Aus Federal Politics thread (V)

[Mick Sawyer]

The 9% is capped at around $130k. .

It tops out at $175,280 in the current income year.

So $130K/0.09 = $1.45M per annum income minimum? If this is correct, all the very best of luck to you, Mr Mao, but FFS don't lecture me about a privileged Super tax deal. And you have "basically no" Super?? Fark me rone, and farken bullshit. You Investment bankers are out of touch with reality. And you line yourself up with the famous Pinko battler families?? That'll do me.

The $175 is the income number. SGC is a concessional contribution.

[skully]

Ah, cheers Mick. So once your hit $175K your annual employer contribution is capped, yes?

I have wondered many times about those earning enough to have a 9% employer contribution of more than $25K, but you're saying that literally can't happen?

[JGK]

{Waiting for an apology for skully's "that will do me" rant}

[JGK]

Meanwhile, Bob Carr kicks the Syrian diplomats out of Australia.

[Mick Sawyer]

Ah, cheers Mick. So once your hit $175K your annual employer contribution is capped, yes?

I have wondered many times about those earning enough to have a 9% employer contribution of more than $25K, but you're saying that literally can't happen?

It's actually determined quarterley, but yeah the $175k p.a. is the upper limit on which an employer is required to pay 9% SGC.

[skully]

{Waiting for an apology for skully's "that will do me" rant}

Sorry dude. I did ask the question but didn't get an answer about the total annual Super contribution (prior to the "rant"). Mick was good enough to steer me straight.

My mistake. Still, you probably earn considerably more than me so I find it hard to believe you have "basically no" Super in your account.

[bodyline]

The Great One imparts his wonderous knowledge:



Regrets, he's had a few, but former Australian prime minister John Howard has told a British audience he is generally happy with his performance in the top job.

Accompanied by wife Janette, but without his trademark spectacles, the 72-year-old admitted, "I'm a little bit deaf" as he took questions from a keen gathering at Britain's Oxford Union on Tuesday.

"When I look back I think that most of the things I wanted to do, I got done," Mr Howard told a crowd of more than 150, many of whom were Australians studying at Oxford University.

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"Obviously if I had my time again I might have got rid of the no disadvantages test in Work Choices. There were some individual things like that."

However, Mr Howard denied that his workplace reform was responsible for his demise at the polls in 2007.

"Many people say that the reason we lost the 2007 election was Work Choices. I don't share that view. I think the reason we lost in 2007 was that people just wanted a change, and that happens in society."

Addressing an audience of which a majority had not reached voting age during his time in office, Mr Howard received standing applause on his entry to the Union's chapel.

Following a brief introduction, Mr Howard answered questions on his time in office; Australia's diplomatic relations; Australia's involvement in Iraq; the future of the Euro currency; asylum seekers and Australia's indigenous population.

As he left, audience members surged towards Mr Howard, wanting a photo with the one-time prime minister.

"Independent of your political feelings it is commonly understood that John Howard was a long serving and very significant person in Australian politics," Oxford University Australia New Zealand Society president David Llewellyn said by way of justifying the large attendance at Tuesday's address.

"I was hoping there would be a bit more fire in the questions, not to see him sweat, but he's definitely had a career of answering tough questions and I was hoping to see that in action."


Read more: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/opinion/political-news/john-howard-admits-to-a-few-regrets-20120530-1zhzq.html#ixzz1wIucyAgU

[horace]

I wonder whether ljh is over there lobbying for some sinecure

...as compensation for not being able to named Lord of the Sunken Ports which which the English Queen made Pig Iron Bob

[bodyline]

I wonder whether ljh is over there lobbying for some sinecure

...as compensation for not being able to named Lord of the Sunken Ports which which the English Queen made Pig Iron Bob

You forget he was awarded the Order of Merit.

[bodyline]

Oi Ponts - I went to a talk at the US Studies Centre last night where the Great Man (for skully's benefit, that is Paul Keating) spoke for an hour and half particularly on geo- and regional politics both in the time he was PM up to now. Paul Kelly (The Australian one) was the interviewer.

At one stage he was asked "what is your greatest regret" to which he replied "not being in government for longer" to which called out "that's ours too".

What frock was he wearing?

[horace]

I wonder whether ljh is over there lobbying for some sinecure

...as compensation for not being able to named Lord of the Sunken Ports which which the English Queen made Pig Iron Bob

You forget he was awarded the Order of Merit.

ROFL...was that for tying his own shoes in the cubs or the scouts?

[bodyline]

I wonder whether ljh is over there lobbying for some sinecure

...as compensation for not being able to named Lord of the Sunken Ports which which the English Queen made Pig Iron Bob

You forget he was awarded the Order of Merit.

ROFL...was that for tying his own shoes in the cubs or the scouts?

My point was the Queen has already "honoured" him.

[horace]

gross

[JGK]

{Waiting for an apology for skully's "that will do me" rant}

Sorry dude. I did ask the question but didn't get an answer about the total annual Super contribution (prior to the "rant"). Mick was good enough to steer me straight.

My mistake. Still, you probably earn considerably more than me so I find it hard to believe you have "basically no" Super in your account.

I'm not as old as you and l lived overseas for some time. I've also never made additional contributions.

[bodyline]

I think the forum should chip in and get Horrie a ticket to see LJH next time he graces Melbourne. No doubt Horrie will find an enlightenment and inner peace - and he will be able to move on and forward to a new political spiritual high.

[horace]

I think the forum should chip in and get Horrie a ticket to see LJH next time he graces Melbourne. No doubt Horrie will find an enlightenment and inner peace - and he will be able to move on and forward to a new political spiritual high.

...phurt...that said there is greater likelihood of me getting admission to sneer at ljh than to any similar event for gillard...the latter's minders would not let me in

[skully]

{Waiting for an apology for skully's "that will do me" rant}

Sorry dude. I did ask the question but didn't get an answer about the total annual Super contribution (prior to the "rant"). Mick was good enough to steer me straight.

My mistake. Still, you probably earn considerably more than me so I find it hard to believe you have "basically no" Super in your account.

I'm not as old as you and l lived overseas for some time. I've also never made additional contributions.

Is that a principle thing? I find it odd that a man who is employed to look for tax loopholes and tax-dodge schemes would fail to take advantage of a legal tax break. You pinkos are weird.

[skully]

And it looks like the Newspoll announced yesty that clowns like Emerson crowed about was taken in Mt Pinko West in each capital city.

The latest Morgan Poll is out and shows the Vulture's crew bleeding further with the electorate.

"In the latest Morgan Poll L-NP support is 61.5% (up 3.5% since last week’s face-to-face Morgan Poll) compared to the ALP’s 38.5% (down 3.5%) on a two-party preferred basis according to a face-to-face Morgan Poll conducted last weekend, May 26/27, 2012. This is a record two-party preferred lead for the L-NP in over 70 years of the Morgan Poll based on how electors said they’d vote.

Today’s face-to-face Morgan Poll shows the L-NP primary vote is 49% (up 3.5%) well ahead of the ALP 27.5% (down 4.5%). Support for the minor parties shows the Greens 13% (up 2.5%) and Independents/ Others 10.5% (down 1.5%).

If a Federal election were held today the L-NP would win easily according to today’s Morgan Poll."

Further...

"Gary Morgan says:

“Today’s face-to-face Morgan Poll shows a record two-party preferred lead for the L-NP (61.5%) cf. ALP (38.5%) after former Labor MP Craig Thomson addressed Parliament last week to deny any wrongdoing while Secretary of the Health Services Union (HSU)."

“Despite Thomson’s denials, doubts about his story have been expressed by all sides of politics and seized upon by the Opposition to raise questions about the legitimacy of the Gillard Government."

“Given the ongoing saga involving Thomson and Fair Work Australia, it is no surprise today’s Morgan Poll shows the L-NP with a record high-share of the two-party preferred vote. The highest L-NP share of the vote in over 70 years of the Morgan Poll — today’s Newspoll showing a swing to the ALP is simply unbelievable.”

Electors were asked: “If a Federal Election for the House of Representatives were held today — which party would receive your first preference?”

------------------------------

So have the Pinkos started sponsoring Newspoll to get some dodgy numbers in the nooz?

[skully]

And I see Thomo voted against the Govt on a procedural matter (re: gagging of Smiling Joe over debate about the increase of Aus's debt ceiling to a whopping $300 Billion - farken Pinkos - living beyond OUR means). The Pine-scented Poodle had to dash madly from Parliament to ensure the HSU grub's vote didn't count. I bet the Vulture spewed, missing the opportunity to take the moral high ground over Thomo's tainted vote.

Well played Libs.

[skully]

And I see this thread is getting close to spitting into v5.

[JGK]

{Waiting for an apology for skully's "that will do me" rant}

Sorry dude. I did ask the question but didn't get an answer about the total annual Super contribution (prior to the "rant"). Mick was good enough to steer me straight.

My mistake. Still, you probably earn considerably more than me so I find it hard to believe you have "basically no" Super in your account.

I'm not as old as you and l lived overseas for some time. I've also never made additional contributions.

Is that a principle thing? I find it odd that a man who is employed to look for tax loopholes and tax-dodge schemes would fail to take advantage of a legal tax break. You pinkos are weird.

I had more use for the money now than in 30 to 40 years.

[bodyline]

The way things are going - we'll have 100% our troops fighting overseas and end up being either overrun by boat people or invaded by Unzud.




Foreign Affairs Minister Bob Carr says he is open to discussions about military intervention in Syria but said it would need to be discussed “very thoroughly” and that there were significant logistical and political hurdles before intervening in the war torn country.

Senator Carr said that the Syrian regime had considerable ground-to-air missile defences, which would make it very hard to enforce a no-fly zone.

“They have an army hugely more powerful than that of Libya,” Senator Carr told reporters in Canberra this morning.

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"This is the most effective way we've got of sending a message of revulsion at what has happened in Syria" .... Foreign Affairs Minister, Bob Carr. Photo: Penny Bradfield

The Foreign Minister said that the lack of unity in the Syrian opposition was also a “major consideration” before launching any military action. “We’ll talk about it but you would need unanimity in the [UN] Security Council for that took take place,” he said.

Yesterday, Australia took its part in an international diplomatic offensive against Syria to protest against the regime’s brutal crackdown on civilians, delivering a 72-hour ultimatum for the country’s top envoy to leave Canberra.

The rare move to cut official ties follows the worst violence in the year-long conflict, after more than 100 civilians - including women and children - were massacred when government troops shelled the city of Houla.

Senator Carr said today that Australia wanted to see a ceasefire in Syria and political dialogue between the warring parties "rather than slaughter".

But when asked if he thought there was a moral inconsistency between the strong international responses to Libya – which saw NATO intervene last year - and the current approach to Syria, Senator Carr said: “I’m not saying there aren’t contradictions.”

The Syrian embassy in Canberra was empty last night with a police guard outside after the expulsion order was delivered late in the afternoon.


Some staff will be allowed to remain in Australia and Senator Carr said that Australia was not considering shutting down the embassy altogether.

“I don’t think that would convey a message stronger than the one we have already conveyed,” he said, adding there may be an advantage to keeping it open.

Senator Carr, spoke to his British counterpart, William Hague, last night to confirm Australia had ordered the Syrian chargé´ d’affaires, Jawdat Ali, to leave.

France, Germany, Britain, Italy, Spain and Canada all said Syrian diplomats were being told to leave last night. The US was expected to expel its ambassador.

’’Australians have seen the bodies in Houla and they’re appalled,’’ Senator Carr said.

’’Appalled that a regime could connive in or organise the execution, the killing, of men, women and children.’’

The decision to expel Syria’s two diplomats in Canberra is the strongest measure Australia can take, with no embassy in Damascus to withdraw Australia’s representative in return. But the move also amounts to a concession international action against the regime in the United Nations has ground to a standstill, with Russia’s veto in the Security Council a block to stronger measures.

The UN special envoy, Kofi Annan, met the Syrian ruler, Bashar al-Assad, in Damascus yesterday to revive a peace plan.

Mr Annan called on ’’every individual with a gun’’ to lay down arms to stop the killing.
The deaths of 116 people on Friday shattered a month-long ceasefire that had barely held.

But Russia has made it clear it will not support any foreign military intervention in the conflict.
Western countries have instead moved to further isolate the regime. ’’This is the most effective way we’ve got of sending a message of revulsion at what has happened in Syria,’’ Senator Carr said.

’’The message [is] the Syrian government should implement the ceasefire that has been called for by Kofi Annan and the Security Council, and beyond that give effect to a political settlement.’’

The opposition backed the move, with its foreign affairs spokeswoman, Julie Bishop, saying ’’it is clear that the Assad regime has abandoned any pretence at honouring its commitments to a halt in military action’’.

The Syrian embassy in Canberra was stormed in February by about 30 men who forced their way in while staff huddled in a back room.

The uprising in Syria has followed a similar wave of protests against despots across the Middle East that led to dictators being toppled in Tunisia and Egypt, along with ongoing protests in Bahrain.
The former foreign affairs minister Kevin Rudd had taken a strong stance against brutality by the Syrian regime, calling last April for Mr Assad to be indicted by the International Criminal Court for human rights abuses.

Mr Rudd had extended the protest last August by refusing to accept the nomination of a new Syrian ambassador to Australia.

Yesterday’s expulsion of a top envoy was the first since the ambassador from Iraq was ejected in 2003 during the Iraq war.

Senator Carr had summoned Mr Ali for a dressing down yesterday over the massacre but had been in talks with Britain since the weekend over expelling the diplomats.

The United States also remains opposed to military action.

Yesterday Pentagon spokesman George Little said: "The focus remains on the diplomatic and economic track."




Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/military-intervention-in-syria-an-option-carr-20120529-1zhgw.html#ixzz1wJrG2Udp

[JGK]

Mr Thomson taunted Mr Abbott, saying he should cross the floor and sit on the Labor side "if he is truly negating my vote".

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/opinion/political-news/abbott-flees-as-thomson-votes-with-coalition-20120530-1zi79.html#ixzz1wJsdKffd

[bodyline]

Let's see how smart Thomo is when he's someone's jail bitch in Club Fed.

[JGK]

Thomo is never going to be guilty of any criminal offence.

Interestingly, there are stories that Chris Pyne was very recently seen to have coffee with Kathy Jackson and her hubby Michael Lawler. You'd think after the Ashby fiasco he'd keep his head down.

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