Re: Aus Federal Politics thread (XI)

[Bradman]

More interesting was the "people swap" assertions.

[JGK]

More interesting was the "people swap" assertions.

All denied. I reckon the Indos are telling porkies on that one.

[Bradman]

Probably an "on water" no-no.

[JGK]

In anticipation of "The Great Man speaks to Red Kez Part I" tonight:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-11-12/the-collected-insults-of-paul-keating/5071412

[JGK]

C'mon, even the Tories have to love this one:

It was the limpest performance I have ever seen ... it was like being flogged with a warm lettuce. It was like being mauled by a dead sheep.

Paul Keating on John Hewson's debating skills

[Bradman]

Looking forward to it. Though a high;ights tape would probably suffice for entertainment.

[embee]

   

Kevin Rudd has announced he is quitting parliament.

He said there came a time in every politician's life when their family said "enough is enough".

The former prime minister and foreign minister said he would not be continuing beyond this week.

He said the slings and arrows of parliament "hit home to our families as well".

"For our family, recent statements since the September election have been particularly hurtful," Mr Rudd said.

"As parliamentarians you might say we become inured to all of this, although I doubt it."

He paused several times to compose himself, though at one stage joked he could use some gin, prompting laughs.

First elected as MP for Griffith in 1998, Rudd became prime minister in 2007, defeating John Howard.

But his time as prime minister came to an abrupt end in June 2010 when he was dumped by his party in favour of Julia Gillard.

Rudd reclaimed the job of prime minister in June this year when he defeated Ms Gillard in a party-room showdown.

But he went on to lose the September 7 election to Tony Abbott.

Mr Rudd thanked the "good burghers of Griffith", saying they were a good people and community.

"The decision that I have made has not been taken lightly, particularly given the big attachment I have for the community I proudly represented in this place these past 15 years," he said.

He also thanked the people of Australia for electing him as their prime minister.

"To have served as prime minister of Australia has been a great honour afforded to very few in our country's history," he said.

"For the future I wish the prime minister and this government well. I do that because I wish Australia well.

"The prime ministership of this Commonwealth is not easy; it is the hardest job in the land.

"The expectations of whoever holds the office are infinite while the resources available are finite."

He also wished Opposition Leader Bill Shorten all the best in that role.

MORE TO COME

[horace]

public life is the richer for his departure

[Bradman]

public life is the richer for his departure

The ALP certainly is in the long term. In the short term they may lose another seat. Not that it really matters except in the morale dept.

[G.Wood]

There was an ABC journo on the wireless this morning expressing surprise that the better farewell speeches were from the Tories. errr they were the ones least pleased to see him go

[skully]

Good riddance to the most hateful little rat farker ever to grace the halls of Fed Parliament. A sleazy grandstanding qunt to the very end. Little surprise that he lied that he'd be around for another 3 years - he lasted until the time he always intended - the opening day of Parliament.

For a soulless grub of an egomaniac, he sure can squeeze out the odd tear.

[horace]

self pity...not unlike the lying little rodent...

meanwhile in a lesson to BronnyB, the Speaker of the Vic parliament has suspended today's sitting because of a successful no confidence motion in the Chair

[Bradman]

There was an ABC journo on the wireless this morning expressing surprise that the better farewell speeches were from the Tories.   errr they were the ones least pleased to see him go

Most caught by surprise. Abbott, in a replay of his speech when Obama visited, couldn't resist a barb or two though.

[horace]

watched abc early this am...and saw that 'scata' BronnyB escorted to the speakers chair by the poodle and the Mad Monk...a pure filth moment in the benighted history of this forlorn country...

Scott Morrison, the unfortunate Minister for "stop the boats", disgraced himeslf in Parliament several times...could not answer one question because the answer was 'not in my folder' ... it would also appear that not one Indo fishing boat has been bought

Lap-band jo could not explain why an increase in the debt ceiling needed to be raised

The Mad Monk as opposed to David Cameron, has avoided any semblance of criticism of the lankans for war and post war crimes against the Tamils...to help the Lankans out he has given them 2 gun boats

The MM also cited CSIRO - which he has cut and is preparing to sell - advice that we should not single extreme weather events such as the typhoon that devestated the Phillipines as proving one way or another the impact of climate change.

The Mad Monk further distinguished himself with a defence of what-a-card Pell. The MM claimed thyat p-ell was the first to speak out and take action against rapist priests and protect victims...a lie...

meanwhile Shortstuff - who must surely be related to the bnlg or Chris Munce or more likely RD - completely failed to make a dent...woe is this joint, now that finally the joint has got the filthy govt and opposition it deserves

[skully]

What a whining pack of sooks and Dr. No merchants the Pinkos are already. Oh wait, they are the Opposition - it's their job.

Still, that whiny Plebiscite bitch deserves a good head butt. And Tony Burke is just pathetic. Electricity Bill Shorten is a non-entity. At least Albo would've been entertaining.

[G.Wood]

What a whining pack of sooks and Dr. No merchants the Pinkos are already. Oh wait, they are the Opposition - it's their job.

Still, that whiny Plebiscite bitch deserves a good head butt. And Tony Burke is just pathetic. Electricity Bill Shorten is a non-entity. At least Albo would've been entertaining.

Aye, it doesn't sit well with his born to rule mentality

[Bradman]

watched abc early this am...and saw that 'scata' BronnyB escorted to the speakers chair by the poodle and the Mad Monk...a pure filth moment in the benighted history of this forlorn country...

Scott Morrison, the unfortunate Minister for "stop the boats", disgraced himeslf in Parliament several times...could not answer one question because the answer was 'not in my folder' ... it would also appear that not one Indo fishing boat has been bought

Lap-band jo could not explain why an increase in the debt ceiling needed to be raised

The Mad Monk as opposed to David Cameron, has avoided any semblance of criticism of the lankans for war and post war crimes against the Tamils...to help the Lankans out he has given them 2 gun boats

The MM also cited CSIRO - which he has cut and is preparing to sell - advice that we should not single extreme weather events such as the typhoon that devestated the Phillipines as proving one way or another the impact of climate change.

The Mad Monk further distinguished himself with a defence of what-a-card Pell. The MM claimed thyat p-ell was the first to speak out and take action against rapist priests and protect victims...a lie...

meanwhile Shortstuff - who must surely be related to the bnlg or Chris Munce or more likely RD - completely failed to make a dent...woe is this joint, now that finally the joint has got the filthy govt and opposition it deserves

That may come back to haunt him, Pell wasn't even dissembling before that inquiry. He was lying his arse off. Can't wait to see him before the RC and for someone to grow balls and charge the prick.

[Bradman]

watched abc early this am...and saw that 'scata' BronnyB escorted to the speakers chair by the poodle and the Mad Monk...a pure filth moment in the benighted history of this forlorn country...

Scott Morrison, the unfortunate Minister for "stop the boats", disgraced himeslf in Parliament several times...could not answer one question because the answer was 'not in my folder' ... it would also appear that not one Indo fishing boat has been bought

Lap-band jo could not explain why an increase in the debt ceiling needed to be raised

The Mad Monk as opposed to David Cameron, has avoided any semblance of criticism of the lankans for war and post war crimes against the Tamils...to help the Lankans out he has given them 2 gun boats

The MM also cited CSIRO - which he has cut and is preparing to sell - advice that we should not single extreme weather events such as the typhoon that devestated the Phillipines as proving one way or another the impact of climate change.

The Mad Monk further distinguished himself with a defence of what-a-card Pell. The MM claimed thyat p-ell was the first to speak out and take action against rapist priests and protect victims...a lie...

meanwhile Shortstuff - who must surely be related to the bnlg or Chris Munce or more likely RD - completely failed to make a dent...woe is this joint, now that finally the joint has got the filthy govt and opposition it deserves

That may come back to haunt him, Pell wasn't even dissembling before that inquiry. He was lying his arse off. Can't wait to see him before the RC and for someone to grow balls and charge the prick.

[JGK]

So Horrie - no comment on the Chinese relaxing their one child policy?

[Bradman]

He's probably more worried about Tony's "more children means more money for rich people policy""

[horace]

So Horrie - no comment on the Chinese relaxing their one child policy?

I am absolutely appalled that the one brief moment in recent human history where there was progress has come to an end....

[JGK]

So while Tony Abbott "deplores the use of torture we accept that sometimes in difficult circumstances difficult things happen" so here have a couple of warships.

[horace]

So while Tony Abbott "deplores the use of torture we accept that sometimes in difficult circumstances difficult things happen" so here have a couple of warships.

yep I saw that too...this is what this country has come to

[Big Dog]

So while Tony Abbott "deplores the use of torture we accept that sometimes in difficult circumstances difficult things happen" so here have a couple of warships.

Nothing wrong with that. The war has ended therefore there ARE no asylum seekers in Sri Lanka......just economic opportunists. As an astute columnist in the local rag recently pointed out, Australia is a sovereign country, not a registered charity.

[JGK]

So while Tony Abbott "deplores the use of torture we accept that sometimes in difficult circumstances difficult things happen" so here have a couple of warships.

Nothing wrong with that. The war has ended therefore there ARE no asylum seekers in Sri Lanka......just economic opportunists. As an astute columnist in the local rag recently pointed out, Australia is a sovereign country, not a registered charity.

I know that you are talking from your extensive experience of Sri Lanka and the plight of the Tamils in particular so I won't try to argue with you. The only thing I'd note is that freedom from torture is seen as an absolute right by the Australian government:

Certain rights, however, are non-derogable, that is, they cannot be suspended even in a state of emergency. Article 4(2) of the ICCPR provides that no derogation is permitted for:

right to life (art 6)
freedom from torture or cruel, inhuman and degrading treatment or punishment; and freedom from medical or scientific experimentation without consent (art 7)
freedom from slavery and servitude (arts 8(1) and (2))

http://www.ag.gov.au/RightsAndProtections/HumanRights/PublicSectorGuidanceSheets/Pages/Absoluterights.aspx

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