Re: Aus Federal Politics thread (XII)

[JGK]

Bowen? No chance.

Wong? Maybe.

 Bowen was the fill in leader after the last election with Albo and Shortarse were going at it. 

He's a moderate which is what they need. 

Wong is in the Senate so can't be the leader.

[skully]

Bowen?? PMSL. What a weak chinned crybaby. Only Richard Marles looks more likely to burst into tears at any moment than Chris Bowen. Bring him on.

It'll be Albo, but I reckon Plebiscite could ably fill the role the new Vulture.

[lardbucket]

Bill Shorten is 'a dead man walking'. (LINK)

If the ALP are going to get rid of him before the next election, through a coup or a staged resignation, what's the best time to do it? Probably about 3 months before an election, you'd think, a time that leaves the incumbents little opportunity of laying a glove on the new leader before the election is held (this worked for Rudd in 2007). With this in mound, it probably means we are due an early election, and a short election campaign when the election campaign, as the Libs will endeavour to stop this happening.

Does anyone know how soon and how late the election can be held?

[JGK]

The govt already has a couple of DD triggers so it could be soon.  I don't think they'll want a DD though because the Senate would still be rooted. 

Either way, it would be a brave call to go early when you have been 52-48 behind in the polls for a year.

[lardbucket]

I think they know they're screwed if they wait until the scheduled election and face a 'honeymooning' new ALP leader or a rehabilitated Shorten; they might have a chance if they go while Shorten is still floundering around in the job like Shane Watson.

[JGK]

Would still be brave.   But you are right.  If they wait, the economy is only going to be more farked.

[Paul Keating]

Tony Burke as a dark horse to replace Shorten.

Abbott is a chance to be re-elected if Shorten survives.

[lardbucket]

Tony Burke is too flaky ... very well demonstrated in the recent Julia v Kevin documentary.

[Paul Keating]

Tony Burke is too flaky ... very well demonstrated in the recent Julia v Kevin documentary.

True. And I don't think Burke did himself any favours in early 2013 when he was part of an orchestrated attack on Rudd publicly calling him a pyschopath.

But this is the ALP and they do strange things. It would not surprise me if they went to Burke.

[lardbucket]

Burke would be as bad a call as Downer or Latham.

[JGK]

Would still be brave.   But you are right.  If they wait, the economy is only going to be more farked.

Now I'm worried - John Hewson made this exact point last night on QnA.

[JGK]

In memory of Woody


Bronny in a bit of hot water today for spending 5 grand on a 75km charter flight from Melbourne to Geelong.

Given her resemblance to the old guy in Up, she should have taken hot air balloon instead:

[skully]

In memory of Woody

Given her resemblance to the old guy in Up, she should have taken hot air balloon instead:

Heh, noice.

[Blackadder]

[lardbucket]

What could possibly cost $5000 for 150 km?

Latest Stealth Fighter?

[JGK]

What could possibly cost $5000 for 150 km?

Latest Stealth Fighter?

Sounds like she kept the meter running while she was at the function.

[Bradman]

What could possibly cost $5000 for 150 km?

Latest Stealth Fighter?

Sounds like she kept the meter running while she was at the function.

That would be the only way to explain it. Be interesting to note if they have a rule about what they can't travel in. A single engine lightish plane wouldn't come to anywhere near a $1000 bucks an hour when it's in the air.

[embee]

return helicopter trip

she is paying it back even though it is apparently* within guidelines

sounds like the guidelines need an overhaul

[Bradman]

return helicopter trip

she is paying it back even though it is apparently* within guidelines

sounds like the guidelines need an overhaul

I wonder if they'll all get sick and tired of hearing it before we get sick and tired of saying it.

[JGK]

Poor Bronny.  She's been under a bit of pressure over this.  Luckily she still has time to take the dog for a walk.

Spoiler:

[JGK]

[JGK]

From the CDL thread:

Abbott government MP Don Randall found dead
Date
July 21, 2015 - 6:49PM
James Massola

West Australian Liberal MP Don Randall has been found dead.

Mr Randall first entered Parliament when the Coalition assumed power in 1996, as the Member for Swan.

After losing his seat in 1998, he was re-elected in 2001 as the Member for Canning, the electorate he has represented since.

He made headlines in February this year as one of two MPs who moved the motion for a leadership spill against Prime Minister Tony Abbott.

Born in in rural Merredin in 1953, he worked as a teacher, local councillor, horse trainer and consultant before entering Parliament. He had also held various offices in the WA Liberal Party.

Mr Randall held several junior shadow ministerial positions after the defeat of the Howard government in 2007, including parliamentary secretary for energy and resources, roads and transport and local government between 2007 and 2013.

Over the years, Mr Randall developed a reputation as an outspoken MP who was willing to make controversial statements and speak his mind on a range of issues.

After the election of the Abbott government, he endured a torrid time over his misuse of parliamentary expenses. Mr Randall came under fire for billing taxpayers more than $5000 to fly business class from Perth to Cairns with his wife, which included a visit to an investment property.

In his maiden speech to the House of Representatives, Mr Randall spoke of his admiration for "a nation where people who are willing to make sacrifices can succeed".

"The worst thing that could happen to Australians is if they begin to believe, to quote the former prime minister, that 'this is as good as it gets'. Very rarely do we reach that point where there is no more to strive for, that all has been achieved."

More to come



Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/abbott-government-mp-don-randall-found-dead-20150721-gihgds.html#ixzz3gVyRdan4

[JGK]

Awkward juxtaposition on the SMH site at the moment.

There is an article about Don Randall, who rorted travel entitlements a couple of years ago and who earlier this year organised the spill motion against Abbott, being found dead.

And another next to it about Abbott giving Bronny, in trouble for rorting travel entitlements, "a blunt warning".

[JGK]

Awkward juxtaposition on the SMH site at the moment.

There is an article about Don Randall, who rorted travel entitlements a couple of years ago and who earlier this year organised the spill motion against Abbott,  being found dead.

And another next to it about Abbott giving Bronny, in trouble for rorting travel entitlements, "a blunt warning".

[skully]

RIP to Randall. Sounds like a heart attack at the wheel while on electoral duty. 62 is way too young to peg out.

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