So I will be holding my nose and voting Labor (although I think mine is a safe Labor seat.) — Wayfarer

I did this throughout the 1980's as they gleefully thrust neo-liberalism upon us.

I think Albanese a mediocrity — Wayfarer

And boring too.

I have Greens Adam Bant and Ellen Sandall as my Federal and State reps.

Bandt is a bit too left for my liking. The Greens are a party of protest and are too immured to green-left ideology. I might have mentioned I once handed out How to Vote for Greens in a state election. Then I went to a State party meeting and got disillusioned with them quick smart. I wish there was a viable alternative party, but there's not.

I have Greens Adam Bant and Ellen Sandall as my Federal and State reps. — Tom Storm

That's the price of having good coffee.

I wish there was a viable alternative party, but there's not. — Wayfarer

At the least, put an independent before the ALP and give the buggers a scare...?

Take advantage of the preferential system to express your dissatisfaction while still not supporting the Libs?

I would vote for the likes of Pocock or one or two of the others, but collectively, independents are pretty useless, as a matter of definition. My local member is Susan Templeman, I guess she's a backbencher as you never hear much of her, but she will be getting my vote.

Oh, and Zali Steggel. She’s effective. Besides she disposed of the Mad Monk

I might have mentioned I once handed out How to Vote for Greens in a state election. — Wayfarer

My partner helped support one of their campaigns. Disorganized, collectivist shenanigans.

That's the price of having good coffee. — Banno

Could be... I only drink it at home.

I went to a Billy Shorten campaign speech at a local town hall before the 2019 Federal Election. My partner then was helping the local Labor candidate to try and unseat the corrupt Liberal incumbent. Penny Wong worked the crowd up into a frenzy. "Ladies and gentleman, I give you next prime minister of Australia: Bill Shorten!" Bill trotted up on stage and turned to face the audience. His grey, anxious, face sucked the air and excitement from the room. There was a mass exhalation from the detumescent crowd. I knew instantly he wasn't going to win.

I watched that election from a friend's place. Very dissappointing, but Shorten's Labor was too complacent by far, they were certain they had it in the bag. Sure as hell hope it doesn't happen this time. Much as I'm unimpressed by Albanese, I think a Dutton government would be a very bad outcome. I'm not worried by the prospect of a minority government split between Labor, Greens and Independents, in fact it might give some of the Independents a bit more clout.

:up:

Why Canberra loves the Liberals...

James Paterson was also asked about the Coalition’s plan to cut 41,000 public servants.

The host noted there were only 80,000 in Canberra, “so half of the public servants in this town will go”.

Paterson said the details would be outlined soon on how the Coalition will reach its target:

We’ve been very clear we don’t think Australians have got good value from the increase of 41,000 that’s happened on this government’s watch.
Asked if the government would need contractors in their place, Paterson again said that details would be coming soon:

I’m not going to go ahead on my colleagues who have announcements to make in that area until it is time to talk about it. — Gardian

A large number will be hired back as consultants for more cash and lower security, further undermining impartiality and lowering face-to-face service delivery.

Notice the play, "vote for us, but we won't tell you what we are going to do..."

The Conversation's Policy tracker

:up: Good to know.

Albo - supermarkets already are taking the piss.

I think this 'price controls on supermarkets' is populist talk-back radio nonsense. We don't live in a command economy.

I'd like to see the two largest broken into four.

I’m afraid to say nothing about Clive Palmer is fresh. Everything about him is stale, verging on putrid. That media organisations have to feed off his hubris is disappointing in the extreme. — Wayfarer

Agreed. Not his blood though, just the dollars bilked from the nickel refinery workers of Townsville and all the other blood, sweat and tears ripped off in other close-to-the edge dealings that pass for sharp usiness practice nowadays ( and in the past history of big "C" capitalism without conscience).

again another sad smile

If I were you I would limit purchases from the US due to carbon emissions involved in shipping. — frank

Why stop at the US. Let's return to living off the produce of our backyards and bare hands only and walking to a common bartering point, in the nude if we don't have a fig tree leaf, to get the specials of the week.
We like our gadgets and they all come to us via emissions. Where they are made shouldn't concern us if we "can't' do without them.

Smart countries/a smart scheme would buy up big those "things" only produced in the US, warehouse them, wait for all the other countries to escalate the tariff war with the US with their own anti-US tariffs. Then sell US made goods/things to the other countries at under their anti US tariffs prices.
All we got to do is stay on everybody's "good side" and apply no tariffs to anyone, meanwhile growing our own home made industries off of the taxes, paid ( or not) by participating smart companies in the above scheme.

Simple!

Oh, for a world of fair and considerate business dealings.

yet another sad smile with a suggestion of a laugh

. The Libs are of course doing their best to appeal to ACT voters by promising to sack 40,000 public servants. — Banno

At least put an exclamation mark at the end of that sentence....in case we miss your sat/casm!

big smile

67c54c24c10f7f8aca08c4e3_Electoral-Map-All-Candidates.jpg — Banno

Where's Helen Haines, Ind. for Indie, NE Vic ? Or is this election blinding one of its ( oh so clever!) citizens. She should have done enough to get back in in this "hung parliament" election.
Addendum: Found her over in the S. A. Independents with a long line back to her electorate. Sorry, can't see for loooking

Also, the Dutton excise exercise is to win votes in the outer city electorates and in the bush where the savings will/may be worth more than a fiver to the households' weekly driving costs. It's not likely to impress city and enviro voters despite the fact that all prices should drop proportionately due to everyone's reliance on oils for transporting... not that the transport or any big companies will reduce their potential profit rises by reducing their charges.

normal slightly bored/fed up smile

That's the price of having good coffee. — Banno

An examination of the coffee industry would show little GREEN about it... just to add to your point.

Take advantage of the preferential system to express your dissatisfaction while still not supporting the Libs? — Banno

Could be dangerous this time round.

I think this 'price controls on supermarkets' is populist talk-back radio nonsense. We don't live in a command economy. — Wayfarer

Agreed.

I'd like to see the two largest broken into four. — Banno

Twice as much work for an under resourced ACCC, just as much collusion and an excellent reason to raise prices by all four... less return to scale purchasing power, (quote/unquote) will be their excuse, for sure.
A suggestion: Just buy (properly researched) specials only of what you know you (will and do) need and curb your impulsive unneeded buying. That wastes their ad dollars. Supermarkets hate tightfisted savvy customers. They will lash back somehow, so be prepared.
All of the above is easier said than done, malheursement!
Please pardon the poor high school French affectation.

just an uncomplicated smile, this time.

...Helen Haines... — kazan

Just below Esperance in WA... sorta floating in the air...

I see you found her.


Keep in mind that most electorates are outer city...

Could be dangerous this time round. — kazan

On reflection I can see quite a few advantages in a hung parliament. Bring it.

Here are the recommendations.

Aspects of Australia’s supermarket sector, which is dominated by Coles and Woolworths, are not working well and this is leading to poorer outcomes for consumers and suppliers than would be expected in a more competitive market.

New Yougov data.

Take a look at the projected vote share. Add ALP, greens and half the independents together. 61.3% chance of a hung parliament.

For once, and pleasingly, the two-party preferred vote is at present irrelevant.

You can check out your own electorate. Bean will stay ALP.

Aspects of Australia’s supermarket sector, which is dominated by Coles and Woolworths, are not working well and this is leading to poorer outcomes for consumers and suppliers than would be expected in a more competitive market.

Just looking into the crystal ball powered by history. Who, as an individual, has the smarts to challenge such an august body of bright individuals' findings when they are ringbarked by politicians wishing for a particular finding/outcome?
Cynical? No. It's the realpolitik.
Just can't see an real relief in just splitting up companies when the the Corporation Act allows so many, much used loopholes 'to carry on business as usual'.
Sorry, Banno... here we aren't fully on the same page.

smile

Maybe, and this is tongue in cheek, we should invoke National Security concerns about food security, malnutrition and other health security to put a lie to Wayfarer's assertion of not being a command economy. We are, in the national security areas anyway,like all nations.

Sorry, tea time.



"starving" smile

Be thankful for proportional voting. Here's what the alternative looks like, in a nation not too dissimilar to Down Nunder.



See the ad at 2:35 for fairvote.ca - that's that, then?