I’ve been too busy in the last few days to give the site the attention it deserves, and in particularly to have anything to offer about the by-election that is sadly upon us in the marginal Labor seat of Dunkley in Melbourne’s south-east. The Age had a Resolve Strategic poll for Victoria on Saturday that escaped my notice at the time and which I’ll finally do a post on later today. For now, I offer a perfunctory account of two recent federal results:
• The latest Essential Research poll is all but unchanged on last fortnight, with the Coalition, Labor and the Greens all steady on 34%, 31% and 13%, One Nation down a point to 6%, and undecided down a point to 5%. The pollster’s 2PP+ measure has Labor up a point to 49% and the Coalition down one to 46%. Also included in the poll are monthly leaders’ favourability ratings, where respondents are asked to rate their performance on a scale of one to ten, which find Anthony Albanese still in decline though at a slower rate than last month, and Peter Dutton taking a downward turn after a relatively strong result last month. The poll was conducted Wednesday to Monday from a sample of 1102.
• The weekly Roy Morgan poll has Labor with an unchanged two-party lead of 51-49, with Labor down two on the primary vote to 30.5%, the Coalition down half 37%, the Greens up one-and-a-half to 14% and One Nation steady on 5%. The poll was conducted Monday to Sunday from a sample of 1719.
• Nine Newspapers had further results from last week’s Resolve Strategic poll on Sunday regarding immigration, which found 62% believe current levels are too high, 23% about right and 3% too low. Fifty-seven per cent felt the government was handling immigration in an “unplanned and unmanaged way”, with only 16% favouring the “carefully planned and managed” alternative. The poll predated the government’s announcement of its immigration strategy on Monday.
‘The pollster’s 2PP+ measure has Labor up a point to 49% and the Coalition down one to 46%.’
‘… Anthony Albanese still in decline though at a slower rate … and Peter Dutton taking a downward turn …’
Two out of three ain’t bad.
Rishi Sunak’s flagship safety of Rwanda bill has passed its first Commons vote, but only after a threatened rebellion by a collection of rightwing Conservative MPs. The bill passed its second reading by 313 votes to 269, a majority of 44.
Shortly before the vote, the so-called five families – a loose alliance of five different rightwing Tory groups – said they could not support the bill but would mainly abstain, allowing it to pass.
‘… Roy Morgan poll has Labor with an unchanged two-party lead of 51-49 …’
And splitting Essential’s 5% undecided across 49 – 46 similarly delivers 51-point-something to 49-point-something.
Per HH:
‘… the so-called five families – a loose alliance of five different rightwing Tory groups – said they could not support the bill …’
Fortunately, here ‘we don’t have factions in the Liberal party’.
I heard Malcolm Turnbull say it, so it must be true.
Special counsel Jack Smith plans to use data from former President Trump’s White House cell phone in the federal 2020 election interference case, per a Monday court filing.
The big picture: Smith plans to call an expert witness who has “extracted and processed data,” from the phones of the former president and another unnamed person.
The witness would also determine the usages of the phones during the post-2020 election period, including on and around Jan. 6, 2021.
That includes the periods of time when the Twitter app was open on Trump’s phone the day of the Capitol riot, per the court filing.
Zoom out: Trump was indicted in August alleged efforts to overturn the 2020 election and charged with conspiracy to defraud the U.S., conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding, obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and conspiracy against rights.
He pleaded not guilty to all charges.
Representatives for Trump did not immediately respond to Axios’ request for comment.
What’s next: The federal 2020 election trial is scheduled to start on March 4, the day before Super Tuesday.
https://www.axios.com/2023/12/12/jack-smith-trump-phone-data-trial
About a third of NSW paramedics are holding out on renewing their professional registration, in a threat the Industrial Relations Commission (IRC) heard “poses a significant risk to the safety of the public”.
It is part of an ongoing dispute between the Health Services Union (HSU) and the NSW government, over a pay structure the union claims is seeing hundreds of paramedics leave the profession to other states.
The dispute is now before the IRC, with just 20 days remaining until the authority of 2,000 paramedics to work will expire.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-13/paramedics-pay-dispute-professional-registration/103219590
I believe this is the roadmap Foreign Minister Penny Wong will be following in January:
More to come
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-calls-for-gaza-ceasefire-in-statement-with-nz-canadian-leaders-20231213-p5er29.html
“If you award them what they are asking for, it will be the end of Mr Giuliani”
You say that like it’s a bad thing, Mr Sibley!
“Giuliani’s lies turned my life ‘upside down’, election worker testifies”
“Ruby Freeman and Shaye Moss are seeking up to $43m in damages after Giuliani falsely accused them of trying to steal 2020 election”
https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2023/dec/12/rudy-giuliani-election-workers-trial
“We reaffirm that settlements are illegal under international law. Settlements and settler violence are serious obstacles to a negotiated two-state solution.”
A welcome reaffirmation.
A research and development arm of DHS announced last year it has been working with the Philadelphia-based company Ghost Robotics to develop a robot dog to patrol the border.
The dogs can transmit real-time video and other data back to human operators while climbing over sand, rocks and hills.
https://www.axios.com/2023/12/12/border-patrol-us-mexico-ai-robo-dogs-drones-inspectors
His time has come! 😀
C@tmomma @ 7.13am
“Affirmative, Mistress !”
And zap aliens with that extendable red button on its’ snout, too!
Good morning Dawn Patrollers.
Australia, New Zealand and Canada support a pause in fighting in Gaza and efforts towards a sustainable ceasefire, their leaders said in a joint statement released on Wednesday. The statement, which quickly condemned Hamas’ October 7 attacks and recognised Israel’s right to defend itself, went on to ask that Israel respect humanitarian law in doing so.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/albanese-calls-for-gaza-ceasefire-in-statement-with-nz-canadian-leaders-20231213-p5er29.html
We are all slaves to conventional wisdom. The risk in politics is that conventional wisdom is being applied to the fate of the Albanese government when the conventional is dying. The dominant theme in our politics today is fracture – the established order is under assault, writes Paul Kelly. He says the old rules of politics are falling apart. The electorate is more temperamental, divided and volatile. The troubles of the Albanese government have two sources – its own mistakes and the fracturing of our political culture into subcultures.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/after-the-voice-disaffected-voters-are-ready-to-shatter-political-convention/news-story/4c98f6fa09b771ab7461c476e3d8cc4c?amp=
Opposition Leader Peter Dutton is using every opportunity to target the Labor government, confident that he is ending this year with the political momentum rather than Anthony Albanese, writes Jennifer Hewett.
https://www.afr.com/politics/federal/why-dutton-feels-confident-in-attack-mode-20231212-p5eqvr
In a top-notch contribution, Michael Pascoe accuses business of being too busy whingeing to lift productivity. He says, “As certain as death and taxes – well, death anyway – the business lobby has reacted to Labor’s “same work, same pay” bill by claiming the Four Horsemen are riding in Canberra and the earth shall split asunder, spewing forth toads and serpents and so on. That’s a lot easier than admitting Australia suffers from dud corporate leadership. The lobbyists’ hysteria coincides with a British economic stagnation study, key aspects of which fit Australia like a glove despite our lack of a Brexit disaster.”
https://www.thenewdaily.com.au/finance/2023/12/13/michael-pascoe-business-productivity
According to Peter Hannam, some economists are saying the Albanese government’s mid-year budget update will reveal a fiscal “sweet spot” fuelled by strong commodity prices, population growth and a resilient labour market. But experts believe the government is likely to play down the positive budget position in order to curb calls for more cost of living relief that could stoke inflation and keep interest rates higher for longer.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/13/stronger-than-expected-budget-position-to-fuel-calls-for-cost-of-living-relief-economists-say
Trumpian populism hasn’t taken off in Australia. Ross Gittins thinks he knows why.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/trumpian-populism-hasn-t-taken-off-in-australia-i-think-i-know-why-20231212-p5equb.html
Angus Thompson tells us that Home Affairs Minister Clare O’Neil has warned that fast-tracking tradies under a new specialist skills visa could threaten Australian apprenticeships as the construction lobby accuses the Albanese government of snubbing blue-collar workers by excluding them from its fastest migration stream.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/minister-warns-of-foreign-tradie-free-for-all-as-builders-complain-new-visas-exclude-vital-workers-20231212-p5eqxi.html
At last, the Albanese government has laid out coherent policies to address the problem of soaring numbers of international students who have remained in Australia after graduation in the increasingly vain hope of eventually winning permanent residency, writes The Australian’s Tim Dodd.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/after-deep-confusion-at-last-a-coherent-migration-plan/news-story/d10b8e8bac7364ed7edd208510e2ebb7?amp=
Abul Rizvi says that Dutton’s dog whistle will sound if Albanese fails this migration test. A good read.
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/dutton-s-dog-whistle-will-sound-if-albanese-fails-this-migration-test-20231212-p5equd.html
Neoliberalism is the commodification of everyone and everything for profit regardless of the negative social or environmental costs. Neoliberalism, often characterized by its emphasis on free-market capitalism, deregulation, and minimal government intervention in the economy, has been a dominant economic and political ideology globally. However, its impact on society, the environment, and democratic systems has sparked significant debate and concern. Dennis Hay explores these impacts and argues for the necessity of reassessing and changing neoliberal policies for the greater good of society and the environment.
https://theaimn.com/neoliberalism-a-threat-to-social-welfare-and-environmental-sustainability/
The WestConnex debacle is a metaphor for 2023’s rolling political disasters, which have left voters seething, explains Peter Lewis.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/commentisfree/2023/dec/12/westconnex-issues-details-labor-rozelle-interchange-traffic
According to the SMH editorial, Stokes’ Seven West Media has fallen into a dark hollow with part of its news division recently turned into a platform for proven and alleged wrongdoers and egotists, where the priorities of late seem to outweigh a sense of news or professionalism. Ouch!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/stokes-seven-west-media-has-fallen-into-a-dark-hollow-20231212-p5equ0.html
Universities and private colleges considered at “high risk” of recruiting students to Australia to work rather than study will be targeted under the government’s new migration strategy, writes Clay Lucas. Fair enough!
https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/the-universities-set-to-lose-millions-of-dollars-in-international-student-crackdown-20231212-p5eqw9.html
The US legislation to notionally enable Australia to buy a Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine in a decade’s time is a good first step, but like everything in AUKUS the payday is far, far beyond the horizon, there are countless “out clauses”, making the commitment at the moment purely symbolic. It’s good symbolism, of course. The congress on a bipartisan basis is endorsing, in principle, the decision to provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. But the out clauses are prodigious, warns Greg Sheridan.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/symbolism-is-welcome-but-there-are-many-ways-aukus-subs-pact-can-founder/news-story/ed8fdcb1d8f0320f2851b91af3ae67d9?amp=
A mega health regulator will be established to rapidly respond to crises in areas such as IVF, pest control, vaping and radiation safety as the Victorian government increases its capacity to tackle emerging medical and safety issues. Aisha Dow reports that Victorian Health Minister Mary-Anne Thomas told The Age yesterday that many of the Health Department’s watchdog functions would be centralised in a new “super-team of regulators” – called the Health Regulator – within the year to better direct resources to where they were needed.
https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/new-super-team-of-regulators-to-take-on-ivf-bungles-pest-control-20231212-p5eqv4.html
Engineered stone could be banned nationwide by next July if state and territory ministers sign off on a draft agreement in a high-stakes meeting on Wednesday as the Commonwealth faces renewed calls to ban imports of the product. The agreement, circulated among ministers ahead of the meeting, says they accept the findings of a major report on the substance, which is linked to lung disease in tradies, and agree to prohibit its use under work health and safety laws by the second half of next year.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/ministers-weigh-up-july-1-nationwide-ban-on-engineered-stone-20231212-p5eqsd.html
ASIC’s case against Star’s board, launched 12 months ago, has come to a standstill because a judge is so busy he can’t hear it until February 2025, reports Michael Pelly.
https://www.afr.com/companies/media-and-marketing/asic-sued-star-s-board-a-year-ago-the-case-will-be-heard-in-2025-20231205-p5ep4e
Olivia Ireland reports that Andrew Leigh has become the most senior member of the government to support a ban on online gambling advertisements in comments backed by several Labor backbenchers. In a tribute to colleague Peta Murphy, who died last week aged 50 following a battle with cancer, the assistant minister for competition, charities and treasury spoke of her devotion to gambling reform. Bring it on!
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/labor-s-andrew-leigh-backs-ban-on-gambling-ads-20231212-p5eqrx.html
Assistant Treasurer Stephen Jones has signalled that social media giants will be required to verify advertisers on their platforms and ensure their ads comply with local laws, as part of an upcoming mandatory code aimed at combatting a wave of scams. Banks have long complained that scammers promoting fraudulent investment schemes have managed to advertise on social media, luring investors with the promise of high returns. Bring this on, too!
https://www.theage.com.au/business/banking-and-finance/they-have-hr-departments-labor-to-fight-social-media-scammers-20231212-p5eqto.html
Michaela Whitbourn writes that a telephone call Brittany Higgins secretly recorded with her then-boss, Liberal senator Michaelia Cash, has emerged as a flashpoint in Bruce Lehrmann’s defamation case after it was played for the first time in the Federal Court.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/watch-live-the-project-producer-angus-llewellyn-former-host-lisa-wilkinson-to-give-evidence-in-lehrmann-case-20231212-p5eqrt.html
Amanda Meade gives us more details of what came up in yesterday’s hearing where Bruce Lehrmann’s lawyer accused The Project of not checking the ‘credibility’ of Brittany Higgins’ claims.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/12/bruce-lehrmann-defamation-trial-latest-updates-brittany-higgins-the-project-ntwnfb
Broadcaster Alan Jones has sent a legal letter threatening defamation proceedings against the Nine media empire, claiming journalists want to destroy his reputation because they resent his rise as one of Australia’s most prominent commentators. Carrie Fellner reports that the concerns notice was sent on Tuesday afternoon to Bevan Shields, the editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, Patrick Elligett, the editor of The Age, and Kate McClymont, the Herald’s chief investigative reporter.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/alan-jones-claims-journalists-concocted-indecent-assault-allegations-in-attempt-to-destroy-him-20231212-p5eqz0.html
The European Union has finally agreed a detailed and highly prescriptive set of rules for regulating artificial intelligence but, with dissent already within Europe, Stephen Bartholomeusz wonders if anyone else will emulate them.
https://www.smh.com.au/technology/controlling-the-arms-race-europe-sets-a-high-benchmark-for-ai-regulation-20231212-p5eqt3.html
China’s economic woes have overshadowed the growing influence of the yuan. The world needs to pay attention, warns Bloomberg’s Andy Mukherjee.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/china-s-currency-is-flexing-its-muscles-20231211-p5eqga.html
Rwanda bill has Tories outcompeting each other to new levels of insanity, writes John Crace in yet another excoriation full of expressive prose and characteristically short sentences.
https://www.theguardian.com/politics/2023/dec/12/rwanda-bill-has-tories-outcompeting-each-other-to-new-levels-of-insanity
Academic freedom is the loser when big donors hound US university presidents, writes Robert Reich who says the leaders of Harvard, Penn and MIT should have clearly condemned calls for genocide but the response has been almost as repugnant.
https://www.theguardian.com/commentisfree/2023/dec/12/us-college-donors-influence-gaza-israel
Cartoon Corner
David Pope
Cathy Wilcox
John Shakespeare
Matt Golding
Simon Letch
Fiona Katauskas
Mark Knight
Spooner
From the US
Here’s the Fiona Katauskas cartoon.
‘Paul Kelly … says the old rules of politics are falling apart. The electorate is more temperamental, divided and volatile.’
After a generation of culture wars waged by Pontificating Paul’s paymaster, that’s no surprise.
Broadcaster Alan Jones has sent a legal letter threatening defamation proceedings against the Nine media empire, claiming journalists want to destroy his reputation because they resent his rise as one of Australia’s most prominent commentators. Carrie Fellner reports that the concerns notice was sent on Tuesday afternoon to Bevan Shields, the editor of The Sydney Morning Herald, Patrick Elligett, the editor of The Age, and Kate McClymont, the Herald’s chief investigative reporter.
https://www.smh.com.au/national/alan-jones-claims-journalists-concocted-indecent-assault-allegations-in-attempt-to-destroy-him-20231212-p5eqz0.html
So…Trumpy. ‘I am the Chosen One. I am above the law and thus, consequences for my actions.’
Tas Lib government fell into a fiasco yesterday with it’s attempt to pass a motion to remove High Court Judge Geason. The motion didnt even get to the floor of the parliament, which was recalled specifically from summer recess to move this single motion.
The motion to remove Geason was overreach from the start as he had already recused himself from hearing cases. and he has pleaded not guilty to the charges in front of the court.
Total lack of talent in the Tas Lib government to get even the basics right.
The Mercury https://archive.md/6FY2g
‘Trumpian populism hasn’t taken off in Australia. Ross Gittins thinks he knows why.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/trumpian-populism-hasn-t-taken-off-in-australia-i-think-i-know-why-20231212-p5equb.html‘
========================
Thank you, BK.
Methinks that Gittins may have been o/s during the Voice referendum.
The success of Dutton’s No is the latest and biggest example of Trumpian populism taking off in Australia. It had it all – lies, racist dog whistling by leaders, stoking of resentment, fear and anger, feral social media, projection, threats, policy flips, personal attacks on opponents: the lot.
Where did this guy come from? He’s writing for The Australian!?!
At last, the Albanese government has laid out coherent policies to address the problem of soaring numbers of international students who have remained in Australia after graduation in the increasingly vain hope of eventually winning permanent residency, writes The Australian’s Tim Dodd.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/after-deep-confusion-at-last-a-coherent-migration-plan/news-story/d10b8e8bac7364ed7edd208510e2ebb7
And anotherie from Paul Lewis, Guardian, thanks BK
It is a deliberate strategy to fracture and destroy. It is to oppose for the sake of opposition, with complete disregard for what is good for society. Thatcher’s wet dream. No society.
This is from Australian ABC News
Pakistan’s children are feeling the human toll of climate change: stunted growth and school dropouts
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2023-12-12/pakistan-climate-change-disasters-child-malnourishment-education/103059696?utm_source=newsshowcase&utm_medium=discover&utm_campaign=CCwqFwgwKg4IACoGCAow3vI9MPeaCDDjkOYCMKDFkQM&utm_content=bullets
“At three years old, Suleman Ali is meant to weigh at least 11 kilograms. But with a dire food shortage in Pakistan, he’s so malnourished he’s not even 1kg.
Suleman’s vomiting started during the holy celebration of Shab-e-barat, when Muslim people pray for forgiveness for anything they’ve done wrong.
It’s supposed to bring good fortune for the year ahead, but the illness didn’t abate for 10 days.
A young malnourished boy looks down as he is held by his mother, out of shot
This little boy is just one of millions of children who are now facing the long-term repercussions of climate change.
According to a recent World Bank report, about 40 per cent of children under five across the country have stunted growth.
This is even more pronounced in areas struck by devastating floods that submerged a third of the country in 2022.
Islamic Relief Worldwide, which has been measuring the impacts of climate change across the country, surveyed families in flood-hit communities and reported 42.7 per cent of children under two were considered stunted.
The floods led to more than $US3.7 billion ($5.6 billion) worth of damage to agriculture, food, livestock, and fishing, according to a Pakistan Planning Commission report.
Scientists have found the disaster was triggered by heavier-than-usual monsoon rains and melting Himalayan glaciers, both triggered substantially by climate change.
At least 33 million people were affected — more than the population of the entirety of Australia — and half of them were children, like Suleman.”
Situation in Pakistan is a preview to what will happen elsewhere in years to come.
[Oliver Suttonsays:
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 7:13 am
“We reaffirm that settlements are illegal under international law. Settlements and settler violence are serious obstacles to a negotiated two-state solution.”
A welcome reaffirmation.]
Hollow words.
Ouch!
https://www.smh.com.au/national/nsw/stokes-seven-west-media-has-fallen-into-a-dark-hollow-20231212-p5equ0.html
You’ve got to wonder how much watching Channel 7 is contributing to the sour mood of the electorate?
Usman Khawaja intends to front for the First Test tomorrow in shoes bearing slogans: ‘Freedom is a human right’.
Brace for exploding heads.
Rex Douglas @ #22 Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 – 8:35 am
Yours? Yes. Always.
”
C@tmommasays:
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 8:26 am
Where did this guy come from? He’s writing for The Australian!?!
At last, the Albanese government has laid out coherent policies to address the problem of soaring numbers of international students who have remained in Australia after graduation in the increasingly vain hope of eventually winning permanent residency, writes The Australian’s Tim Dodd.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/higher-education/after-deep-confusion-at-last-a-coherent-migration-plan/news-story/d10b8e8bac7364ed7edd208510e2ebb7
”
The above scenario has happened repeatedly over a period of 30 years. It accelerated during Howard years.
#weatheronPB
A slow breeze slides past.
Clouds, peacefully, share the sky.
I watch. Cool. Transfixed.
Meanwhile in the Ukraine, the war seems to be heading for an inevitable Russian victory.
When Trump is inevitably re-elected next November, and Republicans take control of both the House and the Senate, all funding to Ukraine for the war will come to an end. It will be the end for Volodimyr Zelensky – he will be in exile, at best, and put to death, at worst. And a good chance of both.
Of course when Dutton becomes PM shortly after the official line in Australia is that these are none of our beeswax.
And it isn’t like it’s a finance workplace or a construction workplace or a workplace that has nothing to do with journalism. It’s a media workplace which directly employs journalists!
C@tmomma @ #23 Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 – 8:36 am
Aren’t 7 part of the Murdoch stable? They had the Stephen Smith cancelling the Australia Day Charity event ahead of the paper iirc. Certainly cheerleading against 10 in the defamation case.
”
Trumpian populism hasn’t taken off in Australia. Ross Gittins thinks he knows why.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/trumpian-populism-hasn-t-taken-off-in-australia-i-think-i-know-why-20231212-p5equb.html
”
I respect Ross Gittins a lot but on this he is following his heart than his brain i.e. ‘a few bad apples ‘ concept even though Voice referendum says otherwise.
Atleast the minimum he has to accept is that they can be prone to fall prey to Trumpian populism.
MelbourneMammoth @ #28 Wednesday, December 13th, 2023 – 8:40 am
Your wishin’ and hopin’ and prayin’ for such demonstrates a contempt for democracy, freedom-loving countries and respect for international law.
The snarky personal attacks have made WB’s blog very toxic.
I will reflect on the value of comment participation.
”
The US legislation to notionally enable Australia to buy a Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarine in a decade’s time is a good first step, but like everything in AUKUS the payday is far, far beyond the horizon, there are countless “out clauses”, making the commitment at the moment purely symbolic. It’s good symbolism, of course. The congress on a bipartisan basis is endorsing, in principle, the decision to provide nuclear-powered submarines to Australia. But the out clauses are prodigious, warns Greg Sheridan.
https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/symbolism-is-welcome-but-there-are-many-ways-aukus-subs-pact-can-founder/news-story/ed8fdcb1d8f0320f2851b91af3ae67d9?amp=
”
The countless “out clauses” and the delivery “far beyond the horizon” are what that make AUKUS deal a dud.
USA know what they are doing. As A-E pointed Australian military cooperation and a base for their Nuclear Submarines for free along with Australia giving a few billion dollars I don’t know for what.
I’m not sure how tolerating Yabba calling people “fuckwit” adds to the general tone.
”
China’s economic woes have overshadowed the growing influence of the yuan. The world needs to pay attention, warns Bloomberg’s Andy Mukherjee.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/china-s-currency-is-flexing-its-muscles-20231211-p5eqga.html
”
So?
@C@t:
“ You’ve got to wonder how much watching Channel 7 is contributing to the sour mood of the electorate?”
When reading one of the three media cartel members pontificating about the lack of virtue of one of the others, it is best to remember that such criticism is autobiographical.
9/Faix has the morals of an alley cat, as PJK recently observed.
Both 7/West and 9/Faix orbit and ‘compete’ with the Rupeverse in the Cultcha wars, with the feckless ABC watching on and pondering where to strike ‘the balance’ in this sewer (and their default position is the ‘safe’ option of attacking or gaslighting Labor from the left).
Hot and humid again today. Not very pleasant at all.
So sad about the doctor dying as a result of home invasion. Sigh….
”
Boerwarsays:
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 8:21 am
‘Trumpian populism hasn’t taken off in Australia. Ross Gittins thinks he knows why.
https://www.smh.com.au/business/the-economy/trumpian-populism-hasn-t-taken-off-in-australia-i-think-i-know-why-20231212-p5equb.html‘
========================
Thank you, BK.
Methinks that Gittins may have been o/s during the Voice referendum.
The success of Dutton’s No is the latest and biggest example of Trumpian populism taking off in Australia. It had it all – lies, racist dog whistling by leaders, stoking of resentment, fear and anger, feral social media, projection, threats, policy flips, personal attacks on opponents: the lot.
”
Snap BW
Yep. I reckon Trump will be throwing ketchup on the walls. Lol
——-
Harry Litman
The bland disclosure of expert witness #3 by Jack Smith in the 1/6 trial has to have the Trump camp totally freaked out. Expert apparently can figure out thru Twitter data not just what Trump tweeted and visited but his physical whereabouts and others who used his phone. Gulp!
Morning all. Thanks for the roundup BK. It feels as though Labor has started governing again after a post referendum slump. The immigration policy is a good step forward.
The polls show how much political capital Labor has lost, but still show Labor in front, decisively so once the Teals are considered.
The Australian article by Sheridan points out a lot of limitations over the AUKUS deal in US CONgress I mentioned last week. It still does not include the US “ITAR” law changes needed for UK or Australian construction of SSNs for the RAN. Though obviously at this point, stalling AUKUS SSN production suits Australia’s current budget problems.
Boerwar
Agreed.
I already recounted story of when OH had a catch up with old friends after the vote. These were guys in their 50s.
My OH was shocked to hear the reasons they gave for voting no.
And a few of them also weighed in on Trump. Actually saying things like the law is going after him on bullshit charges so he doesn’t become President again.
By that stage my OH had enough, and gave them a piece of his mind.
Victoria
Yesterday I posted an article by Rick Wilson, where he called Trump a coward. It seems now Trump is reacting to comments like that
Donald Trump says he’s not chicken, would have testified if he was allowed to yell at clerk in court
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/12/12/2211299/-Donald-Trump-says-he-s-not-chicken-would-have-testified-if-he-was-allowed-to-yell-at-clerk-in-court?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=top_news_slot_1&pm_medium=web
“Donald Trump had been expected to testify Monday in the defense phase of his civil fraud trial in New York City. But after his attorney Alina Habba swore that “Trump doesn’t cower,” Trump did exactly that. He backed out of his testimony at the eleventh hour.
However, after the first round of articles and commentary ran, Trump seemed to get that Florida-fried chicken suit was not the greatest look. So on Tuesday, Trump was back to repeat the excuse he had used in running away over the weekend. He wanted to testify, claimed Trump, only he couldn’t. Because the gag order put in place by Judge Arthur Engoron and upheld by an appeals court on Nov. 30 took away “my constitutional right to defend myself.” According to Trump, he is continuing to appeal this order, because it doesn’t allow him “free and honest speech.”
This is interesting because literally all the order does is prevent Trump from attacking law clerk Allison Greenfield and other members of the courtroom staff.”
And the latest disgraceful fiasco in Texas in refusing a young woman to get abortion on medical grounds, is surely going to increase women comimg out to vote against the rethugs in 2024.
As I said,when roe vs wade was overturned. A sleeping giant has been awoken.
For the fossil fools it’s all about fossil fuels.
https://www.counterpunch.org/2023/12/11/israel-gaza-and-the-struggle-for-oil/
This article highlights something I have complained about before, and a problem for Labor.
“ Six months after its establishment, the Albanese government’s high-speed rail body is yet to appoint a chief executive or begin planning any train projects, as the opposition accuses it of achieving “absolutely nothing” towards its fast rail ambition.”
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2023/dec/13/anthony-albanese-australia-high-speed-rail-body-project-updates
It is obvious that Labor is freezing spending in defence and infrastructure as a strategy for budget repair and to encourage resources to shift to housing. HSR was a Labor 2022 election promise. This is one of many examples where funding for planning new infrastructure is frozen or cancelled. Planning work has dropped off a cliff in the past year, with planning engineers losing their jobs.
The problem is that Infrastructure Minister Catherine King is unable to say it or explain why. If she said this was policy and encouraged people to look for work in housing or local government, then people would do that. But King says very little, and people don’t know is there a halt, is the halt temporary, or should they shift careers. King is an ineffective Minister and unpopular within the transport industry.
Ven
Rick Wilson and the Lincoln project site know how to get under Trump’s skin
Rex: ‘The snarky personal attacks have made WB’s blog very toxic.’
I agree, Rex, and sadly the most toxic contributors here are connected with the party I voted for at the last election. I’ll never vote for them again.
Victoria
Probably you know the case of Kentucky woman asking for Court interference regarding her abortion.
It appears the featus doesn’t have cardiac activity.
”
Victoriasays:
Wednesday, December 13, 2023 at 9:25 am
And the latest disgraceful fiasco in Texas in refusing a young woman to get abortion on medical grounds, is surely going to increase women comimg out to vote against the rethugs in 2024.
As I said,when roe vs wade was overturned. A sleeping giant has been awoken
”
Associated Press
Kentucky woman seeking court approval for abortion learned her embryo no longer has cardiac activity
https://www.dailykos.com/stories/2023/12/12/2211265/-Kentucky-woman-seeking-court-approval-for-abortion-learned-her-embryo-no-longer-has-cardiac-activity?pm_campaign=front_page&pm_source=top_news_slot_2&pm_medium=web
“A pregnant woman in Kentucky who filed a lawsuit demanding the right to an abortion has learned her embryo no longer has cardiac activity, her attorneys said Tuesday.
The plaintiff’s attorneys signaled their intent to continue the challenge to Kentucky’s near-total abortion ban, but did not immediately comment on what effect the development would have on the lawsuit.
The complaint was filed last week in a state court in Louisville. The plaintiff, identified only as Jane Doe, was seeking class-action status to include other Kentuckians who are or will become pregnant and want to have an abortion. The suit filed last week said she was about eight weeks pregnant.
The flurry of individual women petitioning a court for permission for an abortion is the latest development since Roe v. Wade was overturned last year. The Kentucky case is similar to a legal battle taking place in Texas, where Kate Cox, a pregnant woman with a fatal condition, launched an unprecedented challenge against one of the most restrictive abortion bans in the U.S.”