say that.
                                                                                            How predictable is this zealot ?
                                                                                            Always in the news, perhaps future PM material.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:28AM

                                                                                            • I think the word 'zealot' is actually far too kind ACG. My description of GC would involve much stronger language.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              meganjj
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              melbourne
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 9:49AM

                                                                                            • Agreed meganjjj but it wouldn't pass the Mod and I'm sure we could exceed the 300 word limit.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 11:03AM

                                                                                          • Re @9:00, I hereby promise to be polite, patient and uncomplaining.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Gigondas
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:25AM

                                                                                            • That will last as long as the cease fire in Syria ;-)

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              Buffalo Bill
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              Sydneys Northshore
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 9:55AM

                                                                                            • True, BB. Note that I didn't mention the time frame.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              Gigondas
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 10:05AM

                                                                                            • O, ye of little faith, Buff.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              Banjo
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              Eden
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 10:05AM

                                                                                          • How long did George Christensen (let's drop the facade of "one MP who attended the meeting") study the Safe School program before he likened it to paedophilic grooming?What are his qualifications when it comes to the evaluation of education programs? Would he like to step up and be Minister for Education?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Immal
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:24AM

                                                                                            • Oh please don't wish that upon us. Pyne was incompetent enough.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              meganjj
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              melbourne
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 9:42AM

                                                                                          • The argument on the safe school programs seems to be a binary one. It's either really good or really bad. Isn't there a third option where the material can be modified to pacify both parties? If the ACL are so concerned about aspects of the program would modifying it and retaining the tolerance to LGBTI students not be an option?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Piped Piper
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 16, 2016, 9:22AM

                                                                                            • Why should you change something simply to pacify a screeching minority, and, a small one at that.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              ah ha
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 16, 2016, 9:31AM
                                                                                          Comments are now closed