Category: Informed Comment

Informed Comment

Media sets up protective barrier to seal Morrison’s victory

Yet again the world is amazed at the degree to which Democracy has been blindsided by the media in Australia. Murdoch, Costello and Stokes leave little room for Democracy. If Morrison wins the ABC will be shut down not just watered down like it has been. Morrison didn’t just “host” the media at that very private function he celebrated and gifted them. Skye & News Corp are sponsoring the First Debate on Wednesday with a panel led by Paul Murray immediately after. Hardly a balanced program for those watching a more than challenging one for Albanese which he has already lost.

We must note the Prime Minister and his Government, beleaguered by poor performance and mismanagement, is still in contention this election because of Australia’s media coverage.

Source: Media sets up protective barrier to seal Morrison’s victory

Informed Comment

Julia Banks: When voting for ‘the devil you know’ isn’t good enough

Portrait of Julia Banks

How many Liberals does it take to change their leader when the decision making structure of the party has swung Right? More than dozen members in this current parliament seem to have decided that Morrison wasn’t suitable and resigned? Liberals across Australia and particularly in Morrisons State of NSW are abandoning the Party like never before. Religious groups aren’t run on Democratic principles and Morrison and neither is the Liberal Party any longer.

Morrison is a diehard Pentacostalist Brian Houston his mentor and more than anyone else Morrison has introduced its evangelical leadership style and principles into our political debate and he did it from the get go declaring us to be a Christian Nation.

Like Trump he’s applied “captain’s picks” to this election not representative ones. Liberals are abandoning their membership of the party the way Republicans are in the U.S because of the abandonment of Democracy and rising Autocracy. However, in their abandonment they’re handing it to Evangelicals who have foregone belief in Seperation of Powers the very core of a Multicultural Democratic State. It’s those very fanatics Morrison appoints and appeals to like Deves in Warringah. He supports those against LGBTQIs and specifically Trans. His Religious Discrimination Bill is a fight back against Marriage Equality, the role of women and their place in society has been noted Jen his role model. The very notion of trickle down goodness and Charity from the top rather than politically driven, demanding progressive change has been crystal clear.

Morrison is a cultist who believes he’s a member of an elect. He’d rule with a stick if he could and did when he was given charge of Immigration. Unfortunately Morrison’s isn’t enlightened or a member of an  elect and his efforts like most cultists leads back to darker times and a trend we are witnessing globally built more on faith than rationality.

At a media conference this week at the start of the current election campaign, Morrison said: “It’s not a popularity test. You go to the dentist. It doesn’t matter if you like him or not, or like her or not. But you want to know that they’re good at their job.” But if you go to the dentist and they’re bad at their job, you find another dentist. One who is good at their job. And a good leader of their team. A person you can trust.

Source: Julia Banks: When voting for ‘the devil you know’ isn’t good enough

Informed Comment

Scott Morrison lets rip on native forests in strange oblation to Tasmania’s logging companies – Michael West Media

logging

You know who I am I’m forever blowing bubbles Morrison

Prime Minister Scott Morrison has “let her rip” on the pristine native forests of Tasmania today. It was his “This is coal” moment for another dying industry. Former Greens leader, farmer and 40 year logging activist Christine Milne explores the government’s latest bizarre and destructive pork barrel.

Source: Scott Morrison lets rip on native forests in strange oblation to Tasmania’s logging companies – Michael West Media

Fight against Fake News, Fighting Fake News, Informed Comment

Old Dog Thought Churnalism Informed Comment
Informed Comment

What is an oligarch? The circle of businessmen who made their wealth after the fall of the Soviet Union – ABC News

Boris Yeltsin with Mikhail Khodorkovsky

The marriage of Oligarchs and power isn’t just a Russian story. Sanction Australia’s Oligarchs and watch the LNP crumble.

Some of Russia’s richest and most powerful men have been described as oligarchs. But what does the term really mean and why is the West so fascinated with them?

Source: What is an oligarch? The circle of businessmen who made their wealth after the fall of the Soviet Union – ABC News

Informed Comment

Scott Morrison effectively ditches his promise to establish a federal anti-corruption commission | Australian election 2022 | The Guardian

Prime Minister Scott Morrison

Bye Bye ICAC Bye Bye

Scott Morrison has effectively abandoned his promise to establish a federal anti-corruption watchdog, confirming he would only proceed with legislation in the new parliament if Labor agreed to pass the Coalition’s heavily criticised proposal without amendments.

Source: Scott Morrison effectively ditches his promise to establish a federal anti-corruption commission | Australian election 2022 | The Guardian

Informed Comment

Stumbles and Fictions: The Australian Election Campaign Begins – » The Australian Independent Media Network

During his time in power, Morrison has received relentless barrages in social media and punditry circles for having problems with misogyny, women, empathy, integrity and understanding climate change. He has been awarded such titles as “Scotty from Marketing”, drawn from his time as a failed marketer. He leads a government that is one of the most corrupt and authoritarian in recent memory, scarred by waste, venality and an accomplished stupidity verging on the moronic.

Source: Stumbles and Fictions: The Australian Election Campaign Begins – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

7 crucial things ‘we know’ about Scott Morrison that we ‘don’t’ about Albo

After 26 years in parliament, including a stellar economic record in government, we should know all we need to know about Albo. After all, Morrison’s one term as prime minister has given us more than enough cause to vote his Government out.

Source: 7 crucial things ‘we know’ about Scott Morrison that we ‘don’t’ about Albo

Informed Comment

Informed Comment on Australia’s Main Stream Media

https://fb.watch/cn6iZaBHFF

Informed Comment

Worst debt blow-out in the developed world refutes Coalition claims of economic competence – » The Australian Independent Media Network

In 2013 ALP debt of $280 M was critical to the LNP,and a disaster to the Aus Economy. Today it’s $900 M and is “well in-hand” and managed “perfectly” and in control under this LNP why? Because Morrison and his media associates treat the nation like mushrooms. Keep us in the dark and feed us bullshit.

Why does debt matter?

There are two answers to this question – economic and political.

Source: Worst debt blow-out in the developed world refutes Coalition claims of economic competence – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

And so it begins. Election 2022: a personal perspective. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day “The gross national product does not allow for the health of our children, the quality of their education, or the joy of their play. It does not include the beauty of our poetry or the strength of our marriages … It measures neither our wit nor our courage; neither our wisdom or our learning; neither our compassion nor our devotion to our country; it measures everything, in short, except that which makes life worthwhile.” (Robert Kennedy, 1968). ( John Lord )

Source: And so it begins. Election 2022: a personal perspective. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Albanese trips, Morrison claims ignorance of huge payout in Tudge affair

2 Tales: One a Mistake and The other Deception

Also on Monday journalist Samantha Maiden reported that the woman, Rachelle Miller, was receiving a settlement of more than $500,000 + (Costs = nearly $1Mill)

The amount reported, if correct, seems huge. Yet Morrison claimed he didn’t know the sum and couldn’t provide any information. “I have no knowledge of that. That’s a private matter between her and the [finance] department and so that is not a matter I have any involvement in or oversight or visibility on,” he said. (I don’t hold the hose)

This is taxpayers’ money. Taxpayers are voters, and voters are disgusted about what they have learned about the culture around Parliament House.

When there are allegations, denials, official inquiries, and a large payout on unspecified grounds, they’re entitled to feel they are being treated like disrespected cash cows. ( Reason for ICAC )

If they are to provide hundreds of thousands of dollars to Miller they are surely entitled to know what it is for, and who ticked off on this decision.

And when it turns out Tudge is in a ministerial warehouse, after he and the PM indicated he was on the backbench, it looks like wilful deception on both their parts. (look at the error Albanese made)

 

Source: Albanese trips, Morrison claims ignorance of huge payout in Tudge affair

Informed Comment

Holding Putin Accountable Would Require an Actual Rules-Based World Order

Australia doesn’t accept and downgrades Climate Change, Human Rights, Asylum Seekers, etc. It doesn’t accept the UN or any world order other than the LNP’s drift to an increasingly Privatised Corporate or Oligarchic State.

Washington’s long-standing hostility to the International Criminal Court undermines any future war crimes prosecutions over Ukraine. If for no other reason, the US must join the rest of the world in accepting the court’s jurisdiction.

Source: Holding Putin Accountable Would Require an Actual Rules-Based World Order

Informed Comment

The Dirty Election: how the cards are stacked in favour of Scott Morrison – Michael West Media

Anthony Albanese and Scott Morrison

Sales, a veteran ABC interviewer, did not lay a glove on the marketing maestro and the interview ended with Sales smiling, “Thank you Prime Minister”: the sort of sardonic smile which – in the land of Insiderville which is the Canberra Press Gallery, denotes a doff of the cap, an acknowledgment that yes, okay, you sure can spin the proverbial PM. “You’re good, a bit too good”. There was also the obligatory whine that the PM should come on more often. But why would he when he has the cheesily fawning Paul Murray on Sky, or 2GB, or fan-man Chris Uhlmann on Nine as his go-to?

To get to the point, Labor may be streets ahead in the polls but Scott Morrison is now in his element. His government is a shambles but, with the three major media houses backing him, and the ABC and others truckling to their daily news agendas, Anthony Albanese will have to win this thing, not wait for Morrison to lose it. The propagandists of News Corp will run hard for Morrison. Already, according to their questionable Newspoll, the gap has narrowed sharply. Sure, they want a contest, it sells their propaganda sheets, but given all the subsidies and favors which Rupert Murdoch, Nine Entertainment, and Seven have wrung out of the Coalition they will surely be barracking for the Coalition and bagging Labor till the cows come home.

Source: The Dirty Election: how the cards are stacked in favour of Scott Morrison – Michael West Media

Informed Comment

Biden needs to start going after large corporations if he wants to win again | Robert Reich | The Guardian

Biden Commemmorates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's Confirmation as an Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court, Washington, District of Columbia, USA - 08 Apr 2022 Mandatory Credit: Photo by REX/Shutterstock (12887286aa) United States President Joe Biden delivers remarks commemorating Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson historic, bipartisan US Senate confirmation of Judge Jackson to be an Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court on the South Lawn of the White House in Washington, DC. Biden Commemmorates Judge Ketanji Brown Jackson's Confirmation as an Associate Justice of the US Supreme Court, Washington, District of Columbia, USA - 08 Apr 2022

Working Americans – many of whom voted for Trump in 2016 and 2020 – are being shafted. Biden needs to deliver for them now or risk losing Biden

Source: Biden needs to start going after large corporations if he wants to win again | Robert Reich | The Guardian

Informed Comment

Judgment Day: It’s the economy, and the environment, and a better deal for the low-paid – Michael West Media

The 2022 election campaign is on. (Image: Grant Stuart)

Wages have stagnated. Frydenberg says they will recover. Such breezy promises have been proved wrong time and time again. It doesn’t engender much faith in the assurance that wages will outstrip inflation. As MWM pointed out, the Low and Middle Income Tax Offset (LAMITO) ends on June 30, which means that millions of Australians will be paying more tax, not less as claimed.

Source: Judgment Day: It’s the economy, and the environment, and a better deal for the low-paid – Michael West Media

Informed Comment

Labor needs to get better at answering questions – » The Australian Independent Media Network

I sure hope Labor get this right because the country, and in fact the world, cannot afford another three years of Scott Morrison and Barnaby Joyce – a more short-sighted self-serving pair would be hard to find.

Source: Labor needs to get better at answering questions – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Racism in Australia is about the structures that ensure non-white people don’t get a fair go | Antoinette Lattouf | The Guardian

Scott Morrison and Danny Abdallah

Racism is Institutionally patterned behaviors generationally evolved historically and regarded as the norm. Some individuals were and are raised and socialized to internalize the cultural beliefs that support those behaviors as the norm. Others see them as unjustifiable systems, and merely socially constructed realities that can be altered and needn’t be maintained. Others see the need for them to be maintained and not altered to avoid disruption to the ” the natural order”. The ongoing though unequal  natural order in evolutions  struggle for power. Change has always been seen as a struggle forced not celebrated but resisted not encouraged by those whose social positon has benefited but not merited by what exists as opposed to what could and should have been. The distinction between Racism and  any Individual is far more complicated by the dichotomy of these macro v micro perspectives.

However, racism is far less about individual acts of kindness toward a grieving family (or, on the flip side, calling an Arab a “terrorist”) and far more about social systems and power structures that ensure non-white people don’t get a fair go. The Abdallahs had trauma and loss – not political power or economic influence. Towke was a young politician with a promising career that he alleges was taken from him, accusing Morrison of using his racial background against him. “I would have been the first Australian of Lebanese heritage to be a federal member of parliament on the Liberal party side and that’s a bit of history there which they stole from me,” he told The Project. Morrison has categorically denied what he describes as “malicious” claims. But it doesn’t matter whether you’re “team Abdallah” or “team Towke” when it comes to the truth about the prime minister. It’s almost inconsequential. Australia’s racism is bigger than one man – even if he is the leader of the country.

Source: Racism in Australia is about the structures that ensure non-white people don’t get a fair go | Antoinette Lattouf | The Guardian

Informed Comment

Rio claiming employee taxes as its own – Michael West Media

Minerals Council of Australia, Deloitte, taxes and royalties, Australian mining

The Minerals Council of Australia, a foreign-controlled mining lobby, has duped Australia’s major media in an $80bn PR scam by not accounting for billions in GST refunded every year, exaggerating the contribution of the minerals industry to Australia. Callum Foote reports.https://www.michaelwest.com.au/murdoch-media-nine-entertainment-mining-lobby-busted-for-record-bullartistry-go-into-hiding/

Plus

Minerals giant Rio Tinto has counted the $769 million in tax paid by its employees in Australia in its tally of tax paid by itself in 2021. The minerals and fossil fuel industry frequently engage in PR attempts to bolster its image of contributing to the economy, securing its social license to operate. Chief among these efforts is spruiking the amount of taxes and royalties paid. In 2021, Rio claims $11.1 billion in taxes and royalties have been paid in Australia alone. The first point is that royalties and taxes are not equivalent payments. Royalties are the cost of purchasing commodities from the Australian people. The second point is that Rio has claimed the taxes paid by its employees as its own.

Source: Rio claiming employee taxes as its own – Michael West Media

Informed Comment

Sparke Helmore received $162m from Morrison government – Michael West Media

Lobbyland

Sparke Helmore Lawyers, who the government used to conduct the investigation into potential sexual misconduct in the Australian Parliament prayer room by Liberal MPs, has received more than $162 million from the Morrison government.

Source: Sparke Helmore received $162m from Morrison government – Michael West Media

Informed Comment

Response to Scott Morrison’s Attack on ‘Rudd Economics’ — Kevin Rudd

Response to Scott Morrison’s Attack on ‘Rudd Economics’ — Kevin Rudd

The Myth of Morrison’s Economic Mangement

The truth is: Mr Morrison would be lucky to have an economic record anything like my government. If Mr Morrison wants to campaign on his record of higher taxes, higher spending, falling wages, higher debt and record waste, then I say ‘come in spinner’.

Source: Response to Scott Morrison’s Attack on ‘Rudd Economics’ — Kevin Rudd

Informed Comment

ScoMo ‘Sales’ through political storm, narrowly misses floodwaters and prayer rooms

Faced with a tsunami of complaints Morrison foldsFaced with a tsunami of complaints Morrison folds

Scott Morrison has deserted Queensland flood victims, refusing to co-fund our $741million flood recovery package. This package would have helped thousands of Queenslanders rebuild their lives. The Prime Minister’s response: that’s not my problem.

Whether anyone seriously believes ScoMo’s claims of copping criticism for helping flood victims, this ridiculous sideshow manoeuvre by the PM can hardly be considered a credible excuse for the leader of a nation to refuse help to people in a catastrophe. Regardless, it should only be viewed with disgust and may well seal his fate. Because, hopefully, it will not only be the victims of floods, or the victims of bushfires who remember this Prime Minister’s callous disregard for his fellow Australians but voters nationwide.

Source: ScoMo ‘Sales’ through political storm, narrowly misses floodwaters and prayer rooms

Informed Comment

Redefining “public interest” – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Scott Morrison has successfully completed his coup, disenfranchising party members and installing sycophantic supporters, but he has failed at every turn in his constitutional obligation to act in the public interest and should, along with his enablers, be rejected by the public whose interest he so wilfully ignores.

Source: Redefining “public interest” – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Comparing the budgets — Labor cares and Liberals spend

Abbott came in like a stormtrooper yelling “the Sky was falling in”. “ditch the bitch”. It wasn’t the ALP saved us from the GFC we were the world’s best economy and Wayne Swan the best Treasurer. All while the Libs cried we couldn’t afford it. Our debt was $200bn and the media and LNP were beside themselves. Today it’s $1tn and their LNP are saying that’s fine, it’s Ok we’ve got good bones. However we need to be worried about China who we not so long ago celebrated the signing of an FTA.

Hit by their 6 year economic down turn exacerbated by the pandemic The LNP did what the ALP did to save the Nation but with a twist. They created JobKeeper which was on reflection a $50bn gift to profitable businesses and not direct gift to people who needed it the most. That coupled with corporate tax cuts saw housing become unaffordable and stock buybacks make the  market boom while the majority of ordinary Australians dipped into their savings to survive and take on multiple jobs without benefits. Meanwhile we watched wage and superannuation theft grow along with the wealth and income gaps.

Analysis of his speech showed the word “billion” appeared only once. This mention related to criticising the Liberals for losing billions by ripping up defence contracts. The word “millions” was only mentioned twice — once in relation to permanent cost of living savings for “millions of families” and once criticising the Liberals for their wasted millions on car parks that never got built. The Labor budget reply speech word cloud also showed where the emphasis of the speech was instead of cash. Labor will care about Australians. That’s a simple message that will resonate with Australians who have lived through three years of uncaring Liberal government when we needed care the most — bushfires, pandemic, flood and rising cost of living. The Liberals will paint this “care” as unaffordable, but I think Australians have worked out that it’s not economically irresponsible to “care”. Indeed, it’s reckless for society and the economy not to care.

Source: Comparing the budgets — Labor cares and Liberals spend

Informed Comment

Scott, Anthony, or other? Who will the independents support? – Michael West Media

@climate200, Australia election, independents

The politics of a cliffhanger. The independents may have the final say in deciding who takes government in the event of an inconclusive result in the 2022 election. They’ll have to make up their minds, or the Queen’s man will be the kingmaker, writes Mark Sawyer.

For a bunch of non-politicians who want to take the spin out of politics, the climate independents have been adept at dodging one straight question. Who would they support to form a government in the event no party wins a majority?

Source: Scott, Anthony, or other? Who will the independents support? – Michael West Media

Informed Comment

Analysis Shows How Putin’s Flawed Decisions Are Similar to the Ones That Led to Hitler’s Demise | The Smirking Chimp

The Real Nazi of Eastern Europe

Pointing to historical timelines, history professors are highlighting how Putin’s decisions are relatively similar to the same ones German dictator Adolph Hitler made during Operation Barbarossa, the mission he led when the German army invaded the Soviet Union.

Source: Analysis Shows How Putin’s Flawed Decisions Are Similar to the Ones That Led to Hitler’s Demise | The Smirking Chimp

Informed Comment

Morrison and Frydenberg’s only economic success isn’t even true

There is less to Australia’s jobless situation than the Coalition and the craven mainstream media want us to believe, as Alan Austin reports. AT EVERY OPPORTUNITY RECENTLY, before, during and after delivering last week’s Budget, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg has bragged about Australia’s jobless. He has boasted that the unemployment rate is at a 50-year low, that a million new jobs were created late last year, that Australia leads advanced economies and that all this is due to effective Coalition policies. The hard, cold evidence refutes all these claims. Blatantly falsified figures

Source: Morrison and Frydenberg’s only economic success isn’t even true

Informed Comment

Forget the cash-splash for the poor, Josh’s Budget giveaway is super for the rich – Michael West Media

SMSFs, Australia, superannuation, Federal Budget

Tucked away in the maelstrom of Budget announcements is a measure which turns private pension funds into the financial equivalent of a magic pudding; valuable, inexhaustible and sheltered from tax until ready to be passed on to the next generation. Harry Chemay unveils the quadrella of self-managed superannuation lurks which favour wealthy retirees. While many Australians were looking for relief from cost of living pressures, wealthy retirees had another reason to celebrate the recently delivered Budget. It continues a measure that turns their private pension funds into the financial equivalent of a magic pudding; valuable, inexhaustible and sheltered from tax until ready to be passed on to the next generation.

Source: Forget the cash-splash for the poor, Josh’s Budget giveaway is super for the rich – Michael West Media

Informed Comment

A tale of two “liars” – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Liar

On August 16, 2010, five days before the federal election, Julia Gillard said “there will be no carbon tax under the government I lead”. On August 20, the day before the election, she said “I don’t rule out the possibility of legislating a Carbon Pollution Reduction Scheme, a market-based mechanism. I rule out a carbon tax.” When she announced the market-based carbon pricing scheme on February 24, 2011, the government’s press release said: The two-year plan for a carbon price mechanism will start with a fixed price period for three to five years before transitioning to an emissions trading scheme. Despite these easily verifiable facts, Peta Credlin and Alan Jones decided it would be politically expedient to label Gillard a liar, even promoting the puerile putdown “Juliar”. The fact that the Coalition got rid of a well-functioning emissions trading scheme only to introduce their own fatally flawed emissions reduction fund and carbon offsets scheme shows they are far more interested in the politics than the outcomes. Julia did not lie. Scott, on the other hand – well, how long have you got?

Source: A tale of two “liars” – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Albanese’s aged care push: right target, wrong attack. Privatisation the rub – Michael West Media

Aged care, Anthony Albanese

Anthony Albanese’s aged care push is smart policy. It’s the right thing to do too, but it does not address the fundamental problem of a privatised system and its profit-takers. The Morrison government tossed some money at the problem, much went to the middlemen. The Opposition, to its credit, is having a go. But is Labor leader Anthony Albanese on the right track? Wherever you look, the failures of privatisation are myriad, often spectacular. Billions wasted on JobActive the privatised jobs service, gold-plating in electricity, privatised prisons, the gutting of the bureaucracy in favour of consultants, the sale of Sydney Airport, Transurban’s taxing toll-road monopolies, profiteers in the home care scheme.

Source: Albanese’s aged care push: right target, wrong attack. Privatisation the rub – Michael West Media

Informed Comment

Modern slavery shouldn’t be weaponised by conservative governments

Modern slavery has become a major talking point in recent years. Many of us are familiar with the statistics: 40.3 million people are a victim of modern slavery, half of which perform forced labour. While not uncontentious, these figures are now well-known thanks to the advocacy of public figures and politicians.

Australia will review its own Modern Slavery Act in 2022. Australians should also be on the lookout for a Draconian border bill, introduced in the name of “addressing modern slavery.”

Source: Modern slavery shouldn’t be weaponised by conservative governments

Informed Comment

A gift or two from the government now, but you will pay later – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day At the time of the election, the Coalition will have been in power for nine exhausting years and want you to give them another three. What, as a legacy, do they have to show for it? Has this Government raised your standard of living? ( John Lord )

Source: A gift or two from the government now, but you will pay later – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Fossil fuel subsidies soar past disaster relief, even public schools funding. What’s the scam? – Michael West Media

Fossil fuel subsidies, TAI

This week on Q&A Barnaby Joyce said “we are a government who only spends money where we see a return on investment and growth in GDP”. Well we know that!! So little has been devoted to Age-Care, flood disasters, pensioners, job seekers yet debt blew out 400% above 2013 levels. It went from 10% of GDP to over 40% and is heading to 50%. So where did the money go and why doesn’t it matter now?  It mattered ever so badly when the ALP were in government. The LNP are currently screaming taxes taxes will go up under the ALP yet they have constantly been the highest under the LNP.

The scam is that flood and fire victims and other ordinary Australians don’t have lobbyists and don’t pay political parties. What are they thinking, that politicians will just help them because …?

Cruelling somewhat the Budget pitch euphoria in corporate media today, The Australia Institute has sallied forth with its annual analysis of hand-outs to coal and gas multinationals, state and federal, finding they cost the public $11.6b in 2021-22, or $22k per minute.

It’s a $1.3b (12%) increase on last year thanks to the feds. Across all budgets there is $55b committed, which is 11 times the balance of Australia’s Emergency Response Fund ($4.8b in Dec 2021), while $11.6b in 2021-22 is 56 times the budget of the National Recovery and Resilience Agency.

The subsidies cost the Federal government more than it spent on public schools in the same year ($9.7b). Now *that’s* a scam … and we are yet to see the Budget.

Source: Fossil fuel subsidies soar past disaster relief, even public schools funding. What’s the scam? – Michael West Media

Informed Comment

Dictators like Putin surround themselves with liars and propaganda. That leads to very bad decisions | Robert Reich | The Guardian

‘It’s almost impossible to find dissenting views in a totalitarian system where dissent is often punished.’

It appears that Vladimir Putin’s aides have misinformed him about the war, fearful of his reaction.

Source: Dictators like Putin surround themselves with liars and propaganda. That leads to very bad decisions | Robert Reich | The Guardian

Informed Comment

What’s the plan, boss? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

The Coalition claims the budget sets out their plan for the nation, so what is that plan? To address cost of living pressures, millions of people will be given a one-off few hundred dollars and a temporary reduction in petrol prices. No permanent increase to pensions or Jobseeker. No support for an increase to the minimum wage. Nothing to address unaffordable housing and childcare. To address climate change, we will increase our exports of “cleaner” coal and pin our future on gas, carbon capture and storage, and buying carbon credits. No plan to genuinely cut emissions. No risk assessment of potentially stranded assets. No commitment to, or recognition of, the global effort to keep heating below 1.5 degrees. To address the aged care crisis, a few hundred million will be spent on improving medication management. No increase in wages for aged care workers. No mandated staff to resident ratio. No requirement for specifically trained staff. To address national security, we will spend hundreds of billions on war toys that won’t arrive for decades, recruit more personnel, who also won’t materialise for decades, and join the dirty world of cyber and space warfare. No thought of the value of soft diplomacy or being a responsible, respectful, reliable global citizen – it’s all about military ‘alliances’.

Source: What’s the plan, boss? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Bogus bullying, the buy-your-vote Budget and a fake tan fight-back

The same universe where budget pledges, along with most other promises, are simply empty announcements that never come to fruition. And the one where the ever-faithful establishment media will do their darndest to ensure we all focus on the trinkets and any rumours about the Opposition and forget about the facts. Perhaps the $1.16 billion being spent on future space travel within the universe in question is really an insurance measure for the Government in case they get booted out of office and beyond the stratosphere?

Source: Bogus bullying, the buy-your-vote Budget and a fake tan fight-back

Informed Comment

Big Budget Bluff: how the Coalition conned its media allies and left 10m Australians in the lurch – Michael West Media

Federal Budget, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg

After two weeks, two long weeks of fawning Budget coverage, leak after leak, story after story brown-nosing the Coalition, reciting Treasurer Frydenberg’s talking points; after all that free publicity, what do they do? They miss the story. Michael West reports.

Source: Big Budget Bluff: how the Coalition conned its media allies and left 10m Australians in the lurch – Michael West Media

Informed Comment

They simply have a plan to keep wages low. They always have. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day We exercise our involvement in our democracy every three years by voting. After that the vast majority takes very little interest. Why is it so? ( John Lord )

Source: They simply have a plan to keep wages low. They always have. – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Why do Putin, Trump, Tucker Carlson and the Republican party sound so alike? | Robert Reich | The Guardian

‘Putin, Trump and Carlson have been promoting much the same narrative – for much the same reason.’

 

It was the third time in recent months Putin has blasted the so-called “cancel culture”. Which is exactly what Trump, Tucker Carlson, and the Republican party have blasted for several years.

Source: Why do Putin, Trump, Tucker Carlson and the Republican party sound so alike? | Robert Reich | The Guardian

Informed Comment

The first time Morrison lost the nation’s confidence: the story they don’t want you to know – Michael West Media

Scott Morriosn - Tourism Board Australia

Like Trump, there is a trail of NDAs set in place to prevent us from knowing his past history. Why would that be? There are no such barriers to Anthony Albanese

”Clearly not within scope,” said the department when Jommy Tee went on a Freedom of Information hunt for reasons a future prime minister’s first Australian government job ended in acrimony. Our correspondent found that while the Prime Minister seeks inquiries into the conduct of others, information about his departure from Tourism Australia is kept out of sight.

Source: The first time Morrison lost the nation’s confidence: the story they don’t want you to know – Michael West Media

Informed Comment

Michael Pascoe: Morrison gone, Frydenberg trying to save the furniture

Scott Morrison is gone. Anthony Albanese will win the election. Josh Frydenberg is fighting to save some of the furniture. There, it’s been said. The commentariat generally is too scarred from getting the 2019 election wrong to call it, carefully hedging their collective bets. Something similar happened in 1996 after Paul Keating’s surprise 1993 “true believers” victory, but the polls and the national mood have had enough of the Morrison government in 2022 as they had had enough of the Keating government in 1996. The majority of the electorate perceives the Coalition as tired, cynical and short of talent after nine years in power – not fit for purpose.

Source: Michael Pascoe: Morrison gone, Frydenberg trying to save the furniture

Informed Comment

Why isn’t our “strong economy” benefitting workers? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

 

It’s time the workers united again to claim their share of the profits their labour produces. Companies should fulfil their part of the social contract by paying fair wages and taxation. With 12% of Australians living in poverty, it’s time we had a government that puts the welfare of its people first. It’s time.

Source: Why isn’t our “strong economy” benefitting workers? – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Michael Savage’s PM greatness echoed in Anthony Albanese

Albanese, even if he never leads Australia, will leave a lasting legacy. His infrastructure will make the nation safer and more prosperous for the next century or longer. Savage will always be honoured for New Zealand’s visionary social security system and for his Government’s low rate of ministerial departures due to corruption, incompetence or scandal. Australia needs another Michael Joseph Savage, a reformist leader who can bring high values to the top job and transform the nation. And, importantly, win an election and stay in office.

Source: Michael Savage’s PM greatness echoed in Anthony Albanese

Informed Comment

The US Blockade Against Cuba Is an Act of War

For sixty years, the United States’ blockade against Cuba has worked to hinder the island’s development and prevent it from trading even with third countries. It’s time Washington stopped its cruel punishment of its smaller neighbor.

Source: The US Blockade Against Cuba Is an Act of War

Informed Comment

Budget to provide practical household help – Michael West Media

But we won’t be opting for an improvement in wages, pensions or welfare in the long term and will keep a tight grip on any public sector union growth by privatizing and outsourcing and shrinking it in order to keep better worker conditions from rising. We will appoint politically biased department heads of our choosing along with government advisers and spin doctors at the highest wage levels to ensure our desired outcomes are met. The problem is Australians expect too much government action in their favor when 50% don’t even vote for us.

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg says his fourth budget will provide practical measures to ease cost of living pressures, as the government gears up for a federal election in May. While he was light on detail in a series of television interviews on Sunday, Mr Frydenberg said Tuesday’s budget will contain responsible and practical measures, and he does not expect it will add to prevailing inflation pressures. “There will be a number of measures in the budget that go to the heart of the cost of living issue,” Mr Frydenberg told ABC television.

Source: Budget to provide practical household help – Michael West Media

Informed Comment

Barnaby Joyce is an idiot – » The Australian Independent Media Network

There are so many things that come to mind with that headline – like when Barnaby Joyce wrote off an $80,000 government Toyota LandCruiser wagon by driving it into a flooded creek on the way to his northern NSW grazing property. Or when he had unprotected extramarital sex with a staffer and got her pregnant. Or when he turned up drunk at work. Those are the sort of personal lapses of judgement you worry about with teenage kids.

Source: Barnaby Joyce is an idiot – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Shock Poll Says The Same Thing That The Other Polls Have Said… – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Quick Poll

Yes, we all know that there’s only one poll that counts, and that’s the one taken next week when the Liberals all get together to work out if it’s too late to change leader.

Source: Shock Poll Says The Same Thing That The Other Polls Have Said… – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Under Barnaby Joyce the Nationals are dying a slow death – » The Australian Independent Media Network

My thought for the day On the NBN: The problem with designing a network to meet the needs of yesterday is that it denies you the ability to meet the needs of tomorrow. ( John Lord )

Source: Under Barnaby Joyce the Nationals are dying a slow death – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Informed Comment

Australia votes 2022: Victoria furious Canberra’s GST carve up ‘robs’ the state of billions, appeases WA ahead of federal election

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg stands accused of short-changing his home state.

Can Kooyong do to Frydenberg what Warringah did to Abbott?

Victoria has accused Treasurer Josh Frydenberg of robbing more than $1 billion worth of GST a year from his home state and sending it to Western Australia – Australia’s richest jurisdiction – to shore up seats at the federal election.

Source: Australia votes 2022: Victoria furious Canberra’s GST carve up ‘robs’ the state of billions, appeases WA ahead of federal election