How Australia sees its political winners and losers in 2008

Roy Morgan Research has released the findings of a poll undertaken on the nights of 27-28 February  2008.

Concerns since ALP has been running country:

•   Many electors expressed concern over the ALP's recent handling of inflation and interest rates (eg. "They are uncertain about economic policies and interest rates");

•  Another recurring theme was concern about the Government's handling of environmental issues (eg. "I think Labor is getting the wrong advice on green and environmental issues");

•  Some electors also cited concern about the ALP scrapping the recently introduced Industrial Relation laws (eg. "A certain amount of people got jobs because of workplace agreements");

•  Some others expressed concern over the Prime Minister's handling of the apology to the Stolen Generation (eg. "Apology to the Aboriginals. They said there would be no claims, but today in the paper there was a law suit").

Concerns since Coalition has been in Opposition:

•  Many electors expressed concern about the lack of decent leadership and party unity within the Liberal party (eg. "They have no direction and the wheels have fallen off the Liberal party in Australia. They need to support their leader and stop all their in-fighting");

•  One of the recurring concerns in regards to the Liberal Party was disappointment over the Opposition's handling of the apology to the Stolen Generation (eg. "The way they handled the 'apology' on Sorry Day was disgusting, very un-Australian");

•  A large number of electors have concerns about the Liberal's policy direction (eg. "They are trying to justify a lot of untenable political decisions from the past").

Concerns since Kevin Rudd became PM:

•  There is a concern among some electors that Mr Rudd places too much emphasis on public relations and not enough focus on decision-making (eg. "I think he's more concerned about the publicity he receives than actually doing his job");

•  A number of electors also queried whether Mr Rudd would fulfil the many promises he made during the election campaign (eg. "I think he'll be the same as John Howard — make a lot of promises but not follow through").

Concerns since Brendan Nelson became Opposition Leader:

•  One of the recurring themes regarding Dr Brendan Nelson's role as Opposition Leader was his lack of profile (eg. "I don't even know him. He's an invisible man as far as I'm concerned");

•  Some electors also expressed concerns over Dr Nelson's leadership skills (eg. "To me he seems like a scared little parrot and I don't think he will be there long");

•  A number of electors also said they were disappointed over Dr Nelson's handling of the recent apology to the Stolen Generation (eg. "His attitude towards Indigenous people. I don't think he handled the apology to the Aboriginal people with as much sincerity as Labor did").

Further breakdown of poll.

Rudd's first 100 days: Aren't I wonderful!

Federal Labor and Kevin Rudd are in a self-congratulatory mood as they approach 100 days in office tomorrow.

Although there are some matters about which Rudders can rightly feel satisfied, it seems that hubris may be edging into the discourse between government and people.

Time to remember that old saying about pride coming before a fall.

Long way to go yet, Kev, before you can sit on your laurels and it's starting to look as though you are mistaking stunts (like the 2020 summit) for real action.

The Age interview with Kevin Rudd March 1 transcript here.

Matthew Hayden - too big for his boots

Just in case his team mates hadn't done enough to disgrace themselves and the national team this season, Australian cricketer Matthew Hayden did his bit with his outburst this week in relation to Indian spinner Harbhajan Singh.

Really, Hayden, like a number of his team mates, has lost the plot. And, where's Cricket Australia standing in relation to this matter? Yes, of course, it is out to lunch yet again!

There can be no ifs or buts. Hayden and his team mates need to have a good, hard look at themselves.

Despite protests and claims that their actions have been harmless Hayden and his team mates who displayed similar behaviours this season are a national disgrace.

Turnbull's many pennies from heaven

Pssst ... want a few sly million?

Well, of course! And, why not?

Then contact Malcolm Turnbull.

ABC News reports

that Shadow Treasurer Malcolm Turnbull has some explaining to do over a generous grant he made at the start of last year's election campaign.

Treasurer Wayne Swan says Turnbull granted $10 million to a corporation for the trial of new rainfall enhancement technology when his department recommended they only be given $2 million.

"That grant was five times the recommended amount of money that his department put forward," Swan said.

"Secondly Mr Turnbull signed off on that grant one day after the announcement of the election campaign in October and two days before the close of the writs."

$$$$$$$$$$$$$

This sounds a big bit suss! Turnbull has some answering to do.

Hopefully, he'll provides the answers before he gets bogged down with his homework in relation to a little matter about HIH.

Rumour has it that "Talcum Murnbull", a new men's toiletry product, will be available in stores soon.

Watch this space.

Read the report at http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/03/01/2177248.htm

A taste of things to come on the NSW North Coast?

While an Australian court has ruled that potential impacts of climate change need to be considered in a specific rezoning and development matter, the big legal issues are still before home owners living in vulnerable areas on the NSW coast.
Federal, state and local government, along with developers and industry, may find that a body of legal precedent is being created while they continue to sit on their hands or totally ignore the issues.

In recent times Alaska has seen a number of communities become proactive as the historical climate changes for the worst in that region.

"SAN FRANCISCO — Lawyers for the Alaska Native coastal village of Kivalina, which is being forced to relocate because of flooding caused by the changing Arctic climate, filed suit in federal court here Tuesday arguing that 5 oil companies, 14 electric utilities and the country’s largest coal company were responsible for the village’s woes.----
The suit is the latest effort to hold companies like BP America, Chevron, Peabody Energy, Duke Energy and the Southern Company responsible for the impact of global warming because they emit millions of tons of greenhouse gases, or, in the case of Peabody, mine and market carbon-laden coal that is burned by others. It accused the companies of creating a public nuisance."

Obama wants you in a car and on your way to Rhode Island - right now!

As the US presidential nominee race speeds up in both the Republican and Democratic camps, those e-mails from the Obama for America team just keep coming.

Yesterday's e-mail

Dear [redacted],
Rhode Island's primary is next Tuesday, March 4th, and you can play a major role in this important contest.

Talking face-to-face with fellow voters is the most effective way to spread our message of change and Get Out The Vote for Barack.

In the days leading up to the primary -- and particularly on Primary Day itself -- supporters all across Rhode Island are organizing a statewide canvass.

Take a trip to Rhode Island, and join your fellow supporters in canvassing for Barack:

http://my.barackobama.com/GOTVinRI

Grassroots organizing by supporters across the country has been essential to our success so far.

Thanks to you and your fellow supporters, we're going into the Rhode Island primary with the momentum of 11 straight wins.

The March 4th primaries could be the decisive moment that puts this movement over the top.

But in such a close race, we need to bring as many people into this process as possible.

The Rhode Island canvass can make all the difference -- but that depends on you. Help make sure voters hear about the kind of change Barack will bring to Rhode Island.

You don't need any prior experience to join this effort. The only requirement is your dedication to this movement for change.

Come to Rhode Island this weekend, meet your fellow supporters, and talk to voters about why you are part of this movement:

http://my.barackobama.com/GOTVinRI

When people work together toward a common purpose, anything is possible.

See you in Rhode Island,

Nicole

Nicole Derse
Out-of-State Volunteer Coordinator
Obama for America

I never had s*xual relations with that developer

Watching NSW Planning Minister Frank Sartor's performance during an interview on Aunty's Four Corners last night left me with a strong suspicion that Mr. Sartor's denial of any knowledge of collusion or corruption may have had more to do with his personal definition of those terms, rather than an actual sequence of events.

Noticeably it was some time into Quentin Dempster's pointed questioning before the Minister used words such as 'no' and 'never' in relation to himself and President Clinton's famous denial of improper behaviour sprang forcibly to mind.

I was left wondering exactly what Mr. Sartor thought developers were actually doing with all those cigars.