Oz Federal Election 2013 - Discussion and Comments

[Hvr]

I tried to vote electronically in an ACT election. Had to ask for a paper ballot as the system would only let me number each option starting at 1.

I don't work that way. I start with the politician I like least, giving them the lowest number, and then work back. Often I'll zig-zag through party lists along the way. My ballot must flummox the scrutes. I really detest "above the line" voting - you might as well just hand your vote over to a political party.

Always fun to do that with the Senate papers as well. I start with the rancid right wing parties and work my way through the paper finding someone to get number one who normally wouldn't.

 

[aliens]

Re: Where will you be election day (September 14th)

Go Gillard!! Will be watching West Coast Eagles win the flag.

Early GF this year?

 

[aliens]

Re: Where will you be election day (September 14th)

Just noticing a decided anti-JG sentiment.

What do you expect? Most FFs here would be right wing.

 

[Skyring]

Re: Where will you be election day (September 14th)

What do you expect? Most FFs here would be right wing.

I dunno about that. One aspect of Gillard's behaviour I don't like is her lack of action on marriage equality. That's something I feel strongly about.

My positions on various policies vary according to my personal views. I have yet to find a politician or party in total agreement on everything. I love some things, detest others. I think it's rather shallow to pigeonhole people into fitting specific political labels. For my part, I tend to detest the far right and far left with equal fervour. Middle-of-the-road is where I travel and to be realistic both Labor and Liberal are pretty much treading in each other's wheel ruts nowadays.

 

[Hvr]

Re: Where will you be election day (September 14th)

I dunno about that. One aspect of Gillard's behaviour I don't like is her lack of action on marriage equality. That's something I feel strongly about.

<snip>

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.

 

[Pushka]

Re: Where will you be election day (September 14th)

What do you expect? Most FFs here would be right wing.

That doesn't capture how I feel. While I would vote coalition more than Labor, it is more about Gillard as a Leader. It concerns me that no one is allowed to offer their comments about the quality of her leadership without being given the label of misogynist. As a female I detest when women use their gender as a means of deflecting comment or criticism. And Gillard persistently uses this tactic.

I do not consider that many within the current Labor Government have the credentials to run a business, which is what Australia is. There are Labor Governments I would vote for, and have voted for, but this is not one.

As far as marriage equality is concerned, I would like to see that happen. I understand Abbott's position - he is religious and he is a married person. His religion dictates how he feels. But Gillard is not religious, and is in a common law marriage. So I don't understand her position, one bit. Unless it is to keep her cronies happy.

 

[SFSC]

..
The failed Asylum seeker plans - Timor, Malaysia and the like

Just for starters

We may find that they will be shunted off to Malaysia from about October or November regardless of who wins the election.

 

[markis10]

Vote 1 the Pirate Party I say!

Disclaimer - Any views in this post are those of me personally and are not representative of the views of Australian Frequent Flyer and its moderation team who will not be held responsible for said view

http://pirateparty.org.au/

 

[Hvr]

Re: Where will you be election day (September 14th)

<snip>

As far as marriage equality is concerned, I would like to see that happen. I understand Abbott's position - he is religious and he is a married person. His religion dictates how he feels. But Gillard is not religious, and is in a common law marriage. So I don't understand her position, one bit. Unless it is to keep her cronies happy.

So why does she need to have a reason to justify her belief? Which I disagree with. Religion is no more a reason than any other personal belief. Perhaps we should ask Abbott to justify why he believes in mythical fantasy as some people consider religion?

I don't think either leader has to provide a reason but in my opinion a personal belief (even if I do consider it wrong!) is far better than because you were told to oppose something by an unaccountable priest.

Oh, and what does his marital status have to do with anything? It is totally irrelevant. Because I am not (currently) married is my opinion somehow worth less?

 

[Hvr]

Vote 1 the Pirate Party I say!

Disclaimer - Any views in this post are those of me personally and are not representative of the views of Australian Frequent Flyer and its moderation team who will not be held responsible for said view

Pirate Party Australia

And speak like a pirate day is very close to the election, Sept 19.
The Official site for International Talk Like A Pirate Day - September 19

 

[Alanslegal]

Now this is where I just sigh in amazement.Mr Abbott was Health Minister.He did not make abortion illegal.he followed the reccomendations of the expert committee on the abortion drug.And all of this is in the public record.I really get mad when ALP Ministers get up and sprout untruths that they must know are untruths.Surely with their massive staff numbers those Ministers would have someone at least read Hansard.

It doesn't matter. God will never allow it.

 

[Simo]

It will be interesting to see what happens in Federal election mirrors what happened in QLD last year for labour.

 

[Alanslegal]

I expect my utility bills to come down at least 9% from 15 September 2013 and I expect all of Whyalla to magically re-appear on the map.

 

[Alanslegal]

And a brownie point should be given to JG for establishing an election date a bit over 7 months out rather than an opportunistic/snap/six week notice election date purely because a party had a 1% swing in the latest news poll and thought it would benefit them. Yes a lot of you guys want the ALP out but there's a bunch of us who think No Abbott'lity really has no ability.

 

[vetrade]

Quote: Blackcat 20 “I havent said that the truth isnt important to me; as a scientist, I'm always looking for the truth.”

Well fancy that - we're both scientists – a DYKWIA moment for both of us !!! Doesn’t appear that you’ve been “looking for the truth” with due scientific vigour and impartiality though……

e.g. The misogynist card comes out when he says stupid things (……..who tells the nation about his daughter's virginity??!).

I bet that felt like an easy “free hit” on Abbott - pity your fact checking let you down and the whole premise was based on a falsehood.

-- the guy thinks women should be at home doing the ironing, and is happy to discuss his daughter's private lives on television...
-- I dont really have a very high opinion of a bloke who thinks women should remain in the 50s.
-- What I was trying to say is that a lot of the voting people wont be, they'll take what they hear in the media as gospel and vote based on that.
-- Regardless, it's the impression that a lot of people got (there was a printed article in a magazine as well), and when it comes to politics, thats what counts more than truth...

Wow! Lots of scientific “looking for the truth” in that lot…...not. Seems like a mixture of ideological bias and not letting the facts get in the way of a bubble thought to me.

I think you're meant to attack the argument, not me...

Now you’re adopting a “victim” mentality – truth is you didn’t even mount an argument; all I read was a statement of unsubstantiated (and dare I say emotive) assertions without any reasoning attached………and that was puerile!

Anyway, I think I'm backing out of this one. Your opinion wont change, and neither will mine...

Truth be known my opinion is always open to change and, contrary to what you might think, I’m one of the people in the middle of the divide who takes sides based on merit, past performance and, most importantly for me as an "old school" scientist, the facts. More power to me because I’m actually one of those people Serfty would rate as one of the minority that can “swing the pendulum”!

I don’t think I could ever be mates with Abbott but I do believe he is inherently more truthful than Gillard and in practice I doubt he would be as divisive as her. It still amazes me how Labor could rabidly attack Kevin Rudd with such vehemence last February. But I think where Gillard fails most is that, even with the most elementary application of common sense, it has been obvious well ahead of time that her policies were doomed to fail. I can’t understand how she can misread all the signs and press ahead with obviously stupid policies. But she did…..repeatedly! She might have political “rat cunning” but she is not a logical, reasoned or rational thinker from what I have seen.
So my scientific rationale says it’s time for her to go.
Q.E.D.

 

[amaroo]

The PM did sack the Labor person responsible for inflaming the crowd. The Opposition Leader tacitly supported the signs above and denied responsibility.

Pity the PM didn't sack this one.... Tanya Plibersek bans satire but refuses to apologise for 'racist, sexist, homophobic' posters | News.com.au

Oh, but it's just satire.....just like that misogynistic joke aimed at a TA staff member during a CFMEU dinner the day JG did her misogyny speech in Parliament.

No party holds the high ground on this stuff.

 

[Pushka]

So why does she need to have a reason to justify her belief? Which I disagree with. Religion is no more a reason than any other personal belief. Perhaps we should ask Abbott to justify why he believes in mythical fantasy as some people consider religion?

I don't think either leader has to provide a reason .....

Oh, and what does his marital status have to do with anything? It is totally irrelevant. Because I am not (currently) married is my opinion somehow worth less?

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.

 

[Hvr]

As far as marriage equality is concerned, I would like to see that happen. I understand Abbott's position - he is religious and he is a married person. His religion dictates how he feels. But Gillard is not religious, and is in a common law marriage. So I don't understand her position, one bit. Unless it is to keep her cronies happy.

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.

I agree but is her reason any less valid than Abbott's?

Why ask about marital status? because you raised it "he is religious and he is a married person." That's not a justification for a belief, more an excuse.

 

[Pushka]

I agree but is her reason any less valid than Abbott's?

Why ask about marital status? because you raised it "he is religious and he is a married person." That's not a justification for a belief, more an excuse.

But I don't know what her reason is? At least Abbots rationale is based on religion whether or not you agree with it. Which I don't (religion or marriage).

 

[paxman]

is it a slow day at the office or something?

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).

seven months of this will do my head in...