Australian Federal Election 24 November 2007

2456710

Comments

  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    NoK wrote:
    PM John Howard words of wisdom:

    "If you change the government, you do change the country"

    "There's no such thing as changing the government without changing the circumstances of the country. It's not like a Christmas present you didn't want and you can take it back at the Boxing Day sale."

    All these facts are too much for me to handle.. I think i should vote liberal! :p

    um yeah johnny that's the idea. pfft. :rolleyes:
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  • NoKNoK Posts: 824
    Scubascott wrote:
    This is one issue that pisses me off enourmously.

    I was extremely dissapointed to see that Labor does not mention the words science or research on its list of policies. Even under education there is no mention of research funding. . .

    Australia is in a position to make itself a world leader in science and technology. Instead of blowing billions on tax breaks to buy votes why can't we INVEST in building our research capacity? The world is going to be crying out for new energy technologies in the coming years, so rather than flogging coal to China why don't we lead the way in developing sustainable alternatives, and build our economy on selling great ideas? The libs record for research funding and supporting universities is abysmal. I was hoping labor might give a shit. Apparently not.

    I guess its easier to just dig a fucking hole in the ground and sell the contents.

    I'm not sure if you are talking about science and research in general or research with respect to climate change. For the former, even though the changes are not enough and there should be more I think Labor has already put forward greater funding to universities and schools. Judging by how universities function there should be a roll-over of funds and an increase in research funding. For the latter, I think having greens kicking their butt and having Peter Garrett as your environmental spokesman will definitely change the amount of research funding going into climate change.

    But these are mainly my opinions. I could be speaking absolute nonsense.
  • NoKNoK Posts: 824
    um yeah johnny that's the idea. pfft. :rolleyes:

    But.. but.. its gonna change the country :eek: :confused:
  • NoKNoK Posts: 824
    How can people still vote for this shit... its absolutely pathetic


    http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=327460

    Lib volunteers sacked over Muslim flyers
    Thursday Nov 22 00:04 AEDT

    The Australian Electoral Commission has been asked to investigate whether Liberal Party members acted illegally by handing out leaflets designed to appeal to anti-Muslim sentiments.

    Labor has alleged the husband of retiring Liberal MP Jackie Kelly, Gary Clark, was involved in the scandal, along with a member of the Liberal Party's NSW executive Jeff Egan.

    A group of Liberal Party supporters has been kicked off the campaign for handing out flyers purporting to be from an Islamic group calling on people to vote Labor in western Sydney.

    Two of the group who were Liberal Party members have been kicked out of the party.

    Labor has written to the electoral commission asking it to investigate, and refer the matter to police if necessary.

    The Labor Party's complaint names Mr Clark and Mr Egan, the opposition's campaign spokeswoman Penny Wong said.

    "That is my understanding," she told ABC TV.

    "This is scandalous. The Labor Party has written to the electoral commission asking them to investigate what we think is a clear breach of our electoral laws. And more importantly, or as importantly, we've also asked them to consider whether the matter should be referred to state or federal police."

    Senator Wong said it appeared people who were "very senior" within the NSW division of the Liberal Party were involved.

    "(Prime Minister John) Howard tomorrow at the press club should front up and disclose all that he knows and all that the Liberal Party knew about this scandalous affair."

    She said Mr Howard should disclose who printed the leaflet, how it was distributed, any knowledge Liberal Party headquarters had of the events, and whether any public funds were used.

    But Vocational and Further Education Minister Andrew Robb said Senator Wong's comments were offensive.

    "This is absolutely and quite inappropriately offensive, what Penny has said," he told ABC television.

    "To try to implicate senior members of the party with this piece of literature - which I understand was amateur in the extreme and offensive - and to suggest it's part of an orchestrated campaign is offensive in the extreme. Penny should apologise."

    Mr Robb said he did not know the names of the people involved.

    He said the party had taken swift action to demonstrate the actions were unacceptable.

    "To the party it's offensive, it's very inappropriate," he said.

    "It was in no way authorised, there was no knowledge of this. This is something that's been constructed and carried out at a local level amongst a number of individuals.

    "They have been appropriately dealt with and that's the end of the matter as far as I am concerned."

    But Mr Robb said it was appropriate for the electoral commission to investigate.

    "The authority should look at any misdemeanours that's been caused here, if that's the case," he said.

    "People are accountable for their actions."

    Liberal Party NSW director Graham Jaeschke earlier said he became aware of the incident at St Marys in the marginal Sydney seat of Lindsay on Tuesday night, after Labor members raised the alert.

    Four or five people were involved in the incident, two of whom were Liberal Party members.

    "They were trying to distribute a flyer that purported to come from the Islamic Australia Federation calling on Muslims to vote Labor in the suburb of St Marys where there has been some controversy over a proposed mosque," Mr Jaeschke told AAP.

    "I've provided all the information, the flyer and a letter to the electoral commissioner.

    "They were not authorised. We condemn the action and the people involved are no longer members of the party."

    Any non-member volunteers involved in the leaflet distribution have been kicked off the campaign, he added.

    Jackie Kelly has held Lindsay since 1996, but Labor needs a swing of just 2.9 per cent to take the seat from her replacement Karen Chijoff.

    Labor's candidate David Bradbury said the latest scandal came in "one of the dirtiest campaigns this country has ever seen".

    "If what is alleged did occur, it is a very serious personal attack on me and a serious personal attack on the Labor party here in Lindsay," he told ABC television.

    "These actions, if proved to be true, have been directed at nothing other than destroying our chances here in Lindsay."
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    NoK wrote:
    But.. but.. its gonna change the country :eek: :confused:

    and australian families have never had it so good. :rolleyes:
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  • AusticmanAusticman Posts: 1,327
    NoK wrote:
    How can people still vote for this shit... its absolutely pathetic


    http://news.ninemsn.com.au/article.aspx?id=327460

    Lib volunteers sacked over Muslim flyers
    Thursday Nov 22 00:04 AEDT

    The Australian Electoral Commission has been asked to investigate whether Liberal Party members acted illegally by handing out leaflets designed to appeal to anti-Muslim sentiments.

    Labor has alleged the husband of retiring Liberal MP Jackie Kelly, Gary Clark, was involved in the scandal, along with a member of the Liberal Party's NSW executive Jeff Egan.

    A group of Liberal Party supporters has been kicked off the campaign for handing out flyers purporting to be from an Islamic group calling on people to vote Labor in western Sydney.

    Two of the group who were Liberal Party members have been kicked out of the party.

    Labor has written to the electoral commission asking it to investigate, and refer the matter to police if necessary.

    The Labor Party's complaint names Mr Clark and Mr Egan, the opposition's campaign spokeswoman Penny Wong said.

    "That is my understanding," she told ABC TV.

    "This is scandalous. The Labor Party has written to the electoral commission asking them to investigate what we think is a clear breach of our electoral laws. And more importantly, or as importantly, we've also asked them to consider whether the matter should be referred to state or federal police."

    Senator Wong said it appeared people who were "very senior" within the NSW division of the Liberal Party were involved.

    "(Prime Minister John) Howard tomorrow at the press club should front up and disclose all that he knows and all that the Liberal Party knew about this scandalous affair."

    She said Mr Howard should disclose who printed the leaflet, how it was distributed, any knowledge Liberal Party headquarters had of the events, and whether any public funds were used.

    But Vocational and Further Education Minister Andrew Robb said Senator Wong's comments were offensive.

    "This is absolutely and quite inappropriately offensive, what Penny has said," he told ABC television.

    "To try to implicate senior members of the party with this piece of literature - which I understand was amateur in the extreme and offensive - and to suggest it's part of an orchestrated campaign is offensive in the extreme. Penny should apologise."

    Mr Robb said he did not know the names of the people involved.

    He said the party had taken swift action to demonstrate the actions were unacceptable.

    "To the party it's offensive, it's very inappropriate," he said.

    "It was in no way authorised, there was no knowledge of this. This is something that's been constructed and carried out at a local level amongst a number of individuals.

    "They have been appropriately dealt with and that's the end of the matter as far as I am concerned."

    But Mr Robb said it was appropriate for the electoral commission to investigate.

    "The authority should look at any misdemeanours that's been caused here, if that's the case," he said.

    "People are accountable for their actions."

    Liberal Party NSW director Graham Jaeschke earlier said he became aware of the incident at St Marys in the marginal Sydney seat of Lindsay on Tuesday night, after Labor members raised the alert.

    Four or five people were involved in the incident, two of whom were Liberal Party members.

    "They were trying to distribute a flyer that purported to come from the Islamic Australia Federation calling on Muslims to vote Labor in the suburb of St Marys where there has been some controversy over a proposed mosque," Mr Jaeschke told AAP.

    "I've provided all the information, the flyer and a letter to the electoral commissioner.

    "They were not authorised. We condemn the action and the people involved are no longer members of the party."

    Any non-member volunteers involved in the leaflet distribution have been kicked off the campaign, he added.

    Jackie Kelly has held Lindsay since 1996, but Labor needs a swing of just 2.9 per cent to take the seat from her replacement Karen Chijoff.

    Labor's candidate David Bradbury said the latest scandal came in "one of the dirtiest campaigns this country has ever seen".

    "If what is alleged did occur, it is a very serious personal attack on me and a serious personal attack on the Labor party here in Lindsay," he told ABC television.

    "These actions, if proved to be true, have been directed at nothing other than destroying our chances here in Lindsay."

    Well well. This is a fear and smear campaign on a whole new level. The Lib's have really outdone themselves this time. But of course these people acted on their own and no one else in the party knew anything about it. :rolleyes:
    I can't go the library anymore, everyone STINKS!!
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    Austicman wrote:
    Well well. This is a fear and smear campaign on a whole new level. The Lib's have really outdone themselves this time. But of course these people acted on their own and no one else in the party knew anything about it. :rolleyes:

    it is an unsult to suggest that anybody high up in the Liberal Party was aware of this happening. :rolleyes: ;):p:D
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  • NoKNoK Posts: 824
    it is an unsult to suggest that anybody high up in the Liberal Party was aware of this happening. :rolleyes: ;):p:D

    You would never :eek:
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    NoK wrote:
    You would never :eek:

    certainly not i. :D


    remember when john howard said he'd never bring in a GST? i do. :)


    liar liar pants on fire. :p
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  • AusticmanAusticman Posts: 1,327
    certainly not i. :D


    remember when john howard said he'd never bring in a GST? i do. :)


    liar liar pants on fire. :p

    He was unaware of the unedited photo's of the children overboard affair.
    I can't go the library anymore, everyone STINKS!!
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    Austicman wrote:
    He was unaware of the unedited photo's of the children overboard affair.


    ohyeah... like im unaware my son eats boogers. pfft :rolleyes:
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  • vital5vital5 Posts: 5,486
    ohyeah... like im unaware my son eats boogers. pfft :rolleyes:
    If we vote for the right party... Sydney might get a faster monorail, like North Haverbrook :eek:
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    vital5 wrote:
    If we vote for the right party... Sydney might get a faster monorail, like North Haverbrook :eek:


    i'd prefer to eat what genghis khan ate. ;):D
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  • AusticmanAusticman Posts: 1,327
    vital5 wrote:
    If we vote for the right party... Sydney might get a faster monorail, like North Haverbrook :eek:

    MONO.....................D'OH!!!!

    Yes son I'm the best mono-thingy guy there ever was.
    I can't go the library anymore, everyone STINKS!!
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    Austicman wrote:
    MONO.....................D'OH!!!!

    Yes son I'm the best mono-thingy guy there ever was.


    NIMOY: my work here is done

    GEEK: you didn't do anyting

    NIMOY: didn't i?


    simpson. homer simpson. he's the greatest guy in history...
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  • AusticmanAusticman Posts: 1,327
    NIMOY: my work here is done

    GEEK: you didn't do anyting

    NIMOY: didn't i?


    simpson. homer simpson. he's the greatest guy in history...

    HA ha........Just had a "Monty" Howard visual running through my head. :D

    "Who is that man my Costello"
    I can't go the library anymore, everyone STINKS!!
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    V O T E G R E E N
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  • AusticmanAusticman Posts: 1,327
    V O T E G R E E N

    Go to your room lisa!!!
    I can't go the library anymore, everyone STINKS!!
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    Austicman wrote:
    Go to your room lisa!!!

    :p
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  • NoK wrote:
    I'm not sure if you are talking about science and research in general or research with respect to climate change. For the former, even though the changes are not enough and there should be more I think Labor has already put forward greater funding to universities and schools. Judging by how universities function there should be a roll-over of funds and an increase in research funding. For the latter, I think having greens kicking their butt and having Peter Garrett as your environmental spokesman will definitely change the amount of research funding going into climate change.

    But these are mainly my opinions. I could be speaking absolute nonsense.

    I was talking about research in general and climate change in particular. I have been a bit insulated from all the campaign bullshit, not having a TV and being extremely busy lately, but I spent a couple of hours comparing policies on different party websites last night. Labor doesn't even mention science under its list of policy headings.

    Even in the five years or so that I have been working in a university research department I have seen the erosion of government funding for research in Australia. The CSIRO is a fraction of the size it used to be, and universities are being forced to pressure postgraduate students into finishing their projects in shorter lengths of time so that they can collect the money and enrol the next student. This results in bad science and reduces the quality of the degrees the students aree earning. Unless you want to work on a project for a big industry (cotton for example), there is bugger all funding available. Everything has to be 'outcomes based' now, which means that nobody can do blue-sky research just because there is an interesting question that they want to investigate. This means we are missing out on hundreds of potential exciting discoveries in all kinds of fields because nobody is doing the work anymore. I had hoped that things would turn around under a labor government, but it doesn't look as if that will be the case.

    Ok rant over. . . I'd better go and do some more work.
    It doesn't matter if you're male, female, or confused; black, white, brown, red, green, yellow; gay, lesbian; redneck cop, stoned; ugly; military style, doggy style; fat, rich or poor; vegetarian or cannibal; bum, hippie, virgin; famous or drunk-you're either an asshole or you're not!

    -C Addison
  • NoKNoK Posts: 824
    Scubascott wrote:
    I was talking about research in general and climate change in particular. I have been a bit insulated from all the campaign bullshit, not having a TV and being extremely busy lately, but I spent a couple of hours comparing policies on different party websites last night. Labor doesn't even mention science under its list of policy headings.

    Even in the five years or so that I have been working in a university research department I have seen the erosion of government funding for research in Australia. The CSIRO is a fraction of the size it used to be, and universities are being forced to pressure postgraduate students into finishing their projects in shorter lengths of time so that they can collect the money and enrol the next student. This results in bad science and reduces the quality of the degrees the students aree earning. Unless you want to work on a project for a big industry (cotton for example), there is bugger all funding available. Everything has to be 'outcomes based' now, which means that nobody can do blue-sky research just because there is an interesting question that they want to investigate. This means we are missing out on hundreds of potential exciting discoveries in all kinds of fields because nobody is doing the work anymore. I had hoped that things would turn around under a labor government, but it doesn't look as if that will be the case.

    Ok rant over. . . I'd better go and do some more work.

    I agree with you regarding the scientific research factor. Working in the field of science in a university I know exactly what you're talking about. I know PhD students have been forced to finish their degree in 3 years and the new rules implemented force them to pay full fees if they want to enrol in a 5th year. Thats asking a PhD student to put all his annual scholarship on a session fee. Its pathetic.

    I am currently in Paris for a few months working in a lab and you should see the amount of funding they have. The place runs like a well-oiled machine. Whats sad is that because the end of the year is approaching they have been trying to find ways to spend the excess money they have before it returns to the Institut. The lab I work in in Sydney is currently trying to find ways to survive the end of the year. Aussies are shipping out and heading overseas and Australian scientific potential is going elsewhere.

    My view is that their wont be anymore rules like the one above under Labor because of Rudd's "Education policy" which offering more undergraduate and postgraduate scholarship funding. Then again you can never trust politicians.
  • NoKNoK Posts: 824
    certainly not i. :D


    remember when john howard said he'd never bring in a GST? i do. :)


    liar liar pants on fire. :p

    I just saw the FANATICS, EXTREMISTS, LEARNERS advertisement you mentioned earlier on smh.com.au. Its hilarious!

    They keep pissing away our money on grotesque advertisements. At least change the colours.

    Have u seen the dog lover article on http://www.ninemsn.com.au with Malcolm Turnbull?
  • ZosoZoso Posts: 6,425
    neither really but I prefer Rudd out of the two..
    I'm just flying around the other side of the world to say I love you

    Sha la la la i'm in love with a jersey girl

    I love you forever and forever :)

    Adel 03 Melb 1 03 LA 2 06 Santa Barbara 06 Gorge 1 06 Gorge 2 06 Adel 1 06 Adel 2 06 Camden 1 08 Camden 2 08 Washington DC 08 Hartford 08
  • ZosoZoso Posts: 6,425
    NoK wrote:
    I just saw the FANATICS, EXTREMISTS, LEARNERS advertisement you mentioned earlier on smh.com.au. Its hilarious!

    They keep pissing away our money on grotesque advertisements. At least change the colours.

    Have u seen the dog lover article on http://www.ninemsn.com.au with Malcolm Turnbull?

    libs just shamefully attack the ALP... it gets boring really. They are really defensive.
    I'm just flying around the other side of the world to say I love you

    Sha la la la i'm in love with a jersey girl

    I love you forever and forever :)

    Adel 03 Melb 1 03 LA 2 06 Santa Barbara 06 Gorge 1 06 Gorge 2 06 Adel 1 06 Adel 2 06 Camden 1 08 Camden 2 08 Washington DC 08 Hartford 08
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    Zoso wrote:
    neither really but I prefer Rudd out of the two..

    there are more than two candidates to choose from. yeah i know with our ludicrous preferential voting system your votes, regardless of who you choose, sometimes get funnelled to one of the two major parties, but not all of them do. ive found the best vote you can cast, is the vote you cast without compromise. don't waste it. and remember: turn onto politics or politics will turn on you.
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  • NoKNoK Posts: 824
    there are more than two candidates to choose from. yeah i know with our ludicrous preferential voting system your votes, regardless of who you choose, sometimes get funnelled to one of the two major parties, but not all of them do. ive found the best vote you can cast, is the vote you cast without compromise. don't waste it. and remember: turn onto politics or politics will turn on you.

    Ideally one would want to choose the candidate that best suits his/her beliefs but you must also weigh that choice on how much you want a change of government. Its tough to balance but this time around I'm gonna choose the latter.
  • NoKNoK Posts: 824
    Zoso wrote:
    libs just shamefully attack the ALP... it gets boring really. They are really defensive.

    Whats sad is they still have a chance. Although very effective, the whole idea of negative campaigning doesn't go with "democracy".

    "I want to win therefore I shall piss on my opponent."
  • ive found the best vote you can cast, is the vote you cast without compromise. don't waste it. and remember: turn onto politics or politics will turn on you.

    What's that supposed to mean?

    Our system means that you have to play the numbers. Just because a senate candidate represents my views perfectly doesn't neccesarily mean its a good idea for me to vote for them. If they have no chance of winning you rely on them to judge the best choice of preferences, so you're still not really making the choice yourself, unless you are obsessive enough to number all seventy five million boxes under the line.

    I'll probably vote labor in the house of reps, but I still haven't decided what to do about the senate. That's where the real differences will be made in this election it seems. The upper house ballot seems like a foregone conclusion. The greens, democrats and the climate change coalition are all trying to get the same climate change message across, so I really hope we see some combination of those parties end up with a strong voice in the senate.
    It doesn't matter if you're male, female, or confused; black, white, brown, red, green, yellow; gay, lesbian; redneck cop, stoned; ugly; military style, doggy style; fat, rich or poor; vegetarian or cannibal; bum, hippie, virgin; famous or drunk-you're either an asshole or you're not!

    -C Addison
  • JeanieJeanie Posts: 9,446
    Scubascott wrote:
    What's that supposed to mean?

    Our system means that you have to play the numbers. Just because a senate candidate represents my views perfectly doesn't neccesarily mean its a good idea for me to vote for them. If they have no chance of winning you rely on them to judge the best choice of preferences, so you're still not really making the choice yourself, unless you are obsessive enough to number all seventy five million boxes under the line.

    I'll probably vote labor in the house of reps, but I still haven't decided what to do about the senate. That's where the real differences will be made in this election it seems. The upper house ballot seems like a foregone conclusion. The greens, democrats and the climate change coalition are all trying to get the same climate change message across, so I really hope we see some combination of those parties end up with a strong voice in the senate.


    I number all the boxes under the line.
    NOPE!!!

    *~You're IT Bert!~*

    Hold on to the thread
    The currents will shift
  • catefrancescatefrances Posts: 29,003
    Scubascott wrote:
    What's that supposed to mean?

    Our system means that you have to play the numbers. Just because a senate candidate represents my views perfectly doesn't neccesarily mean its a good idea for me to vote for them. If they have no chance of winning you rely on them to judge the best choice of preferences, so you're still not really making the choice yourself, unless you are obsessive enough to number all seventy five million boxes under the line.

    I'll probably vote labor in the house of reps, but I still haven't decided what to do about the senate. That's where the real differences will be made in this election it seems. The upper house ballot seems like a foregone conclusion. The greens, democrats and the climate change coalition are all trying to get the same climate change message across, so I really hope we see some combination of those parties end up with a strong voice in the senate.

    it means when you cast you vote make sure it's a choice you can live with. that you are happy with. it doesn't matter what other people think. if you can make the choice without compromising your principles then all the better. and make an informed decision. thousands of people have no clue what the fuck theyre doing even as theyre handed the ballot papers. they vote only because they have to. or they vote only according to the flyers theyre handed at the front gate, cause they know no better. a disenfranchised constituency works in favour of that party with the best, most effective spin doctors. people believe what theyre told cause they have no frame of reference. that's what i mean by politics turning on you.
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