Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

[markis10]

anyone else noticed just how much weight Hockey has lost over summer (hint here, it wont be Turnbull who gets the big chair if/when the abbott falters)...

He did a Packer and lost 20kg after gastric band surgery.

 

[Deleted member]

Considering Abbott is talking about a double dissolution election over Carbon Tax.....

Considering he is making the election a mandate to repeal the tax then a double dissolution will because labour won't play , so unlike " there will be no carbon tax in any government I lead" comments , he will ask the people to decide. If he wins then he has the right I say

 

[Deleted member]

Good can we have an election next month please

Yeah right!! I wondered what and when we would hear something that made her announce an election this early

 

[browski]

So I'm guessing you don't run a business and are employed with a fairly small salary.

Good choice Gillard is clearly for you,

I'm guessing you are under-informed on most policy issues. Gillard is not the choice for me; she's just better than the other fella.

 

[Pushka]

I'm guessing you are under-informed on most policy issues. Gillard is not the choice for me; she's just better than the other fella.

The "other fella" hasn't had the opportunity to present their policies with full knowledge of the financial situation (which is normal when in opposition until the writs are called) so not sure how you can claim any of that.

 

[JessicaTam]

I wish there had been some ground rules set for this thread. For instance no referring to the PM as Juliar. It's not clever. All politicians lie (let's all cast our mind back to "non core promises").

This thread was a spinoff of the 'Where will you be election day' thread, as things were getting a bit heated over there. There were thus no ground rules. Just play nice.

I agree. Sadly, Abbott has the same attitude. I despair of marriage equality being available in the near future.

I can't see why it is an issue. The only role of the government in marriage is to ensure that people involved are two consenting adults. Sadly the church is way too involved in politics rather than removing pedophilia from their ranks.

Agreed! It seems that AU will be behind most of the rest of the world when it comes to this social equity. After being the second country to give women the vote how far have we fallen?

 

[blackcat20]

Vetrade, is there any reason why my thoughts annoy you so much, but no one else's? It's meant to be a healthy, friendly discussion...but it doesn't feel like it. So I'm anti-Abbott... So what? That's my prerogative, and I don't need to justify it to you. Sarcasm isn't appreciated.

 

[Katie]

I find it difficult to rationalise why someone who has chosen not to marry, should deny others the same option.

One might extrapolate that part of her reason might be that she sees no particular point in *any* adult couple getting married, including herself? Maybe Gillard just doesn't like the overall concept of marriage?

It's baffled me why some people think an unmarried atheist would of course be more supportive of marriage than a married christian (or muslim or jew or buddhist). Total assumption of an individual's beliefs based on a few facts about them. I know a large number of christians, including clergy members, who support marriage equality. And I probably know about as many christians who are against it.

[I am personally for marriage equality, as I believe it should be defined as being between two consenting adults. Make it legal and just move ahead. I feel like we're being conned on all sides by not just dealing with it - it's a total "look over there" tactic to avoid other issues. Or so it seems to me]

Does the Labor party in majority support marriage equality? If not, surely then Gillard is to represent the majority party preference rather than her personal belief?
Should a leader's personal beliefs override the party beliefs? [Yes, leaders can override the party floor]

 

[Isochronous]

Like Paul Keating said as PM, two queers and a coughaspaniel don't make a family.

 

[awilcockson]

Interesting reading, and sums up perfectly why I get a queasy feeling whenever anyone starts to serious suggest that this guy is the right person to lead our nation:

16 Quotes From Tony Abbott to Remind You Why He Shouldn

btw, before anyone claims these are made up, full references are given on the 3rd comment on the blog

 

[whatmeworry]

Tony Abbott is a outright liar and unashamed social climber. He currently has a double mortgage on his home, so he can send his daughter's to the best private school's. He will say anything to get elected (Or should I say nothing!). If people do elect him, they find he will be the same disappoint like Ted Faileu in VIC.

 

[jetlagger]

Tony Abbott is a outright liar and unashamed social climber. He currently has a double mortgage on his home, so he can send his daughter's to the best private school's. He will say anything to get elected (Or should I say nothing!). If people do elect him, they find he will be the same disappoint like Ted Faileu in VIC.

Sure this precedent has been set with all politicians - rascals! Not all, but very much most.

 

[seanpodge]

Religion is a personal belief. I haven't read any reason why Gillard is not in favour of same sex marriages.

Of course a leader has to provide a reason. They are our elected members and their rationale for doing everything is or should be, open to scrutiny.

Why did you ask what his marital status have to do with it, but not Gillards? I find it difficult to rationalise why someone who has chosen not to marry, should deny others the same option.

Well, it's really hard for Gillard to find a way to say in a nice way that the Shoppies would tear the place apart if I let same sex marriage happen. It's about the only reason that makes some logical sense.

 

[JohnK]

Some interesting points of view and like codash1099 said best to avoid this thread.

I am definitely not going to vote for the first prime minister anywhere in the world to serve 2 terms without winning an election.

Who is in opposition? It does not matter and it cannot be any worse than what we have now....

 

[mella2007]

I never enter into political discussions...I find it *yawn*

Fact is, doesn't matter who is elected, everyone will find a reason to not be happy with something or someone for a variety of reasons.

Both Gillard and Abbott have their downfalls. I think Gillard was a huge mistake and complete waste of space (and Tim Mathison the most useless First Bloke/Lady ever). Abbott is not to my liking either.

Policy wise, I am looking for care for Small Business, Couples without children or that cannot have children (who get forgotten all the time), better care for the elderly and those that are deserving of a true pension (not people who abuse the system), lower taxes and a few more things.
They will promise the world and deliver nothing.

This country is a fantastic place to live, but rising costs and a government in shambles is not a safe and secure future, for future generations the way it is now.

 

[Pukka]

Tony Abbott is a outright liar and unashamed social climber. He currently has a double mortgage on his home, so he can send his daughter's to the best private school's. He will say anything to get elected (Or should I say nothing!). If people do elect him, they find he will be the same disappoint like Ted Faileu in VIC.

Always good to send your kids to a good school so they can learn to use proper grammar

 

[Pushka]

Well, it's really hard for Gillard to find a way to say in a nice way that the Shoppies would tear the place apart if I let same sex marriage happen. It's about the only reason that makes some logical sense.

What is it with the power that the shoppies union have? They rule SA when Labor is installed and Australia too. Their recent deal on PH trading in the cbd in SA has meant that many establishments now close at 7pm on Christmas and NYE because they can't afford the extreme penalty rates enforced on them. So much for giving people extra payment for working those hours - many places closed so there was no work at all.

Should a leader's personal beliefs override the party beliefs? [Yes, leaders can override the party floor]

I think Gillard has shown that she is more than happy to over rule (not even tell) the caucus/party what her plans are. So in her case, she would argue most definitely.

I don't really care if Abbot has two mortgages and its surprising how much intimate detail people say they know about his financial situation.

 

[Hvr]

Here's an interesting twist for the election.
I doubt he'll get up though.

[h=1]Bookies think Assange could win seat[/h]

COMMENTATORS may not think Julian Assange has much chance of winning a Senate seat in the upcoming Australian election but one European bookmaker thinks he's in with a shot.

 

[awilcockson]

Who is in opposition? It does not matter and it cannot be any worse than what we have now....

Let's revisit that comment in 18 months if Abbot wins. People said the same thing when we voted in Newman ...

 

[vetrade]

Vetrade, is there any reason why my thoughts annoy you so much, but no one else's? It's meant to be a healthy, friendly discussion...but it doesn't feel like it. So I'm anti-Abbott... So what? That's my prerogative, and I don't need to justify it to you. Sarcasm isn't appreciated.

Well, Blackcat20, any self-respecting man, especially one with daughters, would be appalled by the type of untrue and insulting comments such as those you used to describe Tony Abbott. Not what I call "healthy, friendly discussion", as you put it. Resorting to that type of attack could be perceived as indicating you are light on genuine reasons to criticise him and that you really hadn't put much thought into it. It would improve the debate if you could offer something other than “group think” in the form of a vitriollic personal attack.