Category: LNP Economic Management

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government, LNP Policy

The atrocity of indefinite and arbitrary immigration detention must stop – support Andrew Wilkie’s Bill – » The Australian Independent Media Network

In February last year, Andrew Wilkie introduced a Private Members Bill, seconded by Zali Steggall, calling for an end to the immoral, illegal, and extremely expensive practice of indefinite and arbitrary immigration detention. In presenting the Bill, Wilkie drew attention to the staggering cost of this irrational cruelty. It costs approximately $346,000 to hold someone in immigration detention in Australia for one year but it costs only about $10,221 for a refugee or an asylum seeker to live in the community. In fact, the budget for our offshore detention is still running at about $1 billion per year. These figures are breathtaking and almost unbelievable.

Source: The atrocity of indefinite and arbitrary immigration detention must stop – support Andrew Wilkie’s Bill – » The Australian Independent Media Network

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

ANTHONY KLAN: Josh Frydenberg caught out in salary scandal

Our Harvard Scholar and Treasurer belly flopped again.

Australian Communications and Media Authority (ACMA) executive Chris Jose – a Morrison Government appointee – was was illegally paid for two public service jobs simultaneously, receiving $40,100 in overpayments. The details of the scandal are set out in a secret report detailing a year-long investigation conducted by the Office of the Commonwealth Ombudsman. The scandal implicates the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet (PM&C); the Department of Treasury; the Department of Finance; the National Competition Council (NCC); and staff at competition regulator, the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC). For two years, until April 2020 – and at the same time he was being paid by ACMA in a full-time role – Jose was employed by the NCC in a part-time role, collecting a $20,000 annual salary.

Source: ANTHONY KLAN: Josh Frydenberg caught out in salary scandal

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Imagine if Australia applied its new no-dickhead policy on Novak Djokovic to government troublemakers | Sarah Martin | The Guardian

Serbian tennis player Novak Djokovic

Even when right the Morrison LNP Government is wrong. Kicking Djokovic out while dancing with Australian anti-vaxxers like Palmer, Kelly etal just makes Scott a Trump. Swapping Ministers midstream didn’t improve his image among women but showed he thought Karen wasn’t man enough. Basically Morrison hasn’t done anything progressive just again tried to  distracted us from the fact that his government has been a total series of failures when it comes to the day-to-day Welfare of Australians. The LNP have issued free RATs for Canberra yet commandeered those  he was “gunna” give to us “others”. Substituting reality with daily announcements they’re coming from the weasel retiree Greg Hunt MP, who if he smiled would crack his face. Our promised free allocations for the vulnerable and essential services have been on Morrison’s slow train “coming” for the past weeks. We are being “gaslighted Australia” just as we were way back when “this wasn’t a race for vaccines” and “it’s just another flue”

The Flue kills 200-250 Aussies a year this week we saw 45 deaths in a day and hospitalisations climb and they are actually still making announcements that Omicron is just another cold and having idiots run Covid parties believing they will become immune and not the walking dead by catching this unknown virus multiple times. Meanwhile they have kicked Djokovitch out for thinking privately what they’re actions have always amplified.

Has Alex Hawke chewed the fat with Alex Antic or George Christensen in the Coalition party room lately? They make Djokovic look like a veritable quiet Australian, what with their calls for civil unrest and suggestions state health departments are involved in grand cover-up conspiracies. Queensland LNP senator Gerard Rennick is publicly questioning the safety of booster shots and has suggested the health department of having a “callous attitude towards the safety of Australians”, while Nationals senator Matt Canavan has continually downplayed the threat of the virus compared to the threat to personal liberty. The poor old Therapeutic Goods Administration has been pulling its hair out in frustration over the well-funded Clive Palmer misinformation campaign, which gets met with an official shrugging of shoulders when asked if the government can do anything about it. If only Palmer and Craig Kelly were non-citizens!

Source: Imagine if Australia applied its new no-dickhead policy on Novak Djokovic to government troublemakers | Sarah Martin | The Guardian

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Omicron: reality bites as no planning cancels out government’s optimism

Preparedness would have been great Optimistic messaging emerged even before we knew much about Omicron. Australia’s chief medical officer Professor Paul Kelly said in late November his “number one Christmas present” would have been for a less virulent variant of the virus. After two long years of restrictions, the Morrison government was quick to inject hope and optimism into its rhetoric. But what the government didn’t do was to plan for the worst. Anyone with two eyes could see opening borders and easing restrictions across Christmas when festivals and family get-togethers are on steroids would cause a huge surge in cases especially as a more transmissible variant emerged. Optimism as a tactic could have worked if it was supported by planning — bolstering the PCR testing workforce, getting RAT supplies, sorting out boosters in aged care homes, the list goes on — behind the scenes. As it is, we just got the optimism.

Source: Omicron: reality bites as no planning cancels out government’s optimism

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

2022 has well and truly begun – » The Australian Independent Media Network

Morrisons “Freedom”, ” Let it RIP”  “Push Through” call it what you want they have truly fucked the Economy, our supply chains, reduced the frontline staff needed to prevent death and Abbott ex PM even promotes it these days. But to keep us safe he’s bought 120 obselete tanks for $3.5B no doubt to use against us if push comes to shove when and if  he cancels the election and calls a national emergency..

I believe the whole east coast should be going into lockdown right now because it’s evident that even triple vaccinated can catch Covid and then be required to isolate, so the rhetoric about getting out there and getting vaccinated is all good and well…yes it will help fight infection but it won’t stop one from catching it and having to isolate until better. It’s already disrupted the distribution centres for Woolworths and Coles, shelves are empty, delivery drivers are sick or having to isolate. The more they just let it go in the community the more the infection will spread. Even non-infected people going to work are at risk of catching Covid. Sooner or later no one will be able to go to their place of work. Scott Morrison and Dominic Perrottet have a lot to answer for as they have neglected to protect Australians. This is all their fault. They let it loose instead of stomping on it in the beginning and relying too much on everyone getting their vaccines and now thousands of people are infected.

Source: 2022 has well and truly begun – » The Australian Independent Media Network

LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

How the Reserve Bank rescued Australia from Scott and Josh – Michael West Media

RBA, Josh Frydenberg

Contrary to anything Josh Frydenberg has said data has revealed otherwise.

Extraordinary details have emerged of how the Reserve Bank intervened to stop Treasurer Josh Frydenberg crashing the economy as the pandemic took grip, how, contrary to their fable of “superior economic management”, the Morrison Coalition pursued political gain over good government, and how they have been borrowing its billions almost for free. Investigation by Michael West and @13foot7.

Source: How the Reserve Bank rescued Australia from Scott and Josh – Michael West Media

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

To End Hyperexploitation, Seasonal Workers Need Union Solidarity

In October, Australia introduced a new visa for seasonal agricultural workers that is supposed to create pathways to permanent residency. But history shows that seasonal workers can only guarantee their rights if they’re organized into fighting unions.

Source: To End Hyperexploitation, Seasonal Workers Need Union Solidarity

LNP, LNP Corruption, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Government defends pork barrel allegations

coalition pork barrel

Morrison admits he doesn’t “govern” for all Australians when he says the LNP are” better represented” when applying for grants. After all, 50% of Australia didn’t vote for him their “needs ” obviously have little or nothing to do with the grants given out. He agrees only politics does. So,his pork-barrelling is quite ok and he’s the better politician because of it. How much a Dervish can he get?

Birmingham claims the LNP supports disability but  only regional areas areas is would seem. He says that despite the fact we know that the current LNP program is to cut the NDIS. Data is data and neither Morrison or Birmingham put up a convincing argument that bribing electorates enhances Democracy , or that they are working for all Australians. When will these pricks stop normalising gaslighting? The biggest distribution of welfare has been Corporate, it’s been direct, and shit, given the increased income and wealth gaps these past 8 years we know how well that’s worked. As a consequence the money comes flowing back by way of donations x5 times that of the opposition and that’s just what is visible. Is it any wonder Andrew Robb quit politics for a $1M pay packet or the many others that are now well paid lobbyists for major industries? Or that Barnaby gets a massive personal cheque from Gina or Abbott’s daughter a scholarship?

Senator Birmingham also pointed to other grant programs that provided strong support to Labor electorates, such as disability support.Prime Minister Scott Morrison put the discrepancies between Labor and Liberal electorates – including Defence Minister Peter Dutton’s inner Brisbane seat receiving almost 50 times more than its Labor-held neighbour – to Coalition seats having good local members.

Source: Government defends pork barrel allegations

LNP, LNP Corruption, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government, LNP Policy

No, There Is No Such Thing as the Undeserving Poor

Former Liberal Party minister Pru Goward recently published an opinion piece outlining her views on the “underclass.” Her analysis exemplifies the ignorance, mediocrity, and condescension of Australia’s elite.

Source: No, There Is No Such Thing as the Undeserving Poor

LNP, LNP Corruption, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

How $2.8 billion of your money is spent — it grossly favours Coalition seats

LNP CORRUPTION IN PLAIN SIGHT

Liberal electorates received three times more taxpayer money than Labor-held seats, as a detailed analysis of more than 19,000 grants reveals a highly politicised system rife with uneven spending. See the funding your electorate received.

Source: How $2.8 billion of your money is spent — it grossly favours Coalition seats

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Paul Bongiorno: PM’s only hope is budget numbers saving him

budget

The Scam and fix is in. The budget tanked like a bungee during the pandemic now it’s about to rebound as rapidly as one, but just like a bungee that recovery won’t be the same as it was pre-pandemic, and it wasn’t crash hot back then either as they’d destroyed our relationship with China and the EU.

Nevertheless, you won’t hear that from Morrison or Frydenberg who will tell you our recovery will have been the best in all possible worlds. As a consequence, we will be able to afford the best of all possible bribes, tax cuts. Never mind that the top 10% of the nation has already received their bonus expanding the wealth gap like never before seen (over 25%). Never mind, that in the past 30 years the LNP has been the highest taxing of all governments. Never mind, that the LNP has been the harshest on Social Welfare, Universal Health, Education, wage growth, and the casualization of the workforce. During their tenure have Dropped us down the ladder from best to worst in the OECD and increased the level of corruption. Never mind this government has been the most secretive and least supportive of communications making us 60th globally in broadband speed and the accelerated destruction of the ABC and restriction of Independent Media. Never mind that we have fallen on every comparable social metric and our global reputation has been shredded under this the worst PM and government this country has ever seen. We are nevertheless about to be given tax cuts of 1-2 %. WTF!!

The word out of the federal government is a desperate Scott Morrison will use improved numbers in the budget to attempt a huge tax cut to buy his way back into government.

Source: Paul Bongiorno: PM’s only hope is budget numbers saving him

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government, LNP Theft, Social Welfare under LNP

Robo-revenue raising too tempting for greedy governments

Illustration: Simon Letch

But, as with so many things, new technology can be used for good or ill. The most egregious case of government misuse of technology was surely Centrelink’s “automated income compliance program” aka robo-debt. Here, a dodgy algorithm was used to accuse people on benefits of understating their income over many years and to demand repayment. Despite assurances by the two ministers responsible – Christian Porter and Alan Tudge – that all was fair and above board, huge anxiety was caused to many unjustly accused poor people. The Coalition government obfuscated for years before a court finally ruled the program unlawful and the government agreed to return $1.8 billion. For a scheme intended to cut costs, it was an immoral own goal.

Source: Robo-revenue raising too tempting for greedy governments

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Australia exports to China: new figures show Canberra caught in election trap as Washington and Beijing do business

A large screen in Beijing shows talks between Xi Jinping and Joe Biden in November.

Singapore: Australian cattle farmers and abattoirs lost half a billion in exports to China in the last two years, cotton producers were down $870 million, copper exporters $1.5 billion.But the Chinese importers did not miss those products. Australia’s great Indo-Pacific ally, the United States, was happy to make up for the shortfall.The same happened with timber and coal. As Australia’s coal exports fell by $11 billion, the US added $1.8 billion to its usual load over the same period. Russia, Canada and Indonesia also sent more.Markets are unsentimental; when there is a gap they fill them. The US and Australia have made much of their united front on China’s economic coercion, but the truth is American exporters have been eating Australia’s lunch.

Source: Australia exports to China: new figures show Canberra caught in election trap as Washington and Beijing do business

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

‘Revolving door’ between public service and consultancies

Senior Victorian public servant Adam Fennessy.

Now no longer Independent of Government they are totally reliant on them for their contracts and have become the Organ Grinders Monkeys

Some of the most senior figures to have left the Victorian public service in recent years for jobs in the consultancy sector are back in charge of government agencies or departments.

Source: ‘Revolving door’ between public service and consultancies

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Coalition-held seats awarded billions in federal government grant money, analysis finds | Australia news | The Guardian

document with approved stamp on computer keyboard

 

Scott Morrison enters the final parliamentary sitting week of the year facing fresh questions about the Coalition’s record of administering grants to government electorates. New analysis has found, since 2013, the bulk of government grant money has gone to government-held seats. The analysis says $3.9bn has been allocated under seven federal programs since the Coalition came to power, and $2.8bn, or 71% of the total taxpayer-funded pool, has gone to projects in government electorates.

Source: Coalition-held seats awarded billions in federal government grant money, analysis finds | Australia news | The Guardian

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Next Pandemic — Hell, All the Time — Let’s Just Give People Money | The Smirking Chimp

Research shows giving more money to people isn’t  “squandered” like JobKeeper was but in the case of JobSeeker was spent on “needs” and not as the LNP keeps saying wasted. This totally false argument accusing the unemployed of being “dole bludgers” has been used by conservatives for as long as I can remember and I’m 75

Source: Next Pandemic — Hell, All the Time — Let’s Just Give People Money | The Smirking Chimp

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

COVID gave us a once-in-a-lifetime natural experiment — but Scott Morrison has turned his back on the lessons – ABC News

Groceries in paper shopping bags on floor

“The data is clear,” he reported, “of the extra $550 a fortnight — the Coronavirus Supplement — the largest amount, $85, was spent on household bills, electricity, phone, water; $70 of that extra money was spent on food; around $60 was spent on clothing and household goods; around $175 was saved or used to pay down debt.” “What we saw is that for the people who received that extra money, it was life-changing. Hundreds of thousands of people were lifted out of poverty. “They didn’t spend that money on frivolous or discretionary items. They didn’t withdraw from the labour market. They spent it well on their families and bills. “And they spent it quickly, which made it a good stimulus that’s supported the economy.”

Source: COVID gave us a once-in-a-lifetime natural experiment — but Scott Morrison has turned his back on the lessons – ABC News

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government, Truth in Humor

Morrison’s vision is not about technology, nor taxes. Just lots and lots of gaslighting. | The Shot

It takes a village to raze a country, no one man could do it alone and here at The Shot, we want to salute the Coalition for forming a united front with a single vision for Australia, straight out of the Mad Max franchise.

Source: Morrison’s vision is not about technology, nor taxes. Just lots and lots of gaslighting. | The Shot

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Recovery, resilience and a riddle or three: Morrison’s disaster-fighting behemoth – Michael West Media

The public may also not have noticed the secrecy that surrounds the new agency. For instance, it is yet to publish any data, apart from aggregates, on the recipients of the billions of dollars in funds it oversees. We do know that its boss, a familiar name to the political aficianado, is paid a lot.

Source: Recovery, resilience and a riddle or three: Morrison’s disaster-fighting behemoth – Michael West Media

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Every dollar invested in research and development creates $3.50 in benefits for Australia, says new CSIRO analysis

Tony Abbott thought it was a waste of money and should be left private to investment. Morrisson has currently championed the same as if it was a brilliant knew message..

Each dollar invested in research and development (R&D) would earn an average of A$3.50 in economy-wide benefits for Australia, according to evidence compiled in a new report from CSIRO.

Source: Every dollar invested in research and development creates $3.50 in benefits for Australia, says new CSIRO analysis

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Inflation worse under Coalition than Labor, contrary to Morrison’s claims

Scott Morrison’s latest scare campaign claims interest rates and inflation will be worse under Labor than the Coalition, but the historical data refutes that, writes Alan Austin.

Source: Inflation worse under Coalition than Labor, contrary to Morrison’s claims

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government, LNP Tactics

Secret figures reveal Coalition’s cut-down NBN tech three times more expensive than forecast | National broadband network (NBN) | The Guardian

Malcolm Turnbull at a national broadband network photo opportunity in 2016

Thanks Tony Abbott you legacy of putting the brakes on Australia with your “Nope Nope Nope” policy approach now “Slow Slow Slow” govenments don’t do progress style maintained by Scott Morrison is coming into relief and the skidmarks self evident. Climate, the NBN, the ABC, Welfare, Health, Education are just among some areas spiralling down since 2013. Yet, domestically the fix is still in with Murdoch and Ch9 domestically blowing smoke declaring us great and going in the right direction. Is it any wonder Morrison hates going overseas because when he does that fake greatness is laid bare for all to see. We were lauded and admired the 2nd best economy on the planet during and post GFC, and then in 2013 along came the L fucking NP and put an end to that progress felt by all Australians.

The technology in the Coalition’s cut-down version of the NBN cost up to three times more than originally forecast and was closer to the initial estimated cost of a revised version of Labor’s full-fibre plan, according to figures the government has sought to keep secret for almost a decade.

Source: Secret figures reveal Coalition’s cut-down NBN tech three times more expensive than forecast | National broadband network (NBN) | The Guardian

LNP, LNP Corruption, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government, LNP Tactics

Scott Morrison reaffirms coal commitment

scott morrison coal hydrogen

Prime Minister Scott Morrison wants to use hydrogen to prolong coal-fired power as Australia is blasted by a key ally as “a great disappointment” on climate change.

Source: Scott Morrison reaffirms coal commitment

LNP, LNP Economic Management

The three climate claims these experts want Scott Morrison to stop making

Scott Morrison artwork

The Santos sponsored Australian Pavillion at COP26 was a hidden embarrassment to Australia. An old Tobacco Company trick to sell more tobacco. Yes Philip Morris is about to UNSMOKE THE WORLD to sell more tobacco and Santos is about to SELL MORE GAS to produce Hydrogen when renewables can do the same job without increased emissions and unproved carbon capture technology.

1 ‘We will continue to meet and beat our targets’

Our targets aren’t Federal Government’s they are the target action of the States and private citizens stolen by Morrison and Taylor as if theirs. They have in fact done NOTHING

2 ‘Australians’ bills will skyrocket’ 

False threats of bills sky rocketing with a Carbon Tax. They didn’t. Last week Morrison claimed “His Plan” would lower bills with no Carbon Tax.

“But the funny thing is, we actually did have a carbon price for a number of years, and it didn’t increase electricity bills.”

“There’s an opportunity for you to be a lot better off by switching to renewables.”

Since beginning a new job as head of the OECD, former coalition finance minister Mathias Cormann – who was fiercely opposed to carbon pricing mechanisms – has encouraged governments across the world to adopt more “stringent” carbon prices.

The current subs offered the fossil fuel industry is our money it’s a TAX

3 ‘Australians’ jobs will be put at risk’

the job opportunities in the renewable sector outweigh those in the fossil fuel industries.

Alongside the “mammoth growth opportunity”, a report  authored for the Climate Council found political inertia could instead cost New South Wales and Queensland up to 70,000 jobs if G7 nations and others decide to tax emissions-intensive imports from Australia.

“The rest of the world is saying that over time, not tomorrow, or next week, but over the next coming decade, we’re going to reduce our demand for fossil fuels.” 

“So whatever Australia thinks it can or can’t do, the rest of the world is telling us: ‘we don’t want your dirty energy’.”

Source: The three climate claims these experts want Scott Morrison to stop making

LNP, LNP Corruption, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Josh Frydenberg was alerted less than three months into JobKeeper that unqualified companies were receiving support – ABC News

Josh Frydenberg opens his mouth to speak

The Treasurer knew billions in JobKeeper were going to businesses with increased turnover Businesses that no longer qualified for JobKeeper continued to receive support for six months Josh Frydenberg said Treasury did not advise on any changes to JobKeeper at the time

Source: Josh Frydenberg was alerted less than three months into JobKeeper that unqualified companies were receiving support – ABC News

LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Australia is about to be hit by a carbon tax whether the prime minister likes it or not, except the proceeds will go overseas

Ten years ago, in the lead-up to Australia’s short-lived carbon price or “carbon tax” (either description is valid), the deepest fear on the part of businesses was that they would lose out to untaxed firms overseas. Instead of buying Australian carbon-taxed products, Australian and export customers would buy untaxed (possibly dirtier) products from somewhere else. It would give late-movers (countries that hadn’t yet adopted a carbon tax) a “free kick” in industries from coal and steel to aluminium to liquefied natural gas to cement, to wine, to meat and dairy products, even to copy paper. It’s why the Gillard government handed out free permits to so-called trade-exposed industries, so they wouldn’t face unfair competition.

Source: Australia is about to be hit by a carbon tax whether the prime minister likes it or not, except the proceeds will go overseas

LNP Economic Management

At least $38b in JobKeeper went to companies where turnover did not fall below thresholds, data finds – ABC News

Josh Frydenberg in a suit and tie standing in front of a lecturn in a blue room in front of an australian flag

If the problem was an ALP one do we for one moment think this wouldn’t be continuously in our MSM News, on 2GB, On Sky, Ch7, Ch9 and Ch10?

The Parliamentary Budget Office (PBO) found at least $38 billion in JobKeeper went to companies where turnover did not fall below the thresholds The PBO found $1.3 billion went to companies where turnover tripled during the quarter for which they claimed JobKeeper It found a further $1.3 billion was paid to companies that doubled their quarterly turnover

Source: At least $38b in JobKeeper went to companies where turnover did not fall below thresholds, data finds – ABC News

LNP Economic Management, LNP Government, LNP Theft

Landmark class action lawsuit sees frontline communities sue Australian Government for climate crisis – » The Australian Independent Media Network

In fact, leading climate scientists who form the Climate Targets Panel calculate that Australia’s greenhouse emissions need to be reduced by 74% by 2030 (from 2005 levels) and to net zero by 2035 to keep global heating to below 1.5C and avert the destruction of Torres Strait Islander communities.

Source: Landmark class action lawsuit sees frontline communities sue Australian Government for climate crisis – » The Australian Independent Media Network

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Slick dealings: Australia on wrong end of Trump era oil play – Michael West Media

Angus Taylor, US SPR, oil reserve

As Donald Trump would say, nobody does an announcement like Scott Morrison, nobody. What is the substance to the US oil reserve deal so praised by the PM and his energy minister Angus Taylor? Special correspondent Jommy Tee reports.

Source: Slick dealings: Australia on wrong end of Trump era oil play – Michael West Media

LNP, LNP Corruption, LNP Economic Management

Michael Pascoe: The opportunity cost of the Pork Party – ‘tens of billions’

Michael Pascoe

The billions splurged on the form of appropriation euphemistically called “pork barrelling” makes headlines. What we don’t generally see is the disheartening flipside – the “opportunity cost” of needs unmet because of politicians’ preferences.

Source: Michael Pascoe: The opportunity cost of the Pork Party – ‘tens of billions’

LNP, LNP Economic Management

IMF says Australia to emerge from pandemic in fastest-growing region

Image

Morrison and Frydenberg paint themselves as being the world’s “greatest” survivors? When we are running 8th out of the pacific nations this year and predicted to be 7th in 2022 according to the IMF. That’s last out of actual Pacific nations in 21 and second last in 22. Why don’t we see these statistical hard facts on the front pages of our main stream media? Why are we treated like mushrooms?

Despite successfully containing COVID-19 in 2020, some economies in the region, including Australia, faced setbacks from an initially slow vaccination rollout, the IMF says in its regional economic outlook.

Source: IMF says Australia to emerge from pandemic in fastest-growing region

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Paul Bongiorno: Nationals’ theatre of absurd drains government credibility

Paul Bongiorno

A four-hour meeting of the 21 Nats on Sunday ended without a conclusion, despite assurances from Energy Minister Angus Taylor their coal backers and fossil fuels mates would be receiving billions worth of sweeteners. Mr Joyce insists his party is “not chained to a script,” he derides modelling put up by anybody – the Business Council, CSIRO, the government, you name them – as make believe. Further undermining whatever decision the government arrives at is the sniping from former resources minister Matt Canavan, who on his arrival back in Canberra told the media scrum “the Prime Minister doesn’t have a plan, he has a dream”.

Source: Paul Bongiorno: Nationals’ theatre of absurd drains government credibility

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Yes, Australia can beat its 2030 emissions target. But the Morrison government barely lifted a finger

Federal policies remain firmly fixed on keeping fossil fuels in the energy mix and expanding coal and gas production. It recently approved several new coal mines and announced subsidised and expanded gas production. Gas is a fossil fuel that also needs to be phased out if we’re to have any chance of keeping warming to 1.5℃. The Morrison government is also increasing funding for carbon capture and storage, a policy aimed at continuing the use of fossil fuels. This is despite the country’s largest such project, the Gorgon venture off Western Australia, failing to reduce and store carbon emissions at the rate originally promised. The annual Climate Transparency analysis, released on Wednesday, shows Australia has some of the G20’s highest per capita emissions. It is the only developed country in the G20 with no price on carbon, yet ranks the fourth highest for risk of economic losses from climate impacts.

Source: Yes, Australia can beat its 2030 emissions target. But the Morrison government barely lifted a finger

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Business whispers: how Treasurer Josh Frydenberg squandered $40bn on JobKeeper – Michael West Media

Treasury, Treasurer Josh Frydenberg

Kooyong’s own Harvard wiz-kid needs to go.

It turns out the very business lobbyists who stood to benefit most from JobKeeper were regularly advising the Government on JobKeeper. Callum Foote and Michael West report how $40bn was squandered and the role of corporate spinners Business Council of Australia and AI Group.

Source: Business whispers: how Treasurer Josh Frydenberg squandered $40bn on JobKeeper – Michael West Media

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Victoria’s COVID-19 quarantine centre: Is the Mickleham quarantine facility a $200 million white elephant?

Construction on the Mickleham quarantine facility on Thursday.

This was part and parcel of Morrison’s National Quarantine Plan which he financed to be placed with the cooperation of Dan Andrews. Now Josh Frydenberg seems to be saying Victoria is the uncooperative outlier. How incompetent are these clowns as leaders and negotiators.?

Morrison capitulates to the Queens demands and Frydenberg declares it’s proof of Australia’s goodwill in cooperating at COP26. If the media doesn’t criticize this bullshit we are expected to believe it’s true when it’s patently not what happened. Did Frydenberg bullshit his way through Harvard too?

Victoria’s purpose-built $200 million quarantine facility still has a role to play in the pandemic, experts say, however it won’t be as crucial as anticipated due to high case numbers and vaccination rates.The Mickleham “centre for national resilience” for incoming travellers won’t be ready until the end of the year, however there is a risk it may become a white elephant if Victoria relaxes quarantine rules.NSW’s move to effectively end quarantine for most travellers by opening international borders to those who are vaccinated from November 1 has raised questions over the purpose of the facility being built in Melbourne’s north.

Source: Victoria’s COVID-19 quarantine centre: Is the Mickleham quarantine facility a $200 million white elephant?

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

JobMaker was meant to support 450,000 jobs. The real figure is just 1 per cent of that – ABC News

Josh Frydenberg speaks at a podium.

“Treasury estimates that this will support around 450,000 jobs for young people.” But previously secret Treasury documents from the middle of this year reveal that just 5,278 people had been hired using the JobMaker hiring credit, or around 1 per cent of the original budget forecast.

Source: JobMaker was meant to support 450,000 jobs. The real figure is just 1 per cent of that – ABC News

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Michael Pascoe: Unrepentant, the Coalition pork barrel rolls on

Scott Morrison Bridget McKenzie

Exposure will not weary them, nor shame condemn – the giant pork barrel that is the federal government’s web of grants and rorts rolls on regardless. With the stench of the “#carporks” still fresh, the latest instalment from grant corruption central is Round Five of the Building Better Regions Fund – $300 million worth of political largesse hopelessly skewered towards electorates held by the coalition and independents. Spreadsheet sleuth Vince O’Grady analysed the $294 million “infrastructure projects stream” to find funds were allocated according to form – 16 per cent to Labor electorates, 11 per cent to seats held by independents and 73 per cent to Coalition seats.

Source: Michael Pascoe: Unrepentant, the Coalition pork barrel rolls on

LNP, LNP Corruption, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Profits over People: in-home care a cash bonanza for greedy aged providers – Michael West Media

Aged care

The Aged Care Royal Commissioners noted that a recipient of a Level 4 home care package worth $53,000 received on average just 8 hours and 45 minutes of support. Surely this was a big red flag. Yet the federal government has given the home care sector an extra $6.5 billion over next four years without putting in place any accountability measures to stop the rorting of the system.

Source: Profits over People: in-home care a cash bonanza for greedy aged providers – Michael West Media

LNP, LNP Corruption, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

‘Peak ridiculous’: Nationals’ $250 billion mining fund slammed

Nationals

The Party whose pro “small” government has taken on a pro-corporate Socialist bent. They advocate the building and restoration of unwanted coal-fired power stations along with investing in international mining corporations. Funding enterprises banks won’t touch. The LNP refuse to help the poor but will readily finance failing corporations.

A Nationals proposal to create a $250 billion mining fund in exchange for support of net zero by 2050 has been labelled “completely crazy” as government infighting over climate targets mounts before the Glasgow climate summit later this month. Nationals MP and Resources Minister Keith Pitt said on Thursday that taxpayer money should be used to prop up miners if and when banks refuse to give them loans.

Source: ‘Peak ridiculous’: Nationals’ $250 billion mining fund slammed

LNP, LNP Economic Management

‘Incompetent’: Frydenberg attacked over jobkeeper after profit warnings from ATO revealed | Josh Frydenberg | The Guardian

Josh Frydenberg

Frydenberg proves a Harvard MBA isn’t always money well spent just spent. He was warned and warned by supposedly lesser educated men.

The Australian Tax Office also warned Frydenberg in July 2020 that big businesses and tax agents were “amending” prior sales records to potentially help them qualify for wage subsidies during the pandemic. It wasn’t until October that the eligibility criteria was tightened. The revelation is contained in a ministerial submission from the ATO’s deputy commissioner, James O’Halloran. It was produced under freedom of information and first reported in the Australian Financial Review.

Source: ‘Incompetent’: Frydenberg attacked over jobkeeper after profit warnings from ATO revealed | Josh Frydenberg | The Guardian

LNP, LNP Corruption, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government, LNP Tactics

Treasurer urges protection of mining industry on road to net zero

LNP’s Mining Welfare scheme rolls on. His announcement is as genuine as the Phillip Morris announcement to “Unsmoke the Planet” with an investment in new technologies.

“Australia has a lot at stake,” he will say. “We cannot run the risk that markets falsely assume we are not transitioning in line with the rest of the world.” He argues the government is making progress on meeting emissions reduction targets and investing in new technologies.

Source: Treasurer urges protection of mining industry on road to net zero

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

How the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal affected Australia’s standing on the national stage

An illustration of Morrison and Macron.

Frozen out in Europe, feted in Washington, alarming some of its south-east Asian neighbours: questions are being raised about whether Australia has the right diplomatic skills and resources to perform on the world stage.

Source: How the AUKUS nuclear submarine deal affected Australia’s standing on the national stage

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Bad politics and the death of tax reform

The OECD argues, correctly, that Australia’s tax system is too reliant on personal income tax. This ‘leaves public finances vulnerable to an ageing population’. A major part of the suggested solution is to increase GST and address the regressive impact of the increase by a compensation package. The latter would include tax reductions for low and middle-income earners and an increase in the unemployment benefit. The OECD also recommends reducing the discount rate on capital gains, reducing the superannuation concessions available to wealthy Australians and getting rid of the two-tier company tax rate.

Source: Bad politics and the death of tax reform

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

US, UK and Australia agree new Asia Pacific security pact | Military News | Al Jazeera

Doing Business with LNP Australia and “That Fella Down Under ”

Australia signed a multi-billion dollar contract to buy French submarines in 2016. The new agreement effectively ends that deal. “This is a decision contrary to the letter and the spirit of the cooperation that prevailed between France and Australia,” France’s foreign ministry said in a statement. “The American choice, which leads to the removal of an ally and a European partner like France from a longstanding partnership with Australia, at a time when we are facing unprecedented challenges in the Indo-Pacific region… marks a lack of consistency that France cannot but note and regret,” it added.

Source: US, UK and Australia agree new Asia Pacific security pact | Military News | Al Jazeera

LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

Gucci Handbag: Josh Frydenberg’s JobKeeper gifts to Gucci and Prada – Michael West Media

Gucci, JobKeeper

Gucci and Prada owe Josh Frydenberg a debt of gratitude. Louis Vuitton is not alone. The Italian high fashion houses got JobKeeper too. Michael West and Callum Foote report as evidence emerges the Treasurer opted to ignore advice regarding a claw-back mechanism to get the money back from profitable companies.

Source: Gucci Handbag: Josh Frydenberg’s JobKeeper gifts to Gucci and Prada – Michael West Media

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

ATO will not recover $180 million in JobKeeper from businesses that made ‘honest mistakes’ when applying – ABC News

Chris Jordan stares intently while answering a question at Senate Estimates. His brow is furrowed.

RoboDebt wasn’t as generous as the ATO

Pressure mounts to publicly name companies that received JobKeeper while turnover increased ATO will not pursue $180 million in JobKeeper payments to businesses that made ‘honest mistakes’ Questions were raised about the definition of ‘small and medium business’

Source: ATO will not recover $180 million in JobKeeper from businesses that made ‘honest mistakes’ when applying – ABC News

LNP, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

“Everybody did it”: wealthy doctors lobbies ride JobKeeper gravy train – Michael West Media

JobKeeper

JobKeeper for dentists? Fair enough. But more public subsidies for doctors’ lobby groups who enjoyed rising surpluses or hardly suffered a downturn? Callum Foote reports on Australia’s Medical Colleges refusing to pay back the millions in JobKeeper payments.

Source: “Everybody did it”: wealthy doctors lobbies ride JobKeeper gravy train – Michael West Media

LNP, LNP Corruption, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government, LNP Policy, LNP Tactics

Political Dynamite: JobKeeper for billionaires a campaign wrecker for Morrison, Frydenberg – Michael West Media

JobKeeper, Bernard Arnaultld

Big business doesn’t vote, small business does. That’s the dilemma for Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg as they try to keep JobKeeper secret heading into the election. Michael West reports.

Source: Political Dynamite: JobKeeper for billionaires a campaign wrecker for Morrison, Frydenberg – Michael West Media

LNP Corruption, LNP Economic Management, LNP Government

High-End Heist: Josh sells Pauline the dummy, JobKeeper heat rises – Michael West Media

Pauline Hanson

Treasurer Josh Frydenberg and his big business patrons are in crisis mode amid rising demands to end the JobKeeper cover-up and disclose the transfer of billions to from average Australians to large and profitable companies. Michael West on the unfolding political drama.

Source: High-End Heist: Josh sells Pauline the dummy, JobKeeper heat rises – Michael West Media