Bronwyn now gone, what next ?
By GDL.
After having been under pressure and in damage control for weeks, the Liberals finally gave way and get Bronwyn to vacate the seat of speaker. The departure (or sacking) of that old fart, Bronwyn, saved Tony Abbott and his party from disaster. It was a such relief for Tony Abbott and his government.
But it was also a relief for the parliamentarians of the Labor Party because, Bronwyn has been so bias and partisan to the extent of throwing them out of the chamber for standing up to her. The old woman, Bronwyn, threw members of the Labor Party out of parliament 400 times. She also never listened to their griefs and disregarded their points of order. She was not worthy of the title of Speaker who, once in the chair, should be above party lines.To add insult to injury she was lavishly spending taxpayers' money on her extravagant travels and enjoyments. It is now rumoured that she will not event contest the next elections !!
Now there is a new speaker Tony Smith, who made a sober speech on his first day, and there are promising signs that he would be better speaker. The eyes and ears are now turning to the government and the opposition and their long awaited policies for the future of Australia. What can we expect ?
The coalition government seems to have exhausted their ammunitions and cannot come back again with their policies/slogans of the past elections of turning back the boats and repealing the carbon tax. Neither can they come back talking about budget repairs and deficit as they have got a bad situation worse (to use the words of Donal Duck). The deficit is now bigger than when they took office, iron ore price slumping, unemployment on the rise, growth is lower than what they forecast but they are still spending and ignoring that there is a revenue problem.They are burning what they adored. They do not want to talk about increasing the GST and now talking about reducing income tax !!! Actually, as Paul Kelly said, no one is listening to the broken records of Joe Hockey; and the finance minister, Mathias Corman, is struggling to explain the economics whenever he faces the media. On what platforms will the coalition go to the next elections is any body's guest.
What about the Labor party of Mr Bill Shorten ? First Bill is short of being a fiscal conservative. His economic credentials leaves much to be desired. He is still not telling us whether he intends to repair the budget and raise revenue. Instead he is talking about spending more on Education, Health and Social Services. For the last elections Australians kicked Labor in the arse for their idiosyncrasies, inconsistencies, shortcomings and inner bickerings, which gave us, by default, a coalition government and Tony Abbott as PM. What will happen next year, which party to vote for in its own right ? The Liberals will not have a Labor government to blame and will have to campaign on their success and what they have done well while in government. But what are these positives ? What will be their new policies and will people believe in the new promises since they broke all their promises while in office ? Will Joe Hockey still be around to smoke his cigar after presenting a f.... budget ? Will Scott Morrisson be in the forefront during the campaign and presented as the next treasurer of even the future PM ? Will that be enough to save the government ?
On the Labor's side, will people forget the killing years of Rudd and Gillard and how they turned voters away from the party ? Will people forgive them for their alliance with the Greens which gave us the infamous carbon tax ? Will the Labor Party be presenting a new and clean Labor ? Is Bill Shorten not too short of convincing arguments and policies to obtain the trust of the voters ? Can Labor win back its traditional voters i.e the bulk of the working class, unemployed, migrants, students, pensioners, battlers, and the middle class who have been victims of the coalition government ? Can Bill Shorten win the argument of climate change and the introduction of an ETS ? Will they attract Green voters with their promise of "le marriage pour tous" ? Can they get back those who were against boats arrivals with their "me too" policy ?
These are questions that will face the voters next year but for the time being the answers, my friend, are blowing in the wind.
GDL.
George at Studio 2GLF 89.3 fm
Broadcasting Emission Kontak
Monday, 10 August 2015
Thursday, 30 July 2015
How Bronwyn Bishop derailed Tony Abbott's plan
How Bronwyn Bishop derailed Tony Abbott's plan,
by GDL.
As written some weeks back, the government second budget had a smelt of elections in the air. After the "sweet" budget of the Liberal government, all polls showed that the budget was well received by the voters. It was a budget that was devoid of any philosophy and did not line up a plan for the for the middle or long term future of Australia. It is the same people who, in their first year, said that Australia needs dractic reforms to secure our future. The reforms proposed in the first budget were abandoned as they were so unpopular. But as Paul Kelly put it,on Richo and Jones last Tuesday, it was simply the case that they did not have the right people to sell the reforms. Paul Kelly went further in saying that Hawke and Keating were formidable, Howard and Costello were good, but since then t we have had a bunch of amateurs who have no credible social and economic plans for the country.
After the second budget, the ratings of the government and Tony Abbott went up and the Liberals felt confident that they were on track to win the next general elections. While the government was enjoying the honey mood with the voters, came the documentary" the Killing Years" which highlighted the shortcomings and bitter internal quarrels within the last Labor government between the camps of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. The misfortunes of Labor was compounded by Bill Shorten being in all sort of trouble with his dealings while he was the head of the construction union. He later appeared before the Commission of Enquiry into the unions and came out badly scratched.
Tony Abbott and the Liberals were on the moon so much so that it was rumoured that there would be a snap elections before parliament resumes. No journalist or political commentator was surprised about this "rumour" as it was probably a good strategical tactic from Tony Abbott at a time when the Labor party was on the ground.
But surprise surprise a week is a long time in politics when suddenly came the news of Bronwyn Bishop helicopter trip from Melbourne to Geelong, paid by taxpayers to attend...a liberal party fund raising !! This news spread like a veld fire taken up by all the media across the country. This was portrayed as a big scandal when the battlers are paying their fair share of tax wasted by Bronwyn Bishop who could easily have used her official car for this short trip. The extravaganza of Bronwyn Bishop also surfaced when she spent some $11,000 for a trip in Europe traveling in Limousine and drinking the most expensive champagne, all this paid by Australian taxpayers. Suddenly the table turned on the government and the Prime Minister Tony Abbott was under immense pressure to sack the speaker for her lavish spending at the expense of taxpayers' money. Tony Abbott resisted to the call for the sacking the speaker. Meanwhile social media went frenzy against the government and towards a speaker who has shown so much bias and partiality in parliament. Even the pro-government right wing media could not find excuse for Bronwyn's scandalous spending. No need to be a Labor supporter to notice during parliament questions and debate live, how obvious Browyn Bishop leans so much on the side of the government and threw out Labor party members for 400 times.
Bill Shorten and the Labor party could not believe their luck when Bronwyn scandals broke out, and so they kept hammering Tony Abbott to sack Browyn Bishop. The latter was apparently forced by the PM to apologize and pay back the money with the penalty imposed. The misfortunes of the lady speaker were not going to go away as other lavish spending were uncovered to attend a friend's (sophie Mirabella) wedding in Albury, paid by taxpayers. Once more no excuse could be found again to save Bronwyn and counter the attack of the opposition and the medias. Noone in the government ranks could say that Browyn was right but rather distanced themselves from her. Tony Abbott for his part put Bronwyn on probation!!! But up to today, at the time of writing, the media are still talking about Browyn's scandals and it does not seem to go away so soon. There is even a popular petition going around for her resignation. Last night on ABC lateline, the maverick Clive Palmer also asked for the resignation of Browyn Bishop and added that if Tony Abbott does not act he will face the electors with this scandal in the next elections.
So this is how Browyn Bishop derailed the plans of Tony Abbott and the Liberals to go to an early elections which they were sure of winning. Adding insult to injury, last week Bill Shorten came out of the Labor party stronger than before with the policies of turning back the boats, the ETS and a marriage equality again putting undue pressure on Tony Abbott and his weakened government.
GDL
In my next blog I will analyse Bill Shorten and the Labor party's weaknesses.
by GDL.
As written some weeks back, the government second budget had a smelt of elections in the air. After the "sweet" budget of the Liberal government, all polls showed that the budget was well received by the voters. It was a budget that was devoid of any philosophy and did not line up a plan for the for the middle or long term future of Australia. It is the same people who, in their first year, said that Australia needs dractic reforms to secure our future. The reforms proposed in the first budget were abandoned as they were so unpopular. But as Paul Kelly put it,on Richo and Jones last Tuesday, it was simply the case that they did not have the right people to sell the reforms. Paul Kelly went further in saying that Hawke and Keating were formidable, Howard and Costello were good, but since then t we have had a bunch of amateurs who have no credible social and economic plans for the country.
After the second budget, the ratings of the government and Tony Abbott went up and the Liberals felt confident that they were on track to win the next general elections. While the government was enjoying the honey mood with the voters, came the documentary" the Killing Years" which highlighted the shortcomings and bitter internal quarrels within the last Labor government between the camps of Kevin Rudd and Julia Gillard. The misfortunes of Labor was compounded by Bill Shorten being in all sort of trouble with his dealings while he was the head of the construction union. He later appeared before the Commission of Enquiry into the unions and came out badly scratched.
Tony Abbott and the Liberals were on the moon so much so that it was rumoured that there would be a snap elections before parliament resumes. No journalist or political commentator was surprised about this "rumour" as it was probably a good strategical tactic from Tony Abbott at a time when the Labor party was on the ground.
But surprise surprise a week is a long time in politics when suddenly came the news of Bronwyn Bishop helicopter trip from Melbourne to Geelong, paid by taxpayers to attend...a liberal party fund raising !! This news spread like a veld fire taken up by all the media across the country. This was portrayed as a big scandal when the battlers are paying their fair share of tax wasted by Bronwyn Bishop who could easily have used her official car for this short trip. The extravaganza of Bronwyn Bishop also surfaced when she spent some $11,000 for a trip in Europe traveling in Limousine and drinking the most expensive champagne, all this paid by Australian taxpayers. Suddenly the table turned on the government and the Prime Minister Tony Abbott was under immense pressure to sack the speaker for her lavish spending at the expense of taxpayers' money. Tony Abbott resisted to the call for the sacking the speaker. Meanwhile social media went frenzy against the government and towards a speaker who has shown so much bias and partiality in parliament. Even the pro-government right wing media could not find excuse for Bronwyn's scandalous spending. No need to be a Labor supporter to notice during parliament questions and debate live, how obvious Browyn Bishop leans so much on the side of the government and threw out Labor party members for 400 times.
Bill Shorten and the Labor party could not believe their luck when Bronwyn scandals broke out, and so they kept hammering Tony Abbott to sack Browyn Bishop. The latter was apparently forced by the PM to apologize and pay back the money with the penalty imposed. The misfortunes of the lady speaker were not going to go away as other lavish spending were uncovered to attend a friend's (sophie Mirabella) wedding in Albury, paid by taxpayers. Once more no excuse could be found again to save Bronwyn and counter the attack of the opposition and the medias. Noone in the government ranks could say that Browyn was right but rather distanced themselves from her. Tony Abbott for his part put Bronwyn on probation!!! But up to today, at the time of writing, the media are still talking about Browyn's scandals and it does not seem to go away so soon. There is even a popular petition going around for her resignation. Last night on ABC lateline, the maverick Clive Palmer also asked for the resignation of Browyn Bishop and added that if Tony Abbott does not act he will face the electors with this scandal in the next elections.
So this is how Browyn Bishop derailed the plans of Tony Abbott and the Liberals to go to an early elections which they were sure of winning. Adding insult to injury, last week Bill Shorten came out of the Labor party stronger than before with the policies of turning back the boats, the ETS and a marriage equality again putting undue pressure on Tony Abbott and his weakened government.
GDL
In my next blog I will analyse Bill Shorten and the Labor party's weaknesses.
Wednesday, 22 July 2015
The reforms Australia needs (first part)
The reforms Australia really needs, by GDL
Those who have read The Patriots by Paul Kelly would agree that the reforms which occurred under the Hawke/Keating government were very brave, intelligent and have been a landmark in Australian politics. Paul Kelly, one of the most respected journalist in Australia, who usually makes informed and objective analysis of the policies and politics in Australia, praised these reforms in his book. Paul Kelly is now an editor at large and you can see him on Australian agenda with Peter van Olsen on Sundays on Sky News at 8.30 a.m.
For those who follow politics closely in Australia, I do not need to elaborate on these reforms, among which were: deregulation of the banking system, floating the Australia dollar, introduction of compulsory superannuation, Medicare, privatisation, etc...These reforms were not necessarily popular, but Bob and Paul had the guts to implement them as they believe they were good for the country and its future. Even the Liberals today praise these reforms as it was on these reforms that the Howard/Costello government built on to bring the country even further into the prosperous years.
Howard and Costello did not make changes to these reforms but, as we were then into a boom, they became very generous and distributed the surplus to the people by way of big tax cuts, baby bonus, generous superannuation tax concessions, easy student visas, increase migration intake and more refugees were allowed in the country as business was also booming. It is true that when the Howard and the coalition left government the coffins were full, with a budget surplus of some 50 billions and an infrastructure fund with billions. It is this very reserve that Kevin Rudd depleted, having no other choice (according to him!) as Australia faced the Global Financial Crisis, under what was called the Emergency policy or the Stimulus package. Money was thrown around by Rudd in forms of cheques to taxpayers,( even to those who were dead and have gone back to their countries); the school building revolution was more of an abuse by contracters who inflated the cost beyond imagination and the Insulation program (the pink bat) where amateurs, unskilled workers and indian students were involved, which later turned out to be a catastrophe causing death of 4 youngsters.
Julia Gillard, who knived Kevin Rudd and took over the country with a minority government, brought in some brave reforms like Gonski Education Review and the Diability Program but without showing the money. It must be admitted that they were also long awaited reforms but the implementaion was not well costed not well planned. At date Gonski is till pending wheras the Disability program is being implemented piece meal.
Tony Abbott and Big Joe in their first budget went franzy about some drastic reforms under "the budget emergency policy" and because Australians could no longer live beyound their means( Joe dixit). The reforms proposed by Tony and Joe were in areas of health, (copayment) social security (cuts to pensions), childcare, deregulation of university fees, pushing the age of retirement further, etc... The Liberals thinking that they were voted in with an overwhelming majority were expecting that these reforms would be welcomed by the polulation in the spirit of national interest and for the good of future genrations. Joe, the treasurer, argued much along these lines: "These are the reforms the country need otherwise we would be bankrupt as Greece."
Those who have read The Patriots by Paul Kelly would agree that the reforms which occurred under the Hawke/Keating government were very brave, intelligent and have been a landmark in Australian politics. Paul Kelly, one of the most respected journalist in Australia, who usually makes informed and objective analysis of the policies and politics in Australia, praised these reforms in his book. Paul Kelly is now an editor at large and you can see him on Australian agenda with Peter van Olsen on Sundays on Sky News at 8.30 a.m.
For those who follow politics closely in Australia, I do not need to elaborate on these reforms, among which were: deregulation of the banking system, floating the Australia dollar, introduction of compulsory superannuation, Medicare, privatisation, etc...These reforms were not necessarily popular, but Bob and Paul had the guts to implement them as they believe they were good for the country and its future. Even the Liberals today praise these reforms as it was on these reforms that the Howard/Costello government built on to bring the country even further into the prosperous years.
Howard and Costello did not make changes to these reforms but, as we were then into a boom, they became very generous and distributed the surplus to the people by way of big tax cuts, baby bonus, generous superannuation tax concessions, easy student visas, increase migration intake and more refugees were allowed in the country as business was also booming. It is true that when the Howard and the coalition left government the coffins were full, with a budget surplus of some 50 billions and an infrastructure fund with billions. It is this very reserve that Kevin Rudd depleted, having no other choice (according to him!) as Australia faced the Global Financial Crisis, under what was called the Emergency policy or the Stimulus package. Money was thrown around by Rudd in forms of cheques to taxpayers,( even to those who were dead and have gone back to their countries); the school building revolution was more of an abuse by contracters who inflated the cost beyond imagination and the Insulation program (the pink bat) where amateurs, unskilled workers and indian students were involved, which later turned out to be a catastrophe causing death of 4 youngsters.
Julia Gillard, who knived Kevin Rudd and took over the country with a minority government, brought in some brave reforms like Gonski Education Review and the Diability Program but without showing the money. It must be admitted that they were also long awaited reforms but the implementaion was not well costed not well planned. At date Gonski is till pending wheras the Disability program is being implemented piece meal.
Tony Abbott and Big Joe in their first budget went franzy about some drastic reforms under "the budget emergency policy" and because Australians could no longer live beyound their means( Joe dixit). The reforms proposed by Tony and Joe were in areas of health, (copayment) social security (cuts to pensions), childcare, deregulation of university fees, pushing the age of retirement further, etc... The Liberals thinking that they were voted in with an overwhelming majority were expecting that these reforms would be welcomed by the polulation in the spirit of national interest and for the good of future genrations. Joe, the treasurer, argued much along these lines: "These are the reforms the country need otherwise we would be bankrupt as Greece."
The days passed when a strong opposition built up against these proposed changes; first from the press, then from the labor opposition then for the pensioners, the university students, the working class, the sick, the mums and dads, and all those who these measures affected. On the other hand, gererosity was shown to the big end of town, to the rich women through the overgenerous maternity leave, cuts to company tax, abolition of carbon tax to big polluters. Even if some legislations did pass through the lower house, most were blocked by a senate where the coalition do not have a majority. The backlash went crescedo and the pressure was mounting on the elected members of the coalition where some were even receiving hostile reception in the constituancies. Joe Hockey was pictured as arrogant and cruel while Tony Abbott faced the strongest opposition for his backbenchers to the point of coming close to loosing his job of leader and PM.
So in their second budget, the goverment abandonned most of their reform policies and opted for the easy way out i.e to give the people what they want to hear. Scott Morrison was instrumental in preparing public opinion on what was to be a popular budget. This 180 degrees turn around and the abandonment the proposed reforms were seen by many, among whom the respected Paul Kelly, as saying goodbye to future reforms.
Many other credible reforms have been proposed outside the government ranks, from Ken Henry, from the productivity commission, from the Association of Super funds, from Macos, from the Business Council but all these look to be dead burried and cremated in the name of political gains. The last budget had a smell of elections in the air. In fact it is now rumoured that there could be a double disollution before parliament resumes.
Now that the reader has the background, I will enlist my proposed reforms in the next blog.Drastic reforms are also needed in Immigration, Tax, and many other areas for the good of Australia; one which I am realy passionate about is Agricultural reforms where I think the white paper has not addressed and how Australia can be the food bowl of Asia.
.
See you soon.
GDL.
So in their second budget, the goverment abandonned most of their reform policies and opted for the easy way out i.e to give the people what they want to hear. Scott Morrison was instrumental in preparing public opinion on what was to be a popular budget. This 180 degrees turn around and the abandonment the proposed reforms were seen by many, among whom the respected Paul Kelly, as saying goodbye to future reforms.
Many other credible reforms have been proposed outside the government ranks, from Ken Henry, from the productivity commission, from the Association of Super funds, from Macos, from the Business Council but all these look to be dead burried and cremated in the name of political gains. The last budget had a smell of elections in the air. In fact it is now rumoured that there could be a double disollution before parliament resumes.
Now that the reader has the background, I will enlist my proposed reforms in the next blog.Drastic reforms are also needed in Immigration, Tax, and many other areas for the good of Australia; one which I am realy passionate about is Agricultural reforms where I think the white paper has not addressed and how Australia can be the food bowl of Asia.
.
See you soon.
GDL.
Monday, 18 May 2015
Australian politics : un budget electoralist
A budget to grab votes
by GDL
The most obvious reactions from all corners after the presentation of this years' budget was, what a turn around !!! Indeed that reaction is legitimate in the way it contrasts with the last one presented by the fat man with the cigar as in now commonly known the Treasurer, Joe Hockey. Last year it was all about budget emergency, the deficit, that we cannot continue to live beyond our means, cut spending, it is all Labors' bad legacy, GP co-payment as medicare is under pressure, the welfare budget too was a big problem, so indexing the pensions, six months waiting period for new starters, deregulating university fees making student paying more for their degrees, increasing the HECs debt interest rate, while introducing generous paid parental leave for the rich women of the North shore and Tourack, putting pressure on families, the sick and targeting mostly those at the bottom of the social ladder as well as low and middle income families. The budget then was the true face of the Liberals who favours more the rich than the poor, which hates the welfare beneficiaries and university students as they are seen to be leftists or labour's heartland voters. They needed to be punished by bearing the biggest burden of economic reform and budget repairs. No doubt that last year's unfair budget was criticised by most journalists, analysts and commentators in the media so much so that the Libs were in turmoil and Tony Abbott came close of loosing the prime ministership. It was also a nightmare for the Treasurer who faced the wraft of the voters and virtually went into hiding. His position was, according to many, becoming untenable. He came close from being replaced by the rising star and super minister Scott Morrison.
This year's budget is more of a political document to attract voters and make them forget the bitter pill that was administered to the them last year. It was not a dull budget as we thought, but a budget which repaired the relationship between the voters and the government. It was a giveaway budget to attract voters by reducing tax for small business with other goodies, and generous to low and middle income families through child care benefits. The indexation of pensions was dropped instead pensioners with low assets will receive more and cut to high asset-owned pensioners and part pensioners. No change to superannuation meaning those with millions in their portfolio will continue to benefit from generous tax concessions. The GP co-payment dropped as well as the parental leave signature policy. It could also be termed a no tax budget.
The three measures above were the highlights and strong points of the Government's budget on which most voters focussed. The reaction did not take long and this week's poll put the government in a winning position and surprise, surprise, Tony Abbott is now the preferred Prime Minister!!!!. What a change of fortune for Donald Duck !!!! The budget sparked a smell of early elections through its goodies and now with the polls showing the government in front will there be an early election, which should also trigger a double dissolution if the senate continues to block supply? The answer is in the wind of change although the PM is diplomatically avoiding this possibility. But as everybody knows politicians cannot be trusted on their words.
The Labor opposition was taken aback with such a budget coming from the Liberals, and they could not find flaws and grounds to criticise apart form the generosity to high income families who will still get 50% of child care benefits and defending the double dippers on maternity leave payment. The critical path to surplus was also contested as being too optimistic on growth.Bill Shorten's reply speech was also very political with a touch of enhanced philosophy and looking for the future of Australia through more emphasis on technology and science. It was also a brillant speech but which did not show where will the money be coming from to pay for these policies. He stumbbled so many times on this issue on ABC and at other interviews.
So with the turnaround it seems that we are now on the path of economic recovery far from a budget emergency. The deficit is under control; we are well into the path of surplus, money will just flows in, there is no revenue problem, government can continue to spend (on the increase as a percentage of GDP). There is no more need for reforms of taxation or superannuation, medicare is no longer under pressure nor is the welfare budget. Let's ignore the inter-generation report. According to the fat man we can now confidently go out and borrow and spend to stimulate the economy. ( which is sluggish according to the reserve bank; cash rate is at only 2% no need to be an economist to understand that our economy is in dire strait). The job market will be plentiful, everybody will soon have a job through the small business package. Vire mam, riez mam.
Well well all is now beautiful under the Australian sun, we are all happy and our future and those of future generations are secure. Better days are ahead of us according to Joe. So let's then relax , sleep tight and wait for the elections.
GDL
My next Blog will be on the social and economic reforms that Australia really needs.
by GDL
The most obvious reactions from all corners after the presentation of this years' budget was, what a turn around !!! Indeed that reaction is legitimate in the way it contrasts with the last one presented by the fat man with the cigar as in now commonly known the Treasurer, Joe Hockey. Last year it was all about budget emergency, the deficit, that we cannot continue to live beyond our means, cut spending, it is all Labors' bad legacy, GP co-payment as medicare is under pressure, the welfare budget too was a big problem, so indexing the pensions, six months waiting period for new starters, deregulating university fees making student paying more for their degrees, increasing the HECs debt interest rate, while introducing generous paid parental leave for the rich women of the North shore and Tourack, putting pressure on families, the sick and targeting mostly those at the bottom of the social ladder as well as low and middle income families. The budget then was the true face of the Liberals who favours more the rich than the poor, which hates the welfare beneficiaries and university students as they are seen to be leftists or labour's heartland voters. They needed to be punished by bearing the biggest burden of economic reform and budget repairs. No doubt that last year's unfair budget was criticised by most journalists, analysts and commentators in the media so much so that the Libs were in turmoil and Tony Abbott came close of loosing the prime ministership. It was also a nightmare for the Treasurer who faced the wraft of the voters and virtually went into hiding. His position was, according to many, becoming untenable. He came close from being replaced by the rising star and super minister Scott Morrison.
This year's budget is more of a political document to attract voters and make them forget the bitter pill that was administered to the them last year. It was not a dull budget as we thought, but a budget which repaired the relationship between the voters and the government. It was a giveaway budget to attract voters by reducing tax for small business with other goodies, and generous to low and middle income families through child care benefits. The indexation of pensions was dropped instead pensioners with low assets will receive more and cut to high asset-owned pensioners and part pensioners. No change to superannuation meaning those with millions in their portfolio will continue to benefit from generous tax concessions. The GP co-payment dropped as well as the parental leave signature policy. It could also be termed a no tax budget.
The three measures above were the highlights and strong points of the Government's budget on which most voters focussed. The reaction did not take long and this week's poll put the government in a winning position and surprise, surprise, Tony Abbott is now the preferred Prime Minister!!!!. What a change of fortune for Donald Duck !!!! The budget sparked a smell of early elections through its goodies and now with the polls showing the government in front will there be an early election, which should also trigger a double dissolution if the senate continues to block supply? The answer is in the wind of change although the PM is diplomatically avoiding this possibility. But as everybody knows politicians cannot be trusted on their words.
The Labor opposition was taken aback with such a budget coming from the Liberals, and they could not find flaws and grounds to criticise apart form the generosity to high income families who will still get 50% of child care benefits and defending the double dippers on maternity leave payment. The critical path to surplus was also contested as being too optimistic on growth.Bill Shorten's reply speech was also very political with a touch of enhanced philosophy and looking for the future of Australia through more emphasis on technology and science. It was also a brillant speech but which did not show where will the money be coming from to pay for these policies. He stumbbled so many times on this issue on ABC and at other interviews.
So with the turnaround it seems that we are now on the path of economic recovery far from a budget emergency. The deficit is under control; we are well into the path of surplus, money will just flows in, there is no revenue problem, government can continue to spend (on the increase as a percentage of GDP). There is no more need for reforms of taxation or superannuation, medicare is no longer under pressure nor is the welfare budget. Let's ignore the inter-generation report. According to the fat man we can now confidently go out and borrow and spend to stimulate the economy. ( which is sluggish according to the reserve bank; cash rate is at only 2% no need to be an economist to understand that our economy is in dire strait). The job market will be plentiful, everybody will soon have a job through the small business package. Vire mam, riez mam.
Well well all is now beautiful under the Australian sun, we are all happy and our future and those of future generations are secure. Better days are ahead of us according to Joe. So let's then relax , sleep tight and wait for the elections.
GDL
My next Blog will be on the social and economic reforms that Australia really needs.
Mauritian politics: les scandales de Navin Ramgoolam
Mauritian Politics:
Navin Ramgoolam: l'homme aux millions....et scandales.
On the 10th December 2014 general elections the people f Mauritius clearly and loudly voted against Navin Ramgoolam and Paul Berenger's alliance. It was clear that they did not want continuity of Navin Ramgoolam's reign over Mauritius with or without the connivance of PRB. The reason was that they were sick of the outright corruptions, cover up. copinage, dictatorship, cronyism, immorality prevailing under the Labour Party. Navin Ramggolam was governing Mauritius as his own property doing whatever he wanted regardless of the legality or immorality of his actions.
People of Mauritius knew a lot of his scandals and cover up but they were more discussed in the house rather than in the streets for fear of reprisals under a disguised dictatorship. Mauritians do not have a culture of going down in the streets as we saw for the "printemps arabe" or like manifestaions in Thailand, Korea, USA or Australia. They are patient, they believe in democracy and exercise their civic rights and the votes when the time comes.
So at the last general elections they voted overwhelmingly to throw out Navin Ramgoolam and his corrupt government. Since the change the facts are proving that the people of Mauritius made the right choice. Nearly everyday the Mauritian press uncovers a new scandal and some of magnitude beyond belief. How comes that Navin Ramgoolam could have some Rs220 millions rupees in his house? Where does this money come from and why is it there? Then comes his association with Mr Dawood Rawat and how he apparently helped the latter to build an empire in a not honest way. Navin Ramgoolam is also allegedly accused of helping Rawat to create a ponzi scheme to rob Mauritians of their insurance money. Navin is now facing many accusations of money laundering, abuse of power, and forgery, etc...the latest is his involvement in the purchase of air planes and commissions received.
This ex-prime minister, according to what the people now know about him, and confirmed, is a shame for Mauritius.. He was using his power and authority to do doggy business with his friends and his mistress and pumped in as much as he could from the state coffins. He was endlessly travelling around the world at the expense of poor taxpayers and offered himself the best hotels and restaurants and claimed millions in per diem.
Today, Navin Ramgoolam is facing justice and is being called by the police nearly every day for a new criminal case. He has already spend few nights in custody but is now out on bail. If proved guilty on all the charges against him (there are so many) it is said that he could be spending some ten years in jail.
But he has already been judged by the people and the press and probably in the minds of many Mauritian he has joined the ranks of the many African, Arabs and Asian corrupt dictators. This is how history will remember him.
To Jean Millais: Your commenst are posted below.
If you can't see it please contact me.
Thanks for your different views.
Navin Ramgoolam: l'homme aux millions....et scandales.
On the 10th December 2014 general elections the people f Mauritius clearly and loudly voted against Navin Ramgoolam and Paul Berenger's alliance. It was clear that they did not want continuity of Navin Ramgoolam's reign over Mauritius with or without the connivance of PRB. The reason was that they were sick of the outright corruptions, cover up. copinage, dictatorship, cronyism, immorality prevailing under the Labour Party. Navin Ramggolam was governing Mauritius as his own property doing whatever he wanted regardless of the legality or immorality of his actions.
People of Mauritius knew a lot of his scandals and cover up but they were more discussed in the house rather than in the streets for fear of reprisals under a disguised dictatorship. Mauritians do not have a culture of going down in the streets as we saw for the "printemps arabe" or like manifestaions in Thailand, Korea, USA or Australia. They are patient, they believe in democracy and exercise their civic rights and the votes when the time comes.
So at the last general elections they voted overwhelmingly to throw out Navin Ramgoolam and his corrupt government. Since the change the facts are proving that the people of Mauritius made the right choice. Nearly everyday the Mauritian press uncovers a new scandal and some of magnitude beyond belief. How comes that Navin Ramgoolam could have some Rs220 millions rupees in his house? Where does this money come from and why is it there? Then comes his association with Mr Dawood Rawat and how he apparently helped the latter to build an empire in a not honest way. Navin Ramgoolam is also allegedly accused of helping Rawat to create a ponzi scheme to rob Mauritians of their insurance money. Navin is now facing many accusations of money laundering, abuse of power, and forgery, etc...the latest is his involvement in the purchase of air planes and commissions received.
This ex-prime minister, according to what the people now know about him, and confirmed, is a shame for Mauritius.. He was using his power and authority to do doggy business with his friends and his mistress and pumped in as much as he could from the state coffins. He was endlessly travelling around the world at the expense of poor taxpayers and offered himself the best hotels and restaurants and claimed millions in per diem.
Today, Navin Ramgoolam is facing justice and is being called by the police nearly every day for a new criminal case. He has already spend few nights in custody but is now out on bail. If proved guilty on all the charges against him (there are so many) it is said that he could be spending some ten years in jail.
But he has already been judged by the people and the press and probably in the minds of many Mauritian he has joined the ranks of the many African, Arabs and Asian corrupt dictators. This is how history will remember him.
To Jean Millais: Your commenst are posted below.
If you can't see it please contact me.
Thanks for your different views.
Sunday, 10 May 2015
Australian Politics, The Libs are back in business
The Libs are back in business
by GDL
When I wrote my last blog " The libs in turmoil" things were really getting bad for the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, so much that he was pleading to the party not to make a bad situation worse. By his own admission he recognised that the situation was " bad".
The motion for a spill of leadership was defeated but the results showed that there was actually a revolt from the Libs backbenchers. To ease the tension, Tony Abbott asked his party members to give him more time and promised that he will do better, consult more and that there will be no more "captain's call."
Since then water has gone under the bridge and Tony Abbott has changed his style and modified his front bench. He has also dumped the unpopular and unfair measures announced in his first budget, among which the medical co-payment, the paid parental leave to the rich women, the pension indexation. Since the revolt, things have smoothed out within the party and the government seems to be governing instead of inside fighting. The fortunes of the government and that of Tony Abbott look to be in better shape according to the polls. Tony Abbott is now as popular (or unpopular) as Bill Shorten. The government seems to have found a new spokesperson, Scott Morrisson, the Human Services minister, who besides being their best communicator, is now called Mr Everywhere( name given by Lisa of Channel 9). Graham Richardson on his program also describes Scott Morrisson as the most effective minister of the government. Scott Morrisson, whether you like him or not, has stopped the boats, one of the biggest promise of Tony Abbott while in opposition. Every decent Australian would agree that Scott Morrisson has managed to stop this plague of "illegals" arriving en masse on our shores. No more boat arrivals, no more illegals, no more drowning at sea.
On the basis of his success as Immigration Minister, Scott Morrisson was promoted to Human Services to bring reform to this Ministry which has the lion's share of the budget. Australians are getting older and more and more people are on welfare and pensions. In the last budget the government targeted the sick, the students, the pensioners and all those on welfare for the savings. This caused an uproar and a backlash so much that Joe Hocket went in hiding...leaving it to Scott Morrisson to communicate to the people of Australia on future budget measures eg. reform of pension and childcare.
The last budget was a nightmare for the Abbott government as they were obsessed with returning back the budget to surplus, another of their big promise. In fact since they took office the situation has gone worse and the deficit is bigger. It is now obvious that neither in this term of office, nor in the next decade will any government be able to have a surplus budget. The government have given up on the surplus and will present a budget that will cause the least harm to families and the working class. As we are only some 18 months till the next elections, it will be a dull budget, one which will not antagonise anyone with measures which will attract voters to their side. A budget to sweeten the mouth of the electorate.( faire la bouche doux comme on dit a Maurice).All these will be revealed tomorrow night (Tuesday 12 May 2015).
Conclusion, after the storm it is now the calm within the Liberal party and they are back in business.
by GDL
When I wrote my last blog " The libs in turmoil" things were really getting bad for the Prime Minister, Tony Abbott, so much that he was pleading to the party not to make a bad situation worse. By his own admission he recognised that the situation was " bad".
The motion for a spill of leadership was defeated but the results showed that there was actually a revolt from the Libs backbenchers. To ease the tension, Tony Abbott asked his party members to give him more time and promised that he will do better, consult more and that there will be no more "captain's call."
Since then water has gone under the bridge and Tony Abbott has changed his style and modified his front bench. He has also dumped the unpopular and unfair measures announced in his first budget, among which the medical co-payment, the paid parental leave to the rich women, the pension indexation. Since the revolt, things have smoothed out within the party and the government seems to be governing instead of inside fighting. The fortunes of the government and that of Tony Abbott look to be in better shape according to the polls. Tony Abbott is now as popular (or unpopular) as Bill Shorten. The government seems to have found a new spokesperson, Scott Morrisson, the Human Services minister, who besides being their best communicator, is now called Mr Everywhere( name given by Lisa of Channel 9). Graham Richardson on his program also describes Scott Morrisson as the most effective minister of the government. Scott Morrisson, whether you like him or not, has stopped the boats, one of the biggest promise of Tony Abbott while in opposition. Every decent Australian would agree that Scott Morrisson has managed to stop this plague of "illegals" arriving en masse on our shores. No more boat arrivals, no more illegals, no more drowning at sea.
On the basis of his success as Immigration Minister, Scott Morrisson was promoted to Human Services to bring reform to this Ministry which has the lion's share of the budget. Australians are getting older and more and more people are on welfare and pensions. In the last budget the government targeted the sick, the students, the pensioners and all those on welfare for the savings. This caused an uproar and a backlash so much that Joe Hocket went in hiding...leaving it to Scott Morrisson to communicate to the people of Australia on future budget measures eg. reform of pension and childcare.
The last budget was a nightmare for the Abbott government as they were obsessed with returning back the budget to surplus, another of their big promise. In fact since they took office the situation has gone worse and the deficit is bigger. It is now obvious that neither in this term of office, nor in the next decade will any government be able to have a surplus budget. The government have given up on the surplus and will present a budget that will cause the least harm to families and the working class. As we are only some 18 months till the next elections, it will be a dull budget, one which will not antagonise anyone with measures which will attract voters to their side. A budget to sweeten the mouth of the electorate.( faire la bouche doux comme on dit a Maurice).All these will be revealed tomorrow night (Tuesday 12 May 2015).
Conclusion, after the storm it is now the calm within the Liberal party and they are back in business.
Monday, 2 March 2015
Australian politics: The libs in turmoil
The Australian Federal Liberal Party in turmoil
by GDL
Some four weeks ago, some back benchers of the Federal Liberal Party mounted a spill against their leader and Prime Minister, Tony Abbott. According to some backbenchers, the spill was needed because Tony Abbott was making mistakes/gaffes after mistakes and the party was going down in the polls and the popularity of Tony Abbott was the lowest a Prime Minister of Australia ever recorded. According to the polls, if an election was held then, the Coalition government would be wiped out from office and many backbenchers would lose their seats. The call for a spill caused havoc within the party and mainly among ministers who would lose their positions if there were a reshuffle. The one most in danger was Joe Hockey, whose budget has caused voters' anger. The last budget presented by the Coalition government was according to most analysts and respected journalists, unfair as it targeted the working class and middle class while favouring the upper class and big business.
The spill failed but it was noted that one third of the caucus ( MPs) had no confidence in their leader, who they think, was not doing a good job. Tony Abbott who survived the spill motion asked for more time to prove himself as it was only half term of his mandate. He also promised that he would consult the party more before taking important decisions. "There will be no more the captain's call." he said.
Since that day, there has been unrest in the Liberal party and the performance of Tony Abbott is watched closely by the backbenchers mainly.
Going back, it was a reality that the Labor Party lost the 2012 elections, because of the instability in the party, rather that the coalition winning. It is also to be acknowledge that Tony Abbott was an effective opposition leader who crucified the Labor government and nailed their coffin each time he had an occasion. The slogans of the Coalition Government during the campaign also found resonance within the electorate: Stop the boats, repeal the Carbon tax, repeal the mining tax were what the people wanted. But it looks like for Tony Abbott and his ministers, being in opposition is much easier than governing. While trying to fix the budget and redress the economy, they did a lot of harm to those most vulnerable: pensioners, families, unemployed, and university students. They also made big cuts to education and health and to the ABC and SBS. The liberals who promised to bring the budget to surplus faced the reality that it is easier said than done. After 18 months in government the budget situation is worse so much so that they cannot say when the budget will go in surplus let alone be balanced. All these factors have turned voters away from Tony and his party although they have stopped the boats, repealed the taxes.
The unrest nevertheless continues in the Liberal party because many MPs have already seen the danger looming. They think that it is a mammoth task for the government to be popular among voters again and that Tony Abbott is not the right candidate to lead them to the next elections and win. Apart from the backbenchers many political analyst like Paul Kelly, Peter Van Olsen, Miranda Devine, Janet Albreit, Eleonor Taylor, Karen Middleton, Richo, and others also espouse the opinion that Tony Abbott's days are numbered. The eyes are now turning to Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop to step up but none of the two most popular candidates has declared his/her intentions clearly yet. It could be that they are waiting for the right moment, closer to the elections and they do not want the change to be as brutal as it was within the Labor party. They would prefer see Tony Abbott die on his own sword i.e. that he step down in a gallant way for the benefit of the party.
Interesting time ahead.
GDL
by GDL
Some four weeks ago, some back benchers of the Federal Liberal Party mounted a spill against their leader and Prime Minister, Tony Abbott. According to some backbenchers, the spill was needed because Tony Abbott was making mistakes/gaffes after mistakes and the party was going down in the polls and the popularity of Tony Abbott was the lowest a Prime Minister of Australia ever recorded. According to the polls, if an election was held then, the Coalition government would be wiped out from office and many backbenchers would lose their seats. The call for a spill caused havoc within the party and mainly among ministers who would lose their positions if there were a reshuffle. The one most in danger was Joe Hockey, whose budget has caused voters' anger. The last budget presented by the Coalition government was according to most analysts and respected journalists, unfair as it targeted the working class and middle class while favouring the upper class and big business.
The spill failed but it was noted that one third of the caucus ( MPs) had no confidence in their leader, who they think, was not doing a good job. Tony Abbott who survived the spill motion asked for more time to prove himself as it was only half term of his mandate. He also promised that he would consult the party more before taking important decisions. "There will be no more the captain's call." he said.
Since that day, there has been unrest in the Liberal party and the performance of Tony Abbott is watched closely by the backbenchers mainly.
Going back, it was a reality that the Labor Party lost the 2012 elections, because of the instability in the party, rather that the coalition winning. It is also to be acknowledge that Tony Abbott was an effective opposition leader who crucified the Labor government and nailed their coffin each time he had an occasion. The slogans of the Coalition Government during the campaign also found resonance within the electorate: Stop the boats, repeal the Carbon tax, repeal the mining tax were what the people wanted. But it looks like for Tony Abbott and his ministers, being in opposition is much easier than governing. While trying to fix the budget and redress the economy, they did a lot of harm to those most vulnerable: pensioners, families, unemployed, and university students. They also made big cuts to education and health and to the ABC and SBS. The liberals who promised to bring the budget to surplus faced the reality that it is easier said than done. After 18 months in government the budget situation is worse so much so that they cannot say when the budget will go in surplus let alone be balanced. All these factors have turned voters away from Tony and his party although they have stopped the boats, repealed the taxes.
The unrest nevertheless continues in the Liberal party because many MPs have already seen the danger looming. They think that it is a mammoth task for the government to be popular among voters again and that Tony Abbott is not the right candidate to lead them to the next elections and win. Apart from the backbenchers many political analyst like Paul Kelly, Peter Van Olsen, Miranda Devine, Janet Albreit, Eleonor Taylor, Karen Middleton, Richo, and others also espouse the opinion that Tony Abbott's days are numbered. The eyes are now turning to Malcolm Turnbull and Julie Bishop to step up but none of the two most popular candidates has declared his/her intentions clearly yet. It could be that they are waiting for the right moment, closer to the elections and they do not want the change to be as brutal as it was within the Labor party. They would prefer see Tony Abbott die on his own sword i.e. that he step down in a gallant way for the benefit of the party.
Interesting time ahead.
GDL
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