Newspoll: 54-46 to Labor (open thread)

Strong voting intention numbers for Labor and sagging personal results for Peter Dutton, but still no bottom in sight for the Indigenous Voice.

The latest Newspoll courtesy of The Australian maintains the general pattern of late in finding Labor maintaining strong leads on voting intention while Indigeous Voice support continues to collapse. The two-party result is 54-46 in favour of Labor, out from 53-47 last time, from primary votes of Labor 36% (up one), Coalition 36% (down one), Greens 11% (down two) and One Nation 6% (down one).

The leadership ratings are highlighted by a slump for Peter Dutton, who is down six on approval to 32% and up three on disapproval to 52%, while Anthony Albanese is up one to 47% and down three to 44%. Preferred prime minister is nonetheless little changed, with Albanese’s lead out from 50-31 to 50-30.

The good news for the government ends on the question of the Indigenous Voice, on which yes is down two to 36% and no is up three to 56%. Pyxis Polling’s promptly published methodology statement tells us the poll was conducted Monday to Friday from a sample of 1239.

UPDATE (Freshwater Strategy): Less happy news for Labor on the voting intention front a Freshwater Strategy poll in the Financial Review, the third federal poll from this outfit this term. The previous poll in May gave Labor a lead of 52-48 when the general trend was around 55-45, and this one has it at 51-49, from primary votes of Labor 33% (down one), Coalition 37% (steady) and Greens 13% (up one). Anthony Albanese has net negative personal ratings with 38% favourable (down four) and 41% unfavourable (up four), while Peter Dutton is at 30% (steady) and 40% (down two). Albanese’s lead as preferred prime minister is in from 51-33 to 46-37. A question on the Indigenous Voice finds yes on 33% and no on 50%. The poll was conducted Friday to Sunday from a sample of 1003.

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

1,516 comments on “Newspoll: 54-46 to Labor (open thread)”

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  1. Australia is now one of the lowest (public) funders of tertiary education in the OECD. It has been dropping since 1975. No (Labor) government has increased it since Whitlam. The biggest drop started after Dawkins reintroduced fees in 1989.

    “ It’s a long time — forty-five years in fact — since government funding of tertiary education peaked in Australia at 1.5 per cent of GDP. These days, the government contributes 0.8 per cent, or just over half that proportion. Back in 1975, around 277,000 students were enrolled in higher education; by 2016, the number had increased fivefold to 1.46 million.”
    https://insidestory.org.au/the-four-and-a-half-decade-higher-education-squeeze/

    Huge numbers of foreign students are the inevitable result of under funding.

    A white paper will do nothing without more funding. Jason Clare is just stalling.

  2. How do you know Jason Clare is stalling, Soc? Or is that you just lashing out because things aren’t moving quickly enough for your liking?

  3. lBOabor cant fix evry problim the liberals made im not sure whiy pezzulo was so pro liberal he should have resigned when morrison lost office surely he would have realized labor would eventualy win how ever self awarenes was not one of pezzulos strengths

  4. Cat

    You forget my wife Xanthippe has worked in academic positions for 16 years. The working conditions became so appalling that in the end she got out and now works with a hospital research team. No government, Labor or Liberal, has done anything to improve the situation in that time.

    If anyone you cared about worked in a university as an academic (rather than administration, who seem to run the places in often self serving fashion) you might feel the same. Thousands of disillusioned academics have quit in the past two decades.

    Labor did not increase tertiary education funding in its first budget so as to ensure it delivered a surplus.

    I presume by “lashing out” you mean quoting historical facts that prove the problem is as much Labor’s fault as Liberals, thereby proving your claim false.


  5. Cronussays:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 7:32 am
    “ The 1st Armoured Regiment will be “re-roled” as an innovation and experimentation unit to deliver and integrate these emerging technologies but will remain at its current location in the South Australian capital, close to the Cultana and Woomera training ranges, and the ADF’s space sector partners which provide targeting data.
    Eventually all of Army’s tanks, Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles, Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and Huntsman self-propelled howitzers will be based in Townsville along with the Apache and Chinook helicopter fleets.”

    So the 1st Armoured Regiment will be based in Adelaide but almost all of Army’s armour will be based in Townsville? That simply doesn’t make sense to me.

    Probably The armour in Townsville could be used by US military personnel.

  6. UnAustralian: Low rating Sky News host, Peta Credlin, has sent former Victorian Premier Dan Andrews a thank you note after his resignation led her to achieve the greatest orgasm of her life.

    ”I’m not actually a smoker but after that I reckon I could knock over a pack of Winnie Blues,” said a euphoric Peta Credlin. ”I thought nothing would top the day that we axed the tax or stopped the boats but gee, old Danny boy you delivered.” ”Who needs onions when you have a Premier’s resignation speech.” When asked why she had so much venom to direct towards the former Victorian Premier, Peta Credlin replied: ”Oh you know, lockdowns and stuff, there are other things but who’s got time for anger at the moment.” ”He’s resigned, can you believe it, we won.” ”Now, if you’ll excuse me I’m going to ask Alexa to play his speech one more time, Mumma needs some more lovin’.”

  7. Good morning Dawn Patrollers

    Katherine Murphy tells us that Anthony Albanese has signalled he will do more to accelerate the transition to low emissions after the Indigenous voice referendum has concluded, declaring the “right decisions” are needed to ensure Australia emerges a winner in the global race to renewable energy.
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/28/anthony-albanese-to-accelerate-transition-to-low-emissions-after-voice-referendum
    Shane Wright reckons he can prove the Aussie supermarket duopoly has been ripping us off.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/are-coles-and-woolies-milking-us-check-the-price-of-saffron-20230924-p5e74z.html
    Continuing their analysis of the Pezzullo SMS trove, Nick McKenzie and Michael Bachelard explain how Michael Pezzullo used encrypted messages to a Liberal powerbroker to back the former prime minister’s plan to move the embassy from Tel Aviv and brand other top public servants “useless”. It stinks!
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/it-was-one-of-morrison-s-most-contentious-foreign-policy-moves-michael-pezzullo-wanted-to-help-20230919-p5e5sx.html
    “Why should you never put anything in writing?” Ask Mike Pezzullo, answers Jenna Price.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/why-should-you-never-put-anything-in-writing-ask-mike-pezzullo-20230925-p5e7fx.html
    Journalists from The Age, The Sydney Morning Herald and Sixty Minutes have at last exposed the efforts by Mike Pezzullo, Secretary of Home Affairs, to influence government in favour of conservative politicians and by insisting that press freedom be stifled, writes Stuart Rees about the despotism of the man.
    https://johnmenadue.com/the-despotism-of-mike-pezzullo-the-need-for-a-line-in-the-sand/
    David Crowe and James Massola tell us that at the NPC yesterday in a passionate pitch before the referendum, Noel Pearson said voting Yes was the middle path, while voting No was “an active choice to take us nowhere”.
    https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/pearson-contrasts-peace-dividend-from-voice-with-war-from-no-side-20230927-p5e826.html
    Annika Smethurst examines the job in front of Jacinta Price. She closes by saying, “The departure of Andrews three years out from the next election gives Allan a chance to reset the government, to be more collaborative, consultative and more fiscally responsible.”
    https://www.theage.com.au/politics/victoria/allan-promises-a-new-style-of-leadership-easier-said-than-done-20230927-p5e84b.html
    “The training wheels are back on. Will Labor stack it without Andrews?”, wonders Shaun Carney.
    https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/in-a-post-andrews-world-labor-must-unlearn-its-leader-s-worst-habit-20230927-p5e7ya.html
    Peta Credlin comments about Dan Andrews’ time as Victorian premier, saying, “He was always much better at politics than at government. He might have been one of the most brutally effective political players I’ve ever observed close up, but that says more about the weakness of his opposition, and the low calibre of the Victorian establishment, than the quality of his leadership or his government.”
    https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/no-escaping-dans-brutal-reign-of-madness/news-story/b31aae1633e2ba6d7eec05fd4be59684?amp
    Six months on from the state election, and after a global search, the NSW Liberals have finally settled on a new state director, with Luke Dixon picked by a three-person selection panel, pending ratification by the executive tomorrow. But, according to Kishor Napier-Raman and Noel Towell, he has a contentious past.
    https://www.smh.com.au/cbd/six-months-after-poll-nsw-libs-pick-state-director-with-a-contentious-past-20230927-p5e83r.html
    Ben Smee describes a monster rort on the NDIS by Stuart Robert’s mate, John Margerison. It’s a blood boiler!
    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/sep/27/john-margerison-ndis-loan-company-dj-health-nfbntw
    The report by former Telstra chief Ziggy Switkowski into the PwC tax scandal identified a “shadow” culture, which was one consequence of its drive to be the biggest of the big four with the best-paid partners. The AFR identifies some key quotes from the report released yesterday.
    https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/what-the-report-into-pwc-found-about-its-shadow-culture-20230927-p5e7yy
    At least six former PwC Australia partners including international tax chief Peter Collins were involved in leaking confidential information from Treasury, the Tax Office and the Board of Taxation to colleagues and clients, legal reports prepared for the big four firm have concluded.
    https://www.afr.com/companies/professional-services/how-confidential-tax-information-was-shared-at-pwc-20230927-p5e81j
    Lois Maskiell reports that Greens Senator Barbara Pocock has criticised a review of PwC Australia’s culture, saying it lacks accountability and fails to name all the firm’s partners who were involved in the tax leaks scandal.
    https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/inflation-spike-puts-pressure-on-bullock-20230928-p5e86s
    Qantas chairman Richard Goyder is digging in his heels against mounting pressure to resign from the airline and defended the record of former chief Alan Joyce as he and new boss Vanessa Hudson denied discussing Qatar Airways’ failed bid for more Australian flights with the government. In a withering parliamentary hearing into the aviation sector, featuring top executives of the three major airlines, Virgin chief executive Jayne Hrdlicka said Prime Minister Anthony Albanese expressed concern about the strip-searching of women at Doha Airport when discussing Qatar’s application.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/under-fire-qantas-chairman-digs-in-over-future-20230927-p5e83y.html
    The group of senators who lined the ring for a bout with Qantas’ new chief executive, its chairman and its legal counsel must have walked away from the gladiatorial encounter feeling immensely frustrated. The lesson learned was that it is hard to engage in a contest when the other side won’t play, writes Elizabeth Knight.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/companies/senate-fails-to-make-mincemeat-of-qantas-chairman-goyder-20230927-p5e80i.html
    Lucas Baird reports that the competition watchdog’s former chief Rod Sims says it is “outrageous” that Qantas and Virgin Australia have substantial shareholdings in the company that ultimately polices which airlines take off and land at Sydney Airport.
    https://www.afr.com/companies/transport/qantas-virgin-hold-biggest-stakes-in-company-that-decides-slots-20230927-p5e82g
    Simon Jonason writes that Australia’s top carbon emitting companies are making progress towards transitioning to net zero emissions but failing to back up their decarbonisation plans.
    https://www.smh.com.au/business/markets/top-emitters-not-funding-net-zero-plans-warns-climate-action-100-20230925-p5e7f7.html
    The NSW premier has fired a warning shot at recalcitrant councils, saying he will look to extraordinary planning reforms if ambitious housing targets are not met. He has NIMBYs in his sights, writes Max Maddison.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/nsw/premier-chris-minns-declares-war-on-nimbys-20230927-p5e815.html
    The disability royal commission delivers its findings today. We must all listen to end violence, abuse and neglect, urge these contributors to The Conversation.
    https://theconversation.com/the-disability-royal-commission-delivers-its-findings-today-we-must-all-listen-to-end-violence-abuse-and-neglect-213253
    The latest questioning in the Senate Inquiry into regional bank closures has demonstrated how out of touch banks are with the needs of regional Australians, reports Dale Webster.
    https://independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/banking-inquiry-highlights-immense-disconnect-with-regional-australia,17938
    Alan Kohler explains why farmers beware, soil carbon cash is a trap. He says a lot of them are going for the short-term cash, but it’s a trap: Coles and Woolworths, and other food retailers, have committed themselves to being net zero by 2050, which means they will soon be demanding their suppliers are net zero as well. Farmers who take the quick cash from selling their credits may end up having to live off that money, because they won’t be able to sell their meat.
    https://thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/09/28/net-zero-coles-woolworths-farmers-kohler/
    Michaela Whitbourne reports that war crimes investigators and the Australian Federal Police have been granted access to restricted documents on the court file in Ben Roberts-Smith’s failed defamation case amid active investigations into allegations Australian soldiers broke the rules of engagement in Afghanistan.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/war-crimes-investigators-given-access-to-restricted-documents-in-roberts-smith-case-20230927-p5e7yx.html
    German politics has a built-in firewall against the far right. It’s beginning to crack, warns John Kampfner.
    https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/sep/27/germany-politics-far-right-afd-alternative-fur-deutschland-europe
    Donald Trump’s real estate empire could collapse “like falling dominoes”, experts believe, following a New York judge’s ruling that the former president’s business fortune was built on rampant fraud and blatant lies. According to Michael Cohen, his former attorney and fixer, Trump is already effectively “out of business” in New York after Judge Arthur Engoron on Tuesday rescinded the licenses of the Trump Organization and other companies owned by Trump and his adult sons, Eric and Don Jr.
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/27/trump-new-york-real-estate-reaction-fraud
    Senator Bob Menendez – one of the most high-profile AUKUS allies in the US Congress – has pleaded not guilty over an alleged scheme that involved taking bribes from foreign officials. And he’s not getting much support from Democratic Party colleagues.
    https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/one-of-australia-s-key-allies-in-us-senate-pleads-faces-calls-to-resign-20230928-p5e861.html

    Cartoon Corner

    David Pope

    David Rowe

    Andrew Dyson

    Cathy Wilcox

    Matt Golding

    Alan Moir

    Dionne Gain

    Mark Knight

    Spooner

    From the US











  8. Lars Von Triersays:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 7:41 am
    As Clive Palmer famously said “what about the dumb kids”

    Or to paraphrase what Howard once said if everyone becomes University graduates like Labour wants, who will do the jobs not done by University graduates like plumbing and cleaning.

  9. Ven @ #674 Thursday, September 28th, 2023 – 8:09 am


    Lars Von Triersays:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 7:41 am
    As Clive Palmer famously said “what about the dumb kids”

    Or to paraphrase what Howard once said if everyone becomes University graduates as Labour wants, who will do the jobs not done by University graduates like plumbing and cleaning.

    I haven’t noticed any shortage of Plumbers and Cleaners.

  10. Ven @ #672 Thursday, September 28th, 2023 – 7:59 am


    Cronussays:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 7:32 am
    “ The 1st Armoured Regiment will be “re-roled” as an innovation and experimentation unit to deliver and integrate these emerging technologies but will remain at its current location in the South Australian capital, close to the Cultana and Woomera training ranges, and the ADF’s space sector partners which provide targeting data.
    Eventually all of Army’s tanks, Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles, Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and Huntsman self-propelled howitzers will be based in Townsville along with the Apache and Chinook helicopter fleets.”

    So the 1st Armoured Regiment will be based in Adelaide but almost all of Army’s armour will be based in Townsville? That simply doesn’t make sense to me.

    Probably The armour in Townsville could be used by US military personnel.

    Probably the Indians too, when they join the Quad military exercises.

  11. Socrates @ #670 Thursday, September 28th, 2023 – 7:56 am

    Cat

    You forget my wife Xanthippe has worked in academic positions for 16 years. The working conditions became so appalling that in the end she got out and now works with a hospital research team. No government, Labor or Liberal, has done anything to improve the situation in that time.

    If anyone you cared about worked in a university as an academic (rather than administration, who seem to run the places in often self serving fashion) you might feel the same. Thousands of disillusioned academics have quit in the past two decades.

    Labor did not increase tertiary education funding in its first budget so as to ensure it deliver a surplus.

    I presume by “lashing out” you mean quoting historical facts that prove the problem is as much Labor’s fault as Liberals, thereby proving your claim false.

    Socrates, I know your wife used to work in academia, however, because something wasn’t done in Labor’s first Budget, doesn’t mean that it won’t be done. Which is kind of what you are insinuating. I guess I’m just more patient than you, not wrong.

  12. Anti-matter falls down, not up. That’s a bit of a disappointment. It probably would have been for the researchers too – no Nobel Prize this time.

    P.S. Matter-anti Matter annihilation would be the ultimate energy source and it’s not renewable. Maybe someone should tell Peter Dutton.

  13. People seem to think that making bizarre comments about the federal government will get them somewhere:

    Treasurer says Costello’s comments about RBA changes are ‘bizarre and wrong’

    Back to federal news, Treasurer Jim Chalmers has slammed comments former treasurer Peter Costello made about changes to the Reserve Bank’s structure.

    Earlier this year the treasurer released the independent review of the bank.

    Costello, who is also the chairman of Nine Entertainment, which owns this masthead, said in reports the changes to the RBA board won’t deliver better outcomes.

    “I’m not going to reflect on Peter Costello personally or his motivations here,” Chalmers told RN Breakfast this morning.

    “I’ve got a good, respectful working relationship with him. I talked to him from time to time including … in the last few days, but his intervention here is quite bizarre and quite wrong.”

    He said it was “bizarre and wrong” to suggest that somewhere there was a radical change proposed for the central bank.

    (smh)


  14. C@tmommasays:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 8:14 am
    Ven @ #674 Thursday, September 28th, 2023 – 8:09 am


    Lars Von Triersays:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 7:41 am
    As Clive Palmer famously said “what about the dumb kids”

    Or to paraphrase what Howard once said if everyone becomes University graduates as Labour wants, who will do the jobs not done by University graduates like plumbing and cleaning.

    I haven’t noticed any shortage of Plumbers and Cleaners.

    I am just pointing to what Howard wanted and why he reduced funding to Universities and opened them to International students. It is not a criticism of ALP.

    Earlier ALP might have reduced funding by introducing fees but International students were still a trickle from non-West countries.
    Howard opened the flood gates for International students.

  15. How much debt has Victoria got? ~$170 units
    NSW has ~$160 units

    The debt is large by my budget standards but peanuts in the realm of state budget levels. I would argue the Victoria has a more sound budget than NSW


  16. C@tmommasays:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 8:16 am
    Ven @ #672 Thursday, September 28th, 2023 – 7:59 am


    Cronussays:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 7:32 am
    “ The 1st Armoured Regiment will be “re-roled” as an innovation and experimentation unit to deliver and integrate these emerging technologies but will remain at its current location in the South Australian capital, close to the Cultana and Woomera training ranges, and the ADF’s space sector partners which provide targeting data.
    Eventually all of Army’s tanks, Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles, Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and Huntsman self-propelled howitzers will be based in Townsville along with the Apache and Chinook helicopter fleets.”

    So the 1st Armoured Regiment will be based in Adelaide but almost all of Army’s armour will be based in Townsville? That simply doesn’t make sense to me.

    Probably The armour in Townsville could be used by US military personnel.

    Probably the Indians too, when they join the Quad military exercises.

    Nah. As Socrates and A-E pointed a lot of Australian military equipment is in sink with US military arms and ammunition.
    And Indian military equipment is not.


  17. Lars Von Triersays:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 8:21 am
    Of course everything will happen next term – just you wait and see.

    There’s a sukkar born every minute.

    Ofcourse there are lot of ‘sukkars’ in L-NP side. And unfortunately a lot of Australian people were/ are sucked in by those ‘sukkars’.

  18. a rsays:
    Wednesday, September 27, 2023 at 11:43 pm
    Wait, what games are we playing?
    _____________________
    Don t know, don’t care.
    Was all scroll material for me.

  19. Plumbing is a skilled trade which pays well and couldn’t be carried out by someone who was “dumb”. My nephew is very bright but was never academically inclined. He trained as an auto-electrician. After a period as a one man business, he now earns good money as a fly-in fly out worker in the Pilbara.

    Not everyone wants to or needs to go to University. There are other many excellent career paths accessible via TAFE, with which the Coalition has also played havoc.

    As for cleaners, an essential service. Cleaning has to be done thoroughly and quickly. Easier said than done. It was one of the essential occupations during the Pandemic although not well paid, unlike, say, tax lawyering or management consulting, well paid but not essential.

  20. While accepting that the relocation of some extra 800 diggers to Townsville is based on purely strategic imperatives, from a political perspective, the city’s economy will receive a welcomed boost, which may improve Labor’s chances in Herbert albeit the Tory’s Phillip Thompson, himself an Afghanistan veteran, held the seat very comfortably at the last election: TPP 61.77%, attributing his 2012 Facebook diatribe against Muslims to PTSD.

    https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-01-05/townsville-lnp-candidate-apologises-for-outburst-against-muslims/10687358

  21. People think things aren’t moving quickly enough.

    Or, people don’t want policy on the run.

    Or, people think things aren’t going far enough.

    Or, many people want to stop all change (cf Voice).

    We are a society of many viewpoints and desires, and many have areas of focus or special interest. Above all, most of us have learned to be selfish and cynical.

    But for the wheels of govt to turn successfully for all of us, it has to be methodical to avoid unintended consequences. Morrison’s govt should have proved to most of us that secretive, rushed policy implementation that aimed at benefitting the few, has been a debacle.

    Wait and see what the education white policy reveals. And for those above who make fun of “arts” degrees … bear in mind that an arts degree allows for a level of employment flexibility that many other degrees do not. I have spent a lifetime in a varied range of jobs from managing retail to university researcher to company director to author/editor of some 13 books.

    And maybe, just maybe, those who are dissing the voice should take a few moments to see what is ACTUALLY on the table and then reconsider your decision. As a society we have become trapped in the ‘instant gratification’ loop that stifles reflection and considered discussion — it is how fear campaigns are able get a foothold even though most of us know they are wrong or misguided. From climate to the voice, as a society we have done ourselves a great disservice with that kind of snap, short term thinking.

    Our reactions (on this blog) to Newspoll is a perfect example how short term perceived gratification effects us all. And what I call the “drive by” opinions of the usual suspect aim to feed the emotional responses. They are laughably obvious yet so many bite (as I did just now about Arts Degrees)!

    In years to come (if mankind has a future) sociologists will have a field day with archives from sources such as this!

    Getting off my soapbox now.


  22. JenAuthorsays:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 8:43 am
    People think things aren’t moving quickly enough.

    Or, people don’t want policy on the run.

    Or, people think things aren’t going far enough.

    Or, many people want to stop all change (cf Voice).

    We are a society of many viewpoints and desires, and many have areas of focus or special interest. Above all, most of us have learned to be selfish and cynical.

    But for the wheels of govt to turn successfully for all of us, it has to be methodical to avoid unintended consequences. Morrison’s govt should have proved to most of us that secretive, rushed policy implementation that aimed at benefitting the few, has been a debacle.

    Wait and see what the education white policy reveals. And for those above who make fun of “arts” degrees … bear in mind that an arts degree allows for a level of employment flexibility that many other degrees do not. I have spent a lifetime in a varied range of jobs from managing retail to university researcher to company director to author/editor of some 13 books.

    And maybe, just maybe, those who are dissing the voice should take a few moments to see what is ACTUALLY on the table and then reconsider your decision. As a society we have become trapped in the ‘instant gratification’ loop that stifles reflection and considered discussion — it is how fear campaigns are able get a foothold even though most of us know they are wrong or misguided. From climate to the voice, as a society we have done ourselves a great disservice with that kind of snap, short term thinking.

    Our reactions (on this blog) to Newspoll is a perfect example how short term perceived gratification effects us all. And what I call the “drive by” opinions of the usual suspect aim to feed the emotional responses. They are laughably obvious yet so many bite (as I did just now about Arts Degrees)!

    In years to come (if mankind has a future) sociologists will have a field day with archives from sources such as this!

    Getting off my soapbox now.

    +1

  23. billiesays:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 8:30 am
    How much debt has Victoria got? ~$170 units
    NSW has ~$160 units
    The debt is large by my budget standards but peanuts in the realm of state budget levels. I would argue the Victoria has a more sound budget than NSW.
    _____________________
    The credit rating agencies dont agree. We have the lowest rating in Australia.
    No offence but I will take thier analysis over yours any day of the week.

  24. I saved this for a later read and quite enjoyed it, pre-publicity for Michael Wolff’s next book, this time about Murdoch.

    The following section really stood out to me as a perfectly implemented model of political mobilization through identifying a group of people with common cause, bringing them together through the use of a tailored propaganda machine, and then turning them into a coherent political movement. There’s a political science PhD or two in that one if anyone is fishing around for a topic.

    Ailes created the behemoth by recognising that some viewers didn’t want progress; they wanted to stay in 1965. “He made a business of the left-behinds. That’s interesting, from a business standpoint, because the left-behinds previously had no commercial use. He figured out how these people could be monetised, and that changed everything.” Once they’d been monetised, they were a calculable entity, looking for a political home.

    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/sep/27/lachlan-murdoch-is-a-hamlet-figure-michael-wolff-unpicks-the-real-life-succession-drama

  25. The government are committed to running surpluses. It’s big program is S3. The best we can hope for is more intelligent policies, good tinkering and mending. There’s plenty of reform needed that doesn’t cost a fortune. It might be the wisest course for the time being.

  26. Ven @ #687 Thursday, September 28th, 2023 – 8:31 am


    C@tmommasays:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 8:16 am
    Ven @ #672 Thursday, September 28th, 2023 – 7:59 am


    Cronussays:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 7:32 am
    “ The 1st Armoured Regiment will be “re-roled” as an innovation and experimentation unit to deliver and integrate these emerging technologies but will remain at its current location in the South Australian capital, close to the Cultana and Woomera training ranges, and the ADF’s space sector partners which provide targeting data.
    Eventually all of Army’s tanks, Boxer Combat Reconnaissance Vehicles, Redback Infantry Fighting Vehicles, and Huntsman self-propelled howitzers will be based in Townsville along with the Apache and Chinook helicopter fleets.”

    So the 1st Armoured Regiment will be based in Adelaide but almost all of Army’s armour will be based in Townsville? That simply doesn’t make sense to me.

    Probably The armour in Townsville could be used by US military personnel.

    Probably the Indians too, when they join the Quad military exercises.

    Nah. As Socrates and A-E pointed a lot of Australian military equipment is in sink with US military arms and ammunition.
    And Indian military equipment is not.

    Yes, true, a lot of Indian military equipment is Russian. However, I meant that the Indians, by joining in military exercises with the other Quad nations, could synchronise their efforts.

  27. Hello gentler kinder and less frequently posting c@t.

    Please don’t dominate conversation and allow others to express their viewpoint. Thanks.

  28. Steve777

    My son was not interested in academia at all. He did complete his VCE, under duress. Lol!
    I wanted him to get a degree, but he wasn’t having a bar of it.

    He did a pre app at TAFE, and then apprenticeship in electrical field.
    He is now in early thirties and running his own business, and has 10 employees working for him. His type of electrical work is climate and switchboard etc for commercial buildings.

    Yes the moral of the story, is university is not for everyone.

  29. Jenauthor:

    Our reactions (on this blog) to Newspoll is a perfect example how short term perceived gratification effects us all. And what I call the “drive by” opinions of the usual suspect aim to feed the emotional responses. They are laughably obvious yet so many bite (as I did just now about Arts Degrees)!

    __________________________________

    Indeed. It requires painful self-control not to respond to the F!@#@ts, no matter how much your logical brain tells you not to.

  30. I’m glad that Tim Pallas’s arrogant push to be Vic Dep Premier was knocked on the head.

    The Vic Govt should be as stable as it can be now with Carroll from the right getting the position.

    The left still have the numbers to maintain a progressive agenda, so the transition has been swift and very smoothe.

  31. C@T 7:35am

    “ Maybe it makes sense because a new brigade will be formed out of Townsville’s 3rd Brigade, as well:

    The Queensland city’s 3rd Brigade will be re-formed as the Army’s only heavy combat formation with up to 500 personnel added to its ranks.”
    ——————-

    Hi C@T

    It certainly makes sense to place most armoured equipment up in Townsville given that it will now be constituted as a heavy combat formation but why then base the regiment (many personnel and families) in Adelaide? In other words, significant numbers of personnel and families will be based in Adelaide and near Cultana and Woomera armoured training ranges whilst the equipment will be based in Townsville. I imagine Commander 3 Brigade would prefer his personnel and equipment in the one location for both administration and training reasons at least. Perhaps the wording in the article is unclear and lacking sufficient detail.

  32. Socrates says:
    Thursday, September 28, 2023 at 7:40 am
    Australia is now one of the lowest (public) funders of tertiary education in the OECD. It has been dropping since 1975. No (Labor) government has increased it since Whitlam. The biggest drop started after Dawkins reintroduced fees in 1989.
    —————————

    One of the worst long term national public policy failures in my lifetime.

  33. It seems that it’s too easy to miss one vital reason for an education. Education is a mind hack; it helps you think. Like physical fitness the mental variety isn’t easy, but unlike physical fitness it can easily last a lifetime.

    Would you rather live in a society where most people think things through or one where most people are told what to think? And personally, would you like to be someone who can think for themselves or are you fine getting your opinions from others?

    Not everyone can join the Institute of Sport. But anyone can improve at the corner gym.

  34. My patience run out along time ago, regarding Trump and his acolytes being held to account.

    All the stupid legacy media currently selling the line that Trump is leading the polls and looks like winning the next election is pure unadulterated crapola.

    Instead they should be reporting the fact that he is slowly being exposed for the criminal traitor that he is.

    Don’t be surprised if his criminal connection to Epstein finally sees the light of day in next few months.

    It might finally shut everyone up,

  35. Moving 800 military personnel to an area would probably strengthen the Coalition vote there. The types of people attracted to a military career tend to vote conservative.

    Obviously not a consideration of course, they need to be deployed where they can best serve.

  36. The Pentagon has awarded Elon Musk’s SpaceX its first confirmed contract for the Starshield network it’s developing, a military-specific version of the company’s Starlink satellite internet system, the defense agency said Wednesday.
    A Space Force spokesperson confirmed that SpaceX on Sept. 1 was awarded a one-year contract for Starshield with a maximum value of $70 million. The award came alongside 18 other companies through a program run by the Space Force’s commercial satellite communications office. “The SpaceX contract provides for Starshield end-to-end service (via the Starlink constellation), user terminals, ancillary equipment, network management and other related services,” Space Force spokesperson Ann Stefanek told CNBC. The company unveiled Starshield last year as a new business line. The Pentagon is already a high-value buyer of the company’s rocket launches and had shown increasing interest in its Starlink satellite internet.

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