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Politics Live: April 19, 2016

Date

Senior writer

View more articles from Stephanie Peatling

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Only 74 days to go people. We are in the warm up campaign following the Senate's rejection of the government's building watchdog legislation which handed Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull a trigger for a double dissolution election.

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  • Can someone tell Clive that he needs an haircut?

    Commenter
    Pen of hrba
    Date and time
    April 19, 2016, 4:33PM

    • No political party that elected Tony Abbott as leader and especially to the high office of Prime Minister should be re-elected at the next return to the ballot box by the populace, it is too disgraceful an act perpetrated upon the Australian public. They should be sent to political purgatory to repent their sins for a very long time. Maybe they should clean out the Tea Partiers while they are at it, as a sign of that repentance. This is enough reason for these modern day snake oil salesman posing as a political party, not to be returned to government. Their policy group, the IPA, who wrote their manifesto should be renounced as charlatans as well.

      Commenter
      brisvegas
      Date and time
      April 19, 2016, 4:22PM

      • Shame a return to the House wasn't on May Day.
        It would be symbolic on the right to secure workers from the excesses of greed, reduced legislation and protection under this mob.
        Till then.....

        Commenter
        A country gal
        Date and time
        April 19, 2016, 4:18PM

        • Till then ...

          Commenter
          The Mod
          Date and time
          April 19, 2016, 5:01PM

      • David Speers is following trendy word-fashions by asking if the PUP has "imploded". In fact they've done the old-fashioned thing and EXploded - blown outwards in almost all possible directions.

        Commenter
        Brisbane Jack
        Date and time
        April 19, 2016, 4:15PM

        • Actually, are there any 457's with political skills?

          Commenter
          Nuff Nuff
          Date and time
          April 19, 2016, 4:14PM

          • Now that the government is in caretaker mode, can we put all the politicians on casual rates, or better still make them subcontractors so as we don't have to pay their super?

            Commenter
            Nuff Nuff
            Date and time
            April 19, 2016, 4:09PM

            • Looking up Clive's nostril is taking transparency too far.

              Commenter
              Arthu McKenzie
              Location
              Canberra
              Date and time
              April 19, 2016, 4:07PM

              • What's Bronwyn doing in the photo? Work experience for an attendants job? Tomorrow it's planned to see how it goes with a glass of water on the coaster.

                Commenter
                Arthu McKenzie
                Location
                Canberra
                Date and time
                April 19, 2016, 4:04PM

                • Has the filibustering put the moderator to sleep? Perfectly understandable....

                  Commenter
                  Brisbane Jack
                  Date and time
                  April 19, 2016, 4:02PM

                  • And now Sen Terminator is filibustering. Still something to do with CSIRO. Apparently an "answer and explanation". I've never noticed that part of parliamentary procedure before - I guess it's a nice label for filibustering the rest of the day away.

                    Commenter
                    Brisbane Jack
                    Date and time
                    April 19, 2016, 4:01PM

                    • Hard to decide who I believe more, Clive Palmer or the PM of Australia.

                      Commenter
                      davemac
                      Location
                      Melbourne
                      Date and time
                      April 19, 2016, 4:00PM

                      • Good to see Clive Palmer hasn't forgotten his conservative heritage.

                        Giving all those donations to the LNP is ingrained in his DNA.

                        Commenter
                        A Green
                        Location
                        Australia
                        Date and time
                        April 19, 2016, 3:57PM

                        • 3.42 No I just can't bring myself to comment on your pic Andrew.

                          Commenter
                          A country gal
                          Date and time
                          April 19, 2016, 3:50PM

                          • Thanks Country Gal. I was wondering who the walrus was. And now George is pontificating about something, but I can never be bothered listening to George.

                            Commenter
                            Brisbane Jack
                            Date and time
                            April 19, 2016, 3:42PM

                            • Poor old Sen MacDonald is on a filibuster mission over CC. Declaring we should basically do nothing because we don't pollute enough. Oh and a bash of the CSIRO.
                              ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

                              Commenter
                              A country gal
                              Date and time
                              April 19, 2016, 3:28PM

                              • I'm surprised he knows even that much about the subject.

                                Our taxes at work. Against us.

                                Commenter
                                davemac
                                Location
                                Melbourne
                                Date and time
                                April 19, 2016, 3:40PM

                              • The third largest producer of coal in the world and we don't "pollute enough"? Hello? Err, 500 million tonnes of coal is current annual Australian coal production, it producers approximately 2.86 tonnes of Co2 per tonne of burnt coal. Simply put 500 million X 2.86 = 1.43 billion tonnes of Co2 every year and increasing.

                                These LNP people lie about anything and everything. Those who vote them are also committing a crime against humanity. It is fast approaching the time when lying about CC should be against the law.

                                Commenter
                                Pen of hrba
                                Date and time
                                April 19, 2016, 3:54PM

                            • 3:02 - Bill's wasting the chamber's time trying to run a censure motion about wasting the chamber's time ??

                              The irony is presumably lost on him ....

                              Commenter
                              Hacka
                              Location
                              Canberra
                              Date and time
                              April 19, 2016, 3:19PM

                              • OK, I'll stump up the few bucks it cost in time taken by Bill, if you stump up what it cost to recall parliament for the purpose of abusing the constitution. Housemartine, can you help out with your large wad of cash?

                                deal?

                                Commenter
                                davemac
                                Location
                                Melbourne
                                Date and time
                                April 19, 2016, 3:39PM

                              • So you do not believe that the orchestrated ABCC move by Turnbull is for one reason only: to seek a D.D.? By doing so making taxpayers pay out millions for what is nothing but another LNP scam.

                                Commenter
                                Pen of hrba
                                Date and time
                                April 19, 2016, 3:58PM

                              • If this was an abuse of the constitution dave, your boy would have run straight off to the High Court.

                                It's more like some smart politics by Malcolm, Billy got snookered.

                                Commenter
                                Hacka
                                Location
                                Canberra
                                Date and time
                                April 19, 2016, 4:13PM

                              • Can the High Court override the lawful use of a Constitutional power by the GG?

                                Commenter
                                blah
                                Date and time
                                April 19, 2016, 4:40PM

                            • Back from filling in that hole.
                              Hard work, still, worth it.

                              Now, this motion of Bill's.
                              What will the Senate do to fill in time.
                              The cleaners will be putting in for a pay rise if all this activity keeps up.

                              Commenter
                              fizzybeer
                              Date and time
                              April 19, 2016, 3:15PM

                              • Trust that little job is not noticed.
                                As for the Senate, it's filibuster time. MacDonald finished, now it's Brandis protecting and praising Sinodinos but now back to Carr's Q on the CSIRO.
                                Time to turn it off!
                                ZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZZ

                                Commenter
                                A country gal
                                Date and time
                                April 19, 2016, 3:41PM

                              • You're wasting your time filling in holes. Remember that we'll be needing somewhere to dump Turnbull and his ministers after the July election. Keep those holes available, fizzy one.

                                Commenter
                                Crusty
                                Date and time
                                April 19, 2016, 3:45PM

                            • 3:06pm. It's good to see that Ewen Jones is learning to sign. Learning a language is to be encouraged.

                              Commenter
                              Pluto
                              Location
                              Melbourne
                              Date and time
                              April 19, 2016, 3:14PM

                              • Don't be mean, you'll make his top lip start to quiver.

                                Commenter
                                davemac
                                Location
                                Melbourne
                                Date and time
                                April 19, 2016, 3:41PM

                            • Pyne moving the member no longer heard. But last week Christopher you said and I quote the government "towel up the opposition in question time" As I've said before any government that cannot campaign on it's record is a failed government and does not deserve to be re-elected.

                              Commenter
                              You've got nothing Malcolm
                              Date and time
                              April 19, 2016, 3:12PM

                              • 3.06pm: Where are the tears, Ewen Jones? Not cutting up onions for Michaela and Clive today?

                                Commenter
                                Sharron
                                Date and time
                                April 19, 2016, 3:09PM

                                • 3.06 Hewson made mince meat of Jones on Q&A re renewables. What a dinosaur he came across as.
                                  A Coal sniffing dinosaur.

                                  Commenter
                                  A country gal
                                  Date and time
                                  April 19, 2016, 3:09PM

                                  • Tony Jones ?

                                    Commenter
                                    Hacka
                                    Location
                                    Canberra
                                    Date and time
                                    April 19, 2016, 3:37PM

                                  • Its funny how some Liberals once free of the tea party shackles of day to day politics turn out to be pretty damn good. Pity a few more of them can't do it when it matters.

                                    Commenter
                                    davemac
                                    Location
                                    Melbourne
                                    Date and time
                                    April 19, 2016, 3:43PM

                                  • A coal sniffing, blubbering dinosaur. That particular exchange was embarrassing to observe. I watched that Q&A episode, principally because of the presence of John Hewson, who is always worth listening to, and he didn't disappoint.

                                    Commenter
                                    Bulletproof Monk
                                    Date and time
                                    April 19, 2016, 3:52PM

                                  • Ewan Hacka, Ewan.

                                    Commenter
                                    A country gal
                                    Date and time
                                    April 19, 2016, 4:12PM

                                • Bron looks decidedly like a fish out of water.
                                  Not Happy Bron.

                                  Commenter
                                  A country gal
                                  Date and time
                                  April 19, 2016, 3:06PM

                                  • 4th last QT. Maybe for the sake sentimentality and nostalgia, Bronnie should be put back in the Speaker's chair for one last QT, one last hoorah, in recognition of all those years of service.

                                    Just a thought.

                                    Commenter
                                    Hacka
                                    Location
                                    Canberra
                                    Date and time
                                    April 19, 2016, 3:06PM

                                    • One last gig as Speaker. And to add a bit of interest to the proceedings, maybe they could issue eggs and tomatoes to the parliamentarians. That would be worth watching.

                                      Commenter
                                      Bulletproof Monk
                                      Date and time
                                      April 19, 2016, 4:28PM

                                  • Turnbull says this election will be about trust? Oh yes Malcolm that's a winner given the LNP's record over the last 3 years. Listening to his ranting in QT is truly hilarious.

                                    Commenter
                                    You've got nothing Malcolm
                                    Date and time
                                    April 19, 2016, 3:04PM

                                    • Mr Shorten says no plan. The Government's plan is to shut down the Opposition and it worked. Within twelve hours they achieved their goal of a double dissolution election.

                                      Good plan. Good job PM.

                                      Commenter
                                      Hokumatz
                                      Date and time
                                      April 19, 2016, 3:03PM

                                      • ...and the plans for the future of Australia?...
                                        ...
                                        ...chirping of crickets...

                                        Commenter
                                        Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                        Date and time
                                        April 19, 2016, 3:47PM

                                      • You do know a 'plan' really should be about governing the country, and not just trying to play the constitution to give yourself the best chance of re-election.

                                        On the first - no plan, on the second, a crap plan.

                                        Commenter
                                        davemac
                                        Location
                                        Melbourne
                                        Date and time
                                        April 19, 2016, 4:02PM

                                    • Turnbull wants to protect Mum and Dad negative gearers from Mum and Dad first home buyers.

                                      Shame on the LNP!

                                      Commenter
                                      Ross
                                      Location
                                      MAllabula
                                      Date and time
                                      April 19, 2016, 3:03PM

                                      • If the ALP put out of work tens of thousands of truck drivers who would then be unable to pay their mortgages, while the LNP puts tens of thousands of car workers out of business and leave them unable to pay their mortgages.

                                        Hypocrites!

                                        Commenter
                                        Ross
                                        Location
                                        MAllabula
                                        Date and time
                                        April 19, 2016, 3:02PM

                                        • The government must explain why the jobs of shipbuilders can be saved with massive expenditure while the jobs of car builders had to be sacrificed to save miserly amounts.

                                          The government must explain why they govern for some Australians and against others.

                                          Commenter
                                          Ross
                                          Location
                                          MAllabula
                                          Date and time
                                          April 19, 2016, 2:59PM

                                            • Because there is always a need for defence. Can't say the same about overpriced Holden Commodores that perform half as efficiently as a cheaper Japanese vehicle. You can thank the Unions for the explosion in Labour costs.Thank globalisation for the high demand for much better quality Japanese cars.

                                              Commenter
                                              Piped Piper
                                              Date and time
                                              April 19, 2016, 3:01PM

                                            • Ross, we are in an election campaign and they will throw anything at marginal seats. They don't need to tell us - we know.

                                              There has never been a budget emergency during an LNP re-election campaign.

                                              Commenter
                                              jofek
                                              Date and time
                                              April 19, 2016, 3:05PM

                                            • No doubt have a lurk in CHaFTA to import Chinese Shipbuilders.
                                              Alternatively, of course nothing to do with realizing they've lost SA over the loss of car making so decide we need boats for Defence and to save seats.
                                              It's all politics and its pathetic.

                                              Commenter
                                              A country gal
                                              Date and time
                                              April 19, 2016, 3:05PM

                                            • The government must also explain why they want truck drivers to be paid less.

                                              Turnbull hasn't heard of fatigue induced accidents due to workers being overworked? Workers having to take on more hours just to put food on the table for their families? Workers becoming fatigued because their employers push for longer working hours?

                                              Heard of this happening Turnbull?

                                              Commenter
                                              Sharron
                                              Date and time
                                              April 19, 2016, 3:16PM

                                            • Ross - are you now complaining that the ships will be built in Oz ?

                                              Or maybe upset they're not being built in the shipyards of Mallabulla ?

                                              Poor government can't win either way.

                                              Commenter
                                              Hacka
                                              Location
                                              Canberra
                                              Date and time
                                              April 19, 2016, 3:23PM

                                            • The ship building is blatant pork barelling and expect it to be shelved along with the very fast train as soon as the election is over.

                                              Commenter
                                              Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                              Date and time
                                              April 19, 2016, 3:29PM

                                            • Hello Piped Piper

                                              a. How much defence is needed and what case has this high-taxing and higher-spending government made for building under performing (probably) and overpriced warships?

                                              b. In a position where we needed to defend ourselves, we will need those automotive skills - this anti-defence government is throwing them away.

                                              c. With an exchange rate 30% lower than it was when Abbott killed the car industry, why would we not be at least 30% more competitive?

                                              Commenter
                                              Ross
                                              Location
                                              MALLABULA.
                                              Date and time
                                              April 19, 2016, 3:43PM

                                            • Hacka, I think Ross' comment probably had more to do with why the Government can only find money to spend duing election campaigns and where they need votes. They are rather selective in their support of Australian manufacturing.

                                              Commenter
                                              jofek
                                              Date and time
                                              April 19, 2016, 3:51PM

                                            • Of course jofek, no chance that Labor will find a bunch of spending measures during a campaign.

                                              Hey have you noticed that this is both a manufacturing and defence measure ? Cars don't exactly protect our oceans.

                                              Commenter
                                              Hacka
                                              Location
                                              Canberra
                                              Date and time
                                              April 19, 2016, 4:15PM

                                          • Morrison still banging on about the ABCC. Here's a fact, in the 7 years the ABCC existed previously it did not secure a single conviction........NOT ONE! It was designed purely to attack unions and workers.

                                            Commenter
                                            It's not as easy as ABCC
                                            Date and time
                                            April 19, 2016, 2:57PM

                                            • The Treasurer has just stated that the ABCC stopped industrial disputes in the construction industry.

                                              Should that not be a concern in an economy where workers alreadyt have limited powers?

                                              Commenter
                                              Ross
                                              Location
                                              MALLABULA
                                              Date and time
                                              April 19, 2016, 2:56PM

                                              • Maybe now he can focus on the banking,finance and insurance sector who have been fleecing every single living Australian...except of course those promoting them and accepting sponsored events.

                                                Commenter
                                                megaphone
                                                Date and time
                                                April 19, 2016, 3:43PM

                                            • Speaking of corruption and what deserves a royal commission into nefarious activities, “Data released by the Australian Taxation Office shows nearly a third of the 26 large foreign banks operating in Australia, had no taxable income in 2014.” Stop and think how a bank can have no taxable income, yep it simply does not happen.

                                              “Eight banks with total revenue of $9 billion had no taxable income, while one had a taxable income of $397,000 on revenue of $707 million, also paid zero tax.”

                                              It’s called paper shuffling and using laws for reasons they should not be used for.

                                              The Tax Transparency report released by the ATO in December [last year] provides the first detailed breakdown of tax payments by the banking sector, which paid a total $11.4 billion in income tax in 2014, on revenue of $218 billion.”

                                              Now that is what I call worthy of a royal commission.

                                              Commenter
                                              Pen of hrba
                                              Date and time
                                              April 19, 2016, 2:55PM

                                              • You betcha Pen, nice work.

                                                Commenter
                                                A country gal
                                                Date and time
                                                April 19, 2016, 2:58PM

                                              • Yeh let's drive tax those naughty foreign banks 30% and let them set up operations elsewhere and take jobs and investment elsewhere. Fab idea.

                                                Commenter
                                                Piped Piper
                                                Date and time
                                                April 19, 2016, 3:17PM

                                              • I agree!!! A royal commission is needed.

                                                Commenter
                                                Sharron
                                                Date and time
                                                April 19, 2016, 3:18PM

                                              • And some more data from the 2 ATO tax dumps:-

                                                10 MNCs with a total turnover of over $72 billion between them paid NO tax in 2013/14.

                                                110 MNC's each with turnovers of over $1 billion each paid NO tax in 2013/14.

                                                What is the govt doing - SFA

                                                How many of these companies donate to the LNP or IPA, and how much?

                                                Further to the argument put forward by the LNP when resisting disclosure of the ATO tax data, how many business owners have been kidnapped to date as a result of those disclosures?

                                                Commenter
                                                Baldone
                                                Location
                                                Canberra
                                                Date and time
                                                April 19, 2016, 3:29PM

                                              • Hello Piped Piper,

                                                If those foreign banks leave because they have to pay naughty Australian tax, then why wouldn't their business be taken up by efficient and honourable banks?

                                                Commenter
                                                Ross
                                                Location
                                                MALLABULA.
                                                Date and time
                                                April 19, 2016, 3:46PM

                                            • The blue tie door knockers are out early this autumn.
                                              I'll just pop out to talk to them.
                                              There is something they need to see in the garden.
                                              Back soon.

                                              Commenter
                                              fizzybeer
                                              Date and time
                                              April 19, 2016, 2:55PM

                                              • Save our Mum and Dad State Levied Income Taxes.

                                                Commenter
                                                Mum and Dad
                                                Date and time
                                                April 19, 2016, 2:54PM

                                                • Why can't the PM answer a question without passing it on to someone else.

                                                  Commenter
                                                  The Bill
                                                  Location
                                                  Ashgrove
                                                  Date and time
                                                  April 19, 2016, 2:54PM

                                                  • Save our Mum and Dad ABCCs.

                                                    Commenter
                                                    Mum and Dad
                                                    Date and time
                                                    April 19, 2016, 2:53PM

                                                    • Some people like Turnbull I am sure.
                                                      But his self congratulatory rhetoric would try the patience of most.

                                                      Commenter
                                                      fizzybeer
                                                      Date and time
                                                      April 19, 2016, 2:52PM

                                                      • All credit to Lambie challenging Birmingham over Gonski and $100K Uni degrees.
                                                        She sure did better than the Minister.

                                                        Commenter
                                                        A country gal
                                                        Date and time
                                                        April 19, 2016, 2:45PM

                                                        • What the Government must explain is why they fight for truck drivers when they hasten the destruction of jobs in the auto industry and in canneries.

                                                          What the Government must explain is why they cherry pick between Australians.

                                                          What they must explain is why they don't and won't govern for all Australians.

                                                          Commenter
                                                          Ross
                                                          Location
                                                          MALLABULA
                                                          Date and time
                                                          April 19, 2016, 2:40PM

                                                          • I am sure they'd play a card from their deregulation/free market hand.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Quick Comment.
                                                            Date and time
                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:42PM

                                                          • Absolutely, Ross!!!

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Sharron
                                                            Date and time
                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:43PM

                                                          • Not doing too good with steel or nickel either.
                                                            Lucky all the shiny new targets with people in them are to be aluminium.
                                                            How is Alcoa doing?

                                                            Commenter
                                                            fizzybeer
                                                            Date and time
                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:46PM

                                                        • Why don't government ministers speak the truth

                                                          Commenter
                                                          Ross
                                                          Location
                                                          MALLABULA
                                                          Date and time
                                                          April 19, 2016, 2:38PM

                                                          • Come on, lets be fair. You should have said, "why don't politicians tell the truth"?
                                                            Its not just the ministers who lie.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            PB
                                                            Location
                                                            Brisbane
                                                            Date and time
                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:47PM

                                                          • Why can't I run as fast as Usain Bolt? My personal belief is that you're born with a talent and then nurture and develop it with training and practice. Now politicians also, in my opinion, are born with the talent and then go on to nurture it with training and lots of practice!

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Pluto
                                                            Location
                                                            Melbourne
                                                            Date and time
                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:49PM

                                                          • Oh but they do, Ross, they simply confuse the truth with blatant lies, spin and deceit and then call it truth. With that in mind consider that 50% of voters will actually vote for this nefarious version of truth telling. Now what does that tell you about the intelligence of the Australian electorate?

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Pen of hrba
                                                            Date and time
                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:59PM

                                                          • Because "Truth" does not exist in their vocabularies.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            megaphone
                                                            Date and time
                                                            April 19, 2016, 3:49PM

                                                        • Why doesn't the Government replace the Treasurer with someone who talks sense?

                                                          Commenter
                                                          Ross
                                                          Location
                                                          MALLABULA
                                                          Date and time
                                                          April 19, 2016, 2:36PM

                                                          • And just where would they find such a person?

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Wentworth wipeout
                                                            Date and time
                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:52PM

                                                          • ? Julie Bishop?

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Ross
                                                            Location
                                                            MAllabula
                                                            Date and time
                                                            April 19, 2016, 3:07PM

                                                          • @Ross - Julie Bishop - make sense - best laugh I have all day. On reflection she actually does - ready to serve as the Deputy to the next LP Opposition Leader.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Mais51
                                                            Location
                                                            Sydney (currently in USA)
                                                            Date and time
                                                            April 19, 2016, 4:04PM

                                                        • So, our genius treasurer things it’s a waste of $51 million to make an inquiry that every one wants, but not $140 million to ask every Australian a question that everyone knows the answer to.

                                                          Financial management superiority in operation.

                                                          Never forget it’s your money.

                                                          Commenter
                                                          Wentworth wipeout
                                                          Date and time
                                                          April 19, 2016, 2:36PM

                                                          • "a "pathetic attempt to misrepresent" Mr Turnbull says"?? Unbelievable tripe this Turnbull person comes out with, unbelievable garbage!

                                                            Turnbull you have played games with us long enough. The election should have been called when Tony Abbott was thrown out of the PM's office.

                                                            Commenter
                                                            Sharron
                                                            Date and time
                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:33PM

                                                            • Turnbull and Morrison talk about the new economy as though we're transitioning from a boom to yet another boom. It's just not so. The boom is behind us.

                                                              We could afford things like negative gearing for property speculators in the boom times, but we can't afford it any longer, not in the new economy.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              radio transition
                                                              Date and time
                                                              April 19, 2016, 2:33PM

                                                              • I think we have to get all those Merino Sheep, from the first boom, out of storage.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                Pluto
                                                                Location
                                                                Melbourne
                                                                Date and time
                                                                April 19, 2016, 2:59PM

                                                            • Every time the Treasurer opens his mouth it shows how far out of his depth he is. I know people on his own side don't like him but giving him dixers really is cruel.

                                                              Commenter
                                                              blue
                                                              Date and time
                                                              April 19, 2016, 2:33PM

                                                              • Clearly, Prime Minister Turnbull does not have the stamina to answer a whole question.

                                                                Commenter
                                                                Wentworth wipeout
                                                                Date and time
                                                                April 19, 2016, 2:32PM

                                                                • If the term, "Mr Speaker" had never been coined, I wonder if Scott Morrision would be able to put a sentence together.

                                                                  Commenter
                                                                  Ross
                                                                  Location
                                                                  MALLABULA
                                                                  Date and time
                                                                  April 19, 2016, 2:31PM

                                                                  • The Liberals are just mouthing off words without substance. An aggressive lot that is sinking in their own morass of non meaningful words. Morrison typifies that feeling of "morass" Does Morrison breathe when he speaks??

                                                                    Commenter
                                                                    Favela Liberal
                                                                    Date and time
                                                                    April 19, 2016, 2:31PM

                                                                      • "I know, lets move the navy to Townsville" -mouthed- the last sitting Labor PM without any thought or sensibility.
                                                                        Do you really expect us to believe that the mob who elected Krudd to power, have changed in the last 3 years just because they have put a Union hack in charge?

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        PB - no I don't vote LNP
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Brisbane
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        April 19, 2016, 2:42PM

                                                                    • It's gunna be sooooooo sweeet if Windsor beats Barnaby. Heck I'd be happy even if he just gives him a good scare.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Rudyard
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      April 19, 2016, 2:29PM

                                                                      • Don't settle for last best.
                                                                        Enough of that with Abbott............
                                                                        and the we got Turnbull.

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        fizzybeer
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        April 19, 2016, 2:39PM

                                                                    • 2:06pm. Says the man with no backbone.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Pluto
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      April 19, 2016, 2:29PM

                                                                      • .. and the Rhodes scholar at his heels!

                                                                        Commenter
                                                                        Ruth
                                                                        Location
                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                        Date and time
                                                                        April 19, 2016, 3:08PM

                                                                    • 12:52pm. Chris Bowen reckoning the size of a politician's grasp of reality.
                                                                      12:53pm. Chris Pyne reckoning the size of a politician's grasp of reality with greater accuracy. Smaller, I say. Smaller.

                                                                      Commenter
                                                                      Pluto
                                                                      Location
                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                      Date and time
                                                                      April 19, 2016, 2:27PM

                                                                      • Oh dear I switched off Scotty only to switch to the Senate and got the Cormannator.

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

                                                                        • Can someone fill me please.

                                                                          I thought we had 76 senators in parliament.
                                                                          12 from each state and 2 each for the Territories. How then, is the vote 36-34 which totals 70?

                                                                          Which 6 senators didn't choose to vote?

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          Legend
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          April 19, 2016, 2:23PM

                                                                          • There were apols for a few given due to "personal reasons". Can't recall who they were.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            A country gal
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:37PM

                                                                        • Is ScoMo a History professor ?

                                                                          Will he ever start talking about the 2013-2016 years ?

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          A Green
                                                                          Location
                                                                          Australia
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          April 19, 2016, 2:22PM

                                                                          • He is history.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            fizzybeer
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:40PM

                                                                        • Now that the Senate has got the ABCC out of the way so quickly and the House of Reps has nothing to debate, perhaps a marriage equality bill could be put forward, debated and passed by our agile, forward thinking, progressive PM and the New LNP? Oh wait - I keep forgetting. It's actually the tired, slow moving, old LNP with a costume change for appearances.

                                                                          Commenter
                                                                          RobE
                                                                          Date and time
                                                                          April 19, 2016, 2:22PM

                                                                          • I don't think Bill can keep this up for the next 74 days.
                                                                            He's got no ticker. He's had a rails run of late, but it's about to end.
                                                                            Shorten, Plebersek, Bowen, Burke, Conroy.
                                                                            Are people really going to vote this lot in again.
                                                                            They need another 3 years in opposition.

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            Shane
                                                                            Location
                                                                            Hammondville
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:20PM

                                                                            • Errr, Andrews, Abetz, Abbott, Bernardi, Christensen, Broad, Hastie, Tehan, Nicolic, Joyce.......

                                                                              Commenter
                                                                              A country gal
                                                                              Date and time
                                                                              April 19, 2016, 2:40PM

                                                                            • Who to?
                                                                              I don't think the Greens can form government.

                                                                              Commenter
                                                                              fizzybeer
                                                                              Date and time
                                                                              April 19, 2016, 2:42PM

                                                                          • Crikey what next? Mum and Dad Banks? Mum and Dad Tax Evading Multinationals? Mum and Dad Free Enterprise Foundations?

                                                                            Commenter
                                                                            Mum and Dad
                                                                            Date and time
                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:20PM

                                                                            • OK.....an election is in the air. This time can someone in the media tell us which statement is a lie & which one is not because in the last election every time they opened their mouths to make promises it was lie after lie after lie. How can anyone believe anything a politician says after Tony's record in the last election??

                                                                              Commenter
                                                                              Bazza
                                                                              Date and time
                                                                              April 19, 2016, 2:19PM

                                                                              • OK Magnifico whilst on Refugees, how's Wilson Security going?
                                                                                And how's our Refugee going seeking a safe and legal Abortion in Australia? Preferably in Vic.
                                                                                And how's the fines going for attempting suicide?

                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                A country gal
                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                April 19, 2016, 2:17PM

                                                                                • One after another the duds that supported Turnbull get up and have their moment in the limelight ...... by asking a Dorothy Dixer.

                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                  A Green
                                                                                  Location
                                                                                  Australia
                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 2:16PM

                                                                                  • "Voldemort" Dutton up to his usual smarmy tricks.

                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                    A Green
                                                                                    Location
                                                                                    Australia
                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 2:14PM

                                                                                    • 3 months of a lame duck govt.

                                                                                      How can any business have "Ideas and Innovation" or sign contracts when they are stuck in the ether of an "election in our time" ?

                                                                                      The General Governor General should sack the Turnbull govt and let the people vote.

                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                      A Green
                                                                                      Location
                                                                                      Australia
                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 2:10PM

                                                                                      • Turnbull stated that truck drivers have lost their jobs.Where are the statistics on this this? Has he mislead the house?

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        madison
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 2:06PM

                                                                                        • You can guarantee that all jobs gained by this move will be underpaying ones, particularly for such a high stress job.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          safety first
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 2:14PM

                                                                                        • madison

                                                                                          Distribution houses all over the country are choking from deliveries not made.

                                                                                          Aren't they ?

                                                                                          Just more lies from the LIberal Party.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          A Green
                                                                                          Location
                                                                                          Australia
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 2:18PM

                                                                                        • Look at the outcome........ Business now has cheaper transport cost. The big end of town wins again & are indebted to the LNP. Safety on the roads is not important so just ensure you protect yourself from that truck coming the other way when next you are on the highway.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Bazza
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 2:24PM

                                                                                      • @1:06

                                                                                        Honestly..... Mr Abbott is not sniping from the sideline destabilising.

                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                        Time to change
                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 2:05PM

                                                                                        • QT - presume we can expect an economic dixer followed by a bold economic statement by the Prime Minister.

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Hacka
                                                                                          Location
                                                                                          Canberra
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 1:58PM

                                                                                          • Hacka
                                                                                            what is the Senate meant to do now?
                                                                                            Seriously, the GRAND PLAN has fizzled.
                                                                                            Can they be sent home to play cards or do we have to keep the lights on in the big tent and make them play there.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            fizzybeer
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:21PM

                                                                                          • Hacka

                                                                                            The current parliament will not cost the taxpayer 1 red cent.

                                                                                            Is that what you mean by a "bold economic statement" ?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            A Green
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:23PM

                                                                                          • You can bet it won't be directed to the treasurer if you want a competent response.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            blue
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:34PM

                                                                                        • Bill Shorten has today said that "The Labor Party has spent the last 900 plus days preparing our positive plan for Australia's future."

                                                                                          The only problem is that this takes you back to mid-July 2013, 3+ weeks out from when PM Rudd called the 2013 election.

                                                                                          So, in one fell swoop, Shorten has:
                                                                                          * discredited everything that Labor stood for in the May 2013 budget;
                                                                                          * debunked everything that the Gillard Government stood for;
                                                                                          * debunked the first 5-6 weeks of Rudd's second coming; and
                                                                                          * essentially said that back before mid-July 2013, labor actually had no positive plan for Australia's future even though Labor was in power at the time.

                                                                                          Now, that's saying something - Labor not believing what Labor says or does. Labor believing that Labor is wrong /bad for the country. And "new" Labor splitting from "old" Labor except that most of "new' Labor's policies are actually those of "old" Labor.

                                                                                          So, what does Labor actually stand for (apart from attacking the Coalition out of pure convenience rather than on substance)? Arguably, nothing, as everything that is old, traditional or core to Labor, they do not believe in and yet everything "new" is really quite "old".

                                                                                          So much for being the visionary - but as Shorten says, he has been preparing Labor's positive plan for Australia's future for the last 900+ days. Now that's an endorsement that no RGR Government would ever want to hear because it sounds very much like "the kiss of death".

                                                                                          But I can imagine the ads now - Bad "old" Labor was nasty, evil and sinister, nothing like "new" Labor which only believes in the best that Labor will do except if it is "old" Labor.

                                                                                          Can we now get Shorten to endorse the Coalition?

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Grant
                                                                                          Location
                                                                                          Mitcham
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 1:58PM

                                                                                          • Blah blah blah...short summary...Lib good, Labor bad...all Labor's fault...

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:17PM

                                                                                          • And what is it exactly that you spent all that time trying to say? You lost me about line 3...

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Jamie
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:24PM

                                                                                          • Grant

                                                                                            Be thankful its not Barney talking about millions .... or was it billions.

                                                                                            Maybe gazillions.

                                                                                            Of beetroots ?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            A Green
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:26PM

                                                                                          • Ummm 900 days is Friday November 1st 2013. That's about two weeks into Shorten's reign and exactly when you would expect him to take responsibility for policy direction.

                                                                                            It's also just before the parliament first sat under PM Abbott and not at all during Labor's term.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            unrealPolitik
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:26PM

                                                                                          • Are you one of Scott Morrison's advisors? Because that would explain a lot. 900 days ago was Novemer 1st 2013 (not July).

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            EleventyMo
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:26PM

                                                                                          • Wow, that's a long post for a non existent point. Not much of a smoking gun there I'm afraid.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            davemac
                                                                                            Location
                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:36PM

                                                                                          • As already pointed out, 900 days ago puts you well into the last half of 2013. Can the OP please reconstruct their argument with that fact in mind?

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            Quick Comment.
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 2:41PM

                                                                                        • Malcolm Turnbull is also playing games with his own government, he is clearly obsessed with the construction industry and no one has asked why.

                                                                                          What are Turnbull's motives for his obsession with the building industry? What shares does Turnbull have in a future development?

                                                                                          Malcolm Turnbull only focuses on issues that concern his interests, so shouldn't the LNP MPs be asking why there is such a major focus on this industry?

                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                          Sharron
                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 1:55PM

                                                                                          • I wonder what Tony Abbott will have to say about Morrison's "tax on workers" and "tax on retirees" that will be in his next budget and that he's already made the advertisements for.

                                                                                            Speak up Tony. Big clear voice.

                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                            internal ructions
                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 1:51PM

                                                                                            • Go Libs, !!

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              A1
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 1:50PM

                                                                                              • Think you left out the comma

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                davemac
                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 2:12PM

                                                                                              • I think that should read Golli BS ?

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 2:41PM

                                                                                            • 1.19pm And Australians are definitely sick of an opposition who does nothing but whinge and whine!

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              andrew
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 1:41PM

                                                                                              • LOL LOL LOL ha ha ha LOL...oops I thought I was sitting next to little Chrissy Pyne for a minute there : /

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                Sharron
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 1:59PM

                                                                                              • Boo Hoo - You're breaking my heart.

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                blah
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 1:59PM

                                                                                              • Projecting to July 2 or just recounting 2007>2013 I can only conclude.

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                A country gal
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 2:00PM

                                                                                              • It's OK Andy, you'll have a whole new opposition in a few months.

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                davemac
                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 2:15PM

                                                                                              • Not like the LNP when they were in opposition??????????? Pot, kettle, black.

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                Bazza
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 2:26PM

                                                                                              • 2 of 07 is just another 2007 - the year the unmovable JWH got kicked off his seat together with the LNP government
                                                                                                This time along PM MT may retain his seat but will surely resign after the election, either way the result will be the same.

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                Mais51
                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                Sydney (currently in USA)
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 2:34PM

                                                                                            • if i were a executive director at big 4 banks i would be getting ready to make retirement plans to settle in Caymen's before Labor introduces Royal commission.

                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                              jim
                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 1:40PM

                                                                                              • Another 3years with this mob would be too much too stomach ,for a lot of people.This mob didn't change,their attitudes, with the deck chairs,when Tony vacated the loge.They still murdered us,with outdated The only difference was Malcolm spoke with silver tongued panache.with out the stuttering and stumbling
                                                                                                Laissez faire politics, was given to us on plate from a ex rich banker...say no more
                                                                                                Expensive plebiscites ,deals under the table for Malcolm's rich mates,cuts to health,education and other important areas,are on the table,with this lot.

                                                                                                Bye ,bye Malcolm,your not crash hot after all,the dust has settled

                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                Expect a flood
                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 1:38PM

                                                                                                • My name is Jack Sparrow and I am notoriously unreliable, you gotta watch out for the reliable ones, because you never know when they are going to be unreliable..

                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                  Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 1:33PM

                                                                                                  • You do realise that Jack Sparrow is a fictional character don't you? Very much like our fictional Prime Minister and his fictional government.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    roll me own durries
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    Perth
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 2:07PM

                                                                                                  • ...what...you...mean...captain blackbeard and black pearl...not true...nooooooo!

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 2:23PM

                                                                                                • Anyone remember the $8 BILLION the LNP transferred to the RBA in 2014 in a brazen attempt to cook the previous accounts. Remember the $8 billion the RBA didn't want!

                                                                                                  Well it would be a unbackable prediction that same $8 Billion miraculously reappears as a dividend receipt in this shonky budget.

                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                  Cryin
                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                  Out
                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 1:30PM

                                                                                                  • Its the Cons. It will reappear as $6B the other $1.5B will be distributed between their mates in business. The missing $0.5B is the standard deviation I will give to Scotty for using his fingers to count the money.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    blah
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 1:33PM

                                                                                                • The Pulse @ 1.06 pm

                                                                                                  Sir Christopher Custard, the media tart,
                                                                                                  is busy releasing the world’s greatest fart,
                                                                                                  resulting from tonnes of political gas
                                                                                                  that’s finally built up to critical mass.

                                                                                                  There’ll be an explosion that makes us take heed
                                                                                                  of all he has done, both in word and in deed,
                                                                                                  so history’s pages will echo his name,
                                                                                                  and legends will grow of Sir Christopher’s fame.

                                                                                                  But there’s a dilemma upsetting his plan,
                                                                                                  a problem pervasive since farting began,
                                                                                                  for once you have given that gas its farewell
                                                                                                  there isn’t a chance of escaping the smell!

                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                  Gazza from Grong Grong
                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 1:29PM

                                                                                                  • Gazza, now that made me giggle out loud and when I see Sir Christopher I'll just think of smelly things.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 1:50PM

                                                                                                  • Boyle's Law P1V1=P2V2

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 1:51PM

                                                                                                  • and I think the problem is that we are all downwind....

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Time to change
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 2:03PM

                                                                                                  • I'd already got wind of that one!

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Ruth
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 2:08PM

                                                                                                  • Gazz

                                                                                                    How dare you raise the tone of the Pulse with a fart joke.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    davemac
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 2:14PM

                                                                                                  • For those not mathematically inclined... I think that the inclusion from Boyle's Law above is probably that you want to be as far as possible from Mr Pyne when the PVs equalise.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Time to change
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 2:19PM

                                                                                                  • Cmon, we have to take temperature into account as well

                                                                                                    PV=nRT

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    davemac
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 2:39PM

                                                                                                • If the behaviour on building sites is so wrong where are the police.
                                                                                                  If bànks have defrauded Australian where are the police.
                                                                                                  INsurance policies not paid why are they still in business.

                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                  Rodger
                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 1:29PM

                                                                                                  • in court with the currently 108 CFMEU members before the courts on thousands of charges.
                                                                                                    I suggest googling the judgement yesterday that fined a recidivist CFMEU member $7000 and the CFMEU $45,000.
                                                                                                    That must bring fines for the CFMEU over that last couple of years to ever $3 Milion.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    andrew
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 1:37PM

                                                                                                  • The Libs have stripped ASIC of resources and funding - pulled all their teeth out with pliers. They can't chew the ankles of banks and financial sector misbehavers any more, all they can do is suck on their ankles.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Old Yella
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 1:44PM

                                                                                                  • @Andrew,
                                                                                                    Well said...... but...

                                                                                                    The other part of the story though is white collar crime including some of the banks actions apparent lack of governance.

                                                                                                    Are they in court as well?

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Time to change
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 2:02PM

                                                                                                  • So if the Court is doing its job why is there a need for a further body. Just another example of the LNP expanding the civil service to find jobs for their mates methinks.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    blah
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 2:05PM

                                                                                                  • old yella
                                                                                                    The ALP efficiency dividend applied to ASIC - 1.5% increasing to 2.5%.
                                                                                                    AS Billy is so worired about the banks will he replace the money the ALP ripped from ASIC ??

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    andrew
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 3:02PM

                                                                                                  • Old Yella
                                                                                                    there is no oversight of unions and they pay no tax.
                                                                                                    And, almost borrowing from the Grong Grong man ... their slush does not stink

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    Farah Out
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    ACT
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 3:08PM

                                                                                                • Here we go on a roller coaster with the incredible shrinking man.

                                                                                                  No where to run to ,no where to hide,lets just blame labor,and those polls will be fine

                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                  Losing the plot
                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 1:28PM

                                                                                                  • The Turnbull govt certainly has changed the culture of the Liberal Party since he took over from Abbott.

                                                                                                    Under Abbott everything was a secret.

                                                                                                    Now .... under Turnbull .... everything is an open secret.

                                                                                                    Japanese subs ..... just waiting for the announcement.

                                                                                                    Election ..... just waiting for the announcement.

                                                                                                    What a dysfunctional political party the Liberal Party is.

                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                    A Green
                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                    Australia
                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 1:25PM

                                                                                                    • 1:12 Quick Mal while Jack Sparrow is still hostage cut a deal for Alice in Wonderland 2 cheshire cat.

                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                      Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 1:24PM

                                                                                                      • Does this mean....? Is it possible...? Could it be that we may soon be living in a Corey Bernardi free political world?

                                                                                                        Oh the joy. Please don't let me down SA.

                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                        PB
                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                        Brisbane
                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 1:21PM

                                                                                                        • In town today I saw a kid try to take a first bite of his ice-cream, and the whole scoop of ice-cream fell off the cone and splatted onto the ground. The kid stoodthere staring at it with tears welling up in his little eyes, then ran off towards his mum crying "Mummmmmm (sniffffff) my ice-cream went prorogue!"

                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                          Section 94a
                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 1:20PM

                                                                                                          • So now, instead of staring into the abyss under Turnbull.... we will probably all fall into it under Shorten.

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            Peter S
                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                            Cassilis
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 1:18PM

                                                                                                            • Peter S

                                                                                                              Turnbull and the Liberal Party are at the bottom of your "abyss".

                                                                                                              So at least they will cushion the fall.

                                                                                                              And deservedly so !

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              A Green
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              Australia
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 1:27PM

                                                                                                          • 1:06 Did you really tell them the subs will be built in Adelaide...

                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                            Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 1:16PM

                                                                                                            • When Abbott challenges for the leadership will he give us the construction dates for the VFT?

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 1:14PM

                                                                                                              • Abbott will challenge for post of opposition leader in July after Turnbull hands over the keys of Lodge to Bill.

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                dc
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 1:23PM

                                                                                                            • Arrium !

                                                                                                              Perhaps Australian steel could be used to build the next bunch of warships.

                                                                                                              Whoops ...... sorry !

                                                                                                              Forgot the Palmer Nickel Refinery has shut down.

                                                                                                              The Turnbull govt saved $35 million and will now spend $1 billion on welfare.

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              A Green
                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                              Australia
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 1:12PM

                                                                                                              • ...maybe the car industry can retool...oops?
                                                                                                                if we can introduce work for the pension...that's it...eureka!

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 1:20PM

                                                                                                            • 12.53pm: Christopher Pyne do we really pay you to talk about Zoolander in Parliament?

                                                                                                              You can't talk about all the money Turnbull gave you to help save your seat?

                                                                                                              Is this all the empty Turnbull government has to talk about? Hollywood and Disneyland?

                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                              Sharron
                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 1:11PM

                                                                                                              • 12:33 Wait till they see this in the budget...the laugh is on the Australian voters...

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 1:09PM

                                                                                                                • Nuff Nuff

                                                                                                                  Someone told Pyne he could be the next Opposition leader.

                                                                                                                  A very real possibility.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  A Green
                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                  Australia
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 1:13PM

                                                                                                                • I don't know @A Green. I think Nick might have Mr. Pyne's measure. We may not see him again.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  PB
                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                  Brisbane
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 1:24PM

                                                                                                              • 12.53

                                                                                                                So is this now the way to go for the LNP - Morrison deriding Shorten's suit, now the chirping budgie picking on Bowen's attire. Is this their new campaign model? Is this all they have to argue on?

                                                                                                                Forget policies, obviously Pyyyyne thinks the public are not concerned about our future.

                                                                                                                Pathetic.

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                PEarn
                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 1:08PM

                                                                                                                • They have been scaling an ever higher mountain of patheticness for the last 2 and a half years. Now even their own delusions and self belief are evaporating. It is clear at last from the top of this huge mountain of failure and deceit even to themselves that they have nothing to sell, just Malcolm's suit.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  GOV
                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                  Sydney
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 1:27PM

                                                                                                              • By the time the 72 days are up the average punter will hate both leaders more than they do now, talk about wind turbines, these two would power a city.

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                EXO
                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                Port Macquarie.
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 1:01PM

                                                                                                                • Don't forget Morrison and Barnaby. QT was exhausting having to listen to the shouting of those two multiple times.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  The Inspector
                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                  Geelong
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 4:19PM

                                                                                                              • When is Turnbull announcing the construction date for Fast train between sydney and melbourne ?

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                curious
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 12:59PM

                                                                                                                • Japan had one in 1964.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 1:08PM

                                                                                                                • curious

                                                                                                                  About the same time he announces Abbott's Japanese subs.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  A Green
                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                  Australia
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 1:14PM

                                                                                                                • Judging by Turnbull's choice of NBN I wouldn't want him to oversee any fast trains. He probably just want to bolt a jet engine onto the back of a few of our outdated city trains

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  Model Train Set
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 1:26PM

                                                                                                              • "12:09 - well there it is - confirmation that we're going to the polls on 2 July."

                                                                                                                Now businesses have to sit back and wait until after the election is over ....... to see who will be running Australia.

                                                                                                                The 'adults" are currently in charge of this slow down ...... as businesses will be reluctant to enter into any contracts until after the election.

                                                                                                                Bloody good show Turnbull.

                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                A Green
                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                Australia
                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 12:58PM

                                                                                                                • The Liberals using and wasting the Peoples "hard earned" thats news! Get off the grass, they are experts. Brony's helicopter, Barnabys helicopter, the marriage equality vote, the stupid facial costly recall of parliament, Turnbull's lousy wine cellar, the peoples "hard earned" spent on promoting the Liberals pathetic tax reform etc. this mob should be outed yesterday.

                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                  bluebag
                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                  Radwick
                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 12:51PM

                                                                                                                  • It appears Hacka and EIE are struggling for a narrative at the moment. Just like Turnbull and Morrison. Turnbull's cat and mouse tactics are continuing his theme of dithering and indecision. Hardly agile, more wish-washy you could say. !0 weeks till good government starts.

                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                    The neo cons are all at sea
                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 12:44PM

                                                                                                                    • they must be hanging their heads in shame at their own LNP government.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Sharron
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 1:08PM

                                                                                                                    • Messages to the troops from the bunker are moving so swiftly that EIE, Hacka and all the other LNP apologists are becoming a tad confused. Bit like Bletchley they cannot decode the messages just yet...once the vitriol starts flowing from Mal, ScoMo Cwissy and the crew they will be back on message. Of course it will continue to be ill informed!

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      SanchoP
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 1:08PM

                                                                                                                  • @12.24 - Scotty would only know what was in the budget if Malcolm had already told him. Given the level of trust between the two I doubt this has happened yet. A confused toxic partnership on a frenzied hysterical path to oblivion. Well done guys.

                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                    blue
                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 12:42PM

                                                                                                                    • Trying to be impartial here, but I cannot answer these two questions for myself. Can anyone help?
                                                                                                                      (1) If 65% of the surveyed public want a royal commission into banking culture, is Labor being 'populist' by driving/supporting it? Or is it just representing its supporters in the Federal forum - and thus justified to do it?

                                                                                                                      (2) If ScoMo calls this proposal a stunt, what would he have thought of the Royal Commission into Trade Union Governance and Corruption? Did he say anything publicly about it? And if PM Turnbull says a RC [about an industry's culture] would only enrich lawyers, and not achieve any compensation/results, what justification (if any) did he give for the TUGaC commission? Was going after Gillard yet again over some dodgy building extensions worth it?
                                                                                                                      I'd like some other peoples' viewpoint.

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      BalmainBoy
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      Hills District, Sydney
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 12:41PM

                                                                                                                      • I haven't supported a royal commission into anything over the last 8 years. I'll concede the only one that has been worth it has been the one into child abuse, the only good thing Julia did. Other than that Royal commissions have been set up to destroy political opponents at the taxpayer expenses. This banking one is a populist stunt to wedge Malcolm because Bill knows that going after banks is economically reckless and something Malcolm won't agree to thus looking like a strong leader in contrast to Malcolm.

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        Piped Piper
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 12:57PM

                                                                                                                      • The answer to 1 depends on how you frame the question you ask.
                                                                                                                        If you asked people do you want (a) a royal commission into the banks but they will only be able to produce a report with recommendations and take not actions in most likely in 2+ years
                                                                                                                        or
                                                                                                                        (b) there is currently ASIC and APRA who can investigate your complaint, charge people if necessary and get you compensation in the foreseeable future
                                                                                                                        how do you think people would vote then?
                                                                                                                        2. As for the TURC you might as well substitute Shorten and the ALP who lambasted the TURC and one of the most respected jurists in the country calling the TURC a witch hunt but now want ot embark on a witch hunt of the banks for populist reasons you outlined above.

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        Andrew
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 1:02PM

                                                                                                                      • Yeah right Andrew...we all know that asic and apra are LNP lap dogs.

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 1:11PM

                                                                                                                      • too bad thousands of Australians have lost their life savings because of a crook bank culture in search of profits rather than service. Yes lets just forget about them. ASIC where are you?

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        Bill
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 1:23PM

                                                                                                                      • ASIC currently have 2 banks before the courts on several charges .
                                                                                                                        Compensation orders have been issued.
                                                                                                                        I suggest a little research into the recent activity of both ASIC and the ATO before empty comments.
                                                                                                                        The ALP applied a 1.5% efficiency dividend to ASIC rising to 2.5% so iot was the ALP that cut funding to ASIC

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        andrew
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 1:34PM

                                                                                                                      • 1 Yes labor is being populist about it, last year they rejected any thought of an enquiry, 2 its about getting some productivity in this country and employees being able to make choices not unions driving the bus for their own purposes.
                                                                                                                        Shortie is a union man and has been from day dot, the states and federally we have fast become nanny states since labor has had control, its called socialism not democtratic, unions want everything but give nothing in return, we need productivity,
                                                                                                                        We blame asia because of cost, not true, UK, european countries all compete ob the world front and are competitive, PRODUCTIViTY, hope that helps, enjoy

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        Drew
                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 1:51PM

                                                                                                                    • Can someone tell us how much it has cost to recall Parliament for an extra 3 weeks of sittings?

                                                                                                                      I am sure it is not cheap so for a Government that loves to tell the rest of us to tighten our belts and live within our means, they sure don’t mind throwing our money around in a desperate attempt to justify their own re-election.

                                                                                                                      Turnbull has once again tried to be tricky in an attempt to fool the electorate but it has again showing him to have shocking judgement which is costing us a fortune. This Government are a shambles!

                                                                                                                      One day they make an announcement and the next day they run away from it. No wonder consumer and business confidence is tanking when we are being run by a government who does not know what it is doing from one day to the next.

                                                                                                                      This is a disgrace and as a Country, we deserve better!

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Snapperhead
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      The Reef
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 12:39PM

                                                                                                                      • I'd say the cost is around 0.1 SSM plebiscites.

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        davemac
                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 12:55PM

                                                                                                                    • "only 74 days to go", I think that should be "Groan, 74 more days of bitching, backstabbing and lies from both sides, all at the expense of taxpayers". Why wait for a budget that won't be approved, lets put some pressure on the pollies and give a week to outline their policies (or dreams and lies!) and then we get to vote, this is dragging on way too long already and I know I already stopped listening so I don't think another 74 days of it will make any difference!

                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                      Fredbear216
                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 12:35PM

                                                                                                                      • 12:24

                                                                                                                        I get the feeling there is an advertising company out there at the moment with a brief to re-cut an ad at very short notice.

                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                        davemac
                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                        Melbourne
                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 12:30PM

                                                                                                                        • Interesting segment on NewsRadio #myabceventheradiobits this morning asking Joe Public what the ABCC was all about. Not many clues out there.

                                                                                                                          A fine reason to drag the parliament back and then drag the public to an election.

                                                                                                                          Liberals. Because the constitution is our play-thing.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          davemac
                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                          Melbourne
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 12:27PM

                                                                                                                          • Not sure that Axl Rose is the right choice davemac.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Piped Piper
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 12:49PM

                                                                                                                          • Strangely out of context piper, but I agree 100%. Bring back Bon I say.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            davemac
                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 12:56PM

                                                                                                                        • So, the PM goes out to a construction site to tell us all about what a terrible stranglehold the CFMEU has on the nation’s construction sector.

                                                                                                                          And he proves there is such a stranglehold that he is able to go out to a major building site where they crow that there is a successful enterprise agreement with no union involvement.

                                                                                                                          Spot the incongruity.

                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                          Wentworth wipeout
                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 12:21PM

                                                                                                                          • 12:09 - well there it is - confirmation that we're going to the polls on 2 July.

                                                                                                                            9:58 - well there it is - a picture of the people that Bill's putting first.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 12:17PM

                                                                                                                            • Let's deal with your first point: Der.

                                                                                                                              Now, the second - are you really saying that you don't give a crap about people who have died on the roads because of drugged out or exhausted truckies pushed to their limits? Really? Wow.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              davemac
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 12:35PM

                                                                                                                            • Hacka at 10.15am "As for being the Abbott group, nyet comrade. This lot were decidedly more militant looking than that.

                                                                                                                              9:58 - yep, that's them."

                                                                                                                              Same line twice in a day. About as original as Government policy these days. 1 day in and you are already tired. Not a good sign.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              blah
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 12:36PM

                                                                                                                            • blah - well he sure as hell can't talk about polls. Not even picking the one that has his mob ahead and concluding that's the most accurate.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              davemac
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 12:49PM

                                                                                                                            • Nah dave, I'm saying Bill's crocodile tears about safety are a smokescreen masking ideology.

                                                                                                                              You guys seem to think that every truck trip is long haul, and fatigue is a factor in every accident.

                                                                                                                              Love to see those theories backed up - can you ?

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Hacka
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Canberra
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 1:14PM

                                                                                                                            • davemac, if Labor lose will you respect the result or can we expect another 3 years of leftie sour grapes?

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              adrian
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 1:20PM

                                                                                                                            • @H - since BS is pretty much labelled as the bloke who brought it in, hardly croc tears, you can;t have it both ways

                                                                                                                              adrian - in a word, yes. I gave TA the benefit of the doubt (trashed in 2 weeks) and did the same for MT (trashed in 2 months). Actually respect good pollies wherever they may be. LNPs prob is, they don't have that many. Sour grapes - not my thing, but happy to point out the deficiencies in bad govts.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              davemac
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 2:21PM

                                                                                                                            • davemacMelbourne,Apr 19 2016 at 10:35am - Show us some statistics of how many ruck drivers you speak of have caused deaths compared to others on the road to get a comparison. Or just hyped up by the unions that you verbatim.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Really
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 2:22PM

                                                                                                                            • dave - nobody likes to see anyone injured or maimed on our roads or anywhere else.

                                                                                                                              But i'll presume from your silence that you can't back up the rhetoric with any facts or stats. Neither can Bill it seems.

                                                                                                                              Wonder how many of those mums and dads truckies are dealing with short hauls like Port Botany to Silverwater, or Port Melbourne to Bayswater.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Hacka
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Canberra
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 2:52PM

                                                                                                                            • @H I'm not an expert, but the consensus on Insiders was that there are reports out there that back it up if not 100% prove the case.

                                                                                                                              However irrespective of the facts, this is just another political football kicked around by a party out of ideas.

                                                                                                                              OK, a controversial ruling? Lets get all the truckies up here and get Cash to yell abuse at the Labor party. Then let's abolish it 5 minutes after we decide it's a political winner. Great govt.

                                                                                                                              By the way, if you can't prove in 5 mins that climate change doesn't exist, I'll conclude I won that argument. Hope you read down this far!

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              davemac
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 3:56PM

                                                                                                                            • Why would I want to prove that dave ?

                                                                                                                              CC has been around for about 6.5 billion years.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Hacka
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Canberra
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 4:17PM

                                                                                                                          • Turnbull looks as though he has aged more in 8 months than Obama has in eight years.

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            Nick
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 12:10PM

                                                                                                                            • True, he's looking and sounding very old and arch conservative lately!

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Ruth
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 1:00PM

                                                                                                                            • You’re right Nick, Turnbull is definitely struggling and it is beginning to show.

                                                                                                                              You can only imagine what he will look like by the time he gives his concession speech on Election Night.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              Snapperhead
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              The Reef
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 1:05PM

                                                                                                                          • Stephanie: could we have a picture of the building site from a different angle now? Perhaps a sultry low angle one, or a mysterious, shadowed one? #waitingforMalcolm

                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                            RobE
                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 12:02PM

                                                                                                                            • I know we vote for a party not a PM yet somehow I still get the feeling the public thinks we are voting for a PM.

                                                                                                                              Should the LNP win, I'm putting a bit of money on it that Abbott will be PM again.

                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                              vandownunder
                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                              Perth
                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:59AM

                                                                                                                              • Will Turnbull be announcing the construction dates of fast train in the Belconnen press conference ?

                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                Gilmore
                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:56AM

                                                                                                                                • The Pulse 11:43AM

                                                                                                                                  Try working on a building site.

                                                                                                                                  The "excitement" is trying to stay alive for another day.

                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                  A Green
                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                  Australia
                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 11:55AM

                                                                                                                                  • Re: “Keep kidding yourself (and selves) that the RSRT had anything to do with safety. If safety was their aim, they wouldn't be ruling on remuneration” (Hacka).

                                                                                                                                    It would seem that Hacka and LNP cohorts do not want decent remuneration for truckies. Clearly they wish a return to truckies driving rigs for 20 hours straight with eyes kept courtesy of drugs.

                                                                                                                                    So what are the facts, Hacka?

                                                                                                                                    The Department of Infrastructure and Development report states, “During the 12 months to the end of December 2015, 210 people died from 187 fatal crashes involving heavy trucks or buses. These included:
                                                                                                                                    • 115 deaths from 102 crashes involving articulated trucks, 79 deaths from 72 crashes involving heavy rigid trucks and 20 deaths from 17 crashes involving buses.
                                                                                                                                    • Fatal crashes involving articulated trucks: increased by 1.0 per cent compared with the corresponding period one year earlier and decreased by an average of 4.5 per cent per year over the three years to December 2015.
                                                                                                                                    • Fatal crashes involving heavy rigid trucks: decreased by 5.3 per cent compared with the corresponding period one year earlier and decreased by an average of 3.2 per cent per year over the three years to December 2015.”
                                                                                                                                    Shot down in flames by the facts yet again, Hacka.

                                                                                                                                    Your inability to face the truth in many matters is becoming somewhat embarrassing for you in Canberra isn’t it Hacka? But then when did the LNP ever tell the truth?

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 11:53AM

                                                                                                                                    • So they kept on decreasing even after the Carbon Tax was removed. Amazing.

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      blah
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 12:33PM

                                                                                                                                    • Who can stand in the way....when there's a dollar to be made?

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      davemac
                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 12:33PM

                                                                                                                                  • Might I remind the deputy PM that frogs are protected in Australia... geez, almost as bad as someone trying to smuggle in biohazards...hang on?

                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                    Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 11:49AM

                                                                                                                                    • If you follow the trends, eie and hacka, throw in PP, are backing another loser, they held fast as Tony slowly sank, they championed him to the bitter end, very magnanimous chaps

                                                                                                                                      Now your other great hope is sinking slowly Mal

                                                                                                                                      The only reason for a DD is if Malcolm held on until September, he would have collected more losing polls, giving Abbott the right to challenge on Malcolm's own theory

                                                                                                                                      If you lose enough polls, it's time to go

                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                      fiberal
                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                      darwin
                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:47AM

                                                                                                                                      • Golly !

                                                                                                                                        The depth of hatred toward Turnbull runs deep.

                                                                                                                                        In the LIberal Party's conservative wing.

                                                                                                                                        Only a matter of time before the IPA joins News Corp in stabbing Turnbull ........ in the front, back and sides.

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        A Green
                                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                                        Australia
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 11:42AM

                                                                                                                                        • there is always friendly fire between allies, we see it very often when Greens and Labor fight out publicly in senate.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          roy
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 11:53AM

                                                                                                                                        • A Green

                                                                                                                                          The IPA list makes me truly scared for another term of Tony Turnbull.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          PEarn
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          Melbourne
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 11:59AM

                                                                                                                                        • He was a dud last time he was leader and things have not changed

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          miss x
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 1:21PM

                                                                                                                                      • Has Bill got funding organised for his campaign manager

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        enough is enough
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 11:34AM

                                                                                                                                        • Free Enterprise Foundation ?

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          A Green
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          Australia
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 11:38AM

                                                                                                                                        • Now if we get the big NSW developers to channel all donations through a vague ACT company called the Free Enterprise Foundation...no one will know any better?

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          No Legacy is so Rich
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          As Honesty
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 11:45AM

                                                                                                                                        • CFMEU has already begun attack ad's
                                                                                                                                          Maybe he can hire some Ben Oquist who has done great campains in the past.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Phil
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 11:48AM

                                                                                                                                        • No need for a campaign. Just look at the government tearing itself apart.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          blah
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 11:50AM

                                                                                                                                        • Has Labor got any money at all, after they spent all the nation's hard earned?

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          housemartin
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          hong kong
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 12:10PM

                                                                                                                                        • You reckon he needs one eie? Going pretty well at the moment.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          davemac
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          Melbourne
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 12:28PM

                                                                                                                                        • How much of that did you contribute housemartin?

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          davemac
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          Melbourne
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 12:37PM

                                                                                                                                        • the governmnet has already got out taxes ready to sepnd on their election advertising campaign. Rorters!!

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          tane
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 12:41PM

                                                                                                                                        • Just rings his mates in the unions, they will sort out some deal for him. Maybe they can pay him in mushrooms.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Really
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 12:49PM

                                                                                                                                        • Get back McTernan for a few laughs.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          adrian
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 12:49PM

                                                                                                                                        • davemac, i'll bet a lot, lot more than you.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          housemartin
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          hong kong
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 1:19PM

                                                                                                                                      • Tony Abbott is not going gentle into that good night

                                                                                                                                        He is hanging around for retribution/revenge/payback, just like Rudd, they do not care how best revenge is served, they just want it served

                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                        fiberal
                                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                                        darwin
                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 11:32AM

                                                                                                                                        • 11:15Ha ha "the hostage video" do it now or we'll make you stay 2 weeks on the Gold Coast...

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 11:29AM

                                                                                                                                          • Or one week on Barnyard's farm, a day with him in his office, an hour with him on the Campaign trail.....

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:36AM

                                                                                                                                        • Lefties despair is turning into hatred. I'm just telling you the hard facts of life. Not pleasant but you can't be wrapped In cotton wool.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          enough is enough
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 11:28AM

                                                                                                                                          • Sort of like AGW is killing more and more species...

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:33AM

                                                                                                                                          • Newscorp vs newscorp wars could do with you scintillating wit. Are you helping out Turnbull or are you on the Del-cons side.

                                                                                                                                            It is ... kinda tough... to watch. Oh wait it isn't at all.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            dipaha
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:36AM

                                                                                                                                          • The cotton wool it seems, is stuck firmly in your ears

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            fiberal
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            darwin
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:56AM

                                                                                                                                          • eie

                                                                                                                                            I just love how you are across all important issues and policies, and that you spell out in detail everything this government has accomplished. Your erudite comments are to be admired for all the background detail and knowledge you share with us.

                                                                                                                                            Nothing hollow about you AT ALL!

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            PEarn
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:58AM

                                                                                                                                          • Ha, h, ha, Nuff Nuff, the left still banging on about that old chestnut global warming.

                                                                                                                                            Paaaaris, I can't hear you.

                                                                                                                                            Same time next year.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            housemartin
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            hong kong
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 12:12PM

                                                                                                                                          • You know what I hate eie?

                                                                                                                                            Sing it with me now::

                                                                                                                                            I hate the music - though people say I sing my song so well
                                                                                                                                            I just can't sing it without you, ooh-ooh-hooh
                                                                                                                                            I hate the music - 'cause every time I hear that melody
                                                                                                                                            It just reminds me of the - things we did together
                                                                                                                                            The way we used to be, the day when life was better
                                                                                                                                            Back in the days you were with me-ee

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            davemac
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 12:17PM

                                                                                                                                          • Well put housemartine, we're also still banging on about chestnuts like gravity, the earth being roundish and time always going in a forward direction as well.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            davemac
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 12:40PM

                                                                                                                                        • Looks like the Lib's in an effort to save their political skin, have awarded the new naval ship building contract to a place they themselves said couldn't build a canoe. Hope Qld at least gets to build the paddles.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          RobE
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 11:26AM

                                                                                                                                          • The plans say you only have to build a barrel big enough for some pork.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:30AM

                                                                                                                                          • Too true Nuff - you can float a long way down the river in a barrel - you just have to watch out for the waterfall at the end of the ride

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            RobE
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:49AM

                                                                                                                                          • And the ALP in SIX years did not even build or order a canoe!
                                                                                                                                            Vote ALP and destroy the navy and the ship building industry!

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Andrew
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 1:07PM

                                                                                                                                          • Andrew: Why would they declare who is going to build a new flotilla of warships when the planning wasn't complete? Remember it was the ALP who laid the foundations for the new ships - not the LNP - the LNP simply screwed up the bidding process. In the mean time, if you want to talk about industries destroyed, let's talk about the car manufacturing industry shall we? LNP destroyed that all on its own and it has a vastly larger economic effect over a much longer period of time.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            RobE
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 1:45PM

                                                                                                                                          • Really Rob E.
                                                                                                                                            SIX YEARS and not even a murmur!!!!!!
                                                                                                                                            Any evidence they had plans ???

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            andrew
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 3:07PM

                                                                                                                                          • Sure Andrew - here's some proof of plans:
                                                                                                                                            https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Collins-class_submarine_replacement_project

                                                                                                                                            Note the following quote:
                                                                                                                                            "With the Royal Australian Navy's (RAN's) Collins-class submarines scheduled to begin leaving service from 2025 onwards, plans to replace them began in 2007 with the commencement of the defence acquisition project SEA 1000, also referred to as the Future Submarine Programme". Note the year - 2007. Guess who was PM then? Does Kevin Rudd ring a bell? You see Andrew, the ALP plans for the future for ALL Australians. The LNP plans ways of a) keeping themselves in government and b) extracting as much money as possible for them and their mates.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            RobE
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 3:57PM

                                                                                                                                        • Barnarby 2- Jack Sparrow 0. Depp should campaign for Windsor to make it 3-0.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 11:25AM

                                                                                                                                          • That's right up there with Hacka proclaiming the Libs win QT every day.

                                                                                                                                            Barnaby comes out of this looking petty, and stupid, again.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            davemac
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 12:08PM

                                                                                                                                        • Once again, as in the last four elections, we have a choice between a failed government and an incompetent opposition.

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Enough's got it wrong - again
                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                          Melbourne
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 11:23AM

                                                                                                                                          • Yes, and PMs have not been elected, they have been turfed.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:43AM

                                                                                                                                          • Beg to differ. The opposition have 70+ fully costed policies that look after what most Aussies care about which is health and education and not being ripped off by the rich.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            PEarn
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:54AM

                                                                                                                                          • I reckon its more accurate to say:

                                                                                                                                            2007 - govt that had its day, very good opposition
                                                                                                                                            2010 - timid govt with leadership crisis, very effective opposition
                                                                                                                                            2013 - good govt with leadership crisis, very effective opposition
                                                                                                                                            2016 - a)crap and then b) crap and timid government, fast improving opposition

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            davemac
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 12:44PM

                                                                                                                                          • Your got it spot on, Davemac.
                                                                                                                                            Good summary.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            SIr Noddy
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Erko
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 1:14PM

                                                                                                                                          • @PEarn: Tony's excesses were fully supported by Bill and Co. Mandatory data retention anyone? Same donors or a fear of being wedged? If Bill couldn't stand up to Tony what use is he going to be trying to stand up for Australia. Enough's got it wrong - again got it right this time.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Bruce in Sydney
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 1:26PM

                                                                                                                                        • Why am I reading: "Be the first to comment", at 11:21 AM?

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 11:22AM

                                                                                                                                          • Pen

                                                                                                                                            Refreshing the page does the trick.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            A Green
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:33AM

                                                                                                                                          • Take the advice Pen, click on the Beta site. On my iPad comments are below which is a bit clumsy and ill configured but on the PC comments read adjacent Steph's feed.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:40AM

                                                                                                                                          • Refreshing does not work and I do not possess an Ipad. I changed from Google to Firefox, which did the trick. It's bad enough when 50% of my posts are binned for no apparent reason, without having to put up with never ending Fairfax incompetence paid for on a monthly basis.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 12:00PM

                                                                                                                                          • ACG - not a fan of the Beta Pulse. Like all the comments in one long line so that I can search for my name and see how many people think I'm great. Still searching. Also, to keep up with that naughty eie chap.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            davemac
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 12:58PM

                                                                                                                                        • Mal is looking a but faded around the edges - the price of getting the unobtainable it seems

                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                          MST
                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 11:20AM

                                                                                                                                          • Shorten isn't putting people first. He is demonising MNC's and Banks for purely populist politics to improve his low standing amongst the public. He knows Malcolm isn't reckless enough to go bashing these institutions who will provide and support the economy in the long term through investment, jobs and skills. When the royal commission into banks places recommendations on more self-regulation, multi million dollars fines or a new regulatory body controlled by bureaucrats guess who will pushing up the interest rate loans, monthly access fees etc to offset the extra costs? A call for a Banking Royal commission is basically a slap in the face to ASIC that they aren't doing their job.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:19AM

                                                                                                                                            • Piped, MNCs aren't paying their tax. Banks are behaving badly. Given the LNP won't address these matters, why do you think no one should?

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              jofek
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:26AM

                                                                                                                                            • Piped - ASIC haven't been able to do their job for years - since the last LNP Gov't removed all their teeth.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              RobE
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:34AM

                                                                                                                                            • Piped Piper, ASIC aren't doing their jobs properly. They haven't been for a few years - have you not noticed all of those banking scandals that come out like clockwork? ASIC are evidently either unwilling or unable to do what is required, which is why we need a royal commission - even some Coalition members think so, this isn't Shorten trying to grab votes with any issue, this is an important issue that needs to be addressed.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              Hush
                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                              Wollongong
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:38AM

                                                                                                                                            • Hush

                                                                                                                                              Perhaps you should avail yourself of the knowledge relating to the cuts of ASIC's budget and the loss of employees before denouncing ASiC incompetent.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 12:04PM

                                                                                                                                            • jofek: ASIC is the regulator and I dare say APRA will have a part to play as well. Why a RC when they are specifically legislated to to perform those functions?

                                                                                                                                              There is no comparison with the TURC as there is no regulatory body to govern the unions and no the Fir Work Commission don't deal with corruption and criminal violence, so you are unable to draw on them. In any event, the unions have shown time and time again that they have no interest in abiding by the law.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              housemartin
                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                              hong kong
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 12:18PM

                                                                                                                                            • Do you honestly believe this RC won't produce yet another regulatory body without disbanding the likes of APRA and ASIC? How many regulatory bodies do we need and how much of our taxes need to be wasted if you concede that they are toothless tigers

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 12:48PM

                                                                                                                                            • housemartine - because ASIC is doing such a bang up job eh? Like saying - well some speeding drivers get a ticket, so what's all that fuss about a wider strategy for road safety?

                                                                                                                                              piper - don't look now, but a certain leak indicates your mob are going to have a crack at the MNCs you seem to cherish so much

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              davemac
                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 12:48PM

                                                                                                                                            • Pen, please do not get me wrong, I do not mean to insinuate that ASIC is incompetent. I do not speak for the reasons behind why they have not fulfilled their role, possibly due to budget cuts as you say (you will note that I said earlier they were either unwilling or unable - budget cuts falls under unable). I merely mean to point out that, for whatever reason, they have not stopped the numerous scandals in the banking system. Given that, there should be a royal commission.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              Hush
                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                              Wollongong
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 12:49PM

                                                                                                                                            • Well davemac, why don't you explain ASIC's powers and how they are not using them. I'll bet you don't have a fig of an idea about what it is they actually do. Don't ask me to explain them either i've had a gutful of doing the left's research for them. Buffalo, take note.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              housemartin
                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                              hong kong
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 1:26PM

                                                                                                                                            • housemartin, you just answered your own question.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              jofek
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 3:08PM

                                                                                                                                            • Piped, so everything's hunky dory in banking world then?

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              jofek
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 3:09PM

                                                                                                                                            • housemartin, if ASIC is the regulator and the biggest banks in the country are not doing the right thing there is a problem. Why should davemac have to write you an essay on that?

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              jofek
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 3:44PM

                                                                                                                                          • Putting people first? Shorten's a golfer?
                                                                                                                                            And if LNP represent vested interests,
                                                                                                                                            his AWU & CFMEU bent must be represented 'singleted' interests?

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Farah Out
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            ACT
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:13AM

                                                                                                                                            • Lol, nice one.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              Hacka
                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                              Canberra
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:20AM

                                                                                                                                            • Hate to deliver you bad news.... guess who is backing the CFMEU today? Umm that would be the Bolt

                                                                                                                                              The newscorp vs the newscorp war is getting down right feral.... but hey, as you were. Welcome to the room

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              dipaha
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:33AM

                                                                                                                                            • There's the problem with the LIberal Party's education policy right there.

                                                                                                                                              English 101 ..... failed by Hacka and Farah Out.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              A Green
                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                              Australia
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:37AM

                                                                                                                                            • Farah Out

                                                                                                                                              You did see Abbott sporting a singlet in a Karaoke bar the other day? Is that who you are talking about?

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              PEarn
                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:51AM

                                                                                                                                            • dipaha: Andrew Bolt is misguided. If you want to change the Crimes Act and Drugs, Poisons and Controlled Substances Act then do so if you want to reflect public concern. It is absurd to suggest that you let one set of criminal behaviour slide because other criminal behaviour has a less onerous penalty.

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              housemartin
                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                              hong kong
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 12:24PM

                                                                                                                                          • 10:45 - c'mon Stephanie, everyone knows Bronnie preferred single rotor helicopters.

                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:08AM

                                                                                                                                            • 10:45
                                                                                                                                              "It's a Chinook helicopter on its way to its new home at the Australian War Memorial."

                                                                                                                                              Would it have killed them to stop off and pick up Bronnie?

                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                              PEarn
                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:05AM

                                                                                                                                              • 10.05

                                                                                                                                                Wasn't it Turnbull who brought Parliament back? Then why is he flitting around the country?

                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                PEarn
                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:03AM

                                                                                                                                                  • He's in Belconnen. It's just down the road. Do you have Google Maps?

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    Shane
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Hammondville
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 11:11AM

                                                                                                                                                  • Hope there are not to many overtired truck drivers working 48 hours straight for $5 an hour on the way back.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    blah
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 11:13AM

                                                                                                                                                • 10.38

                                                                                                                                                  Doesn't Clive cut a fine figure of fitness and credibility.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  PEarn
                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 11:00AM

                                                                                                                                                  • Least it's a frontal pic, the more flattering angle.
                                                                                                                                                    I'm just left wondering what he was doing their.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    A country gal
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 11:13AM

                                                                                                                                                  • ACG

                                                                                                                                                    Showing off his new flattering range of sports wear.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    PEarn
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 11:48AM

                                                                                                                                                • The Pulse 10:45AM

                                                                                                                                                  I thought it might have been the Deputy P.M. on his way to the toilet.

                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                  A Green
                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                  Australia
                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 10:53AM

                                                                                                                                                  • When Abbott challenges for the leadership, will he reinstate work choices as core policy.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    Nuff Nuff
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 10:52AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Nuff Nuff

                                                                                                                                                      Its a given.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      PEarn
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:46AM

                                                                                                                                                  • I'm hoping when Shorten becomes P.M. one of his first jobs is to sack Downer and Hockey.

                                                                                                                                                    More blubbering from the dysfunctional Liberals ....... is never enough.

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    A Green
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Australia
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 10:52AM

                                                                                                                                                    • He probably won't (although I reckon he should as well) because Labor doesn't do vindictive politics the way the Libs do it. I remember Julie Bishop kneecapping Steve Bracks just before his overseas sojourn was about to begin... it was pure spite - something she's very good at.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      Jamie
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:59AM

                                                                                                                                                  • It is clear, the Liberal's are governing for the people who bankroll them, take your pick, in no particular order

                                                                                                                                                    Banks
                                                                                                                                                    Mining companies
                                                                                                                                                    Corporations
                                                                                                                                                    Billionaire businessmen

                                                                                                                                                    Why did the Libs repeal the mining tax, carbon tax, why are they not going after the banks with a RC, you all know the answer to these questions, you never bite the hand that feeds you

                                                                                                                                                    If the Liberal Party were fair dinkum with the Australian people, those things above would have remained, but they cut into the profits of their mates, and that will not stand

                                                                                                                                                    Wake up people and vote Labor, the peoples party

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    fiberal
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    darwin
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 10:48AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hear hear.

                                                                                                                                                      Wake up Orstraylia - you been asleep at the wheel wa-a-ay too long.

                                                                                                                                                      Time to halt the demise of democracy your country is hurtling towards...

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      nanknowsbest
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 1:30PM

                                                                                                                                                  • 10:33 - Putting people first, right.

                                                                                                                                                    Which people Bill:

                                                                                                                                                    * Small business truck owners ?
                                                                                                                                                    * Small to medium building companies ?
                                                                                                                                                    * The 85% of workers who aren't union aligned ?
                                                                                                                                                    * The 100% of Aussies impacted by big government debt ?
                                                                                                                                                    * Kids at private schools ?
                                                                                                                                                    * Non-public hospital employees ?

                                                                                                                                                    Presumably they're all people, meaning they come first. Don't they ?

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    Hacka
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    Canberra
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 10:44AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hacka, he probably means ordinary working Australians (wage earners for instance) rather than foreign corporations, US media moguls, right wing think tanks and billionaires.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      jofek
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:09AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hacka

                                                                                                                                                      How has the deficit "impacted" Packer ?

                                                                                                                                                      Is he hurting ?

                                                                                                                                                      Perhaps Baird can comfort him by allowing some more development changes ?

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      A Green
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Australia
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:10AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Yeah, all those people @H, all part of the march to victory.

                                                                                                                                                      As a slogan, I think you'd agree it's better than:

                                                                                                                                                      "Libs. Keeping interest rates low."

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      davemac
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:10AM

                                                                                                                                                    • That's great jofek. Given unemployment increased a full 1% under the carbon tax last time, presumably then he'll ditch his new one to save jobs.

                                                                                                                                                      You know, put people first.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      Hacka
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Canberra
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:12AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Bill is in complete disarray. Love it.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:14AM

                                                                                                                                                    • I think he means the more than half of the people who would prefer to vote his party given the choice of two.

                                                                                                                                                      Simple really.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      blah
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:16AM

                                                                                                                                                    • That would make perfect sense @H...if not for the fact that unemployment kept going up after the CT was removed. And even the latest decrease is on the back of part time work - underemployment is still way way up under your mob.

                                                                                                                                                      Keep trying.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      davemac
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:18AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hacka: Unemployment climbed even further under the Abbott Govt. I don't think that's a record you want to try and stake LNP credentials on.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      RobE
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:20AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hacka, do you really want to bring the public vs private school debate into this? Shorten has given no indication whatsoever that private schools won't continue to be federally funded. Turnbull, on the other hand, has said that he wants public schools to receive no federal funding at all. I don't not think that this is an issue that you want to bring up, because if this next election is about education (and being a teacher, I hope that this issue will get significant attention), then the Coalition are going to lose, and lose big.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      Hush
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Wollongong
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:22AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hacka, I know you like to make stuff up but in this instance perhaps you can find me one single name-brand economist who will support your assertion that unemployment increased because of the price on carbon emissions? By name-brand, I mean not Judith Sloan or Chris Richardson.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      jofek
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:25AM

                                                                                                                                                    • RobE, dave - Labor's last budget predicted unemployment would hit 6.3%. One of the few forecasts that Swan actually got right.

                                                                                                                                                      Facts are that unemployment has fallen 0.5% since the carbon tax removal and this government has added 500,000 new jobs.

                                                                                                                                                      Now that's what you call putting people first. There's really no future in putting unions first.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      Hacka
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Canberra
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:32AM

                                                                                                                                                    • jofek - suggest you investigate the change in the unemployment rate from July 2012 to July 2014.

                                                                                                                                                      Other factors come into play (the FWA, for example), but the economic facts speak for themselves.

                                                                                                                                                      Every sensible economist predicted unemployment would rise under the carbon tax, you shouldn't be surprised that it did.

                                                                                                                                                      Is that really putting people first ?

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      Hacka
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Canberra
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:39AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hacka. The deficit has also gone up almost a $100b since the removal of the Carbon Tax. Also its a fact that Michael Clarke's batting average dropped 26 after the removal of the carbon tax and Mitchel Johnson took 36% less wickets. What an impact

                                                                                                                                                      Isn't it fun taking two statistics and trying to link them.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      blah
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:46AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hacka, leaving out the education issue that I've addressed, and also the fact that the unemployment rate rise was also during the global financial crisis, which you conveniently forgot to mention, the carbon tax was putting people first. Climate change is a pressing concern, one that affects everyone, and by addressing climate change that is putting people first. Direct Action, on the other hand, costs the taxpayers money and has actually seen emissions increase. If the carbon tax isn't putting people first, at least it isn't Direct Action, which puts people dead last.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      Hush
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Wollongong
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:49AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hacka, so you can't find one single economist who has stated that unemployment rose because of the price on carbon emissions? Just one? Google it Hacka - 'did unemployment rise because of the carbon price?' Let me know what you find.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      jofek
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 11:58AM

                                                                                                                                                    • Ahh @H, you are a master of maths after all.

                                                                                                                                                      At least you are consistent, just like your CC theory, lifting numbers out of graphs to make them fit your point of view.

                                                                                                                                                      Have a look at the rate since 2010. One could easily assess that the CT had no effect on the rate over its life and that its removal saw the rate immediately rise, before a recent reduction.

                                                                                                                                                      But I'm not in the game of false stats. Simply, the CT was not a factor in any way - and as you've been asked, please find a reputable economist to say it was.

                                                                                                                                                      If you can't, move on to the next non fact.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      davemac
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 12:24PM

                                                                                                                                                    • jofek, dave - you guys seriously need help to discover that the $23 carbon tax impacted unemployment ? I guess you'll be shocked to learn that it also belted inflation. Have a look at these numbers:

                                                                                                                                                      http://www.tradingeconomics.com/australia/inflation-cpi

                                                                                                                                                      Guess we'll have to help you through them. Here's a few pertinent quarterly inflation stats:

                                                                                                                                                      * March 2012 - 1.6%
                                                                                                                                                      * June 2012 - 1.2%

                                                                                                                                                      Carbon tax introduced ....

                                                                                                                                                      * September 2012 - 2.0%
                                                                                                                                                      * December 2012 - 2.5% (doubled by now)

                                                                                                                                                      Stop i hear you crying. But wait, there's more .... remains well above 2.0% after the introduction, and by

                                                                                                                                                      * June 2014 - 3.0%

                                                                                                                                                      And as soon as the repeal happened in July 2014 ....

                                                                                                                                                      * September 2014 - 2.3%
                                                                                                                                                      * December 2014 - 1.7%

                                                                                                                                                      Are you going to tell us there was no correlation between the carbon tax and inflation, because even a school kid can read the numbers ?

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      Hacka
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Canberra
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 1:12PM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hacka. Removing the Carbon tax has also had a significant impact on the fortunes of Essendon and Western Bulldogs respectively. Since its removal Essendon have fallen from Finals Contenders to also rans whilst the doggies have risen from 4th last to currently second.

                                                                                                                                                      What an impact. What a stat.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      blah
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 1:27PM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hacka, you again fail to mention that all the while this happened, the Global Financial Crisis was going on. So, while you are here blaming everything on the dreaded carbon tax, you fail to even acknowledge the greatest driving force on the economy at the time.

                                                                                                                                                      It is worth noting again also that the carbon tax lowered emissions, something that Direct Action doesn't do. So in the competition of environmental policies, we have one policy (ETS) that does what it sets out to do and is regarded internationally as the way to go, and we have Direct Action, which costs the taxpayer and doesn't even do what it sets out to do. Direct Action is an utter failure of a policy.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      Hush
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Wollongong
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 1:40PM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hush - how do you know that DA won't lower emissions ?

                                                                                                                                                      It hasn't had time to take effect as yet, and climate change is a long game, not a month or two here or there.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      Hacka
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Canberra
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 1:53PM

                                                                                                                                                    • blah - that's some really in depth economic analysis right there.

                                                                                                                                                      Although wish it had also improved my Tigers season so far. (perhaps when we won 10 straight to make the finals in 2014 it was due to the CT removal).

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      Hacka
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Canberra
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 2:18PM

                                                                                                                                                    • After the introduction of the Carbon Tax the infant mortality rate dropped. Since its removal it has plateaued. A failing of DA?

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      blah
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 2:36PM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hacka, Direct Action hasn't lowered emissions yet - in fact, they have increased. It is absolutely possible to measure it already, they have, and the results show Direct Action is a failure. The carbon tax lowered emissions in the short time it was around.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      Hush
                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                      Wollongong
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 3:25PM

                                                                                                                                                    • Hacka, lots of things that have nothing to do with each other are coincident. Again, can you quote one single respected economist who has put their name to your claim that the price on carbon led to higher unemployment? Just one my friend; surely it can't be too difficult?

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      jofek
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 3:49PM

                                                                                                                                                  • One party introduces legislation, the other removes it upon being elected, after being returned that piece of legislation is then re introduced

                                                                                                                                                    This is how Australians are treated, both sides introducing and removing legislation
                                                                                                                                                    the system is garbage, we actually pay these idiots to destroy our lives, to disrupt our existance, the on/off again rules of law, yes you can/ no you can't

                                                                                                                                                    You can see why 3 million people voted for anyone other than the two major parties, institutionalized hogwash

                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                    fiberal
                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                    darwin
                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 10:38AM

                                                                                                                                                    • 10.18 If that's not a face palm Clive then I don't know what is.
                                                                                                                                                      Guess he's at least turned up.
                                                                                                                                                      Interesting to be at the TWU rally though.

                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                      A country gal
                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 10:35AM

                                                                                                                                                      • The majority of "Ordinary Australians" don't know what the ABCC is or does, and don't believe that something so far off everyone's radar should be a trigger for a DD Election. On the other hand, 68% of people polled believe there should be a royal commission into the banks. Coalition opposition in 74 days.

                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                        roll me own durries
                                                                                                                                                        Location
                                                                                                                                                        Perth
                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 10:34AM

                                                                                                                                                        • Safe rates = more under qualified truckies who will possess a danger to the public. We operate in a competitive market. Self employed truckies will just skimp on safety and hire cheaper labour to make a decent wage.

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 10:34AM

                                                                                                                                                          • PP

                                                                                                                                                            Is that a voice of reason??

                                                                                                                                                            Welcome aboard.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            PEarn
                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:42AM

                                                                                                                                                        • joined together politically, for a common purpose, or by common feelings.

                                                                                                                                                          That is one of the meanings of united

                                                                                                                                                          The right of the Libs are not joined in a common purpose with the rest of the party, they are the opposite of what Turnbull WANT'S to represent, and for these buffoons to try and fool the public they are united is a total disgrace,, the whole country knows they are NOT united

                                                                                                                                                          If you take the last Labor party, which was dysfunctional, and apply those same rules to this heap of compost, then you arrive at the same conclusion, this Liberal heap are divided/dysfunctional and are not trustworthy, and should NOT be relected

                                                                                                                                                          it's that simple

                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                          fiberal
                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                          darwin
                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 10:26AM

                                                                                                                                                          • So the Liberals are going to spend millions of dollars of taxpayer money in campaign ads spruiking their election platform (aka The Budget).

                                                                                                                                                            You have to hand it to them when it comes to cutting waste. Why waste their money when they can use ours?

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            Wentworth wipeout
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 10:25AM

                                                                                                                                                            • Well theyre shy some 4 million bucks thats locked up in NSW by the electoral commission because of some dodgy deals so this is their fall back position .
                                                                                                                                                              Typical LNP , why should they pay for this when they can foist the cost onto the great unwashed?

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              mirrorsofsmoke
                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                              Sydney
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:07AM

                                                                                                                                                            • Looking forward to images of the very fast train fresh from the Nation Building.Authority.

                                                                                                                                                              What an announceable. Just like when the Vic Libs spruiked the Melb airport train las election.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              davemac
                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:08AM

                                                                                                                                                          • Clive, hanging out with his mates who got him elected.

                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                            enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 10:20AM

                                                                                                                                                            • The luvvies want a nine month election campaign and RSL Club select focus groups for inspiration.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 10:18AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Won't need that much time to do this mob of incompetents!

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                PhilC
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 12:42PM

                                                                                                                                                            • Looks as though the leaking has begun either by design by stealth. The wish-washy continues, more LNP MP's are unhappy with Turnbull. First it was over his refusal for a Royal Commission into the banking sector now over ship builds. The Abbott/Turnbull government have lurched from one disaster to another over the last 3 years and now find themselves in a 10 week campaign where the electorate is surely going to switch off. They've decided to make their run 1200m out going 3 wide whilst riding a Spanish dancing horse. It's not going to end well.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              The Punter
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 10:16AM

                                                                                                                                                              • And the funny thing about this is, eie, thinks they are doing great, he must have went to the same school as Tony

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                fiberal
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                darwin
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:13AM

                                                                                                                                                            • Can the Canberra Press Gallery save the ALP? Getting harder by the day

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 10:13AM

                                                                                                                                                              • One can only hope for media hack retrenchments once this government loses.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:39AM

                                                                                                                                                            • There will have to be a lot of vote buying in the budget and to hell with the deficit. Morrison will be busy trying to make extra savings look like increased spending. The makeover will make Turnbull look like a resurrected Christ full of miracles made of bullshit.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 10:05AM

                                                                                                                                                              • They touched on this on the radio this morning re Turnbull's announcement of boat building in SA - making out it was a new announcement when in fact this had already been announced by Abbott, but what makes it innovative (not) is it has been scaled back.

                                                                                                                                                                He has a knack for announcing nothing!

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:38AM

                                                                                                                                                            • The best minister in the world, ( hunt ) is overseeing the demise of the great barrier reef, he rubber stamped the biggest coal mine ever seen, Adani, Tony would be so happy

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              fiberal
                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                              darwin
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 10:05AM

                                                                                                                                                              • fiberal

                                                                                                                                                                they touched on the ludicrousness of that last night on Q&A and I believe even the Liberal guests cheered.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:34AM

                                                                                                                                                            • Has Conroy resigned yet? Will anyone befriend Tanya? Oh dear. Nigel No Friends.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 10:02AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Oh look, the love child of Gerard and Miranda is here to regale us with their political wisdom

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                mirrorsofsmoke
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 10:51AM

                                                                                                                                                              • mirrosofsmoke

                                                                                                                                                                Brilliant post.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                A Green
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Australia
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:08AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Who's in the conga line today eie?

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                davemac
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:12AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Did I see Mirabella flit across my screen yesterday, out there with the truckies. I nearly choked.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:32AM

                                                                                                                                                            • So much fun sitting on the beach watching the luvvies implode. More entertaining than Depp and his video.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 10:00AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Mal and his front bench will be able to join you after the election.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                Vote Mal Eat Pal
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 10:49AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Oh no beached, how sad, I guess floundering about makes one misinterpret a lot of things. Green Peace will be along soon to tow you back out to sea...

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                SanchoP
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 10:50AM

                                                                                                                                                              • That's your contribution to society, sitting on the beach, which one, Maroubra?

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                fiberal
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                darwin
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:01AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Think you must have sand in your keyboard E=E, you accidentally typed luvvies; it appears to be the LNP squaddies imploding currently.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                jofek
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:05AM

                                                                                                                                                              • "Sitting on the beach" ........ with his Rooster losing mates.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                A Green
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Australia
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:13AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Sitting on the beach in April.

                                                                                                                                                                Hey eie this climate change thing has its up side eh?

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                davemac
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:19AM

                                                                                                                                                            • Given the ABS stats, in my post above, there is no doubt in my mind that the four senators that voted the ABCC vote down have more integrity, ethics and plain honesty than all those who voted for the ABCC. I trust that Australians have the same values to re-elect these senators, because they are of a calibre sorely lacking in Australian politics and I applaud them.

                                                                                                                                                              Conversely the stats. reveal LNP politicians for what they are: seekers of political expediency to the cost of others. Last time it was the renewable industry, this time it is the construction industry all designed to cover up what the LNP really is: a puppet of big business for and on behalf of big business.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 10:00AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Pen

                                                                                                                                                                The Greens got lambasted for their vote on Senate reform ...... but it looks like the ones who are going to suffer the most will be the 2 major parties.

                                                                                                                                                                This gutless P.M. is now starting to realize the Senate monster he has created.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                A Green
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Australia
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 10:50AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Muir et al should get agile and innovative with a crowdfunding campaign.
                                                                                                                                                                Get their war chests in order.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:04AM

                                                                                                                                                              • ACG

                                                                                                                                                                I hope Muir gets back in - he has improved enormously and is one of the few with integrity.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:30AM

                                                                                                                                                            • The day after the trigger for a DD was engaged the Lib right leak information about upcoming advertising policy

                                                                                                                                                              They want Mal to fail, they wan't to lose this election

                                                                                                                                                              Abbott says he is behind the Turnbull government, and want's it elected, bollocks he does

                                                                                                                                                              He has visions of grandeur, he thinks he can come back and be the hero, his plan

                                                                                                                                                              1. lose the election
                                                                                                                                                              2. toss out Turnbull as leader
                                                                                                                                                              3. re install Tony as leader of the party
                                                                                                                                                              4. take on Shorten
                                                                                                                                                              5. win the next election

                                                                                                                                                              Abbott is so deluded he said he would have won the next election against Shorten, lost 30 polls in a row, but still would have won

                                                                                                                                                              They have places for people who go around saying those kind of things

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              fiberal
                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                              darwin
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 9:58AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Tones is already in the box seat, as it's hard to see MT getting any sort of majority if he scrapes in. Just a matter of time.

                                                                                                                                                                Just like the Republicans who in 2012 decided they were too far right, then proceeded to cough up the most right wing candidates in their history, our beloved Libs look to make the same mistake. Their bad I'm afraid.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                davemac
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 10:56AM

                                                                                                                                                            • The budget "leak" is interesting.

                                                                                                                                                              Changes to super are inevitable but probably also symbolic. If the top end of town is getting unreasonable benefit from the system then stopping this sends a good message to the electorate about fairness. If few are affected it doesn't raise much cash.....

                                                                                                                                                              On the other hand corporate tax minimisation is a whole different story. The message is positive to the electorate and the savings are potentially in the billions. This has previously been a no-go zone for the LNP. Is there a sign of change? Is the leak the uber-cons undermining again?

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              Time to change
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 9:58AM

                                                                                                                                                              • Time to change

                                                                                                                                                                The amount rorted through super equals the entire aged pension!

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:27AM

                                                                                                                                                              • @PEarns
                                                                                                                                                                I have seen data that says teh TOTAL of supeannunation concessions is (will bee?) equal to the age pension amount.

                                                                                                                                                                I assume that any government will not can the lot but rather target only teh few high end contributors.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                Time to change
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:51AM

                                                                                                                                                            • @9.36. If my work day looked like that I would struggle to generate an income. I should run for parliament.

                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                              Piped Piper
                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 9:57AM

                                                                                                                                                              • ALP in complete disarray and at each other's throats. Love it.

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                enough is enough
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 9:57AM

                                                                                                                                                                • That's nice dear.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  davemac
                                                                                                                                                                  Location
                                                                                                                                                                  Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 10:57AM

                                                                                                                                                                • Move on eie - that was 2013 - it is the LNP in 2016 - not only did they learn nothing in Opposition over 6 years - but are in disarray in 2016 - so learned nothing in Govt either

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  MST
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 11:31AM

                                                                                                                                                                • hysteria must be contagious

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  fredo
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 12:41PM

                                                                                                                                                              • The Senate didn't need three weeks they got it over with in One day , Malcolm , can we all go home now ...

                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                The Bill
                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                Ashgrove
                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 9:56AM

                                                                                                                                                                • "What Happens Now", well Abbott and his clowns may not want an early election and tell Malcolm it's not going to happen on the 2nd of July.
                                                                                                                                                                  Hence it will be at the usual time August September.
                                                                                                                                                                  The clowns can add more egg to Malcolms face.

                                                                                                                                                                  Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                  Daisy
                                                                                                                                                                  Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                  April 19, 2016, 9:51AM

                                                                                                                                                                  • Malcolm has painted himself into a corner by threating a DD to the Senate and the time line of 2nd July if he backs down now he will appear weak ... You can bet his enemies within his party are as worried as hell .

                                                                                                                                                                    Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                    The Bill
                                                                                                                                                                    Location
                                                                                                                                                                    Ashgrove
                                                                                                                                                                    Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                    April 19, 2016, 9:51AM

                                                                                                                                                                    • The Pulse 9:36AM

                                                                                                                                                                      Sssshhh !

                                                                                                                                                                      Don't tell the boss ...... slip out and do your pre poll voting.

                                                                                                                                                                      Whoops ! ..... sorry the P.M. is still the only person in Australia who doesn't know when the election will be held.

                                                                                                                                                                      Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                      A Green
                                                                                                                                                                      Location
                                                                                                                                                                      Australia
                                                                                                                                                                      Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                      April 19, 2016, 9:48AM

                                                                                                                                                                      • All one has to do to seek the truth about the construction industry is to look at the ABS production figures for the period 2011-2015. The facts do not support the rhetoric, the lies and the spin of Cash and Morrison, which are supported by Turnbull.

                                                                                                                                                                        The fact is ABS data: “8755.0 - Construction Work Done, Australia, Preliminary, Dec 2015” reveals the following.

                                                                                                                                                                        Since 2007 the total building works done has increased in value from $1200 million to $1600 million. Since 2011 to 2015 there has been a significant fall in engineering construction from $3500 million to $2400 million.

                                                                                                                                                                        The latter is mainly due to the ending of the mining boom and falling investment. Add the problem of record unemployment “11%” (Morgan Poll) and it is difficult to understand how the unions are systematically destroying the construction industry when building work production has significantly increased over the last five years. All one can conclude is that the LNP have developed another scam to win the next election not unlike the carbon tax scam in 2013.

                                                                                                                                                                        Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                        Pen of hrba
                                                                                                                                                                        Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                        April 19, 2016, 9:46AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Mitch Fifield comes on breakfast TV and embarrasses himself, trying to put on a brave face announcing how united and together the Liberal team are, all pulling in the same direction, this after it was revealed a leak about the upcoming TV ads were given to Sky News, we haven't officially started the campaign, and someone inside this ship of fools is leaking stuff to destabilize Turnbull

                                                                                                                                                                          United, go check the Oxford dictionary for the word united, I can say without fear of contradiction, this Liberal rabble are not even close to being united

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          fiberal
                                                                                                                                                                          Location
                                                                                                                                                                          darwin
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 9:42AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • Might become a case of Divided we stand, United we fall eh fiberal?

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            mirrorsofsmoke
                                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                                            Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 10:43AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • What does the Senate do for the next three weeks now the stunt is over.
                                                                                                                                                                          Gin Rummy everyone?

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 9:41AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • Duh! Bag Labor. What else is there to do? They certainly aren't going to talk about the budget, because we the public don't have a right to know.

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:22AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Macfarlane had the right idea about getting out of the Libs.
                                                                                                                                                                          Entsch should consider it also.
                                                                                                                                                                          He has the courage of his convictions and is so unsuited to being a con.
                                                                                                                                                                          He would win as an Independent.
                                                                                                                                                                          Better still, he has that honest look about him that we have come to identify with being a Labor man.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 9:39AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • fizzybeer

                                                                                                                                                                            Ewan Jones should go too ....... only he's too busy crying.

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            A Green
                                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 9:44AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • Yep fizzy Enstch is a decent bloke. In that Kitchen Cabinet episode he explained why he choose the gLibs over the ALP. Party structure from memory.
                                                                                                                                                                            I'd have him for my MP anyday.
                                                                                                                                                                            He's rich with moral fibre and decency.
                                                                                                                                                                            Cut from the same cloth as Tony Windsor.

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 10:07AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • Dunno about that. On Q&A last night he was sitting there thoughtfully looking heaven-wards thinking 'what have I got myself into?'

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                                            Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 11:21AM

                                                                                                                                                                        • Feel free to pinch any Labor policy you like Slobull.
                                                                                                                                                                          Just don't start another war, bad enough that we are to waste billions on slow moving vulnerable surface ships that possess the deterrent factor of a runabout with a bow mounted speargun.

                                                                                                                                                                          Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                          fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                                          Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                          April 19, 2016, 9:32AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • The Pulse 9:20AM

                                                                                                                                                                            That sound you can hear in Canberra is the sound of Qld dumping the Turnbull govt.

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            A Green
                                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 9:30AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Entsch doesn't pull any punches when he makes his mind up about the deficiencies of his party.
                                                                                                                                                                              Or his leader.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 9:44AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • How many ships did the ALP have in the pipeline to support the local ship building industry BS professes to care about ?

                                                                                                                                                                              ZERO ZILCH NONE
                                                                                                                                                                              SIX YEARS and they did not even ogder a canoe!

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              andrew
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 10:55AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Andrew - at least the ALP did not order the equivalent of a "leaky boat". How many did Defence request ? The ALP did not try and hoodwick us with "Boots on the Ground" and multiple flags

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              MST
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:29AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • The Prime Minister of Australia sitting on his hands while the country waits for an election to be called can't be good for business.

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            A Green
                                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                                            Australia
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 9:28AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Turnbull faffs and fiddles while the country burns.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:19AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • No mention of the RSRT decision last night. A great win for small business and common sense.

                                                                                                                                                                            There was some unruly looking hi-vis mob outside APH this morning looking decidedly like a bunch of unionists protesting something or other, not sure if it was related.

                                                                                                                                                                            "Toot if you want to save Aussie jobs" the signs demanded. A pleasant wave they received, sorta.

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            Hacka
                                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                                            Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 9:28AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Hacka

                                                                                                                                                                              ""Toot if you want to save Aussie jobs"

                                                                                                                                                                              Sorry Hacka I couldn't hear it for the sound of grinding metal as more trucks crashed yesterday ...... in one case taking out 2 Grandparents and 2 young girls.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              A Green
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Australia
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 9:33AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • "hi vis mob"
                                                                                                                                                                              "looking decidedly like a bunch of unionists"
                                                                                                                                                                              Probably the Abbott cycling group hacka.
                                                                                                                                                                              Run out and have another look.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 9:35AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Not a great win for truck drivers who don't own their own trucks though Hacka. Like 'pink batts' and 'deaths at sea' we can now keep a scorecard of every truck related death on the road and blame it on the current Government.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              jofek
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 9:46AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • So "bunch" is the new collective noun for Union members.
                                                                                                                                                                              Just wait till the 457 Truckies arrive on our shores and see how safe you feel tootling along the HWY.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 10:11AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Sorry fizzy, was only driving past. .

                                                                                                                                                                              As for being the Abbott group, nyet comrade. This lot were decidedly more militant looking than that.

                                                                                                                                                                              9:58 - yep, that's them.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              Hacka
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 10:15AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • jofek - the saddest part of the debate, is that you probably will do just that.

                                                                                                                                                                              Keep kidding yourself (and selves) that the RSRT had anything to do with safety. If safety was their aim, they wouldn't be ruling on remuneration.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              Hacka
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 10:20AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • @H, thought you were a fan of maths?

                                                                                                                                                                              Less money per hour = more hours driving.

                                                                                                                                                                              More hours driving=more risk of fatigue and bad stuff happening.

                                                                                                                                                                              Back to school mate.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              davemac
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 10:54AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • dave - sure, also a fan of economics:

                                                                                                                                                                              price too high = no work

                                                                                                                                                                              That's what happens in the real world.

                                                                                                                                                                              As a small business guy, surprised you haven't worked that out.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              Hacka
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:03AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Great outcome Hacka

                                                                                                                                                                              Now we will have drugged up truckies driving 48 hours straight to make a minimum wage, while the likes of Linfox can carry on as usual.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:17AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Hacka, you really can't see a link between overworked, underpaid truck-drivers and road safety?

                                                                                                                                                                              Sorry, score-boarding tragedy is the sole preserve of the LNP; given you've never had a problem with this before I'm a little perplexed as to why you would be saddened now?

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              jofek
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 11:18AM

                                                                                                                                                                          • This is the plan
                                                                                                                                                                            1. change the senate voting rules
                                                                                                                                                                            2. push through the ABCC
                                                                                                                                                                            3. we know it will be defeated
                                                                                                                                                                            4. call a DD
                                                                                                                                                                            5. win the election
                                                                                                                                                                            6. hopefully we will have control of the senate
                                                                                                                                                                            7. push through the Abbott/Hockey legislation still sitting there from 2014

                                                                                                                                                                            Now this plan was hatched when Turnbull was riding high in the polls, it takes a lot for granted, rolling the dice more than once

                                                                                                                                                                            Since then, while holding a lead on preferred PM, the polls have gone south, people are realizing he is not in control, he is being manipulated by the party, and his lovely speeches on vision, agility, innovation and the like, were just what people wanted to hear, he could not actually deliver these things, but hey, they sounded nice, and added to the myth that people thought this was the second coming

                                                                                                                                                                            They now know this is a lie, they have been taken for a ride, and as Keating said

                                                                                                                                                                            Mal is the cherry on top of a compost heap, a truer word has never been spoken

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            fiberal
                                                                                                                                                                            Location
                                                                                                                                                                            darwin
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 9:25AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • How silly can Australians be?

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              Daniel
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 9:36AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • fiberal

                                                                                                                                                                              "4. call a DD"

                                                                                                                                                                              Nope, nope, nope.

                                                                                                                                                                              The P.M. is too wishy washy to do that.

                                                                                                                                                                              Meanwhile business grinds to a halt waiting for some action from the Turnbull govt.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              A Green
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Australia
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 9:37AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • This is a Government that has been incapable of doing anything meaningful in two and a half years. Mr Shiny has jumped at his own shadow after being given the top job. Just watch them though if they get a majority in both houses; the 2014 budget travesty will seem like a pleasant memory.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              jofek
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 9:50AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • fiberal: Well, derrr. Where have you been for the last 6 months?

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              housemartin
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              hong kong
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 2:55PM

                                                                                                                                                                          • I see that even the cherry on top of the compost heap has turned mouldy

                                                                                                                                                                            Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                            Nick
                                                                                                                                                                            Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                            April 19, 2016, 9:25AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • I sense the Hand of The Tones in this budget leak today.

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              davemac
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 9:23AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • or....
                                                                                                                                                                                Drum Roll...
                                                                                                                                                                                my favourite faction.
                                                                                                                                                                                THE BLACK HAND

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 9:55AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • And stay tuned for more of a show of those hands.
                                                                                                                                                                                There will be no sniping. He never mentioned leaking, so for once he can't be accused of lying.
                                                                                                                                                                                Wonder who his plant is, will no doubt have Magnifico edgy.
                                                                                                                                                                                Especially given his past ability to leak and undermine the Ex.
                                                                                                                                                                                Such a united team!

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 10:16AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • I've changed my mind.
                                                                                                                                                                                An inside job by a Scotty or Mal disciple.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 1:57PM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Malcolm, it's time to get stuck into Union Bill.

                                                                                                                                                                              Can someone ask Bill if he is elected on 2 July (God Help us!) will he

                                                                                                                                                                              A/ Reintroduce the Road Safety Tribunal that the government won in the senate yesterday to dissolve?

                                                                                                                                                                              B/ Reintroduce the Carbon Tax that no one wanted

                                                                                                                                                                              Two simple questions for Bill. There will be plenty more to come ....

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              Shane
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Hammondville
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 9:19AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • I'd ask where your questions for the Prime Minister are but obviously it has also become abundantly clear to you that he has no answers.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                blah
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 9:47AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • There is nothing wrong with a carbon tax, would you rather pay more through a rise in the GST

                                                                                                                                                                                All governments tax, but you want to see smoke and pollution in the air, choking us to death all for the sake of $500 a year, sad case, I would gladly pay that 500 for fresh clean unpolluted air

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                fiberal
                                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                                darwin
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 10:12AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • We never had a CT despite the rhetoric, we had a POC. And if it had been sensibly adhered to and not repealed we would now have a working ETS.
                                                                                                                                                                                All the Ex knew what to do was to wreck the joint, special for those vested interests and donors.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                A country gal
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 10:58AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • I wanted the carbon tax Shane - generalisation undone.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                Rod
                                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                                Rocky
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:02AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • Shane

                                                                                                                                                                                So you think the right way to go is make the taxpayers pay for a reduction in pollution, instead of say, the polluters?

                                                                                                                                                                                I for one don't want the Great Barrier Reef to deteriorate any more.

                                                                                                                                                                                I am also surprised you are against the unions who fought for the work and safety conditions you enjoy today. Don't be put off by one rogue sector of the unions. And god forbid the unions fight for a decent pay for truckies so they don't have to drug up and drive for 48 hours to make a minimum wage.

                                                                                                                                                                                You would do better to ask Turnbull what his policies are, because I can only assume you have not looked at the 70+ fully costed policies that Labor has already put up.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:13AM

                                                                                                                                                                            • Lets get this Double D kicked off!!!

                                                                                                                                                                              Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                              Daniel
                                                                                                                                                                              Location
                                                                                                                                                                              Sydney
                                                                                                                                                                              Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                              April 19, 2016, 9:14AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • Two to one (on) that Turnbull backs down n the DD.

                                                                                                                                                                                The trend is not his friend, and he needs move time to recover momentum. If he goes on July 2, he is a goner.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                Baldone
                                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                                Canberra
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 9:28AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • Baldone
                                                                                                                                                                                either way, credibility is shot.
                                                                                                                                                                                We are in caretaker mode, have been since May 2014.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                fizzybeer
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 9:42AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • @fizzybeer - I cannot comprehend who is taking care since 2014? The deficit has blown out of the water - nearly doubled, country is in a mess, Hockey is enjoying his time in USA getting through a bucketful of doughnuts and the pollies still raiding the trough.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                transplant
                                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                                brisbane
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 10:20AM

                                                                                                                                                                              • Baldone

                                                                                                                                                                                Turnbull cannot back down - that was the whole point of bringing everyone back to parliament. Just like Abbott, he has made a promise ............... oh, I see what you mean.

                                                                                                                                                                                Commenter
                                                                                                                                                                                PEarn
                                                                                                                                                                                Location
                                                                                                                                                                                Melbourne
                                                                                                                                                                                Date and time
                                                                                                                                                                                April 19, 2016, 11:08AM
                                                                                                                                                                            Comments are now closed