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Politics Live: March 2, 2016

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Senior writer

View more articles from Stephanie Peatling

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Tax, tax, tax, that's all anyone wants to talk about. Is Labor trying to destroy the housing market or is the Coalition merely governing for the rich? Let's see who is winning the war of hyperbole.

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  • Will the Greens sign their political death warrant?

    Is it tonight or tomorrow?

    Will there be a photo with the PM?

    Commenter
    Too Easy
    Date and time
    March 02, 2016, 5:19PM

    • Another day of nothing from the Turnbull/Abbott/Seinfeld government. Oh except of course Abbott white anting and a serious defence leak to The Australian's Greg Sherridan. I wonder if Tony knows anything about that. I'm sure the AFP will get to the bottom of it...........in the next decade or so.

      Commenter
      Rollee the Rolex's Big Adventure
      Date and time
      March 02, 2016, 5:02PM

      • Sheridan says Abbott didn't leak it.

        Well, as it was supposedly the "updated" version it could only have been leaked by a Minister or bureaucrat who'd owned or possessed a copy.

        Abbott isn't one of those people.

        Commenter
        Too Easy
        Date and time
        March 02, 2016, 5:22PM

      • No, it was a draft copy written when Abbott was PM. See 5.04pm

        Commenter
        Rollee the Rolex's Big Adventure
        Date and time
        March 02, 2016, 5:52PM

    • 4:24pm Gary Gray is like Joe Bullock. They don't seem to understand that there is a world of difference between having an independent opinion and creating mischief for your party. Maybe they should consult Tony Abbott.

      Commenter
      monkeybiz
      Date and time
      March 02, 2016, 5:00PM

      • Turnbull's politics are easily summed up: a fiscal conserative; a social wet.

        In the current climate, it's difficult to reconcile said dichotomies; but, reconcile them he must.

        If doesn't, he'll be cactus.

        And, if I maybe so bold, a clue Mal: middle-Australia won't contenance too much more of your hesitance, as measured by the polls.

        Commenter
        Jason of Gold Coast (awash with malcontents.)
        Date and time
        March 02, 2016, 5:00PM

        • Judith Ireland :

          http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/virtually-in-caretaker-mode-government-accused-of-letting-2015-budget-childcare-package-lag-20160301-gn7zdf.html

          Seems Senator Lazarus thinks the coalition is in caretaker mode.

          Football does that ..... he thinks they are moving at a slow pace when in reality they stopped before the boats did.

          Commenter
          A Green
          Location
          Australia
          Date and time
          March 02, 2016, 4:57PM

          • 4:27 - "I don't leak", I flood!

            Commenter
            John
            Date and time
            March 02, 2016, 4:41PM

            • Was the Defence leak SUBS-tantial?

              Commenter
              Tucky
              Location
              Warragul
              Date and time
              March 02, 2016, 4:41PM

              • Well done on be awarded the gong, Acg.

                Commenter
                Jason of Gold Coast (who never gets gonged)
                Date and time
                March 02, 2016, 4:41PM

                • Cheers Jason, I was just improvising.

                  Commenter
                  A country gal
                  Date and time
                  March 02, 2016, 4:50PM

              • We all should be on pollie super - no board of directors at all and look at the return!

                Commenter
                Arthur McKenzie
                Location
                Canberra
                Date and time
                March 02, 2016, 4:40PM

                • Abbott knows his onions obviously but does he know a leek when he sees one?

                  Commenter
                  Tucky
                  Location
                  Warragul
                  Date and time
                  March 02, 2016, 4:39PM

                  • He certainly knows how to spring unions.

                    Commenter
                    Banjo
                    Location
                    Eden
                    Date and time
                    March 02, 2016, 4:48PM

                • I wonder if the Government's paltry performance today is in consequence of yesterday's Essential poll result, which although was in line with Newspoll's 2PP of 50:50, Labor's PV vote moved to 38%.

                  Nah, that's poor conjecture, so too is the trend which is allegedly in train.

                  All these recent polls must surely be outliers.

                  Commenter
                  Jason of Gold Coast
                  Date and time
                  March 02, 2016, 4:38PM

                  • If the ALP was a movie, it'd be The Minority Report.

                    Never too excited about the big issues, always trying to create victims.

                    Commenter
                    Hacka
                    Location
                    Canberra
                    Date and time
                    March 02, 2016, 4:33PM

                    • If the LNP was a movie it would be 'Titanic'

                      Commenter
                      Arthur McKenzie
                      Location
                      Canberra
                      Date and time
                      March 02, 2016, 4:36PM

                    • Hacka

                      Pelican brief for your mob.

                      Its like playing "At the Movies 1980" with you.

                      Commenter
                      A Green
                      Location
                      Australia
                      Date and time
                      March 02, 2016, 4:36PM

                    • I was thinking Scarface. You know, the illegal boat migrant who landed in Miami and made it to the big time through perseverance, determination and hard work. Then blew it at the end.

                      Commenter
                      enough is enough
                      Date and time
                      March 02, 2016, 4:38PM

                    • Ha ha good comeback Arthur.

                      Although remember it won several Oscars, and coincided with Howard's first term. His heart did go on after that too. And on, and on ....

                      Commenter
                      Hacka
                      Location
                      Canberra
                      Date and time
                      March 02, 2016, 4:44PM

                    • enough is enough

                      Channeling Abbott again.

                      Commenter
                      A Green
                      Location
                      Australia
                      Date and time
                      March 02, 2016, 4:48PM

                    • if the LNP was a movie, it'd be The Pet Detective

                      always a little surprise tucked away

                      Commenter
                      rod steiger
                      Location
                      toukley
                      Date and time
                      March 02, 2016, 4:49PM

                    • Ha ha Hacka

                      truffles is no Leonardo diCaprio and Hockey's award for deserting while sinking wasn't an Oscar.

                      As for Howard - just conducting the band - glub glub.

                      Commenter
                      Arthur McKenzie
                      Location
                      Canberra
                      Date and time
                      March 02, 2016, 5:00PM

                  • There's nothing like a good leak.
                    When your own position is a bit bleak.

                    Commenter
                    A country gal
                    Date and time
                    March 02, 2016, 4:32PM

                    • The Pulse 4:27PM

                      Abbott forgot ..... so I will say it for him :

                      "I don't snipe"

                      Bet that gave everyone a good laugh this Wednesday afternoon.

                      Commenter
                      A Green
                      Location
                      Australia
                      Date and time
                      March 02, 2016, 4:30PM

                      • Gary Gray still keeps Resources and Northern Australia - but I thought traitors don't get rewarded. Oh that's right, it's the ALP where you can do what ever you want. The Club is the Club, no matter what.

                        Commenter
                        enough is enough
                        Date and time
                        March 02, 2016, 4:28PM

                        • enough is enough

                          Now now let's not go all Benedict Arnold .

                          After all if it wasn't for Gary Grey sleeping on the job Abbott might have been done for charging the taxpayer for his book signing, his pollie pedal.

                          Commenter
                          A Green
                          Location
                          Australia
                          Date and time
                          March 02, 2016, 4:39PM

                        • Turnbull got rewarded.

                          Commenter
                          The Lad
                          Location
                          4340
                          Date and time
                          March 02, 2016, 4:49PM

                      • Pen, where do I start. Obama wants you on the next military freight plane to NATO headquarters to deal with Putin. He's heard of your complex strategic thinking on military hardware. Obama thinking that if you start at Russia and work towards the East, you can eventually deal with China and North Korea.

                        Commenter
                        enough is enough
                        Date and time
                        March 02, 2016, 4:26PM

                        • enough is enough

                          Australia subs won't be able to get past New Zealand's defenses.

                          Be lucky to make it there submerged.

                          Really shouldn't be indulging in this because they are coffins.

                          Commenter
                          A Green
                          Location
                          Australia
                          Date and time
                          March 02, 2016, 4:41PM

                      • Mr Broad, my MP who promotes in our local Papers the use of 457's and Seasonal Workers rather than promoting employing locals.
                        Mr Broad, my MP who refers to Refugees as The Worst of The Worst.
                        Another careerist and as rabid right wing as you can get.

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

                        • eie would love him. I see that he won a Nuffield Scholarship.

                          Commenter
                          Double Disillusion
                          Location
                          Sydney
                          Date and time
                          March 02, 2016, 4:44PM

                        • Why don't you both become Farmers - Orchardists - and invest your life, about $3million and see what you earn without ready and cheap labor.

                          Commenter
                          enough is enough
                          Date and time
                          March 02, 2016, 4:50PM

                        • yes he did.
                          Leapfrogged from the VFF to Mallee.
                          There was an anti Wind farm Meeting in Warracknabeal yesterday and what's the bet he had something to do with organising it..
                          If he wasn't in the House that's where he would've been.
                          Irony is where one is to be located is on one of his old mate's farm from the VFF.
                          Not Happy Andrew.

                          Commenter
                          A country gal
                          Date and time
                          March 02, 2016, 4:55PM

                      • With the AFP investigating just about everything in the Liberal Party its only a matter of time before they ask ScoMo for a top up.

                        Must be plenty in the Liberal Party who wish Abbott was still boarding with the AFP.

                        Commenter
                        A Green
                        Location
                        Australia
                        Date and time
                        March 02, 2016, 4:24PM

                        • I know...a royal commission into the LNP...I wonder if Dyson is still available?

                          Commenter
                          Vote Mal Eat Pal
                          Date and time
                          March 02, 2016, 4:43PM

                      • So Tanya and Terri will be on the ALP Mardis Gras float on Saturday night. Hopefully they have the guts to explain the ALP SSM Policy 2007-2013 to the bystanders throwing glitter.

                        Commenter
                        enough is enough
                        Date and time
                        March 02, 2016, 4:23PM

                        • enough is enough

                          You be careful with that glitter.

                          Commenter
                          A Green
                          Location
                          Australia
                          Date and time
                          March 02, 2016, 4:50PM

                      • 4.12 pm: And there you go, even Adam Bandt knows that Labor MPs are pushing for same sex marriage only for their own personal careers!

                        Why didn't Labor vote with Adam when they had the chance? Because it wasn't an election year.

                        Commenter
                        Sharron
                        Date and time
                        March 02, 2016, 4:19PM

                        • @3.57. Bullock is concerned with children not having a mummy and daddy but ok with Shorten's policy on having children in Nauru? Shame his concern for children isn't consistent. Maybe activists should change tactics and make the case that refugee kids are under the care of same sex couples on Nauru.

                          Commenter
                          Piped Piper
                          Date and time
                          March 02, 2016, 4:18PM

                          • Bit of ironing by Pyne telling Butler she is playing cheap politics. It was Abbott's cheap politics that got us here which is why he knifed Abbott to support Turnbull.

                            Commenter
                            monkeybiz
                            Date and time
                            March 02, 2016, 4:17PM

                            • Irony? But appropriate typo.

                              Commenter
                              nuffsnuff
                              Date and time
                              March 02, 2016, 4:41PM

                          • Bandt, calling out the homophobes.

                            Commenter
                            enough is enough
                            Date and time
                            March 02, 2016, 4:15PM

                            • enough is enough

                              shhhh !

                              Don't let everyone know your position.

                              Commenter
                              A Green
                              Location
                              Australia
                              Date and time
                              March 02, 2016, 4:34PM

                          • Work, Save, Invest zzzzzzz

                            Commenter
                            fiberal
                            Location
                            darwin
                            Date and time
                            March 02, 2016, 4:15PM

                            • The Pulse 3:57PM

                              It must be galling for the Prime Minister of Australia to have to listen to this ACL crap about a child needing 2 opposing gender parents to become a good citizen.

                              For christs sake someone tell them that Turnbull was bought up by his father !

                              Commenter
                              A Green
                              Location
                              Australia
                              Date and time
                              March 02, 2016, 4:12PM

                              • Will we hear more about the monopoly that the right wing has over their Pal(l) Mal(l)? He's being left Strand-ed and must be feeling he has been sent to Coventry. He may be agile but not Fleet enough of foot to escape them. They have him tied up in pretty knots and a Bow. They put on the Water Works and he crumples.

                                Commenter
                                Tucky
                                Location
                                Warragul
                                Date and time
                                March 02, 2016, 4:12PM

                                • Sounds like you have a Monopoly on this.

                                  Commenter
                                  ASK
                                  Location
                                  Canberra
                                  Date and time
                                  March 02, 2016, 5:03PM

                              • In breaking news Hillary Clinton has won American Samoa. A total of 4 delegates. Don't laugh. Could be handy to know for trivia night.

                                Commenter
                                monkeybiz
                                Date and time
                                March 02, 2016, 4:11PM

                                • So Hilary has won American Samoa. I bet the inhabitants didn't know it was on the market. Sounds like what happens in Australia where the land is being sold out from under us. Does that make our government sell-outs?

                                  Commenter
                                  Tucky
                                  Location
                                  Warragul
                                  Date and time
                                  March 02, 2016, 4:38PM

                              • thanks god bullock's gone

                                a DLP throwback

                                Commenter
                                rod steiger
                                Location
                                toukley
                                Date and time
                                March 02, 2016, 4:06PM

                                • I feel cleansed.

                                  Cmon LNP, time to get rid of your right wing rump.

                                  Commenter
                                  davemac
                                  Location
                                  Melbourne
                                  Date and time
                                  March 02, 2016, 4:13PM

                                • He should never have been preselected.
                                  Hopefully labor are learning about true reform.
                                  Sure appears so.
                                  The uproar over Lisa Singh may have resonated.

                                  Commenter
                                  A country gal
                                  Date and time
                                  March 02, 2016, 4:14PM

                                • Lots of comments now that he has gone. Much like some of the others that have recently thrown in the towel. Hindsight experts.

                                  Commenter
                                  $keptic
                                  Location
                                  Melbourne
                                  Date and time
                                  March 02, 2016, 4:33PM

                              • Pyne calls it "cheap politics" the antics that take place in the chamber. Does he think politicians aren't paid enough? I thought they were paid to make decisions on our behalf.... obviously not

                                Commenter
                                Tucky
                                Location
                                Warragul
                                Date and time
                                March 02, 2016, 4:03PM

                                • OK so Turnbull and Morrison have this new mantra that the coalition are transitioning the economy. So what is the reality? After nearly 3 years in government all they have done is support mining and dirty energy with a bit of money thrown out to corporate/Chinese farming. They have sought to destroy manufacturing with intent with the car manufacturing industry getting shunted and major losses in defence in Vic and SA. They didn't care because manufacturing is in labor country. So what, eh. Having found themselves in serious trouble in both states now they are trying to make up ground and have even appointed Pine as Industry Minister to try and save his hide in SA. I don't think so folks.

                                  Commenter
                                  monkeybiz
                                  Date and time
                                  March 02, 2016, 3:59PM

                                  • transitioning the economy from a retirement village to a nursing home

                                    Commenter
                                    rod steiger
                                    Location
                                    toukley
                                    Date and time
                                    March 02, 2016, 4:04PM

                                  • I'm yet to hear Turnbull, Morrison or Pyne nominate the industries they're hoping will be driving our new economy.

                                    Commenter
                                    Too Easy
                                    Date and time
                                    March 02, 2016, 4:12PM

                                  • Yeah gotta laugh, LNP said they wouldn't trust the shipyards in SA to build a canoe...and now without further ado submarines are on the horizon...

                                    Commenter
                                    Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                    Date and time
                                    March 02, 2016, 4:23PM

                                • 3.35 pm: Christopher Pyne is right.

                                  Commenter
                                  Sharron
                                  Date and time
                                  March 02, 2016, 3:53PM

                                    • you don't mind if I don't take your word for it Sharron/Sharron?

                                      Commenter
                                      rod steiger
                                      Location
                                      toukley
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 4:03PM

                                    • I agree...more should support SSM.

                                      Commenter
                                      Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 4:05PM

                                    • Pyne is right about Butler using SSM only to gain publicity for herself.

                                      Commenter
                                      Sharron
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 4:21PM

                                  • Last night - Bills to release $2.2b pass lower house, not a word today about the growing debt or the financial mismanagement.
                                    After days of wide-ranging debate from all sides of politics, legislation to release an extra $2.2 billion for government spending have passed the lower house.
                                    Two appropriation bills, which allocate spending in addition to the May budget, list spending ranging from half a billion dollars to a few thousand dollars across government.
                                    The bills give the immigration department $447 million to deal with onshore detention, refugee resettlement and asylum-seeker processing and will head to the Senate, where passage is expected.

                                    Commenter
                                    Koel
                                    Date and time
                                    March 02, 2016, 3:53PM

                                    • You won't hear Shorten and Bowen mentioning those "D" words!
                                      Just like Swannie used to avoid them like the plague, Bowen and Shorten are continuing in that ALP tradition of Swannie and thinking if you don't mention them they will go away.
                                      Does Shorten or Bowen have a plan to address the debt and deficit they loaded the country with?.

                                      Commenter
                                      andrew
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 4:15PM

                                    • @andrew All you have to do is go the ALP site and you'll find that they do. Unlike these incompetent fools ho are supposedly running this country at the moment.

                                      Commenter
                                      The Lad
                                      Location
                                      4340
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 4:59PM

                                  • 3.21 pm: Ms Butler, you don't speak for all Australians, even Labor MPs are jumping ship because of your same sex marriage push!

                                    Commenter
                                    Sharron
                                    Date and time
                                    March 02, 2016, 3:52PM

                                    • You mean that one fossil Bullock. Don't let the truth get in the way...

                                      Commenter
                                      monkeybiz
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 4:01PM

                                    • Well they're not jumping ship to the LNP. I got no problem with Ms Butler pushing this. I have a problem with how she can be so pushy for SSM and so blaise about children in detention. Definitely inconsistency in her convictions, which is a sure sign of someone who is in it for their career and seat.

                                      Commenter
                                      Piped Piper
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 4:04PM

                                    • PP - Well, she is Rudd's replacement in that seat - taint by association maybe?

                                      Commenter
                                      Smack
                                      Location
                                      City of the Fallen
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 4:09PM

                                    • Correct Sharron, only for about 75% of them according to recent polling.

                                      Isn't democracy wonderful, some right wing christians can stand in the way of the will of the people.

                                      Commenter
                                      davemac
                                      Location
                                      Melbourne
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 4:12PM

                                    • @Piped Piper you mean blaise, like Dutton and Turnbull?

                                      Commenter
                                      The Lad
                                      Location
                                      4340
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 5:04PM

                                  • I've heard The Greens have developed a new social media drone that hunts down all forms of intelligent life and tries to scare the bejeezus out of it by posting endless horror stories.

                                    Apparently its called the Non-Factinator.

                                    Commenter
                                    SteveH.
                                    Date and time
                                    March 02, 2016, 3:52PM

                                    • SteveH.

                                      You're safe.

                                      Commenter
                                      A Green
                                      Location
                                      Australia
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 4:04PM

                                    • Fancy that, I thought it was called the Labor GSTerminator...wonders never cease - maybe it was a unity thing.

                                      Commenter
                                      Smack
                                      Location
                                      City of the Fallen
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 4:07PM

                                    • I know, I've got a built-in greenie BS detector Mk 2.

                                      Commenter
                                      SteveH.
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 4:09PM

                                    • SteveH

                                      Now that's funny.

                                      Will you be at the Mardi Gra ?

                                      Showing everyone.

                                      Commenter
                                      A Green
                                      Location
                                      Australia
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 4:53PM

                                    • Then the LNP has nothing to worry about!

                                      Commenter
                                      The Lad
                                      Location
                                      4340
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 5:05PM

                                  • Those on the right are gutless, is there any who have crossed the floor?

                                    Commenter
                                    A country gal
                                    Date and time
                                    March 02, 2016, 3:51PM

                                    • Morrison should do some research about how many people negatively gear, and who they are. Obviously most of those sitting behind him do, and opposite him as well. And most of his mates and people he talks to after the Sinday sermon. (Sorry, Sunday- a typo too good to delete). But he seems to think that virtually everybody owns two houses, and negatively gears one.

                                      He may well find that there actually are Australians who do not own two houses. Many don’t even own one. Most struggled to pay off one, or like me are still struggling even though I’m retired. Not only is it a straw man argument (he’s arguing against wiping negative gearing, but Labor proposes only a partial winding back of future negative gearing), it’s likely to appeal only to a small number of people.

                                      Commenter
                                      Gigondas
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 3:50PM

                                      • What happened to the meek shall inherit the earth, Christians are no longer humble they are money hungry for themselves.

                                        Commenter
                                        Amro
                                        Date and time
                                        March 02, 2016, 4:13PM

                                    • @3.11

                                      Tony's wink appears to be failing ...

                                      overuse injury

                                      Commenter
                                      rod steiger
                                      Location
                                      toukley
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 3:49PM

                                      • Its now turned into a nervous twitch.

                                        Commenter
                                        Inspector Cloussoe
                                        Date and time
                                        March 02, 2016, 4:06PM

                                      • At least we know that he does not background or leak.

                                        That is what a chief of staff is for.

                                        Commenter
                                        Time to change
                                        Date and time
                                        March 02, 2016, 4:08PM

                                      • Whatever - it still makes me gag!

                                        Commenter
                                        PEarn
                                        Location
                                        Melbourne
                                        Date and time
                                        March 02, 2016, 4:38PM

                                    • @3:37 - Mr Pyne,
                                      The whole LNP approach is treating SSM as a stunt. The plebiscite is nothing but a delaying tactic; Your right wing has indicated they will not support a positive outcome.

                                      Pot
                                      Kettle
                                      Black.

                                      Commenter
                                      Time to change
                                      Date and time
                                      March 02, 2016, 3:48PM

                                      • The Pulse 3:37PM

                                        I'm not keen on voting on every piece of Legislation.

                                        That's what I pay politicians in Canberra to do.

                                        Pyne is a gornisht !

                                        Commenter
                                        A Green
                                        Location
                                        Australia
                                        Date and time
                                        March 02, 2016, 3:46PM

                                        • I hope the good burghers of Sturt vote for Matthew Wright, the surgeon who is standing for NXT.

                                          Commenter
                                          A country gal
                                          Date and time
                                          March 02, 2016, 3:46PM

                                          • Pyne says not Parliament, Plebiscite, not Playing Politics...Piffle

                                            Commenter
                                            Peter the Pepper Picker
                                            Date and time
                                            March 02, 2016, 3:41PM

                                            • I think Pyne just called out Butler's stunt as a "publicity stunt"....totally correct... But, she gets her foto on this site, which is what she wanted.

                                              Commenter
                                              Paul
                                              Location
                                              Brisbane
                                              Date and time
                                              March 02, 2016, 3:37PM

                                                • Paul is a one trick pony when it comes to Terri Butler.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  A Green
                                                  Location
                                                  Australia
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:40PM

                                                • yes of course - all she has ever wanted and worked for is to have her photo on the Pulse site and now it has happened. I expect we will hear of her resignation forthwith

                                                  Commenter
                                                  sybella
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:42PM

                                                • Yes, shame on that MP for being consistent on a topic. Much better she pander to the Cory Bernardi-types of the party room and suppress what they truly believe.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  Immal
                                                  Location
                                                  Melbourne
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:42PM

                                                • Good to see a photo of her facing the Speaker as opposed to the usual one of her departing the House after getting the boot yet again. The one constant is that her mouth is always pictured open, shouting imprecations

                                                  Commenter
                                                  Smack
                                                  Location
                                                  City of the Bane Sidhe
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:44PM

                                                • Silly comment

                                                  Commenter
                                                  RTP
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:44PM

                                                • ... and what you really really wanted, isn't it Paul.... Paul....

                                                  Commenter
                                                  rod steiger
                                                  Location
                                                  toukley
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:47PM

                                                • and that's all she wanted.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  Sharron
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:55PM

                                                • She is easier on the eye than that Pyne dude, who would you rather look at, ok we know Christopher, to each his/her own

                                                  Commenter
                                                  fiberal
                                                  Location
                                                  darwin
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 4:05PM

                                                • fib - Have you seen her in a Chicken picture lately?

                                                  Commenter
                                                  Smack
                                                  Location
                                                  City of the Fallen
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 4:11PM

                                                • Yay Paul. Regular as clockwork.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  davemac
                                                  Location
                                                  Melbourne
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 4:14PM

                                                • If she was on 'mute' permanently that would be great!!

                                                  Commenter
                                                  paul
                                                  Location
                                                  Brisbane
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 4:33PM

                                                • @fiberal and she far smarter than Pyne as well.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  The Lad
                                                  Location
                                                  4340
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 5:10PM

                                              • Hacka

                                                With commodities remaining in the doldrums GDP growth for 2015-16 is expected to be no higher than 2.6-2.7%. It is not yet July and you are saying that the year's GDP is 3%. Should we now refer to you as Jesus?

                                                Commenter
                                                Pen of hrba
                                                Date and time
                                                March 02, 2016, 3:35PM

                                                • Pen

                                                  He can't be Jesus, that job has been taken.

                                                  How about son of, son of, son of Jesus ?

                                                  Commenter
                                                  A Green
                                                  Location
                                                  Australia
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:39PM

                                                • Pen - it's a bit hard to work out where your confusion is here. The ABS has calculated that as of the December quarter 2015, the Australian annualised growth rate is 3.0%. They even published on their website (links already kindly provided).

                                                  If you'd like to argue about methodology, assumptions, seasonal adjustment theories, the impact of commodities, advanced stealth fighter radar-cloaking techniques, or the theories of relativity or evolution, best to take it up with the ABS.

                                                  As for Jesus, well sorry, i'm not much of a disciple.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  Hacka
                                                  Location
                                                  Canberra
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:52PM

                                              • This is not the Govt of innovation.
                                                The word we hear every two minutes.
                                                This is the Govt of improvisation. Improvising all through QT with outlandish waffling comments.
                                                They are the improvisers of policy on the run..

                                                Commenter
                                                A country gal
                                                Date and time
                                                March 02, 2016, 3:31PM

                                                • That's what we hear when MT is trying to avoid or deflect the question. He seems to be following the scripture from the book of Abbott these days. I suspect our PM has become little more than a marionette of the Right.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  stevek
                                                  Location
                                                  Sydney
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:43PM

                                                • well it sure is rubbish improv

                                                  I've heard better at Year 2 concerts

                                                  Commenter
                                                  rod steiger
                                                  Location
                                                  toukley
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:50PM

                                                • stevek, I saw last week as a defining few days with Labor putting forward a well measured policy on NG. Shorten exhibited much strength of character.
                                                  Well the media management team must've had a weekend retreat with Mal and Scotty.
                                                  Because all they've done is revert to cheap Abbott politics, improvisation and yet more waffle.
                                                  The great scare campaign effect.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  A country gal
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 4:09PM

                                                • Rod, yes like something from primary school.
                                                  And yet people entrust them to run the show.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  A country gal
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 4:12PM

                                                • AGC

                                                  If we are lucky, there might be one sound bite on the evening new. Other than that, the care factor is quite low; except here of course.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  $keptic
                                                  Location
                                                  Melbourne
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 4:32PM

                                              • Photo 3:02pm Malcolm is looking at trying to untie the knots that the backbench and right wing have got him trussed up in. Shame he can't "trust" those in his own party.

                                                Commenter
                                                Tucky
                                                Location
                                                Warragul
                                                Date and time
                                                March 02, 2016, 3:30PM

                                                • I thought he was checking to see if it was a YSL or an Armani.
                                                  Then he realised it was a Dior.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  A country gal
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:43PM

                                                • Surely seeing if it is long enough?

                                                  Commenter
                                                  Enough Rope
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 4:00PM

                                                • ACG, by the look on his face I thought he would be thinking 'of course, only Roberto Cavalli for me'.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  nuffsnuff
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 4:20PM

                                              • Can someone please throw Chris Bowen a flotation device? He is about to disappear below the waves as he thrashes around trying to stay afloat in a sea of confusion and self-inflicted debris.

                                                Commenter
                                                Allan
                                                Date and time
                                                March 02, 2016, 3:26PM

                                                • Coming off the SS Slomo slowly sinking.
                                                  What do we do now Captain DD, ummm...errr...ask Captain Stupid if he has any ideas.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  Nuff Nuff
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:34PM

                                                • Don't you mean Scott M? He seems to have already drowned and requires immediate medical assistance. Bowen is killing it.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  Squish
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:37PM

                                                • Captain "Smith" Morrison

                                                  " I know this is not the Titanic.

                                                  Nevertheless, Be British"

                                                  Commenter
                                                  rod steiger
                                                  Location
                                                  toukley
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:54PM

                                                • Seems Abbott and his minions are holding Mals anchor. No flotation device will work there.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  A country gal
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 4:17PM

                                              • Turnbull's ranting scare campaign against NG is what Tony Abbott's scare campaign was to the carbon tax, a daily rant that it will destroy our way of life, they have nothing to say, so what do they do

                                                Trash what the other side proposes relentlessly denouncing it, without any concrete evidence in the desperate hope it scares enough people to vote for this sh!!e

                                                Commenter
                                                fiberal
                                                Location
                                                darwin
                                                Date and time
                                                March 02, 2016, 3:23PM

                                                • Seriously, Negative Gearing is going to destroy our way of life?

                                                  Doubt it, runaway population growth might.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  SteveH.
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:39PM

                                              • Re: “Mr Abbott said he was "flabbergasted" that the submarine timetable he was working on had blown out by a decade.”

                                                Flabbergasted he should be by wasting so much of tax payers money?

                                                Advanced technologies employed in s anti sub warfare (ASW) include exploiting the rapidly increasing computing power of sensors and networks. When coupled to the operational persistence afforded by Sea Basing, such systems will provide pervasive awareness by way of hundreds, even thousands, of small sensing and computing devices in the ocean environment, yielding unprecedented situational awareness and highly detailed pictures. Tremendous fidelity will enable enhanced precision and timeliness in weapons delivery that will translate into increased tactical speed and operational agility as principal characteristics of CONOPS.

                                                Self-aware, autonomous sensor fields coupled with manned and unmanned kill vehicles will shift ASW from “platform-intensive” to “sensor-rich” operations. Sensors and networks will enable effective employment of weapons and platforms to a greater degree than ever before.

                                                Furthermore Russia put a satellite into space last year for the detection and tracking of submarines from space. The project was confirmed years ago by Russian defence industry spokesman Vladimir Boldyrev, of the Kosmonit science and technology centre. He confirmed then that a space satellite module could carry out remote sensing of the sea and "detect submerged submarines."

                                                So the LNP brains trust advocate spending $150 billion on submarines? As if the F35 fiasco wasn't enough stupidity to last ten terms of government?

                                                Commenter
                                                Pen of hrba
                                                Date and time
                                                March 02, 2016, 3:17PM

                                                • I agree DoD should cancel the sub and remaining F-35 orders and go for drones instead. The US Navy is considering replacing the F-35 with drones and there are fears that the Russians are developing a drone that hunts F-35s.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  stevek
                                                  Location
                                                  Sydney
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:32PM

                                                • greenie armchair generals in furious agreement, all sound and fury, signifying....

                                                  Commenter
                                                  SteveH.
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:41PM

                                                • Steve

                                                  The Russkies have probably got schoolkids developing a drone that hunts F-35s.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  A Green
                                                  Location
                                                  Australia
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:48PM

                                                • Has anyone informed the Minister for Magic

                                                  Commenter
                                                  SteveH.
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 4:10PM

                                              • Abbott blaming Turnbull for the Subs is a bit rich. Abbott could have given the contract to SA and therefore supported SA and won a lot of goodwill in the community in doing so but he instead chose his ideology over what is best for the country and he tried to award the contract to Japan.

                                                This is a serious question the Liberals are going to have to answer one day very soon. Who do you serve, your ideology or your country? Because so far, all they seem to serve is their failed ideology and they repeatedly make bad decisions for Australia based on this ideology.

                                                Its time to wake up Liberals and start putting your Country and its Workers FIRST! Stop selling out our interests based on your failed ideology.

                                                Your elected to serve the Australian people and your services are not for sale to the highest bidder or donor. Do what is right by your Country and its people First.

                                                Commenter
                                                Snapperhead
                                                Location
                                                The Reef
                                                Date and time
                                                March 02, 2016, 3:15PM

                                                • They're not listening snapper.
                                                  They don't give a damn about workers unless they are foreign or they are at the top end of the food chain.
                                                  they don't care for Australia or our future, they care but for themselves.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  A country gal
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:21PM

                                                • "your services are not for sale to the highest bidder or donor"
                                                  Wow snapper, this is news to me!
                                                  Just checked the time on my Rolex.
                                                  Must dash, pip pip old thing.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  fizzybeer
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:32PM

                                                • Yeah, it is pretty sad stuff ACG and Fizzy. They will follow their Ideology to the detriment of the Workers and would rather promote an economy based on massive housing debt, in order to make their Property Baron Mates and Donors even more wealthy at the expense of the average Australian.

                                                  Apparently, according to the Liberals, people owing a Million Dollars to the bank just to put a roof over their head is a good thing. According to the Liberals, young people being priced out of the market is a good thing. According to the Liberals, an Economy being driven by Mortgage Debt is a good thing.

                                                  And why is this a good thing? Because it means their Wealthy mates and donors become even more wealthy, whilst the rest of the population is crushed under massive debt.

                                                  This is a Ponzi Scheme. It keeps ticking along because people are forced to borrow more and more just to put a roof over their heads but sooner or later, the cost will get too much and when that happens, the Ponzi scheme collapses. But by that time, all the Liberals mates and donor will have made off like bandits leaving the poor old mum and dad home owners to pick up the pieces.

                                                  The Liberals refusal to fix Negative Gearing and Capital Gains is just their way of keeping the Ponzi Scheme alive. They know the problems and they know Labors policy will fix them but they don’t care. They just want to squeeze a few more years out of it before it all comes crashing down. The Liberals are not fit to run our economy.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  Snapperhead
                                                  Location
                                                  The Reef
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:51PM

                                              • Josh is concerned.

                                                Not concerned enough to meet the representatives from Oman Ama (Qld) who came to see him in Canberra yesterday.

                                                Appears they are not keen on being a dumping ground for nuclear waste.

                                                Josh's concern.

                                                Commenter
                                                A Green
                                                Location
                                                Australia
                                                Date and time
                                                March 02, 2016, 3:14PM

                                                • Hope all these "concerned" anti nuclear waste people never have a cancer that requires treatment and will create3 nuclear waste. or in fact a reason to visit any major hospital who currently store their own nuclear waste as they might get contaminated!.
                                                  May be the plan to turn down radiotherapy options on the grounds it will create nuclear waste!
                                                  PS have these people never heard of making appointments?

                                                  Commenter
                                                  andrew
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 4:08PM

                                                • andrew

                                                  Appointment made ..... Josh reneged.

                                                  Residents won't have to worry about their farming land making them ill ..... the nuclear remedy will be right there .

                                                  Hey !

                                                  Commenter
                                                  A Green
                                                  Location
                                                  Australia
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 4:27PM

                                              • Turnbull just said that the buyer of a new apartment off the plan would NOT BE ALLOWED to later sell the property to an investor.

                                                Lies don't come much bigger than that in the House.

                                                Commenter
                                                Too Easy
                                                Date and time
                                                March 02, 2016, 3:11PM

                                                  • Unless he really doesn't understand it himself?

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

                                                  • Try to keep up, he was talking in the context of negative gearing! Chris Bowen is also struggling to understand as well so you are not alone.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Allan
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 02, 2016, 3:29PM

                                                • Subdivide Kirribilli House.

                                                  There's only 1 family living there .... part time.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  A Green
                                                  Location
                                                  Australia
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:10PM

                                                  • Mal and Lucy are not using it.
                                                    So must be some squatters there AG.
                                                    More Govt waste.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    A country gal
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 02, 2016, 3:23PM

                                                • 1 million homeless.

                                                  4 million part time workers.

                                                  Yeah ...... negative gearing is wonderful.

                                                  Right up there with the 3% ..... that is actually 0.25 points behind Australia's average growth.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  A Green
                                                  Location
                                                  Australia
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:08PM

                                                  • 52 mushroom pickers imported from China/Taiwan....

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Too Easy
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 02, 2016, 3:15PM

                                                • For those that took umbrage with my assessment of Joe Bullock, policy should not be made because of the personal feelings of one person, why would you need to resign your commission because you disagreed on an issue with your party

                                                  Just because Joe don't agree with ssm, the country doesn't have to follow suit, if that's his views, fine, but it should not be policy because of it

                                                  Commenter
                                                  fiberal
                                                  Location
                                                  darwin
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:07PM

                                                  • Just because <insert politician name here> agrees with ssm, the country doesn't have to follow suit, if that's his/her views, fine, but it should not be policy because of it

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Indeed
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 02, 2016, 3:54PM

                                                • Spoken like a touch footy coach down 10 - nil at half time.

                                                  Turnbull will call the DD for April, he can't afford to let Morrison hand down the Budget.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  Too Easy
                                                  Date and time
                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:02PM

                                                  • Re: tram Drivers:
                                                    Could we please have a definition of "many" and I don't mean the Mexican Roller Gamer. Is it more than two? The number two that is, because it is definitely not more than 2%.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Double Disillusion
                                                    Location
                                                    Sydney
                                                    Date and time
                                                    March 02, 2016, 3:01PM

                                                    • In a novel twist to the tried and true method of the Oozlum bird, the Government now plans to fix the economy by having property investment fly in ever INCREASING circles until the financial viability of the nation disappears… somewhere.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      Gigondas
                                                      Date and time
                                                      March 02, 2016, 3:01PM

                                                      • The rest of the Libs might as well go home, it looks like the Morrison half hour on TV

                                                        Even when the PM gets a question, he hand balls it to ScoMo

                                                        Oops, he's up again

                                                        Commenter
                                                        fiberal
                                                        Location
                                                        darwin
                                                        Date and time
                                                        March 02, 2016, 3:00PM

                                                        • 2:52 - Chris Bowen - it's all very well suggesting Morrison doesn't know how negative gearing works.

                                                          But out of interest, could you tell us what the tax free threshold is ?

                                                          http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/chris-bowen-struggles-to-name-taxfree-threshold-during-alan-jones-interview-20150217-13hngs.html

                                                          Commenter
                                                          Hacka
                                                          Location
                                                          Canberra
                                                          Date and time
                                                          March 02, 2016, 2:58PM

                                                          • Can always ask any big corporation...according to apple...about $20Billion.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 02, 2016, 3:11PM

                                                          • Cheap shot Hacka. Of course he knew what it is; just couldn't answer on the occasion. Hasn't your mind gone blank on occasions (avoiding the temptation of a cheap shot)?

                                                            Commenter
                                                            stevek
                                                            Location
                                                            Sydney
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 02, 2016, 3:15PM

                                                          • Comparing apples with oranges again? Fruit salad is overrated.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Too Easy
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 02, 2016, 3:24PM

                                                          • Vote Mal - pay that one, very good.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Hacka
                                                            Location
                                                            Canberra
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 02, 2016, 3:33PM

                                                          • Just stuck my head in during a busy day...if that's your best shot @H I might come back later.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            davemac
                                                            Location
                                                            Melbourne
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 02, 2016, 3:35PM

                                                        • I'd like to see some polling from the marginal seats in NSW.

                                                          The member for Lindsay has had questions on Monday and Tuesday and appeared on The Drum last night.

                                                          That's a lot of exposure, especially now they have yet more new Ministers needing a run in the media.

                                                          Commenter
                                                          Too Easy
                                                          Date and time
                                                          March 02, 2016, 2:55PM

                                                          • Well one thing is certain, ScoMo has ruled himself out of becoming a future PM with this debacle of a performance in QT

                                                            Ranting/raving/screaming/screeching

                                                            Not a good look for a leader

                                                            Commenter
                                                            fiberal
                                                            Location
                                                            darwin
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 02, 2016, 2:53PM

                                                            • Couldn't agree more, fiberal. He's like a very bad ham actor pretending to be the nation's Treasurer.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              Banjo
                                                              Location
                                                              Eden
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 02, 2016, 3:00PM

                                                            • ...it worked against powerless boat people.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              Nuff Nuff
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 02, 2016, 3:02PM

                                                            • He's a prime example of the Peter Principle. He won admirers during his stint at Immigration and Border Control (I wasn't one of them); he was able to show his softer side in SocServ but still liked to carry a stick to poke at the downcast. As Treasurer, he is all over the place and totally unsuited for the job.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              stevek
                                                              Location
                                                              Sydney
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 02, 2016, 3:12PM

                                                            • "Ranting/raving/screaming/screeching"

                                                              Hmm, sounds like someone has had lessons from a certain MP (but not for much longer) Mr. Pyne.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              PB
                                                              Location
                                                              Brisbane
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 02, 2016, 3:12PM

                                                            • It's very hard not to rant and rave when you confront such gross stupidity on the other side of the House. They don't even understand how their own thought bubble works.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              Allan
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 02, 2016, 3:34PM

                                                          • But Scott, just five minutes ago you said buying a new property is a sure fire way to lose money at the turn of a key.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Too Easy
                                                            Date and time
                                                            March 02, 2016, 2:53PM

                                                            • Thing 1 & Thing 2
                                                              Chris Bowen & Tony Burke.
                                                              Not even the Cat in the Hat can help these two.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              Shane
                                                              Location
                                                              Hammondville
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 02, 2016, 2:52PM

                                                              • So I presume the things are Scomo and Pyne?

                                                                Was that a comment or a cryptic crossword clue?

                                                                You get more sense from Scomos QT answers.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                blah
                                                                Date and time
                                                                March 02, 2016, 3:04PM

                                                              • I thought that guy with the beard looked like Bowen! Wasn't he the guy that was responsible for stuff-up after stuff-up in the RGR years? No wonder he's trying to disguise himself...

                                                                Commenter
                                                                The Sniper
                                                                Location
                                                                Sydney
                                                                Date and time
                                                                March 02, 2016, 3:06PM

                                                            • What DO those two women who sit behind Turnbull and nod their heads actually DO?

                                                              Commenter
                                                              PEarn
                                                              Location
                                                              Melbourne
                                                              Date and time
                                                              March 02, 2016, 2:47PM

                                                                • I heard the one that took Thomson's seat of Dobbell actually speak to the House last week. McNamara?
                                                                  Better at nodding than speaking.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  A country gal
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 02, 2016, 2:59PM

                                                                • They negatively gear investment properties.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  marathon
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:04PM

                                                                • If you ask Tony or Bernardi, the response will probably be;

                                                                  The ironing.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  PB
                                                                  Location
                                                                  Brisbane
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:09PM

                                                                • ...must be tram drivers out of parliament?

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 02, 2016, 3:13PM

                                                              • The Speaker will remove himself under 94a.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                Chopper Squad
                                                                Date and time
                                                                March 02, 2016, 2:45PM

                                                                • Especially when you are paid $1000 per minute for thinking.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 02, 2016, 2:42PM

                                                              • Tram drivers using NG, were are they sleeping ScMo, in the tram depot, while others pay them rent

                                                                You will notice how Morrison steers clear of mentioning the very rich who NG, those in his own party room, one who has 32 properties NG

                                                                Now you can see why they are screaming blue murder about fiddling with NG, and it's sweet all about the moms and dads getting ahead

                                                                Commenter
                                                                fiberal
                                                                Location
                                                                darwin
                                                                Date and time
                                                                March 02, 2016, 2:40PM

                                                                • Can we poll all the tram drivers in this country and see what number negative gear a property.

                                                                  Apparently, tram drivers are all property moguls.

                                                                  Scomo and Turnbull are just dribblers.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  DirkDiggler
                                                                  Location
                                                                  LNPHQ
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 02, 2016, 2:35PM

                                                                  • Do you think the ATO is making up people's occupations now ?

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    andrew
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 2:38PM

                                                                  • Only poor people negatively gear and as a gubment we are determined to preserve their rorts.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 2:41PM

                                                                  • they and doctors and nurses and paramedics must be the only people with jobs.
                                                                    457s could be a growth industry in those areas.
                                                                    Invest in 457s, the backbone of the new economy.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    fizzybeer
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 2:47PM

                                                                  • @Andrew

                                                                    No, I do understand we have tram drivers in this country. But I am pretty sure the number of tram drivers in this country would be lucky to number more than 200.

                                                                    So according to Scomo, all 200 tram drivers are negative gearing a property. Seems reasonable to poll these 200 and get a good account of the number of properties they negative gear wouldn't you think Andrew???

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    DirkDiggler
                                                                    Location
                                                                    LNPHQ
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 3:05PM

                                                                  • Wonderful sn't it, the India doctor that owns the house in live in mustn't have been counted.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Amro
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 3:23PM

                                                                  • Dirk but the ATO already has the numbers.
                                                                    So why do we need to poll them?

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    andrew
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 4:10PM

                                                                  • @Andrew.

                                                                    Mostly to make scomo look stupid.

                                                                    There is a very good chance that no tram drivers negative gear a house.

                                                                    If he wants to make statements about something he knows absolutely nothing about, he must expect to get called out. Sorry if I hurt his feelings.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    DirkDiggler
                                                                    Location
                                                                    LNPHQ
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 4:30PM

                                                                • Blue suit, blue shirt, blue tie.

                                                                  Ciobo dressed to impress for his first Dixer.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Too Easy
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 02, 2016, 2:35PM

                                                                  • I really, really don't like him.
                                                                    I've never forgotten his comments about JG.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    A country gal
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 2:39PM

                                                                  • Exactly my thoughts

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Amro
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 2:53PM

                                                                • Does Scott Morrison realise that the nurses, the policemen, the ambulance drivers and tram drivers who don't negatively gear property, are paying for the negative gearing of the nurses, the policemen, the ambulance drivers and tram drivers who do?

                                                                  He never thinks these things through.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  marathon
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 02, 2016, 2:34PM

                                                                  • Maybe he should check around Canberra the amount of senior public servants NG.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Amro
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 3:24PM

                                                                • AFP need to establish a permanent investigation force in parliament house.
                                                                  Who leaked the White Paper?
                                                                  Who would be so vengeful that he would bring our National Security down to the level of playing a political game?
                                                                  What is the punishment for treason?

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  fizzybeer
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 02, 2016, 2:34PM

                                                                  • Hung drawn and quartered...unless you are a man of title...hang on who was it brought back knights and dames?

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 3:01PM

                                                                  • Malcolm did his best to downplay this, but it is going to become a very very big story.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Banjo
                                                                    Location
                                                                    Eden
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 3:04PM

                                                                • Only a Treasurer with no idea could equate a new home to a new car when it comes to resale value.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Too Easy
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  March 02, 2016, 2:33PM

                                                                  • Morrison is a liability.

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Too Easy
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 2:31PM

                                                                    • he gets confused easily, still thinks he is an asset.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      fizzybeer
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 02, 2016, 2:35PM

                                                                  • Can we have a two-thirds real questions, one-third dixers Question Time? Or all the dixers at the end?

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    marathon
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    March 02, 2016, 2:31PM

                                                                    • That's the second question in a week that Bowen should have had written by somebody else.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Too Easy
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      March 02, 2016, 2:30PM

                                                                      • @2.08 - "you don't rush to failure"

                                                                        Correct Scotty that's why the Government waited two years before installing you as Treasurer.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        ah ha
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:30PM

                                                                        • Especially when you are paid $1000 per minute for thinking.

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          March 02, 2016, 2:42PM

                                                                      • Christopher
                                                                        industry is certainly firing.
                                                                        457s are "used" here, and skilled Aussies go to New Guinea for work.
                                                                        Great system your lot put in place and maintain.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:29PM

                                                                        • 52 mushroom pickers on 457 visas have been underpaid.

                                                                          How many "guest" workers are there in Australia?

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          Too Easy
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          March 02, 2016, 2:44PM

                                                                      • As poor as Joe Hockey was as treasurer, and he was poor, ScoMo is making Joe look like an absolute genius

                                                                        When a man has to resort to tell stories about how great he was in another portfolio, instead of staying on track with his current one,his time is up, next

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        fiberal
                                                                        Location
                                                                        darwin
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:25PM

                                                                        • At least you can listen to MT...OMG Morrison is a horror movie

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          JT
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          March 02, 2016, 2:24PM

                                                                          • Scotty's also undertaken a traineeship in waffling. Just has the volume turned up with some facial gymnastics.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            A country gal
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            March 02, 2016, 2:20PM

                                                                            • Check out the shrill Treasurer, shrieking like a banshee in QT, they have had two and a half years to formulate policy, and what have we got, we are taking our time, to get a policy he states, just how much time do you inept mugs need, one policy, one will do for a start, please, talk about useless

                                                                              Commenter
                                                                              fiberal
                                                                              Location
                                                                              darwin
                                                                              Date and time
                                                                              March 02, 2016, 2:19PM

                                                                              • Can't stand listening to the no stop drivvle of Morrison in particular.....verbal diarrhea at its worst and very aggressive. How could any calm reasonable person listen to his style of communicating?

                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                JT
                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                March 02, 2016, 2:19PM

                                                                                • Try again, Hacka

                                                                                  All of the figures cited by me are taken from ABS 1345.0 - Key Economic Indicators, 2016

                                                                                  Your 3% growth is a furphy.

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  Pen of hrba
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 2:19PM

                                                                                  • Pen - we're getting into some applied mathematics here, but if you add four quarters of growth together, you get an annual figure.

                                                                                    http://abs.gov.au/ausstats/abs@.nsf/mf/5206.0?opendocument#from-banner=HL

                                                                                    Pay particular attention to the part where the ABS reports that seasonally adjusted Dec Qtr 2014 to Dec Qtr 2015 growth = 3.0%.

                                                                                    Anything else you need ?

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Hacka
                                                                                    Location
                                                                                    Canberra
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 2:46PM

                                                                                • Morrison just demanded to know how the Labor Party could have been discussing its NG/CGT policy for eight months when Shorten had said he had no plans on that front nine and twelve months ago.

                                                                                  Yep, he's bright this one.

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  Too Easy
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 2:19PM

                                                                                  • .......he did say 18 months if you had been listening!

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Allan
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 3:36PM

                                                                                • The word for the day is "Innovation"

                                                                                  Just in case you missed it in QT, innovation, innovation, innovation, I am up to here, in innovation Malcolm

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  fiberal
                                                                                  Location
                                                                                  darwin
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 2:13PM

                                                                                  • How innovative can they be than spend up to $74.3 billion on a crippled dog called the F35?

                                                                                    And what about all of those military surface ships worth another $100 billion, sitting out there on the mill pond just waiting for an anti-ship missile to appear at hyper speed: Captian look on the hor...boom? Oh dear?

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Pen of hrba
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 2:42PM

                                                                                • Turnbull and company want to spend a lot of money on targets for missiles.

                                                                                  All those heavy guns and they'll never get to fire a shot in anger.

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  Too Easy
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 2:11PM

                                                                                  • In that case it will be money well spent.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    SteveH.
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 2:41PM

                                                                                • Pen, why won't your calculator work out the sustainable population of Australia? surely someone with such superior numerical skills can tell us. Maybe start somewhere easy - how about Cocos Island? Fort Denison? just build up the numbers slowly and then add it all up.

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  enough is enough
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 2:08PM

                                                                                  • 1:12pm: "You're not really a member of Parliament until you've been hugged by Warren Entsch."

                                                                                    Damn. So much for all those plans I had of a glittering Parliamentary career.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    Gigondas
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 2:08PM

                                                                                    • Good on Russell Broadbent for doing this. The LNP is truly a party that is a broad church. Makes me wonder if anyone in the ALP has the guts to stand up to Shorten and do the same? I don't believe that all ALP MP's and senators besides Parke think sending children to Nauru is a great idea.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      Piped Piper
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 2:06PM

                                                                                      • Yes good on him Piped. Broadbent was vocal along with Georgio, Troeth, Moylan and Baird under howard on the Refugee issue. He's the only one left.
                                                                                        Re Labor I attended a Refugee forum with Anna Burke as a KN Speaker last year.
                                                                                        She is also retiring as is McTiernan and Parkes.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        A country gal
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:44PM

                                                                                    • What does the new economy look like?

                                                                                      What are the industries that will be driving it?

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      Too Easy
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 2:06PM

                                                                                      • Australian industries:
                                                                                        - pork barrelling
                                                                                        - negative gearing
                                                                                        - gravy train

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:33PM

                                                                                    • Check out J Bishop in QT, she looks so strung out, has not slept in a week by the looks of it

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      fiberal
                                                                                      Location
                                                                                      darwin
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 2:03PM

                                                                                      • Busy admiring Malcolm it drains you.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Amro
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:12PM

                                                                                      • True, not so fresh.
                                                                                        The Minister for Movie Stars has had a big week, Logies and all.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        A country gal
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:16PM

                                                                                      • another plot hatching, it wears out even the most experienced of them all.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:24PM

                                                                                      • She looks OK to me , but you probably think Shorten is a stunner & all labor pollies are beautiful..

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        A1
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:24PM

                                                                                      • she does look badly drawn, I hope she will get erased soon lets the end of the next election and get some beauty sleep in opposition.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Squish
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:33PM

                                                                                    • Wow, Turnbull has found a spine and is putting Abbott in his place. At last.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      Too Easy
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 2:03PM

                                                                                      • Whose spine was it?

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        shiver
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:09PM

                                                                                      • Dunno lots of skeletons in the closet at LNPHQ ...eh Dirk.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:35PM

                                                                                    • Well done Joel....hope you are celebrating something else this year....its time ...its been 3 long years!

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      JT
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 2:00PM

                                                                                      • Poor old Joe Bullock, 60 years old, there are just some older people who are out of touch with modern Australia, there is a lot in the Liberal Party, running the country on personal religious beliefs

                                                                                        Denying others the same rights as they have, because they dance to a different tune

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        fiberal
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        darwin
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:00PM

                                                                                        • Religion aside, everybody has their own beliefs in one way or another, but you would berate Joe for his age & beliefs at the behest of your own & others of like mind? To do so, you then deny Joe the very same rights that you implore.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Indeed
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 2:23PM

                                                                                        • Because he isn't a labor sheeple & not a yes sir no sir 3 bags full, good on him for speaking his mind & resigning on his principle.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Francis Underwood
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 2:26PM

                                                                                      • Zimmerman has a message for those that peddle prejudice, seems there are a lot in his own party room who would take umbrage with that statement, there are about 44 of them

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        fiberal
                                                                                        Location
                                                                                        darwin
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 1:56PM

                                                                                        • Pen thinks the Australian military just want to take on China. Oh dear Pen, you have no idea do you. If you ever spoke with a Major General or a Brigadier or a Colonel they would tell you that military engagement is not all they do. Go on Pen, tell us what else they do with their ships, planes and land based equipment.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          enough is enough
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 1:55PM

                                                                                          • eie - she also seems to think that GDP growth numbers are produced by the Liberal Party. Maybe the internet doesn't work so well in hrba.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 2:09PM

                                                                                          • Oh you mean expeditions of humanitarian aid? The budget that was slashed? Well I suppose having a multi billion dollar helicopter carrier to ferry tents and water is yet another aspect of LNP waste?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Pen of hrba
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 2:13PM

                                                                                        • There has been a shift in language on the timing of a normal election in the latter part of the year.

                                                                                          It has gone from Ausgust, September or October to now being July, August or September.

                                                                                          By next week it'll be May, June or July.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Too Easy
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 1:54PM

                                                                                          • Now to get Stan Grant into parliament so we can get some real progress towards proper recognition of our first Australians.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Cass Phoenix
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:53PM

                                                                                            • That would be the best thing I've heard all day!

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              Jump
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 2:07PM

                                                                                            • Yes waiting on him too, but mentioned Noel as he's been vocal and proactive for far longer.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 2:13PM

                                                                                            • He's not the man for the job.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              Too Easy
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 2:22PM

                                                                                          • 12:39pm

                                                                                            "There should be a law against that."

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Quote me
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:51PM

                                                                                            • The lads do protest too much?

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              Ruth
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 2:35PM

                                                                                          • 1:42 - how very kind of Joel, Jenny, Kelvin and Albo to join in the celebrations of Howard's 20 years.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:51PM

                                                                                            • The class of 1996 eh?
                                                                                              Best go back and review all workplace agreements and enterprise bargaining contracts. No doubt the workers were duded out of $billions.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              enough is enough
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 1:47PM

                                                                                              • Hey dude don't call me dude!
                                                                                                Don't call me dude!

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                Immal
                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 2:04PM

                                                                                              • we certainly were dudded out of billions in the next 11 years.

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                fizzybeer
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 2:04PM

                                                                                            • One of the major election issues MUST be that the elected government is allowed to govern and be accountable for their decisions....the ALP and fool senators blocking gov't legislation is just wrong for our country.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              Paul
                                                                                              Location
                                                                                              Brisbane
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 1:46PM

                                                                                              • Will the changes to allow preferential below the line allow non major parties to set up strings of votes or will we have to pick our on way thru and exclude Lib /Nat and green from our even dozen choices

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                Toupee
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 1:43PM

                                                                                                • Good old union Joe - Bullock by name, bullock by nature.....

                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                  Smack
                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                  City of the Bane Sidhe
                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 1:42PM

                                                                                                  • Does the same go for you, Smack?

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Banjo
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    Eden
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 1:48PM

                                                                                                  • With a tag like that, very brave to be asking me. Should I strum my reply to the theme from Deliverance? No, please don't squeal...

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Smack
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    City of the Fallen
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 2:05PM

                                                                                                  • Good on ole Anthony John, Abbott by name, Abbott by nature.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 2:14PM

                                                                                                • 1.09 Kudos to Scullion for his bipartisan welcome to Pat.
                                                                                                  Now Nigel get Magnifico Mal to put Noel in Brough's seat or the Senate and we may get somewhere.

                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                  A country gal
                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 1:42PM

                                                                                                  • Pen, I've heard the Greens defence white paper includes the relaunch of Starship Enterprise. Can you confirm or deny?

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    enough is enough
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 1:39PM

                                                                                                    • yeah yeah
                                                                                                      and the cons are going to promote Cerebus as the latest in unsinkable Naval vessels.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      fizzybeer
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 1:48PM

                                                                                                    • Me thinks that you hear noises that are not there perhaps it is your invisible friend whispering like the wind.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Pen of hrba
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 1:53PM

                                                                                                    • I believe what you are exhibiting is an over-abundance of emotion, Captain einie. I am afraid I cannot help you with this behaviour

                                                                                                      Mr Spock

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      rod steiger
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      toukley
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 2:03PM

                                                                                                    • eie
                                                                                                      At least I guess they're launching something. The LNP can't even launch a coherent tax review they've been talking about for 3 years now

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Econorat
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      Sydney
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 2:04PM

                                                                                                    • Explain how one can relaunch something that is figment of imagination? You really are becoming more bizarre by the day, like the LNP all fantasy and substance.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Pen of hrba
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 2:09PM

                                                                                                  • I always thought that a double dissolution was called by the government of the day. As opposed to newspaper journalists that is.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    gegsy
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 1:38PM

                                                                                                    • Why didn't the Liberal Party try and recruit Pat Dodson

                                                                                                      Because they don't give a damn about the first Australians, sure they go camping for a week with them, but that is window dressing, all for show, especially when the same guy demeans them that living in remote areas, is a life style choice

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      fiberal
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      darwin
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 1:38PM

                                                                                                      • fiberal and if you recall prior to the glamcamping stunt the Ex went via Broome, home to many "lifestyle choices" including the "lifestyle choice" of one Kerry Stokes. Stokes got the visit, not those in true need.
                                                                                                        Pat also hails from Broome, obviously preselecting him not on the radar.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        A country gal
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 2:05PM

                                                                                                    • Sarah HY may miss out when voting rules changed? Best news ever....!! Another useless senator can go and get a real job..

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      paul
                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                      Brisbane
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 1:36PM

                                                                                                      • Hacka

                                                                                                        “Annual growth up 3%”?

                                                                                                        Really how very odd? You best eExplain the latest ABS and Morgan figures

                                                                                                        Actual New Capital Expenditure - 17.7%
                                                                                                        Dwelling unit approvals - 8.7%
                                                                                                        Building approvals - 4.7%
                                                                                                        Unemployment rate - 0.4%
                                                                                                        Morgan Consumer Confidence – 3 points
                                                                                                        Inflation 4.8%

                                                                                                        It strikes that you rely on far too much LNP bullshit and not enough on the facts.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        Pen of hrba
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 1:32PM

                                                                                                        • Housing is the new economy, nothing else matters.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          fizzybeer
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 1:45PM

                                                                                                        • Pen, just to help you out, the GDP numbers come from the Australian Bureau of Statistics. They're a well known government agency, and not a subsidiary of the Liberal party.

                                                                                                          http://abs.gov.au/

                                                                                                          You're welcome :-)

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          Hacka
                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                          Canberra
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 1:49PM

                                                                                                        • Pen
                                                                                                          The best way to confuse conservatives is to use facts and logic.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          Rolle the Rolex's Big Adventure
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 1:52PM

                                                                                                      • Pen, how many Nuclear Armed Intercontinental Ballistic Missiles should Australia have? and where should they be located? how about Cocos Island? Mawson Base? Norfolk Island? Kangaroo Island?
                                                                                                        Would you be willing and able to carry the suitcase with the secret codes?

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        enough is enough
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 1:31PM

                                                                                                        • You tell who will sell them to us and then I will tell you how to deploy them? You do realise these things are nuclear do you, Nuffy. What did I tell you last week about a carpet ban on nuclear military technology?

                                                                                                          Get grip, Nuffy.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          Pen of hrba
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 1:47PM

                                                                                                      • Oh! I see now Shane, it was the senate's fault, then ask yourself why they refused to pass that piece of refuse into legislation

                                                                                                        Because they saw it for what it was, a document to lash the poor, those at the lower end of the wage spectrum, exempting the well off/rich from any imposts

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        fiberal
                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                        darwin
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 1:27PM

                                                                                                        • 12.39, not exactly a look of welcoming warmth there Kev.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          A country gal
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 1:24PM

                                                                                                          • Kevin is positively glowering whilst Tony looks distinctly uncomfortable.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            Banjo
                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                            Eden
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:36PM

                                                                                                          • Alex always nails it Banjo. However I expect he could've been on long exposure for this pic, for the duration of his speech.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:44PM

                                                                                                          • Spot on ACG. Kevin and Tony, the two yesterdays men of the Liberal Party are none too pleased in watching a new up and comer, who may well question their warped view of the world.

                                                                                                            I wonder who told him not to mention his sexuality in his speech? Obviously someone who sees it as being an issue inside the party.

                                                                                                            Maybe they would be happier if he was locked away in the basement somewhere to avoid them having to answer and uneasy questions.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            Snapperhead
                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                            The Reef
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 2:02PM

                                                                                                          • snapper, yes I wonder.
                                                                                                            And yes it's an issue within, a big issue.
                                                                                                            There's quite a cluster in that part of the House.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 2:11PM

                                                                                                        • Hacka is pleased the 3% is close to the average.

                                                                                                          Then again everything Hacka supports is average.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          A Green
                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                          Australia
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 1:20PM

                                                                                                          • If you knew anything about world economics you would realise that 3% growth in what was a commodities based economy is much better than most.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            Simone
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:33PM

                                                                                                          • Sussan Ley would be happy with 3%. It would a glorious and emphatic win for the people

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            Immal
                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:39PM

                                                                                                        • 12.05

                                                                                                          Why on earth SHOULD Morrison talk about tax when we are heading towards a budget. We are way out of line expecting any details.

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          PEarn
                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                          Melbourne
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 1:11PM

                                                                                                          • When you haven't got much you've got to talk about something, anything.
                                                                                                            Improvisation.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:47PM

                                                                                                          • Ahhh.... ACG!
                                                                                                            So that is what they've been doing for two-and-a-half years?
                                                                                                            Improvisation?

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            Jump
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 2:03PM

                                                                                                          • Yes Jump if you say it quick enough it sounds like innovation.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 2:32PM

                                                                                                        • 11.48 am: Penny Wong? Why is Labor so worried about a DD election? Isn't that what Labor wanted? A snap election?

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          Sharron
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 1:11PM

                                                                                                          • Morrison hints at future spending restraint after just announcing a trillion dollars in defence expenditure!!!! That is like telling a teenager that his credit card is maxed out but to just keep any future purchases down a little......... as long as mum and dad keep picking up the tab.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            Tucky
                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                            Warragul
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:08PM

                                                                                                            • “War is a way of shattering to pieces, or pouring into the stratosphere, or sinking into the depths of the sea, materials which might otherwise be used to make the masses too comfortable, and hence, in the long run, too intelligent.”

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              Indeed
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 1:39PM

                                                                                                          • A Green

                                                                                                            I see that Steve H is still in a state of confusion has to what the latest Russian technology is, he thinks the Mig 35 fighter can be compared with the F35?

                                                                                                            Shall you tell him or shall I that the T50 has a range 1500 Km at supersonic flight.

                                                                                                            Oh and at altitude: Mach 2.3 (2,440 km/h, 1,520 mph)

                                                                                                            Supercruise: Mach 1.6 (1,700 km/h, 1,060 mph)

                                                                                                            Range: 3,500 km (2,175 mi) subsonic
                                                                                                            1,500 km (930 mi) supersonic

                                                                                                            Ferry range: 5,500 km (3,420 mi) with one in-flight refuelling

                                                                                                            Service ceiling: 20,000 m (65,000 ft)

                                                                                                            How will his crippled dog survive?

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            Pen of hrba
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:01PM

                                                                                                            • Well so far the Russians have only managed to build 5 prototypes Pen, and it doesn't look like the Russians intend buying many of your wonder weapons in the future either:

                                                                                                              "However in late 2015, Russian Deputy Minister Yuri Borisov announced that the Russian Air Force would only purchase a squadron (18-24 aircraft) of PAK FA fighter jets, and procure additional Sukhoi Su-35 aircraft instead."

                                                                                                              http://thediplomat.com/2016/01/india-and-russia-fail-to-resolve-dispute-over-fifth-generation-fighter-jet/

                                                                                                              So I don't see them being much a problem right now. This is problem with exaggeration Pen, it never quite goes the distance.

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              SteveH.
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 1:47PM

                                                                                                            • In fact once we get out of 'spin' territory the picture isn't so rosy for this one:

                                                                                                              "Unfortunately for Russia, its PAK FA, also known as the T-50, is having developmental issues that put its entire premise of being a fifth-generation into question.

                                                                                                              This is largely due to a lack of evolutionary technology aboard the plane compared to previous jets that Russia and the US have designed. Indeed, the PAK FA’s engines are the same as those aboard Russia’s 4++ generation (a bridging generation between fourth and fifth-generation aircraft) Su-35. Additionally, the PAK FA and the Su-35 share many of the same on-board systems.

                                                                                                              And even when the PAK FA’s systems are different from the Su-35’s, the plane’s specifications are still not up to true fifth-generation standards."

                                                                                                              http://www.businessinsider.com.au/russias-newest-fighter-jet-is-fifth-generation-in-name-only-2016-2?r=US&IR=T

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              SteveH.
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 2:02PM

                                                                                                            • In fact the Russians themselves don't seem particularly impressed with either the technology or the cost of this wonder weapon Pen:

                                                                                                              "Russian specialists familiar with the T-50 programme state that the aircraft will have trouble gaining traction in the Asian market as the on-board systems offer very little fifth-generation technologies despite what is projected to be a considerably higher price tag than the latest Su-35 'Flanker-E', ordered by China and Indonesia."

                                                                                                              http://www.janes.com/article/58166/singapore-airshow-2016-analysis-pak-fa-s-asian-export-hopes-stymied-by-lack-of-fifth-generation-qualities

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              SteveH.
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 2:17PM

                                                                                                            • So according to your logic Steve the low number of T50's produced will remain the same even if tensions increase? I do not think so?

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              Pen of hrba
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 2:37PM

                                                                                                            • Sounds me like its going to be a squadron of face saving hangar queens buried somewhere east of the Ural mountains.

                                                                                                              Mother Russia has let you down badly today comrade. Another tall story tomorrow?

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              SteveH.
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 3:44PM

                                                                                                          • Zimmerman is all class and a great role model for the community. Free to speak about his own life and related matters. If he was an ALP MP he would be muzzled and would be reading the usual ALP script.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            enough is enough
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:00PM

                                                                                                            • You are so biased EIE to be taken seriously...can you acknowledge and accept his criticism of his own party on the lack of action on marriage equality too? Or is that going too far?

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              JT
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 1:44PM

                                                                                                            • Yep its his 1st speech to the chamber alright unfortunately for you & your lot eie it will most likely be his last as well

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              tom
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              QLD
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 2:39PM

                                                                                                            • I wonder how he will be voting in the plebiscite Eie.
                                                                                                              The much vaunted plebiscite we are unlikely to ever see.
                                                                                                              Of he can vote one way in the plebiscite, another in the house, for that is the con ideology.

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              fizzybeer
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 3:29PM

                                                                                                          • I think its sad that the Coalition sole economic Policy is tax cuts. Everything is tax cuts. It reminds me of a League game after the siren and the team losing puts up a high up and under and pray that it comes out there way.

                                                                                                            Tax cuts are the liberals equivalent of the Cowboys and JT.

                                                                                                            Please there has to be something more than tax cuts

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            kbf
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:00PM

                                                                                                            • 3 year term...less collateral damage by a incompetent 1 term govt.

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              JT
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 12:59PM

                                                                                                              • Still waiting for Swannie's promised surplus

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                Crash tester
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 12:59PM

                                                                                                                • Still waiting for Joe's promised surplus.

                                                                                                                  What a fun game.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  blah
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 1:44PM

                                                                                                                • still waiting for Abbott's promised $500 reduction in my power bill.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  Nick
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 2:00PM

                                                                                                              • 4 year terms....4 years working out how to con and lie their way back to win the next election!

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                JT
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 12:56PM

                                                                                                                • No, 3 years out of every 3 years is worrying about how they will win the next election and nothing about what they will actually do in govt.....get over it please.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  JT
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 12:55PM

                                                                                                                  • Well Trent Zimmerman could be a breath of fresh air for the Liberals if he comes out in support of Me after giving a nod to the traditional owners. Recognition - tick? ME - tick? I wonder what he thinks of Safe Schools. We shall see. As for 4 team years, you could argue that the year lost to speculation about the next election is result of enthusiasm to get the incumbents out of office asap.

                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                    stevek
                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                    Sydney
                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:52PM

                                                                                                                    • 12.24
                                                                                                                      "And, because people seem to want to talk about tax, Mr Morrison calls it a day"

                                                                                                                      Of course he did. He's not going to fall for that old trick.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Rollee the Rolex's Adventure
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 12:51PM

                                                                                                                      • Pen, now that the Greens have lurched towards the right, still a way to go mind you but a start is a start - have they worked out what Australia's sustainable population is?

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        enough is enough
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 12:50PM

                                                                                                                        • Ask the LNP they are ones increasing artificial population increase by one million every four years? I mean how stupid are they not to understand what the sustainable population is?

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 1:40PM

                                                                                                                      • Good on you Zimmerman....you need to speak loudly over the likes of Bernadi, Christensen and Abbott.

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        JT
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 12:45PM

                                                                                                                        • 11.48 am. Another gag - per coms Penny Wong.
                                                                                                                          Well Gillard and Rudd certainly gaged her on SSM.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          enough is enough
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 12:39PM

                                                                                                                          • Yes, you've mentioned it before.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Too Easy
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:42PM

                                                                                                                          • Whoa, there, slow down, eie, slow down! Your fingers are getting all confused. Take a breath. Visualise a peaceful scene. Maybe even go for a five minute walk. You'll appreciate the break. (As will we all.)

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Gigondas
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:52PM

                                                                                                                          • enough is enough

                                                                                                                            3 quarters of the world gags on the Foreign Minister for Movie Stars.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            A Green
                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:16PM

                                                                                                                          • I know what about a Maxist gag, I'm sure Chairman Jonny would approve...BTW haven't you been seconded to Nato einie?

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:19PM

                                                                                                                          • Who is gagging Mal on SSM, the republic, climate change, NBN......................

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Reek
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:26PM

                                                                                                                        • Is there an economist on the room???

                                                                                                                          Maybe the treasurer SHOULD be one.

                                                                                                                          Now there's a novel idea

                                                                                                                          "I'm the treasurer not someone that know economics"

                                                                                                                          Good Grief

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          DirkDiggler
                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                          LNPHQ
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 12:35PM

                                                                                                                          • Sir Humphrey: Well obviously I'm not a trained lawyer, or I wouldn't have been in charge of the Legal Unit!

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Gigondas
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:57PM

                                                                                                                        • 12.30pm The sound of hot air rising.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          Banjo
                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                          Eden
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 12:34PM

                                                                                                                          • His seats probably still warm after Joe, the worst treasurer in Australian history.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:21PM

                                                                                                                        • Brian Owler might have been a better pick for the Labor party then Pat considering we are in a election year and health is one of the key fighting groung.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          battler
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 12:33PM

                                                                                                                          • ...excpet this is a WA senate position and Prof Owler is in Sydney. Let's give Pat Dodson a chance, shall we?

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            stevek
                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                            Sydney
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:43PM

                                                                                                                        • The problem with health costs is ever increasing privatisation; all we have to do is look at recent history of costs. Health expenditure in Australia in 2011-12 was approximately $140.2 billion for 23.3 million people, up from $82.9 billion in 2001-02 when the population was 18.9 million. Statistically based on 2001-02 figures one million people cost the health budget $43.96 million, in 2014 it was $60.17 million per million people. While the population has increased by 24.3% health costs increased by 69.1%.

                                                                                                                          In 2014‐15 the Australian Government health budget was $66.89 billion for 23, 513, 564 population = $2844.74 per head of population. In 2010-11 health cost $130.3 billion for a population of 22, 385 300 = $5820.78 per head of population. Therefore government is now spending 48.86% less on health per head of population while private health costs are increasing.

                                                                                                                          These figures reveal the true costs of increased privatisation and unsustainable population growth.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                          Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 12:32PM

                                                                                                                          • Here's a thought Pen,

                                                                                                                            Index the Medicare funding to the amount of increase gained by private health funds.

                                                                                                                            that is, if the minister approves a 6% rise, then medicare funding goes up by the same amount (in line with well documented reasons why health care has gone up for private users).

                                                                                                                            it means there will be huge incentives for the government to keep private increases to an absolute minimum.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Econorat
                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                            Sydney
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:19PM

                                                                                                                          • Econorat, people won't even pay a few extra bucks to see the doctor. What makes you think they'd pay more for Medicare?

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            adrian
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:33PM

                                                                                                                          • adrian,

                                                                                                                            You missed my 'drift'. The government has a budget for public health funding, correct?
                                                                                                                            It is supposed to increase this funding from consolidated revenue each year, correct?

                                                                                                                            Well.... simply, if the private health funds ask for a 6% rise, then the government should then increase health budget by 6%, no questions asked.

                                                                                                                            let's see how keen they would be to see private health care go up then?

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Econorat
                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                            Sydney
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 2:08PM

                                                                                                                        • "When a government is looking to improve productivity one doesn't look to "increase the GST""
                                                                                                                          That's not in line with Chairman Jonny and the Maxist Party.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 12:31PM

                                                                                                                          • 11:54

                                                                                                                            These Liberals would not know the truth if it jumped up and bit them in the face. Morrison claims there are good conditions for First Home Buyers despite home prices as a % of income are now at the highest they have ever been. Home prices use to be around 4 to 5 times the yearly wage and now that has increased to closer to 10 to 11 times the yearly wage so homes are now the LEAST affordable they have ever been.

                                                                                                                            As for the Liberals claiming how great it is that the Domestic Housing Market is driving the Growth, I think someone needs to point out that this is Growth driver by PERSONAL DEBT. You have an economy that is growing based on Debt. An Economy that is growing because people are required to take out record levels of debt, just to put a roof over their heads. In what universe is that something to be proud of?

                                                                                                                            Only a Liberal would try to spin this fact and turn it into a positive, whilst doing everything they can to block Labor from fixing the problem.

                                                                                                                            The Liberals are a reckless Government because they are promoting an economy built on debt, so what happens when the debt gets too large for the average person to service? The economy collapses that’s what happens. As with Howard, this Government is building structural problems into the budget whilst blocking Labors attempts to fix them. They need to be stopped before even more damage is done. These Liberals are dangerous and have no idea how to run an economy.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Snapperhead
                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                            The Reef
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:30PM

                                                                                                                            • Thanks Snapperhead - I agree with your summation.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Jump
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 1:11PM

                                                                                                                            • Another one of your essays? Pass thanks.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              housemartin
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              hong kong
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 1:12PM

                                                                                                                            • While you're at it, could you please pass the salt?

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Banjo
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Eden
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 1:28PM

                                                                                                                            • You obviously didn’t pass Houso as you took the time to comment.

                                                                                                                              Thanks again for adding so much to the debate. We wait with bated breath for your next insightful instalment.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Snapperhead
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              The Reef
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 1:44PM

                                                                                                                            • BanjO: Oh, please not while i'm eating.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              housemartin
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              hong kong
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 2:09PM

                                                                                                                          • Good to see that Bill is following Tony Abbott's lead on Aboriginal Matters.

                                                                                                                            It is a shame though that it is political and not genuine. Where as Abbott was real and genuine!

                                                                                                                            Malcolm will never be able to do it as it is not in his stratosphere ..

                                                                                                                            So I wonder how he is gong to react when he sees a very large statue of a Aboriginal elder (Lady) perched in the water at Barangaroo from his Point Piper abode?

                                                                                                                            Most probably retire in the Cayman Islands with all his Tax benefits!

                                                                                                                            Wonder what Malcolm

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            4Ken
                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                            Auburn
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:28PM

                                                                                                                            • 4Ken

                                                                                                                              I'm sorry - but what exactly did Abbott do for the aborigines other than talk big and slash their community programs.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              PEarn
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 1:33PM

                                                                                                                          • But Greens' leader Richard Di Natale says he is confident Senator Hanson-Young will be fine and that the changes are necessary to fix a bad system.

                                                                                                                            Bad system, is that the same system we have been using for decades?

                                                                                                                            The one that seemed to have been working for both sides

                                                                                                                            But all of a sudden the current Government cannot get vile, cruel legislation passed through the senate

                                                                                                                            And the system needs changing in the hope that the Libs can get control of both houses, to enable them to push through the Abbott and Hockey budget, still lurking in the bowels of the senate

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            fiberal
                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                            darwin
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:27PM

                                                                                                                            • Judging by your vitriolic name, I'm guessing there is little chance of you seeing reason.

                                                                                                                              That being said, I'll try.

                                                                                                                              If you think that 0.5% of any primary vote is 'representative' you're on another planet.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              AMac
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Canberra
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 1:02PM

                                                                                                                            • fiberal

                                                                                                                              Were you one of the 400+ who voted Muir into the Senate ?

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              A Green
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Australia
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 1:18PM

                                                                                                                            • You must then agree that someone getting 1.500 votes and being elected a senator is ok...?? That is simply ridiculous and proves the system is broken

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              paul
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Brisbane
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 1:31PM

                                                                                                                          • Scott, had the ALP kindly left you a surplus after the GFC, then they would also have kindly left you the mother of all recessions. I think they did you a favour.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Gigondas
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:26PM

                                                                                                                            • What a paltry press performance by Scott Morrison.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Banjo
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Eden
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 12:26PM

                                                                                                                              • WELL DONE MAL AND SCOMO !

                                                                                                                                The extra $150 billion dollars of Liberal Budget Deficits that has been added to The Foreign Debt has pushed the foreign Debt through the magic

                                                                                                                                $1 TRILLION DOLLARS.

                                                                                                                                Well done !

                                                                                                                                You can add that to your record spend.

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Good to Go
                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 12:22PM

                                                                                                                                • Annual growth of 3% - excellent news !

                                                                                                                                  Better than expectations, better than trend, both Turnbull and Abbott can take some credit.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Hacka
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Canberra
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 12:16PM

                                                                                                                                  • Is December Qtr the new EOFY?

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Mr Beancounter
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:20PM

                                                                                                                                  • @Hacka. Judging by the messages below I would have thought the sky was falling in? I remember how our friends use to have a go at Abbott for apparently talking the economy down but are now the same people indulging in the same behaviour they accused Abbott for.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:21PM

                                                                                                                                  • Yes but under the comrades it would have been 300%!

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    SteveH.
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:22PM

                                                                                                                                  • Good we can now return to all our industries...hang on?

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:23PM

                                                                                                                                  • Oh Dear what will Mr Short-on policy have to say about that

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Really
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:24PM

                                                                                                                                  • Yes isn't it....but disposable income has fallen...didn't you see that? We are going backwards...and that's how people actually feel under this lousy govt.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    JT
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:33PM

                                                                                                                                  • Good news indeed about the growth figure. Credit should properly go to Wayne Swan for not handing the Liberals a massive recession, and the Senate cross bench for knocking back the growth killing measures of Joe's first budget.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Gigondas
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:36PM

                                                                                                                                  • If we are changing from a resources to a real estate economy we will be going nowhere...real estate is the non productive sector unless of course new dwellings boom under an ALP NG policy...more construction jobs and hence more growth. You should get excited Hacka.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    JT
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:44PM

                                                                                                                                  • Piped - as Aussies you'd expect everybody to be delighted at a better-than-expected growth number. It means more jobs, more government revenue, more investment.

                                                                                                                                    SteveH - if you look below apparently Swannie should take the credit according to Gigondas. Seems a bit unfair to Keating and Jim Cairns.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Hacka
                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                    Canberra
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 1:01PM

                                                                                                                                  • As does the credit for the ever rising debt under this clown party hey??????????

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Reek
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 1:25PM

                                                                                                                                  • terrific
                                                                                                                                    with a burgeoning economy there will obviously be no need for cuts to services with increased tax receipts.
                                                                                                                                    Is that how it works hacka?

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 1:25PM

                                                                                                                                  • Vote Pal: "Good we can now return to all our industries...hang on?"

                                                                                                                                    But, whatever could this mean?

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    housemartin
                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                    hong kong
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 1:41PM

                                                                                                                                • 12:05 photo - Alex Ellinghausen - it's a bit rough to take ScoMo's drivers licence photo while he's giving a speech.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Smiley
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 12:16PM

                                                                                                                                  • No that is for his NSW push bike licence...thanks Mike Baird.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                    Nanny State
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:22PM

                                                                                                                                • I think it was a mistake of the Greens party establishment and members to elect Di Natale as their leader,
                                                                                                                                  If this senate changes go through it will be the end of any kind of equity and Liberals will have total control like 2005.
                                                                                                                                  Had it been Ludlam or Sarah Hanson Young as greens leader they might not have done the dirty deal with Liberals

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Macca
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 12:14PM

                                                                                                                                  • I agree. I find his ambition more than a little off-putting

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Too Easy
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:16PM

                                                                                                                                  • If ETU follows up on their treat and cuts funding to greens then it will be problematicfor them in election year as they are the largest doner to the Greens.
                                                                                                                                    Di Natale should listen to Adam Bandt

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    John
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:22PM

                                                                                                                                  • Such a move to reform would've needed the support of The Party. The Greens don't do Captains Picks a la knighthoods.
                                                                                                                                    The push for Reform was occurring well before DiNatale's rise to the top.
                                                                                                                                    I think they've been caught off guard though.
                                                                                                                                    But it still comes down to who "we" vote for.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:23PM

                                                                                                                                  • Such a move to reform would've needed the support of The Party. The Greens don't do Captains Picks a la knighthoods.
                                                                                                                                    The push for Reform was occurring well before DiNatale's rise to the top.
                                                                                                                                    I think they've been caught off guard though.
                                                                                                                                    But it still comes down to who "we" vote for.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:23PM

                                                                                                                                  • The ALP propaganda scare campaign in full flow....they support people like Ricky Muir with 1.500 votes being elected a senator...what a JOKE that is...!!

                                                                                                                                    The ALP have obstructed gov't in the senate and are a disgrace.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    paul
                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                    Brisbane
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 1:28PM

                                                                                                                                • 11:20am

                                                                                                                                  And the purpose of "The Line" on the ballot paper is... ?

                                                                                                                                  To corral votes into the camps of the cashed up and sponsored at the expense of Independents.

                                                                                                                                  I remind Nick Xenophon that he was elected to the SA Parliament with a primary vote of 2.8% and preferences from others.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  Too Easy
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 12:12PM

                                                                                                                                  • Morrison is buttering us up for a real estate lead future. Get rid of those scientists and their Bunsen burners and funny notions about global warming; concrete slabs is the way to go.

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Pluto
                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:10PM

                                                                                                                                    • It's all ideologically back to front isn't it Morrison.....shame you just can't engineer it isn't it? It's hard to reward the rich and punish the poor in an economic downturn isn't it Morrison?

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      JT
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 12:08PM

                                                                                                                                      • Yes, it is still possible to punish rich leaners with plum overseas ambassadorships.

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 12:13PM

                                                                                                                                      • Perhaps VMEP all the others along with Bernadi including Abbott could get plum jobs OS....get them out of our earshot? No, on second thoughts Abbott may lose his seat first in a DD election and then us taxpayers don't have to fund his lavish lifestyle in the US.

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        JT
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 12:20PM

                                                                                                                                    • Not one journalist that I've seen has noted that Abbott was amongst friends in the Joint Party Room meeting yesterday when he gave Turnbull and Morrison their riding instructions.

                                                                                                                                      Take his 44 from the spill, at 20+ from the Nats and he has Turnbull covered maybe 64/59.

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      Too Easy
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 12:08PM

                                                                                                                                      • Bring back Tone.

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        30% GST
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 12:14PM

                                                                                                                                      • Tony just doesn't get it, even if the right wing rump of the Liberal Party love him, love his ideologies, love his aggressive pugilistic manner, most Australian don't. If he becomes PM again, I am picturing Place de la Révolution ...off with his head!!! Although maybe a stake through the heart is the only thing that will save us from Abbott.

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        SanchoP
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 12:35PM

                                                                                                                                    • Labor or Liberal could not have left a surplus after the GFC....stop the furphies Morrison

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      JT
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 12:05PM

                                                                                                                                      • About few years back, me mate Johnno sold me a tennis racquet. He'd bought it off his mate for $5. I bought it off Johnno for $10 because I knew I could keep it in the garage for a while and then offload it for a profit, and I did. Sold it to me other mate Frank for $15.

                                                                                                                                        The other week I was over at Johnno's place and saw that bloody tennis racquet again. Turns out he'd borrowed some money off his dad so he could buy it for $25 off some sheila called Jenny who'd bought it off Frank for $20. Now Johnno's trying to sell me the tennis racquet again, this time for $35. He says I'll easy get $45 for it in a year. Now I'm trying to borrow some money off me dad to buy it again.

                                                                                                                                        It's gone through more hands than a 20 cent piece, that old tennis racquet, but I'm just wondering what's it actually done for the economy?

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        Property Ponzi Explained
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 12:02PM

                                                                                                                                        • Ask John Alexander, I believe he is an authority on tennis racquets.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 12:15PM

                                                                                                                                        • Many politicians are authorities on rackets.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Banjo
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          Eden
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 12:30PM

                                                                                                                                      • A question or two for Senator Cash:

                                                                                                                                        Why are 52 Chinese and Taiwanese workers on 457 visas working in Australia picking mushrooms?

                                                                                                                                        Is the work highly specialised?

                                                                                                                                        Would no Australian worker be able to manage it?

                                                                                                                                        What is the youth unemployment rate in the area surrounding the factory?

                                                                                                                                        It seems the modern way of business is to bring in people who can't speak English, underpay them and laugh all the way to the bank.

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        Too Easy
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 11:59AM

                                                                                                                                        • It's the sneaky way to WorkChoices Mark2.
                                                                                                                                          A de unionised workforce on slave wages.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          A country gal
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 12:10PM

                                                                                                                                      • Well well Morrison, no need to cut back govt spending if we are growing so well....tax revenue should increase very nicely.

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        JT
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 11:56AM

                                                                                                                                        • 11.12am - Looks like Butler has a moonlighting job in mind once she's been booted out of Parliament(again)

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Smack
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          City of the Fallen
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:55AM

                                                                                                                                          • @Smack. I thought in order to moonlight you need to hold down a job first.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:17PM

                                                                                                                                          • PP - She seems to be multi-talented - get temporarily booted out of Parliament for unruly conduct and imitate a chicken in the meantime - surely a Labor talent - probably need to keep Chicken- Lady away from the Lexicon of Lettuce though....

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Smack
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            City of the Bane Sidhe
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 1:12PM

                                                                                                                                        • Let's hope the LNP attempt at engineering power in the senate backfires in a DD election...LOL....ALP win both houses...LOL

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          JT
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:53AM

                                                                                                                                          • OK...so you got the new website to work properly....well done and I like it now :)

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            JT
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:51AM

                                                                                                                                            • To all those conservatives knocking Shorten for nominating Dodson to the senate. Consider this. Turnbull is sitting in his prime ministerial office kicking himself for not thinking of it first but he gets a quiet but stern reminder from behind the drapes that "we don't do that here". He looks around and asks "who are you?" There is a whisper " We are Christians. Not the regular loving and compassionate type but a special cut. You know, the blokes that walked out on the apology and were a no show for the closing the gap speech. You still don't get it do you buster."

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              monkeybiz
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 11:50AM

                                                                                                                                              • Submariner undermining...

                                                                                                                                                "Independent Senator Nick Xenophon said Mr Abbott's remarks "show a breathtaking contempt for the competitive evaluation process".

                                                                                                                                                He added: "And paradoxically, Mr Abbott's unhelpful intervention may lead to France and Germany challenging an outcome where Japan is chosen."

                                                                                                                                                Lowy Institute defence expert Euan Graham voiced a similar concern, writing in a blog post this week that the French and German shipbuilders "might reasonably be expected to raise Mr Abbott's apparent lobbying on behalf of Japan in the event that their bids are rejected".

                                                                                                                                                Bring back Tone!

                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                toukley
                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 11:50AM

                                                                                                                                                • It is a measure of Abbott's cowardice that he never told the Australian people about his endorsement of the Japs as the builders when PM.

                                                                                                                                                  He'd prefer to create thousands of jobs in the Japanese economy rather than in ours.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Too Easy
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 12:04PM

                                                                                                                                              • john howard ran the mean tricky party and that has morphed into the Lying Nasty Party after the input from cardinal Abbott.
                                                                                                                                                Like the catholic church, some hard introspection is needed if it wants to succeed into the future, that is not the past.

                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 11:50AM

                                                                                                                                                • Vote Mal Eat Pal, too true!

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Ruth
                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 12:17PM

                                                                                                                                              • C'mon Terri, show us a bit more drumstick

                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                construction worker
                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 11:46AM

                                                                                                                                                • Goodbye Greens....so long farewell for doing deals with the devil!

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  JT
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 11:46AM

                                                                                                                                                  • JT

                                                                                                                                                    Wave goodbye to Muir, Day & Leyonhjelm.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    A Green
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Australia
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 11:58AM

                                                                                                                                                  • Yep, goodbye to them too looks like it and hello big parties...ALP. Noone will ever give the 'cant be trusted' LNP into power of the senate ever.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    JT
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 12:12PM

                                                                                                                                                • Obviously Dobson is going to tow the party line on gay marriage... I wonder what his views are on it ? Shorten to Dobson "vote how we tell you to vote and you will be ok"...

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  Really
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 11:44AM

                                                                                                                                                  • 11.13 I'm very disappointed The Greens aren't pushing for Donor Reform and a Fed ICAC as a trade off for Senate Reform.
                                                                                                                                                    Can't do one without the other elephants.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 11:44AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Howard played Meg Lees for a sucker, cleverly deflecting a lot of the anger at the GST among voters towards the Democrats.

                                                                                                                                                      And there was Honest John in the media yesterday, insisting the Greens are the beneficiaries of the Senate changes.

                                                                                                                                                      He almost said they'd driven the changes and the government was doing them a favour, but he decided not to push his luck.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      Too Easy
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 12:37PM

                                                                                                                                                    • Didn't hear him @ Too Easy.
                                                                                                                                                      Funny how he's just popping up all around the place, they must think Little Johnny is asset rather than a Lying Rodent.
                                                                                                                                                      He couldn't even get a gig with the cricket board. Sort of like why we've still got the Ex in the House.
                                                                                                                                                      Unemployable.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 1:31PM

                                                                                                                                                  • 11:33am. Remember The Democrats?

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    Pluto
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 11:43AM

                                                                                                                                                    • I think Labor have still got a couple of terms left in them....

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      The Sniper
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Sydney
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 12:37PM

                                                                                                                                                  • The Pulse 11:31AM

                                                                                                                                                    "The three months run until June 30 which clears the way for a double dissolution election from July 1."

                                                                                                                                                    I thought 1 day after the Budget was the last possible date.

                                                                                                                                                    And what govt would do that ?

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    A Green
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Australia
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 11:42AM

                                                                                                                                                    • AG. The post budget day is the last to call one, I think?

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 12:02PM

                                                                                                                                                  • Hooray !

                                                                                                                                                    Another victory for the consumer under privatisation !

                                                                                                                                                    Health insurance costs held to a mere 5.6%.

                                                                                                                                                    Another paltry rise next year.

                                                                                                                                                    At least they're doing better than with the Government Debt which is completely out of hand under the Liberals.

                                                                                                                                                    They have increased Government Debt by 75% in 2 and 1/2 years.

                                                                                                                                                    VOTE LIBERAL FOR MASSIVE DEBT.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    Good to Go
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 11:42AM

                                                                                                                                                    • 2007

                                                                                                                                                      Gross Debt $58.273 billion

                                                                                                                                                      Gross debt ceiling 75 billion

                                                                                                                                                      2013

                                                                                                                                                      Gross debt 257.370 billion

                                                                                                                                                      Gross debt ceiling 300 billion

                                                                                                                                                      Australian government debt does not take into account government funds held in reserve within the Future Fund, which at 30 September 2015 was valued at A$117.83 billion, and the Reserve Bank of Australia (handed to Labor by the Coalition)

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      housemartin
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      hong kong
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 2:50PM

                                                                                                                                                  • I thought thinking was not your strong point sharron

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    fiberal
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    darwin
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 11:42AM

                                                                                                                                                    • @11:33 – I’ve already emailed my concerns to the Greens Senators.

                                                                                                                                                      I agree with the changes in principle, but now is not the time for them. The cross bench has saved this country from Liberals running rampant, and if we are heading to a DD I’d much prefer the Senate remain as eclectic as possible.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      Oliver More
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 11:38AM

                                                                                                                                                      • I agree we missed a bullet with the currency crossbenchers.
                                                                                                                                                        The Greens whilst pushing for this for a long time have been outfoxed. They should be demanding Donor Reform as part of the Reform. Without Donor Reform only those bankrolled with a huge war chest will ever have the opportunity of being voted in.
                                                                                                                                                        And an ICAC to boot.

                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                        A country gal
                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 12:08PM

                                                                                                                                                    • No money for the public health system, no money for education, no money for pensions/welfare

                                                                                                                                                      But they can find 1 trillion over a period for outdated war machines

                                                                                                                                                      And Steph asked are the Libs governing for the rich

                                                                                                                                                      Well continuing NG, CGT, super rorts, and the rest of deductions the rich get, the only assumption is that they are governing for just the rich

                                                                                                                                                      The rest can please themselves

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      fiberal
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      darwin
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 11:37AM

                                                                                                                                                      • There's something quite catchy about the free range egg issue being followed by the Senate voting reform issue.

                                                                                                                                                        Wouldn't want battery Senators now would we.

                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                        Hacka
                                                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                                                        Canberra
                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 11:36AM

                                                                                                                                                        • Has Mathias Cormann worked out that he's Finance Minister yet? He was more than happy to smoke a cigar or two with Hockey but can't distance himself far enough from Morrison. Poor old Scotty Malcolm's prospectus sounded good on paper didn't it.

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          Rollee the Rolex's Big Adventure
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:36AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Matthius has THE most grating voice - I have to switch him off.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            PEarn
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:07PM

                                                                                                                                                          • Mad As Hell's 'Darius Horsham' provided a perfect parody. Hilarious.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            Jules
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            Sydney
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:36PM

                                                                                                                                                        • Breakfast at Tiffany's, meanwhile no one has interrupted the $74.3 billion on the F35.

                                                                                                                                                          No politician seems to give a hoot about climate change and sea rise although sea inundation of coastal homes will make negative gearing look like the cost of an egg and bacon sandwich.

                                                                                                                                                          Basically a bunch of do nothings being paid very handsomely for pretence.

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:36AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Pen

                                                                                                                                                            Apparently its a "great time to be an Australian".

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            A Green
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:54AM

                                                                                                                                                        • How does two men, or two women marrying one another harm/hurt heterosexuals, it does not intrude in their lives, the problem is not with gays, it's with the closed minds of the those objecting to their union

                                                                                                                                                          Ask Bernardi et al how this affects them, are they that narrow minded

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          fiberal
                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                          darwin
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:32AM

                                                                                                                                                          • The only way it affects the likes of Bernadi and Abbott is that society would be changed from a hateful discriminatory position where they can ridicule to one of acceptance and tolerance...they wouldn't be able to spread their hate anymore.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            JT
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:59AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Fiberal

                                                                                                                                                            Did you see Panti Bliss on Lateline on Monday night - gosh he was good and spoke eloquently on the need for SSM. Well worth a look.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            PEarn
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:06PM

                                                                                                                                                        • Wow, just wow. Just tuned in from the RC to see Pat Dodson.
                                                                                                                                                          Simply fantastic news for Australia!
                                                                                                                                                          Go Pat.

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          A country gal
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:30AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Wots the difference between the 'captains pick' and a PR stunt?

                                                                                                                                                            Not a lot.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            SteveH.
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:42AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Abbot gave a knighthood to a Prince

                                                                                                                                                            Shorten picked a man of impeccable integrity and intelligence to replace a party heavy

                                                                                                                                                            that's a big difference

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            toukley
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:52AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Well you would know Steve, your hero Abbott, had hundreds of them

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            fiberal
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            darwin
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:54AM

                                                                                                                                                          • ACG

                                                                                                                                                            SteveH. is flying low today.

                                                                                                                                                            Practically no radar signature.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            A Green
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:55AM

                                                                                                                                                          • The difference, Steve , is the outcome.

                                                                                                                                                            Captains's picks are fine in and of themselves. It's the object that matters. Which one do you think will be most popular with the Australian public - an Australian elder, or an elderly prince in the UK to whom the 'honour' Abbot bestowed is a demotion?

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            micky2shoes
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:18PM

                                                                                                                                                          • SteveH If you can't see the difference then ????????
                                                                                                                                                            One a true Australian who has all our interests and his people's at heart. An Australian who is not part of the party machine, an obvious bit of Party Reform on show.
                                                                                                                                                            The other a blue blood who is already weighted down with a chest full of medals for doing not much. The extra title granted against the overwhelming wishes of not just Australians but by many in the Liberal Party itself.
                                                                                                                                                            Oh dear!

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:19PM

                                                                                                                                                          • I apologise for being so cynical AGC, I don't know what came over me, I promise it won't happen again for the next half hour.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            SteveH.
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:25PM

                                                                                                                                                          • Accepted SteveH. How's that portrait coming along?
                                                                                                                                                            Painting is an activity most beneficial for contemplating one's demeanour.
                                                                                                                                                            Markets are up!

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 12:44PM

                                                                                                                                                          • Thanks for asking AGC, all done, I haven't got the mark yet apparently I owe the uni $87 in amenities fees, so I've been 'debarred'.

                                                                                                                                                            I'm doing sculpture this semester, in fact I'm working on the first assignment right now, its called 'No Idea', apparently we're not suppose to think about it while we do it, just have a good play.

                                                                                                                                                            It's all very post-modern.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            SteveH.
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 2:34PM

                                                                                                                                                          • SteveH. Good luck with the sculpture, the Govt should give you some inspiration on "No Idea".

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 5:00PM

                                                                                                                                                        • Pat Dodson is an impressive looking bloke.

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          PEarn
                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                          Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:28AM

                                                                                                                                                          • He sure is. And you know what? I think Bronnie has finally been outdone in the sartorial stakes. (Psst, I hope they let him through with those whiskers!)

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            Pluto
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:40AM

                                                                                                                                                        • What did we learn yesterday, or rather who wrote foolishness without realising what they were doing?

                                                                                                                                                          Hacka wants more government spending cuts although his yesterday’s hero committed to spending over $100 billion on defence projects last year more suited WWII defence strategy.

                                                                                                                                                          Nuffy is convinced that western submarine are laying in ambush mode in the depths of Chinese waters, totally oblivious of China’s anti-submarine warfare capability.

                                                                                                                                                          Steve H is of a mind that comparing the F35 with a western plane designed 40 years ago is the pinnacle test that proves the F35 can take on planes designed in the last five tears. This is despite the F35 is proven to be a crippled dog metaphorically speaking.

                                                                                                                                                          Nuffy wants Gazza silenced for good on account that Gazza crowds the Featured Comment.

                                                                                                                                                          Piper seems to think that war is futile, therefore, to agree to spending on inappropriate defence systems is somehow “anti-defence.” And that Pen is defeatist for insisting on more appropriate defence acquisitions.

                                                                                                                                                          Mad Max, Fury Road is the new name for the Defence White Paper.
                                                                                                                                                          A Country Gal discovered that QT is mundane.

                                                                                                                                                          It finically dawned on Snapperhead that Turnbull’s plan is to cut services to the poor and use the revenue to fund tax cuts for the rich and is therefore LNP ideology 101.

                                                                                                                                                          For Too Easy the sky fell on realising that Turnbull has told us nothing.

                                                                                                                                                          A Green is of a mind that Steve H should join defence to take up building canoes.

                                                                                                                                                          Pluto wants more immigration to afford more massage parlours.

                                                                                                                                                          The observation of the day goes to Steve: “Scott Morrison admits that they are supplementing the Defence budget with taxes that offset rich investors Negative Gearing.”

                                                                                                                                                          And Rolle the Rolex's' Big Adventure has finally realised that Morrison is worse treasurer than Hockey.

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:27AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Pen

                                                                                                                                                            The day started badly for SteveH.

                                                                                                                                                            http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/combat-drones-could-take-the-place-of-some-joint-strike-fighters-defence-chief-20160301-gn7q32.html

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            A Green
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:36AM

                                                                                                                                                          • It shows the comments section is working well and obviously demonstrates that most are dedicated supporters of the left not reflected by real poll results showing Shorten % 20% & MT at 60%

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            A1
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:38AM

                                                                                                                                                          • That was a no brainer Pen.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            Rollee the Rolex's Big Adventure
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:40AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Can I get a hear! hear!

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            fiberal
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            darwin
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:46AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Its not my fault you got your "facts" wrong Pen, all I did was point them out.

                                                                                                                                                            No need to take it personally, I know I don't.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            SteveH.
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:50AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Oh and one more thing, your big complaint was that the F-35 was short ranged.

                                                                                                                                                            Well here's the comparison with the Mig 35

                                                                                                                                                            MIG 35
                                                                                                                                                            Combat radius: 1,000 km (620 mi)

                                                                                                                                                            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Mikoyan_MiG-35

                                                                                                                                                            F 35
                                                                                                                                                            Combat radius: 614 nmi [628] (1,137 km) on internal fuel

                                                                                                                                                            Well who would have guessed that the MIG 35 is even 'shorter', always check your facts first Pen.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            SteveH.
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:59AM

                                                                                                                                                          • "It finically dawned on Snapperhead that Turnbull’s plan is to cut services to the poor and use the revenue to fund tax cuts for the rich and is therefore LNP ideology 101."

                                                                                                                                                            It's what Snapper says in every single one of his essay length posts and all done using the entire 300 word limit. There's never even a pretense of adding something different to the conversation. I think it's called Conspiracy Theories 101.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            housemartin
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            hong kong
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 2:07PM

                                                                                                                                                          • housemartin,
                                                                                                                                                            No, it's called government budget papers 2014 and 2015

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            Econorat
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            Sydney
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 2:37PM

                                                                                                                                                        • The Liberals are not interested in growing the economy, they're only interested in growing the false economy.

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          spendathon
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:22AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Photo@11:12. I'm sure there is a chicken joke in there somewhere but I don't see Terri Butler wanting to get to the other side.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            stevek
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            Sydney
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:20AM

                                                                                                                                                            • No, I very much doubt it.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 11:35AM

                                                                                                                                                            • Isn't our politics so much ruffling of feathers, day in, day out?

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              Pluto
                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 11:36AM

                                                                                                                                                            • Ok I'll have a go.
                                                                                                                                                              Why did the chicken cross the road.
                                                                                                                                                              She didn't, she saw the skulk of foxes on the other side.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 12:30PM

                                                                                                                                                          • 11:00am

                                                                                                                                                            If I had a beard like that there'd be a big coffee coloured patch right down the middle of it.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            well done
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:20AM

                                                                                                                                                            • If I had a beard like that as a woman I'd get a job in the circus.
                                                                                                                                                              Magnificent beard though.
                                                                                                                                                              BTW you can now buy coffee/beer/food beard protector gadgets! lol?

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 11:40AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Another Captains and political pick eh Bill!!

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            Ted
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:18AM

                                                                                                                                                            • Ley is just like Hockey......'go get a better job'...brushoff......'go look for a better deal'...brush off.....there is no better deal ...they are ALL too expensive and of no value in certain cases.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              JT
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 11:17AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Australians one day will twig like our American friends private health insurance is just for the profit of the insurance companies just ask them.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                Amro
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 2:45PM

                                                                                                                                                            • "I've said this before, I know, but it is interesting to see Labor making a real effort to address the lack of Indigenous representation."

                                                                                                                                                              By using Captain's picks to replace long serving senators in the spirit of tokenism.

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

                                                                                                                                                              • Senator Bullock is not "long-serving". He came in at the same time as Ricky Muir.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                Doug
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 11:25AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Well look at how well it's worked for the Coalition until recently. The first Captain's pick resulted in a front bench that had only one woman and no indigenous ministers. If he had the means, Abbott would have recruited members of the Royal family.
                                                                                                                                                                At least MT has increased the number of women in cabinet and recruited Ken Wyatt as a junior minster.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                stevek
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 11:27AM

                                                                                                                                                              • lol, stevek. Sir Prince Duke Philip for Treasurer.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                Banjo
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Eden
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 11:36AM

                                                                                                                                                              • you would think the right would be best pleased that a union pick was being replaced by an Indigenous person who has long involvement and understanding of the political process. Doesn't matter what side of the political spectrum they believe in, more Indigenous representation in our Parliament has to be a good thing.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                sybella
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 11:37AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Bullock "long serving". As a Shoppie perhaps, as a Senator 2013!

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 11:41AM

                                                                                                                                                              • By replacing Joe Bullock who served a whole two years of a six year term? Hardly long serving...

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                MLM
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 11:47AM

                                                                                                                                                              • I was referring to Nova Peris, obviously.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                adrian
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 11:59AM

                                                                                                                                                              • That's all it is tokenism. Bugger politics encourage the indigenous into business and self sufficiency that leads to making a real difference

                                                                                                                                                                The left have held back indigenous advancement for too long and it's been shameful. The noble savage paradigm that they have trapped our first people's in has been tragic for self empowerment and advancement.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                housemartin
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                hong kong
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 3:05PM

                                                                                                                                                            • Susan Ley: offering the same advice to private health insurance consumers looking for insurance, and coalition backbenchers looking for a leader - shop around for a better deal.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              Ken Bruce Has Gone Mad
                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                              Coburg
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 11:12AM

                                                                                                                                                              • All this pushing behind the scenes to eliminate negative gearing should read this article as which MP"S have the largest personal involvement.
                                                                                                                                                                http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/how-property-investing-politicians-have-skin-in-the-game-on-the-negative-gearing-debate-20150326-1m8s36.html

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                tashman1
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Melb
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 11:11AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Are these the laughably-named group the "economic dries" who are trying to protect their negative gearing?

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  spendathon
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 11:37AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Onya Pat !

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                polym
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                March 02, 2016, 11:04AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Shane is still blaming Labor, you would think after going on 3 years Liberals would have reduced the deficit by some way, but they have increased it, how do you explain that Shane, spending under the Libs is greater than Labor, making your outburst, not only false ,but ridiculous in it's bias

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  fiberal
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  darwin
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 11:01AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Calm down Fiberal. Problem is the government can't get any thing thru the Senate to try & reduce the budget deficit. Labor & the Greens love spending & can;t bring themselves to cut anything. But don't despair Fiberal, there is hope. An election in July & a majority in the House & Senate for the Coalition will finally allow Mal & Co to get stuck into the massive task of fixing up the Labor mess.

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Shane
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    Hammondville
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 11:49AM

                                                                                                                                                                • According to late night Tuesday media reports...

                                                                                                                                                                  New Senate System explained.

                                                                                                                                                                  Vote Above the Line:

                                                                                                                                                                  Number a minimum of six (6) boxes in numerical order of preference.

                                                                                                                                                                  If you number fewer than six (6) boxes or more than that amount, your vote is still valid.

                                                                                                                                                                  Vote Below the Line:

                                                                                                                                                                  Number a minimum of twelve (12) boxes in numerical order of preference.

                                                                                                                                                                  If you number fewer than twelve (12) boxes or more than that amount, your vote is still valid.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Too Easy
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  March 02, 2016, 10:59AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • @10.45. Surely it's time the Private Health rebate is reviewed otherwise there is no purpose for reform. The rebate increases demand, demand increases claims, claims increase costs. Simple. Government intervention in the private sector creates a false economy by inflating prices through increased demand. Also means more spending if a 30% rebate is applied to higher prices. Or is this another sacred cow that will cheese off the what's in it for me mob?

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 10:50AM

                                                                                                                                                                    • Agreed, and can I add... Surely it's time negative gearing is reviewed otherwise there is no purpose for reform. NG increases demand, demand increases prices, prices increase debt. Simple. Government intervention in the private sector creates a false economy by inflating prices through increased demand. Also means less revenue if negative gearing is applied to higher prices. Or is this another sacred cow that will cheese off the what's in it for me mob?

                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                      spendathon
                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 11:14AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • And Tony Abbotts at it again.
                                                                                                                                                                    His mate Sheridan at the Aus is reporting Abbott is "not just disappointed, I’m flabbergasted at this decision" in regards to the Turnbull Defence White Paper regarding the new subs.
                                                                                                                                                                    Seems Turnbulls plans set Abbotts and Andrews original plans back 10 years.

                                                                                                                                                                    “It’s the biggest decision we face,” Mr Abbott said. “It needs to be made swiftly so that we get the new subs from the middle of the next decade.

                                                                                                                                                                    “This is vital for the defence of the nation, it is vital for our ­national self-respect, it is vital for our national security.”

                                                                                                                                                                    Nothing like party unity eh ?

                                                                                                                                                                    So much for the no sniping or undermining "promise" from the backbencher from Warringah.

                                                                                                                                                                    Turnbull must love seeing these headlines in the Murdoch press.....

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    mirrorsofsmoke
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 10:42AM

                                                                                                                                                                    • Who is Tony Abbott? I seem to remember that name from somewhere.

                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                      stevek
                                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                                      Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 11:13AM

                                                                                                                                                                    • So that's how you define "national self-respect". I always thought it might be something to do with respect for human rights and promoting sustainable growth with equity.

                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                      Doug
                                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                                      Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 11:20AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Wish all right wing conservatives in any party now had the 'moral conviction to resign'....why don't they all have morals like that?

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    JT
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    March 02, 2016, 10:40AM

                                                                                                                                                                    • Stephinie, you know the Liberals are governing for the rich, if you weren't quite sure, check the 2014 budget, and I use the word budget loosely, it was more like a millstone around the neck of the poor, introduced to make them poorer, and these fiends said it was fair

                                                                                                                                                                      And the numbskull Abbott wears it as a badge of honour

                                                                                                                                                                      That piece of horror should be donated to the museum, so the future population can see just why the Abbott government was reviled

                                                                                                                                                                      And the senate who rejected it should have their statues erected outside of parliament

                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                      fiberal
                                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                                      darwin
                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                      March 02, 2016, 10:35AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • The 2014 Budget was Abbott's very own Magna Carta.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Doug
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:27AM

                                                                                                                                                                      • 10:17am. Not satisfied with logging in Goolengook, Senator Chester is now targeting trees at Parliament House. First tree to go is the one he is trying to push over.

                                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                        Immal
                                                                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 10:32AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • is he lifting or leaning?

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          toukley
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:02AM

                                                                                                                                                                      • How is the Maxist revolution going in the Public school system today? any new littlies signed up to join their grown up Comrades.

                                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                        enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 10:31AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • enough is enough

                                                                                                                                                                          Watching the Royal Commission in Rome ..... are you ?

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          A Green
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          Australia
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 10:52AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • eie - Why not suggest Corey start a "Marxist cultural relativism Watch" on his website, so parents who learn that their children have been turned can register iwth him? Then he can make a speech in the Senate with all the facts and evidence.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Doug
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 10:55AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Maxists are at least organised. Your lot are a rabble. Who's leader this week?

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Carl Max
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 10:55AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Max the axe?
                                                                                                                                                                          Last I heard he was in charge of revenue at Sydney airport parking.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 10:55AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Flog

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          blah
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 10:58AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • eie,

                                                                                                                                                                          not sure, ask the department of education in your own state; they run the syllabus.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Econorat
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 10:59AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • wow on target as usual

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          fredo
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:05AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • einie, don't you just love the 50's?

                                                                                                                                                                          why can't we all live there ...

                                                                                                                                                                          "The industrial activities of the Communists prove them to be destructive and disloyal, a fifth column for a potential enemy. Why should Communists do these things? The answer is that Communism is a materialistic doctrine, void of spiritual content. It is not only anti-Christian, but is opposed to all those nobler aspirations which spring from the religious faith of decent people. True, Communism itself has been called, by some, a religion. But it is a religion of hatred; it derives from the darkest recesses of the human mind; it has nothing in common with the Christian gospel of love and brotherhood. If it had, it could not preach the class war or use envy and malice as its characteristic weapons.

                                                                                                                                                                          In this great and free country of ours we have at least learned that hatred of other men is no instrument of progress but is merely a sign of decadence and despair.

                                                                                                                                                                          When, therefore, I say to you that the Government is pledged to make war upon Communism I am not talking about an attack upon individuals as such (though we are determined to root out key Communists from key positions), but upon a set of evil ideas which are quite foreign to our civilisation, our traditions, and our faith."

                                                                                                                                                                          Robert Menzies

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          toukley
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:18AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Could you give me the page number in "Capital: Critique of Political Economy" that outlines Marxs' analysis of the bullying of gay kids in state schools please? I can then check on how well the schools are going with the theory! Then you could update your mate Bernadi so he's up with the progress as well....quick before he is removed from any influence over the election in the UN.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          JT
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:43AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • nuffie what are these MAXISTS of what you speak? Do they follow the manifesto of MAD MAX?

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          colin
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:44AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • All the boys(now men) never had the education they deserved I weep for them.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          AMRO
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 4:37PM

                                                                                                                                                                      • @10:02, an irrefutable rule: never trust a man with more than one biro in his shirt pocket.

                                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                        Gigondas
                                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 10:30AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Gigondas

                                                                                                                                                                          Wasn't so long ago that it was the man/woman standing in front of a dozen flags.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          A Green
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          Australia
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 10:58AM

                                                                                                                                                                      • Hacka and EIE,

                                                                                                                                                                        You probably missed my last post.

                                                                                                                                                                        All of my life I have listened to Liberal Governments telling me that they have or are going to reduce taxes and government spending.

                                                                                                                                                                        So I have two questions for you.

                                                                                                                                                                        1. Who was the last Liberal Prime Minister who actually reduced government spending and in what year?

                                                                                                                                                                        2. Who was the last Liberal Prime Minister to reduce tax as a percentage of GDP?

                                                                                                                                                                        I am sure that two such close admirers of the Liberal Party will be able to give us all the answers.

                                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                        Good to Go
                                                                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 10:29AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Costello is the only Federal treasurer in the Liberal Party's history to hand down a surplus, and he did it in the middle of the greatest mining boom in all of human history, so it hardly qualifies as extraordinary achievement.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Too Easy
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 10:54AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Read the budget papers GtG, it's all right there for you.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Hacka
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:15AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Too Easy. Costello also sold of Government businesses that were making profits to gain a surplus. Once the Libs sell of all Givernment business they will be stuffed. Costello also in his vote buying phase cost Aus money with baby bonuses and first homebuyers grants.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Jessica
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:50AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • 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.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          housemartin
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          hong kong
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 2:30PM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Now GtG: You need to answer your own questions in terms of RGR.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          housemartin
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          hong kong
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 2:33PM

                                                                                                                                                                        • And sold our gold at basement prices.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Amro
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 4:41PM

                                                                                                                                                                      • I would like to know how:
                                                                                                                                                                        Dodson has contributed to Closing the Gap. Reduced Indigenous dependence on welfare.
                                                                                                                                                                        Improved Health and Education.
                                                                                                                                                                        Improved Housing.
                                                                                                                                                                        Increased Employment.

                                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                        enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 10:29AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Are you asking us to do your research for you?

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Carl Max
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 10:56AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Carl, don't

                                                                                                                                                                          einie really needs the practice

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          toukley
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 11:13AM

                                                                                                                                                                      • The Pulse 10:17AM

                                                                                                                                                                        If he was fair dinkum he would ties his shoelaces together and make the same offer.

                                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                        A Green
                                                                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                                                                        Australia
                                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                        March 02, 2016, 10:28AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Sussan Ley says a rise in heath insurance is a win for everyone. What planet are they on in Canberra?

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Bazza
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 10:24AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • More money for Corporate Donors to the Liberal Party.

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 10:54AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • It;s a win for all shareholders in health insurance corporation.

                                                                                                                                                                            Isn't that everyone?

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            rod steiger
                                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                                            toukley
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 10:57AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • When they flogged Medibank there was nothing left to counter private health insurance fee rises - because now they're all in cahoots, every last one of them. The gov feigns surprise.

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            Carl Max
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 11:03AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • RE: Senator Bullock's resignation.

                                                                                                                                                                          Interesting that the ALP cried fowl over the Lib's policy of not allowing a conscience vote a few years back, but now have said they will not allow one themselves? What's that called again? Hypocrisy I believe?

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          Indeed
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          March 02, 2016, 10:23AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • Think it is high time that we followed New Zealand's lead and included the indigenous people of this country in the parliamentary process. There are so many possibilities once we, the people shunt jellyfish Turnbull and his band of conservative do nothing fools.

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            monkeybiz
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            March 02, 2016, 10:22AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Honest John has been telling porkies in the media again, and getting away with it as usual, by saying that the case for broadening the base and raising the rate of the GST has been well and truly made.

                                                                                                                                                                              Not according to Treasury and their report cited by Turnbull just a week or so ago.

                                                                                                                                                                              Howard couldn't lie straight in bed and he's out and about at the moment reminding us all of his terrible affliction.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              Too Easy
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              March 02, 2016, 10:19AM
                                                                                                                                                                              Comments are now closed