liberal party keep hiring from dodgey capitalist pigs

[Gozu]

I agree with that, it makes both moral and economic sense, but it won't happen - it is electoral suicide as Labor's blue collar/unskilled supporters don't want asylum seekers here.

Even so, mainstream Australia does not want to shut out boat people. Except in the wild panic whipped up over the Tampa, most Australians have thought it best to allow most of them to land here. Clear from polls going back to the late 1970s, this view was confirmed last week in a Nielsen poll that showed 53 per cent of us believe boat people should have their claims for refugee protection processed here. But the everlasting politics of the boats does not play to that constituency. What counts, and always has done, are those who most fear the boats. Polls over the years suggest they comprise only about a third of us, but a crucial third. They live in marginal seats and their passion about the boats makes them ready to swap sides. Who is the best to handle the boats, is a crucial political question.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/allout-a ... 1j4sg.html

[Gozu]

what are the labor government doing?

Running arguably the best economy in the world, thank you very much.

....and placing Australia more in debt paying laughable high interest they are borrowing.

Compared to the rest of the world what debt? Most people have/had mortgages, that's debt.

[Bat Pad]

I think the majority of the electorate don't see asylum seekers as a make or break issue, much like gay marriage.

They are in favour of them/it, but when it comes down to voting, and they have to choose between a party (most people vote for parties, not candidates) that is for example pro gay marriage, but is seen in their eyes as poor economic managers , against a party against gay marriage but good economic managers, even though the voter is for gay marriage, economic management is their make or break issue. And therefore, they vote against the pro gay marriage party.

Hence why 60%+ of the electorate are pro gay marriage (or at least not against it), yet the Greens who are the only pro gay marriage major party only received 14% of the primary vote.

I believe the same logic can be applied to the way asylum seekers are processed, and how the elections pan out.

[Sky Pilot]

I think the majority of the electorate don't see asylum seekers as a make or break issue, much like gay marriage.

They are in favour of them/it, but when it comes down to voting, and they have to choose between a party (most people vote for parties, not candidates) that is for example pro gay marriage, but is seen in their eyes as poor economic managers , against a party against gay marriage but good economic managers, even though the voter is for gay marriage, economic management is their make or break issue. And therefore, they vote against the pro gay marriage party.

Hence why 60%+ of the electorate are pro gay marriage (or at least not against it), yet the Greens who are the only pro gay marriage major party only received 14% of the primary vote.

I believe the same logic can be applied to the way asylum seekers are processed, and how the elections pan out.

X2

[fish]

More on the Senator Edwards matter

EMBATTLED new South Australian Liberal senator Sean Edwards, under investigation for an alleged misuse of taxpayer-funded chauffeur-driven cars, is facing a separate probe into the staffing of his parliamentary offices.

This came as his wife, Ashleigh Falconer-Edwards, yesterday apologised to taxpayers on behalf of the senator for using three cars to travel a short distance to a swish Canberra restaurant last week and said they would personally reimburse the cost. "I regret that -- it's a learning curve for all of us," she said.

"We will be paying for the extra cars and I apologise to any taxpayer who feels we abused any parliamentary privileges in any way, shape or form."

The Finance Department, already investigating that incident after it was revealed by The Australian on Monday, has opened an inquiry into the operation of Senator Edwards's commonwealth parliamentary offices.

[bulldogproud2]

I think the majority of the electorate don't see asylum seekers as a make or break issue, much like gay marriage.

They are in favour of them/it, but when it comes down to voting, and they have to choose between a party (most people vote for parties, not candidates) that is for example pro gay marriage, but is seen in their eyes as poor economic managers , against a party against gay marriage but good economic managers, even though the voter is for gay marriage, economic management is their make or break issue. And therefore, they vote against the pro gay marriage party.

Hence why 60%+ of the electorate are pro gay marriage (or at least not against it), yet the Greens who are the only pro gay marriage major party only received 14% of the primary vote.

I believe the same logic can be applied to the way asylum seekers are processed, and how the elections pan out.

X2

If that is the case, the Labor Party should romp in in the next election. Australia, for the first time in history, is the best performing economy in the western world.

[straight talker]

i think yl find in most peoples opinion.! now they have the boat people stuff up to worry about as well!!

No more a stuff up than the Liberal Party's postion on boat people. However, it does give the Labor Party the opportunity to regain the moral high ground and go back to onshore processing of asylum seekers. They should never have looked at offshore processing in the first place.
Cheers

be interested to have the numbers concerning boat people arriving in oz waters since labor took over? compared to the last 4 years of the liberal government under howard? anyone know???

[straight talker]

LIBS stuff ups gee whiz i think the labor party are way out in front in that race!! thomson,pink bats,boat people clunker cars just to name a few.

[fish]

More on the Mary Jo Fisher matter

A LIBERAL senator repeatedly asked a security guard if there was an alternative to calling police over an alleged shoplifting incident, a court has heard. Senator Mary Jo Fisher, 48, appeared in the Adelaide Magistrate's Court today charged with theft and assault during an alleged incident at Frewville Foodland on December 15 last year.

Opening the trial, police prosecutor Sergeant Brendon Beh said Senator Fisher allegedly left the store after only paying $7.50 for $92 worth of groceries. It was alleged she assaulted a store security guard, Cathryn Groot, who confronted her in the supermarket's car park after she was questioned inside the store by management. Senator Fisher allegedly pushed Ms Groot away and shut the driver's door of her car on Ms Groot's arm several times.

Sgt Beh told the court that Ms Groot was the prosecution's key eyewitness because CCTV footage of the incident had been erased and would not be tendered as evidence. Sgt Beh said a representative for Senator Fisher attended the Foodland premises soon after the alleged incident and viewed the footage with the store manager. When police later asked for the footage their attempts were "frustrated" before they were told the vision no longer existed, he said. "There was a reasonably timely request by police but they were unable to secure the CCTV footage which we know existed and we know was viewed by one or two members of the Chapley Group (which owns Frewville Foodland) and one person acting for Ms Fisher," Sgt Beh said.

"A person acting for Ms Fisher (subsequently) approached the Chapley Group and it was that approach that ultimately led to (them) not pursuing those two charges (shoplifting and assault)." Sgt Beh said Ms Groot and the Chapley Group had filed documents with police two days after the alleged event stating they did not wish to proceed with the shoplifting and assault charges. He said Ms Groot had "always wanted to pursue the charges" but reluctantly filled out the documents "under instruction".

When Magistrate Kym Boxall asked if Sgt Beh was suggesting that there was some attempt to affect the course of justice, he replied: "I wouldn't put it that highly".

[straight talker]

so what are you saying fish that evidence is gone and there are no charges?? Bit like some of the documents that the unions have failed to hand over in the thomson case?

[dedja]

This person is a genius compared to you ...

[straight talker]

and you are a W ANCHOR. Geez stig that was around 20 years ago give us something new will you for gods sake!

[dedja]

[straight talker]

thats better if you had of painted the person asking the question hair red and put the big bum and thighs on there it could of been juliar getting told off by the high court judge for being incompetent AGAIN!!

[dedja]

I'll leave you with this one ... I'll come back to check in a couple of hours

[straight talker]

give that to juliar and bowen!!!

[mick]

I agree with that, it makes both moral and economic sense, but it won't happen - it is electoral suicide as Labor's blue collar/unskilled supporters don't want asylum seekers here.

Even so, mainstream Australia does not want to shut out boat people. Except in the wild panic whipped up over the Tampa, most Australians have thought it best to allow most of them to land here. Clear from polls going back to the late 1970s, this view was confirmed last week in a Nielsen poll that showed 53 per cent of us believe boat people should have their claims for refugee protection processed here. But the everlasting politics of the boats does not play to that constituency. What counts, and always has done, are those who most fear the boats. Polls over the years suggest they comprise only about a third of us, but a crucial third. They live in marginal seats and their passion about the boats makes them ready to swap sides. Who is the best to handle the boats, is a crucial political question.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/allout-a ... 1j4sg.html

Unfortunately for both major parties, that 47% against makes a sensible policy impossible as it will result in electoral disaster.

[Bat Pad]

I think the majority of the electorate don't see asylum seekers as a make or break issue, much like gay marriage.

They are in favour of them/it, but when it comes down to voting, and they have to choose between a party (most people vote for parties, not candidates) that is for example pro gay marriage, but is seen in their eyes as poor economic managers , against a party against gay marriage but good economic managers, even though the voter is for gay marriage, economic management is their make or break issue. And therefore, they vote against the pro gay marriage party.

Hence why 60%+ of the electorate are pro gay marriage (or at least not against it), yet the Greens who are the only pro gay marriage major party only received 14% of the primary vote.

I believe the same logic can be applied to the way asylum seekers are processed, and how the elections pan out.

X2

If that is the case, the Labor Party should romp in in the next election. Australia, for the first time in history, is the best performing economy in the western world.

This is politics, not reality.

The Coalition are perceived as better economic managers, so if the election is focussed on the economy, they will win. Regardless of the state the economy is in.

[fish]

The latest on Fruit-and-veg-gate

IT was supposed to be about stolen bananas, lychees and blueberries.

Instead, the first day of Liberal Senator Mary Jo Fisher's shoplifting and assault trial revolved around wiped videotapes, the conduct of a security guard and alleged interference in the investigation.

Police prosecutors told the Adelaide Magistrates Court that Frewville Foodland asked two charges be dropped following "an approach" from a person acting for Senator Fisher. The atypical evidence left Magistrate Kym Boxall questioning the nature of the case before him.

Opening the trial, prosecutor Brendon Beh said Senator Fisher paid for cartons of long-life milk and some other items, but not the fresh produce. He said she was approached in the carpark by security officer Cathryn Groot, who works for Enforce Security.

He said that, after an interview inside the store, Senator Fisher went back outside saying she "needed fresh air". "Ms Groot tried to block Fisher from entering her vehicle. However, Fisher pushed Ms Groot out of the way," he said. "Fisher pushed her in the stomach region (and) tried to close her driver's side door several times, which caused the car door to strike Ms Groot in the arm."

Sergeant Beh said CCTV footage of the alleged incident could not be tendered because it no longer existed.

[Sky Pilot]

I don't consciously vote for my Federal or State member in elections. Sure, I put a tick next to their names but they are both gooses. I HAVE to tick them in order to vote for my party of choice. Stupid system.