The Sensible Australian Election Thread
Jul 20th 2010, 1:18 pm
#31
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Re: The Sensible Australian Election Thread
For those who haven't followed the link:
All kids must read the Bible, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says
BIBLE classes should be compulsory so children have a fundamental understanding of Christianity on leaving school, Tony Abbott says.
"I think everyone should have some familiarity with the great texts that are at the core of our civilisation," said the Federal Opposition leader.
"That includes, most importantly, the Bible.
"I think it would be impossible to have a good general education without at least some serious familiarity with the Bible and with the teachings of Christianity.
"That doesn't mean that people have to be believers."
But former Howard government Islamic advisor Dr Ameer Ali, said Mr Abbott's remarks were "over the top".
"It's one thing to say every child needs a good knowledge of history and geography or science," Dr Ali said.
All kids must read the Bible, federal Opposition Leader Tony Abbott says
BIBLE classes should be compulsory so children have a fundamental understanding of Christianity on leaving school, Tony Abbott says.
"I think everyone should have some familiarity with the great texts that are at the core of our civilisation," said the Federal Opposition leader.
"That includes, most importantly, the Bible.
"I think it would be impossible to have a good general education without at least some serious familiarity with the Bible and with the teachings of Christianity.
"That doesn't mean that people have to be believers."
But former Howard government Islamic advisor Dr Ameer Ali, said Mr Abbott's remarks were "over the top".
"It's one thing to say every child needs a good knowledge of history and geography or science," Dr Ali said.
Abbott's actually got a point. From a historical perspective it is probably a good idea to have some familiarity of history. Then again, kids can always go and read fairy tales. Whats the difference?
Jul 20th 2010, 8:22 pm
#32
You call that a moustache
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Re: The Sensible Australian Election Thread
Its going to be another work choices day for our Tony
Source
Also his handlers are going to allow him to appear on Hey Hey its Saturday! to judge the red faces section (wt heck is that?) Not sure thats a good idea.
And more Australians are interested in Master Chef than the election debates
Source
TONY Abbott must break a key election promise on workplace laws to allow the Coalition to declare war on the unions - or backflip on a $25 million savings policy announced yesterday. A major Budget savings plan to cut funding for union ballots and industrial elections, released yesterday as part of the Coalition's workplace policy, appears to require a rewriting of the country's current workplace laws.
It means Mr Abbott must ditch a plank of his first election policy, or break his pledge to not make any changes to the Fair Work Act for the term of the next Parliament if elected.
It means Mr Abbott must ditch a plank of his first election policy, or break his pledge to not make any changes to the Fair Work Act for the term of the next Parliament if elected.
Also his handlers are going to allow him to appear on Hey Hey its Saturday! to judge the red faces section (wt heck is that?) Not sure thats a good idea.
And more Australians are interested in Master Chef than the election debates
The only election campaign debate between Julia Gillard and Tony Abbott has been brought forward by an hour and shortened after the big parties recognised that Australians were more interested in a reality cooking show than who will run the country.
As flagged in the Herald yesterday, the leaders' debate, traditionally a 90-minute affair televised live at 7.30pm on the first Sunday after the writs are issued, has been moved to avoid a clash with the series final of the Ten Network's MasterChef. The debate will begin at 6.30pm and last for an hour.
As flagged in the Herald yesterday, the leaders' debate, traditionally a 90-minute affair televised live at 7.30pm on the first Sunday after the writs are issued, has been moved to avoid a clash with the series final of the Ten Network's MasterChef. The debate will begin at 6.30pm and last for an hour.
Last edited by ex_exile; Jul 20th 2010 at 9:48 pm.
Jul 20th 2010, 11:11 pm
#33
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Re: The Sensible Australian Election Thread
Has either party actually published any kind of formal manifesto? Or is policy just dribbled out on a daily basis, depending on what is in the news that day?
The whole thing smacks of amateurism to my mind.
S
Jul 20th 2010, 11:39 pm
#34
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Re: The Sensible Australian Election Thread
All I could find was this:
QUESTION:
Internet filtering. Alex Hawke I understand is saying that he is one of several Liberals that will vote against any legislation on internet filtering. What is the Opposition’s view on that?
TONY ABBOTT:
Well look, we haven’t seen the legislation okay, and we won’t be seeing it for quite some time. In principle, and this is just a personal view, but in principle I think that it makes sense to try to ensure that we don’t have pornography of the worst kind coming into homes through the internet, coming into homes without appropriate parental supervision and knowledge. So in principle I think that it is fair enough to try to ensure that Australian families are protected from the worst sorts of pornography. But we haven’t seen the legislation. We don’t know just how practical it is going to be and we’ll have a position on this once we see the legislation.
So essentially in the midst of the election campaign all you can get is an 8 month old (scripted?) response. I'm sure the Labor website is just as bad.
Jul 21st 2010, 1:02 am
#35
You call that a moustache
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Re: The Sensible Australian Election Thread
No, they will come with the campaign launch... date and location TBA.
Jul 21st 2010, 1:13 am
#36
You call that a moustache
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Re: The Sensible Australian Election Thread
Gillard dodges migrant intake question.
Business says that it needs more workers but will they be willing to take on a goverment that may well be returned? Guess we'll see.
Source
JULIA Gillard has refused to say whether she plans to cut back the migrant intake in line with her argument for a reassessment of population policy.
Asked on Sydney radio station 2UE today whether this meant she wanted to pare back the nation's immigration intake, Ms Gillard, a Welsh migrant, refused to be drawn.
<snip>
“I think that's a question not just about numbers but where they are going,” she said.
Ms Gillard said the issue was not as simple as simply putting up the house full sign in western Sydney.
Instead, it was time for the nation to take pause and ensure communities had proper infrastructure and services and that growth happened where there were adequate services to cope with its impacts.
Asked on Sydney radio station 2UE today whether this meant she wanted to pare back the nation's immigration intake, Ms Gillard, a Welsh migrant, refused to be drawn.
<snip>
“I think that's a question not just about numbers but where they are going,” she said.
Ms Gillard said the issue was not as simple as simply putting up the house full sign in western Sydney.
Instead, it was time for the nation to take pause and ensure communities had proper infrastructure and services and that growth happened where there were adequate services to cope with its impacts.
Source
Last edited by ex_exile; Jul 21st 2010 at 1:22 am.
Jul 21st 2010, 2:52 am
#37
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Re: The Sensible Australian Election Thread
TONY ABBOTT:
Well look, we haven’t seen the legislation okay, and we won’t be seeing it for quite some time. In principle, and this is just a personal view, but in principle I think that it makes sense to try to ensure that we don’t have pornography of the worst kind coming into homes through the internet, coming into homes without appropriate parental supervision and knowledge. So in principle I think that it is fair enough to try to ensure that Australian families are protected from the worst sorts of pornography. But we haven’t seen the legislation. We don’t know just how practical it is going to be and we’ll have a position on this once we see the legislation. [/I]
So essentially in the midst of the election campaign all you can get is an 8 month old (scripted?) response. I'm sure the Labor website is just as bad.
Jul 21st 2010, 6:29 am
#38
Joined: Jun 2006
Posts: 4,555
Re: The Sensible Australian Election Thread
Neither leader wants to say something that loses votes. Policy can lose votes. Its a sad reflection on the media, politics voter relationship.
Jul 22nd 2010, 4:14 am
#40
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Re: The Sensible Australian Election Thread
Labour will win, never mind the policies, because Tony Abbott has got a hint of madness about him which puts a lot of people off.
But Julia Gillard will continue to have some problems with voters about the way Kevin Rudd was deposed. This issue won't easily go away.
So it may be closer than I think.
I'm voting Green anyway and then below the line for the Senate so that I don't neccessarily follow the tacky preference deals.
The main parties are so disappointing and I had some hope for Julia but she has come to the job too early. I was a Labour voter back in the UK but the ALP just haven't done anything to deserve a vote, IMHO. And the NSW crew make me sick.
It's my first time so I hope I'm understanding how to vote correctly!
But Julia Gillard will continue to have some problems with voters about the way Kevin Rudd was deposed. This issue won't easily go away.
So it may be closer than I think.
I'm voting Green anyway and then below the line for the Senate so that I don't neccessarily follow the tacky preference deals.
The main parties are so disappointing and I had some hope for Julia but she has come to the job too early. I was a Labour voter back in the UK but the ALP just haven't done anything to deserve a vote, IMHO. And the NSW crew make me sick.
It's my first time so I hope I'm understanding how to vote correctly!
Jul 22nd 2010, 4:20 am
#41
has lost The Game
Joined: Apr 2005
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Re: The Sensible Australian Election Thread
Labour will win, never mind the policies, because Tony Abbott has got a hint of madness about him which puts a lot of people off.
But Julia Gillard will continue to have some problems with voters about the way Kevin Rudd was deposed. This issue won't easily go away.
So it may be closer than I think.
I'm voting Green anyway and then below the line for the Senate so that I don't neccessarily follow the tacky preference deals.
The main parties are so disappointing and I had some hope for Julia but she has come to the job too early. I was a Labour voter back in the UK but the ALP just haven't done anything to deserve a vote, IMHO. And the NSW crew make me sick.
It's my first time so I hope I'm understanding how to vote correctly!
But Julia Gillard will continue to have some problems with voters about the way Kevin Rudd was deposed. This issue won't easily go away.
So it may be closer than I think.
I'm voting Green anyway and then below the line for the Senate so that I don't neccessarily follow the tacky preference deals.
The main parties are so disappointing and I had some hope for Julia but she has come to the job too early. I was a Labour voter back in the UK but the ALP just haven't done anything to deserve a vote, IMHO. And the NSW crew make me sick.
It's my first time so I hope I'm understanding how to vote correctly!
God, I wish I did...
I was initially skeptical about the Greens preference deals, but it looks like they are trading preferences in the lower house for preferences in the Senate, which could leave them with the balance of power in the upper house.
This would work well as a check on Labor and their more more radical ideas - Maybe this was their idea all along - we can't win government, but we can have maximum impact on the policy of those that do. This could be interesting where the Green party policy is in direct opposition to Labor policy - the net filter being a good example.
S
Jul 22nd 2010, 5:39 am
#43
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Re: The Sensible Australian Election Thread
Immigration is a key issue but the problem is if you declare for a rise in immigration to combat the rapidly aging population you lose votes. If you dont you are pretty much steering the titanic.
Boat people is far too huge an issue in this election to be ignored chances are if Gillard opened up Nauru in the morning she would win hands down. Very few people ever see a actual boat person. Just noboby likes to be taken for a ride.
I dont believe Abbott will re-introduce work choices so every time Gillard says he will it seems petty.
As for voting everyone should vote, even if the goods on offer are pants at least take the time to pick the best of a bad lot. People like me who dont have a vote depend on it.
Boat people is far too huge an issue in this election to be ignored chances are if Gillard opened up Nauru in the morning she would win hands down. Very few people ever see a actual boat person. Just noboby likes to be taken for a ride.
I dont believe Abbott will re-introduce work choices so every time Gillard says he will it seems petty.
As for voting everyone should vote, even if the goods on offer are pants at least take the time to pick the best of a bad lot. People like me who dont have a vote depend on it.
Jul 22nd 2010, 6:47 am
#44
You call that a moustache
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Jul 22nd 2010, 7:01 am
#45
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Re: The Sensible Australian Election Thread
How can a policy of constantly increasing a countries population be sustainable long term?