My thought for the day One of Scott Morrison’s most outstanding dexterities is his ability to sell his falsehoods and have people believe them. Unfortunately, too many voters consider him worthy of their vote at a time when change is badly needed. Australia cannot afford another term of this dishonest man and his government. ( John Lord )
My thought for the day Lying in the media is wrong at any time; however, it is even more so when they do it by deliberate omission. Murdoch’s papers seem to do it with impunity. ( John Lord )
Source: Leadership is vital in this election – » The Australian Independent Media Network
As we head into a federal election campaign next year, the focus on whether government – and which party – can be trusted to govern openly and honestly for the public good is looming larger than at any time in living memory. Plans to overhaul Commonwealth whistleblower protection laws were revealed last week by Assistant Attorney-General Amanda Stoker. The Coalition government’s legislation for a federal integrity commission (or ICAC) is also imminent, following feedback on the extensive problems with its draft bill last year. And a plethora of other accountability issues are awaiting action. Join 175,000 people who subscribe to free evidence-based news. All these provide a reminder, heading into the election, that trust in government hinges not only on “performance” in a direct, hip-pocket sense. It also depends on who can be trusted to protect public decision-making from becoming a self-serving gravy train for leaders and their friends.
Source: With a federal election looming, is there new hope for leadership on integrity and transparency?
There’s a push in the LNP to STOP talking about the numbers
There’s a push within the Liberal Party, both federal and state, to open up New South Wales when it is 56 per cent fully vaccinated. More than half of NSW’s intensive care unit beds are already occupied. Florida has a fully-vaccinated rate of 51 per cent. Its ICU beds are 90 per cent full and filling fast. And Florida has roughly one ICU bed per 3500 people. NSW has one per 9500. This is why we can’t have nice things.
Source: Michael Pascoe: COVID political ground shifts – is an election moving it?
Simon Birmingham says voters chose Morrison government last election as he refuses to rule out similar programs in the future
Trump throws the dead cat on the table (ODT)
Broadly speaking, the coming federal election seems to be coalescing around three main issues.
Young people particularly see climate change as the defining issue. They are being joined by angry grandparents concerned about the world we are leaving to our descendants, as well as many of the business and farming community who are realising the economic threat posed by inaction.
It has come to the point where Liberals are openly admitting that certain elements in the party room will not allow any policy progress in this area and apparently the leadership is too weak to override this noisy minority. They are basically telling us that we have to vote the deniers out if we want to protect the environment.
Murdoch hack Sharri Markson claimed in the Telegraph on 20 October that there was a “dirty war” being waged against Joyce and that he was ‘battling vicious innuendo’.
We now learn that Joyce’s affair with his staffer was an “open secret” in Canberra circles, including the Press Gallery.
If this doesn’t smack of collusion, I don’t know what does.
via The Joyce affair reveals the media-run Coalition protection racket
Labour continues to close the gap on the Conservatives as the parties head towards the General Election on 8 June, according to a new opinion poll. The poll by Survation for ITV’s Good Morning Britain (GMB) puts Labour on 37 per cent, up three points on a week ago and six points behind the Tories who are unchanged on 43 per cent. The Liberal Democrats on 8 per cent and Ukip on 4 per cent are both unchanged while the SNP are down one on 2 per cent and the Greens are also down one on 1 per cent.
Source: General election: Labour close gap on Tories to six points, new poll shows | The Independent
Russian government officials had contact with members of Donald Trump’s campaign team, a top Russian diplomat confirmed on Thursday.
Source: Russia’s deputy foreign minister confirms Moscow had contact with Trump campaign team
Donald Trump steps up his attacks against Republicans, but says his campaign shackles are now off.
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