from Bob Ellis (back in 2009)...

He [Abbott] writes very well. But in the end he is, like Turnbull, just putting spackle over the concrete cancer that is Liberal incompetence and adding one more layer of craven obeisance to America's vacuous bombs-away barbarity with a nervous, widening smile. In foreign affairs, like his party's founder Robert Menzies who admired Hitler and loathed Churchill, it seems he doesn't get it. For killing children is wrong, monsignor, is it not? And we kill more of them each month, do we not, than the Taliban, Hamas and al-Qaeda put together? And this distresses their mothers and loses us influence everywhere, or am I wrong? No children died on 9/11 and 10,000, perhaps, under Shock and Awe. A small discrepancy, monsignor, not worth worrying about, surely.

It was sometimes last year, before Tony got the leadership of the Liberal party, that I knew the Labor government of this country knew that it could not go on spending much more money..

But before that, the Rudd government had been given "no choice" by an extraordinary situation. The world financial crisis had shaken the apple tree, and most (all) of the apples were rotten. The US and European governments were fertilising the crap with such intensity that smaller economies could be crushed, as much as by the crisis, as by the rescue the US and Europe had voted for themselves... There was no choice but to "infuse" some credit and credibility back into the Australian economy. Otherwise this country might have seen its first revolution. The Eureka stockade being a boyscout meeting in comparison. I remember that as soon as the economic crisis came to the fore, many friends in casual employment, who had been forced into draconian Howardian contracts, were told to go. Suddenly there was no job, no real rescue for them. No survival.. Most were going down fast. Had Tony and and his cronies be in power then, the banks would have been dined and fed lobster with champagne. The little people in the street would have died from dispair... I know. Many asked me to help. I did what I could, being in the same boat myself. One of the cleverest thing that the Rudd government did — something totally opposed and denigrated by the snake oil merchant, Tony Abbott — was to give all the poorest of us, all people to a certain level of income, an extra flat 900 dollars in cash (written as a tax cut). This helped reduce uncertainty for many. As mentioned before, it helped some people to buy new tools and perform better. For others, there was no job available no matter how Tony would have had people to work for the dole. This crisis was sudden (although predictable and predicted by Gus) and needed a sudden response.

The garantee of bank savings was another good move.

Extra spending on projects such as schools buildings, etc, was know to the government to be difficult to implement with 100 percent success, in such a short time... There would also be shonks taking advantage of the offer, such as those in the house insulation stimulated improvements.

I know that the government knew there would be some unavoidable waste. Overall, there would be some important success. And successes there has been. But the media and Tony Abbott have chosen to ignore these and concentrate only on the relatively small amount of failure. In real terms those failure can be quantified at between 3 to 5 per thousand.

Tony also barracked for the failure of the ETS. Silly. Since Tony has the control of the senate majority, he was going to shoot down anything that could be done to improve our reduction of emissions, because he could. Just because. His meagre silly proposals and opposition talkfeist of cutting the deficit and make government profitable are beautifully crafted hot air balloons with porkies attached. "Convince people that life would be different and better [under a coalition government?]????... Tony!!! One cannot believe what you say even if it "makes sense" because it does not (make sense), and should you get the power, you would renege on most promises like Johnnee used to do, and like you did too when you were a Johnnee lackey. 

Tony's open support for the miners is ridiculous. The miners are EXPLOITING the country's wealth rather than create the country's wealth... Sure there are fluctuation in the miners fortunes due to the buyers, but in any form of mineral exploitation, refining and usage, there are long established complex processes adapted to the specific qualities of a particular ore. Industrial retooling for a different ore is costly. At this stage I believe that half the miners are not against the "super" tax on mining profit, once the royalties are waived.

Tony is a little busy salesman, a Mr Haney in Hooterville, dedicated to sell anything dubious for profit, as long as there is a "yooou're in luck todaaay... I hav' git the perrrrrfect product for yoooou"... Of course the thingster is badly designed, shonky and a return to prior 1950 clunk. But the sales pitch is a master mix of hyperbole and humility... and too many people are buying the crap, specially as it is promoted by the murdoch press... and the press in general.

Mr Abbott outlined the saving measure in his first budget reply speech last Thursday.

He also promised a Coalition government would cut government advertising by 25 per cent.

At the time, Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner described Mr Abbott's budget reply as laughable.

"He cannot even properly cost the one or two glib one-liner savings proposals that he put in his speech," Mr Tanner said.

The Community and Public Sector Union also expressed concern about Mr Abbott's recruitment freeze plan.

"We're disappointed to see Tony Abbott trotting out a line that frankly smacks of 20 years ago," CPSU national secretary Nadine Flood said last week.

"I mean, the world has changed. The community's expectations of government are increasing, our population's increasing, and an easy hit at public servants just doesn't make a great deal of sense and it's not what the community expects from government."

I keep repeating that this election is giving every decent Australian citizen an example of how the media abuses its so-called freedom of expression.

This election is also very much about the contest between the Corporation's media and the Australian people.  Murdoch proved his point when he was reported as saying graciously to Rattus that "he had his time".  And he met with Kevin Rudd and decided, apparently, to give him a "try". 

Now however, when Rudd was facing an election year with polls indicating that he was the most popular Prime Minister in our history - Murdoch probably decided that Rudd could become more influential than Murdochracy.

So, to assist his foreign Corporation's power base - he began the Character Assassination of Kevin Rudd. This has been as bizarre as propaganda can be and has been an example of Howard's core or non core issues without truth or justice and a repetition of what happens to an Australian people's government when they try to "trim the dish".

Tonight's Q & A offers a financial debate between Joe Hockey and Australia's Lindsay Tanner which should be a "slam dunk" for the Australian Finances Minister. But, that wouldn’t be fair to the “underdog” since he has already been embarrassed by his Leader shoving him back on the agenda for a fair dinkum budget reply.  Playing even the sympathy card?  Wake up Australia.

Which by the way has been chosen by multi-options Abbott to be at the venue of the National Press Club which he, Abbott, denigrated as a fair place to have a debate.

This person is thoroughly enjoying his accidental promotion by the Corporation’s media, from a Mark Latham style attack dog, to the saint to revive power to the Corporations.

However, noting that the failure of Leigh Sales to be an effective interviewer for the simple reason that the Liberal practice of interrupting and loudly opposing any point the speaker may try to make - may have been too much for her - I would recommend in fairness that they all have John Laws’ control over so many seconds of delay.

Regarding Tony Jones - generally speaking he appears to be fair but, there is a distinct ability to play the crowd and put entertainment before genuine policy. Because of this, I would not recommend him for a moderator of debate.

 As always, all the Australian people expect is a “fair go” for their Government.  This is a chance for the younger Australians to help expunge the disgrace of the DISMISSAL.

 God bless Australia and “It’s time we took back our country”.  NE OUBLIE.

 

 

The Corporation is a 2003 Canadian documentary film written by Joel Bakan, and directed by Mark Achbar and Jennifer Abbott. The documentary is critical of the modern-day corporation, considering its legal status as a class of person and evaluating its behaviour towards society and the world at large as a psychiatrist might evaluate an ordinary person. This is explored through specific examples. The Corporation has been displayed worldwide, on television, and via DVD, file sharing, and free download. Bakan wrote the book, The Corporation: The Pathological Pursuit of Profit and Power, during the filming of the documentary. Topics addressed

Topics addressed include the Business Plot, where in 1933, the popular General Smedley Butler exposed a corporate plot against then U.S. President Franklin Roosevelt; the tragedy of the commons; Dwight D. Eisenhower's warning people to beware of the rising military-industrial complex; economic externalities; suppression of an investigative news story about Bovine Growth Hormone on a Fox News Channel affiliate television station; the invention of the soft drink Fanta by the Coca-Cola Company due to the trade embargo on Nazi Germany; the alleged role of IBM in the Nazi holocaust (see IBM and the Holocaust); the Cochabamba protests of 2000 brought on by the privatization of Bolivia's municipal water supply by the Bechtel Corporation; and in general themes of corporate social responsibility, the notion of limited liability, the corporation as a psychopath, and the corporation as a person.

COMMENT: And some Australians may be considering voting for the Murdoch/Abbott Corporation con.  Fair dinkum.

God Bless Australia, its citizens and all who work for her.  And may I see in my lifetime, a fairly elected government of our people for our people and by our people.  NE OUBLIE.

Abbott under fire for 'gospel truth' gaffe

 

In a gift for a Federal Government struggling in the opinion polls, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has admitted not everything he says is true.

Mr Abbott has told The 7.30 Report he sometimes says things in the heat of the moment that are not absolutely correct, but the public can fully rely on his carefully scripted and considered remarks.

"I know politicians are going to be judged on everything they say, but sometimes in the heat of discussion you go a little bit further than you would if it was an absolutely calm, considered, prepared, scripted remark.

"Which is one of the reasons why the statements that need to be taken absolutely as gospel truth are those carefully prepared, scripted remarks."

Watch the video in full here.

Mr Abbott made the statement after 7.30 Report host Kerry O'Brien quizzed him on a promise he made not to increase taxes - a promise he then broke by pledging to fund his paid parental leave scheme with a new tax.

==============

And on Q&A (qanda at ABC.net.au) big Joe Hockey got his windvane in a fluffy spin while arguing against the "new" tax on mining, while Lindsay Tanner (Labor), explained it very well — including demonstrating the advantages to the mining industry. See "Mr Haney" Abbott in toon at top.

Tony Abbott says he was only trying to be "fair dinkum" with the Australian people when he admitted sometimes not telling the truth on The 7.30 Report last night.

Mr Abbott told interviewer Kerry O'Brien that he sometimes says things in the heat of the moment that are not absolutely correct, but the public can fully rely on his carefully scripted and considered remarks.

"The statements that need to be taken absolutely as gospel truth are those carefully prepared, scripted remarks," he said.

Mr Abbott was on the defensive this morning as senior Labor figures lined up to put the boot in and Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard dubbed him "phoney Tony".

"I'm very happy to let the public look at my record both in Government and in Opposition and compare it with the Prime Minister's record, because the Prime Minister, let's face it, has broken promise after promise," Mr Abbott said.

Colourful Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce was among those coming to Mr Abbott's defence.

"What someone might say to their lover in the heat of passion is entirely different, or should be entirely different, to the lady checking out your groceries at the supermarket," he said

--------------------

Gus: I'm crying with laughter... Not only Mr Haney-Abbott is spinning like a windvane in a tornado, but he could sell his own grand mother to any unsuspecting "Lisaaaa" in this good country, while Barnaby explains the spin with the silly aplomb of a thief caught with his hand in the cookie jar... These monkeys have no scruples..

It's fashionable at the moment to talk about "Brand Rudd" and "Brand Abbott". But by the time this election campaign is done, the thing that might be really trashed is Brand Politics.

Politicians were already held in low esteem, down with used-car salesmen and journalists.

But our current political leaders seem determined to plumb new depths.

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Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's astonishing admission that not everything he says in the heat of debate should be seen as gospel truth is today being spun by the Liberal Party as more evidence their guy is "real" and "honest" and a "straight talker".

So honest, apparently, he happily admits to dishonesty. Phew, that makes us feel a lot better.

An Australian political leader came under attack today for speaking what many would consider a self-evident truth - that not everything any politician says can be believed.

Tony Abbott, leader of the conservative opposition Liberal Party, stunned many political observers in his explanation during a television interview of a backflip on his month-old promise to raise no new taxes if his party is voted into power.

He now promises to levy a new company tax to fund paid maternity leave if he becomes prime minister at elections late this year.

Mr Abbott, a 52-year-old former seminarian, drew a distinction between what he sometimes says "in the heat of discussion" and "an absolutely calm, considered, prepared, scripted remark.

"Which is one of the reasons why the statements that need to be taken absolutely as gospel truth is (sic) those carefully prepared, scripted remarks," Mr Abbott told Australian Broadcasting Corp.

"All of us, when we're in the heat of verbal combat, so to speak, will sometimes say things that go a little bit further," he added.

The remarks were described in the media today as a gaffe that could haunt Mr Abbott's election campaign in the months ahead.

-----------------------------

As suggested, my wife and I watched the Q & A "debate" between the shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey and the Labor government Finance Minister Lyndsay Tanner.

Tony Jones was mediocre at first but, as a true entertainer, he played the game well. As I have noticed, Tony Jones is a strong personality but just maybe his ability to entertain could miss the messages on some occasions.

When Kevin Rudd began going to the people, even by a Q & A interview with young people of varying origins, I thought he was being very up front and, under the circumstances, taking a chance that Howard would never have considered.  Instead his popularity offended the Murdochracy (and fellow travelers) and it was claimed that he had "lost the debate"?  I didn't know that it was intended to be a "debate" and I warrant neither did the P.M.

In any measure of judgment, the Prime Minister came out trumps with us and I assume, most of the youngsters who rarely get a chance to meet a world known politician in person.  Except of course the young girl with the "born to rule" spirit of a neo-conservative, personally attacked the P.M. on trust.  It turns out that she is a paid up member of the Liberal Party but, who really cares? No one is perfect.

The MSM immediately re-packaged their up front and personal attacks on the Prime Minister of Australia successfully converting more than two years of stellar government into a matter of trust in just one man.  Fair dinkum. Perhaps Rudd was just too good to believe?

The outcome of the Hockey/Tanner "debate" was pretty much as expected.  Joe was Jolly Joe, the new "Captain Smirk" for the Liberal Party (replacing Costello) - interrupting and virtually "shouting down" any point that the Minister tried to make. 

An interesting passage of the (“Howard”?) Sedition Laws is explained as follows:  Source: Arts Law Centre.

What Is Sedition?

The classic definition of sedition is that it is a political crime that punishes certain communications critical of the established order.  Sedition crimes have been enshrined in state and territory based Australian laws since before federation and inserted into the Commonwealth Crimes Act in 1920.  Under the Commonwealth Act, seditious behaviour that intended to (i) bring the government into hatred or contempt; (ii) excite disaffection against the government, constitution, UK parliament and Kings Dominions, and (iii) bring about change to those institutions unlawfully, was criminalized.  (Emphasis added)

COMMENT:  I just wonder if this has been broken by the foreign owned and vicious media campaign which, without question, is intended to bring hatred or contempt and excite disaffection against the government of one of the Kings Dominions namely (Australia)?

What a wonderful irony it would be for Howard’s “New Order” changes in the Sedition laws were used to “hang” News Ltd. Yet again in Court.  What a "Storm" that would make?

God bless Australia and make our laws protect our right to the truth and not just foreign opinions of seditious intent?  NE OUBLIE.

 

 

 

 

Firstly, let me remind the readers of the fiasco perpetrated by the Bush Republicans in the Florida Presidential election in 2000.  There was to be a "re-polling" of the suspicious results of the voting document provided by Bush's Brother, the Governor of Florida.

It was clearly demonstrated that paid rioters, who were even identified in the media coverage, caused that democratic process to be abandoned - and Bush was elected.  And the light held high above the head of the "Statue of Liberty" - turned red.  Fair dinkum.

Now, it appears that the disease has traveled to the Abbott/Hockey remnants of the Howard "New Order".  The foreign miners are saying, save our exploitive tax regime or else.

I caught the end of a TV news bulletin about a disturbance at a proposed speech by Julia Gillard in Queensland today.  Some four or five "agitated" anti Gillard "demonstrators" were threatening the local labor representative and it required the police to step in.  If that was done by a Union of workers it would bring down the wrath of the Howard Sedition laws.

The aggressive attitude of those "dingos" should mean that the police considered the performance the threatening (Liberalnats?) people were endangering the elected member for that electorate?  That means that they have to be identified and prosecuted under Howard's Sedition laws?  At least these dingos should be named and shamed and their origin exposed.  No Bushit for us – I hope.

The argument of these IMHO "US Style" paid up agitators was, of all things, that the Stimulus package caused their unemployment!  Fair dinkum.

And just today the unemployment rate is down to 5.4% and there is an increase in full-time jobs!

So, one can only come to the conclusion that the most likely case is that we have a repeat of the US 2000 dishonest election gimmick which produced the worst President in American history.

It is also likely to assist the Corporation's election candidates Abbott and Hockey in their quest to stop any progress or to plan the future security of the Australian people.

The desperation of the foreign Corporation's to protect their expanding taxing advantages when the Australian people are only receiving 1 dollar out of every 7 in Mining profits while, at one time, we received 1 out of 3.  Surely that should be evident to all Australians?

If we, the Australian people, were selling "over the counter" a source of wealth and the value of that wealth increased, would it be good business to absorb that margin as a loss by ourselves?  Would they do it? Would Abbott and Hockey adivise that?  Wake up Australia.

Abbott, "the bastard child of Rattus and Bromwyn Bishop", is now repeating the "core" values of his mythical father - always blame your opposition for doing what you are doing yourself - and let them defend it with the Corporation's media!

I sincerely hope that we do not degenerate to the sub-level of US politics where, in actual fact, no one knows what the "others" are doing and politician's votes are openly bought by the Lobbyists.  Struth.

The only fault Kevin Rudd and his Ministers have is that they have tried to be honest and up front with the electorate - something that cannot be said of any of the eleven years of the Howard "New Order".

I do not accept that the complete assassination of the character of an Australian politician can be achieved by any other means - than the corrupt foreign media.

COMMENT:  As testimony to the insidious US demands on servitude, I notice that the Spielberg/Hanks series of propaganda called "Pacific" is, in my opinion, intended to try to regain some credibility to the often exaggerated "we saved Australia" campaign.  I, and my brothers, lived through that era and while they served I was in constant contact in any way available. The true story of that daunting time has never been truthfully explained to my knowledge.  Enough said.

God Bless Australia and protect us (and Abbott) from taking Australia back to the 1950's.  NE OUBLIE.

 

http://www.yourdemocracy.net.au/drupal/node/921

Meanwhile at the coalface of glorification, from Judith Troeth, MP:

"Tonight I rise to acknowledge the impending 80th birthday of the Rt Hon. Malcolm Fraser, who was born on 29 May 1930. This is a celebration of an impressive birthday milestone, but it is also the celebration of a man who has been an outstanding figure in Australia’s history as a nation. Of Malcolm Fraser’s eight decades, 28 years were dedicated to parliamentary service, with eight years as Prime Minister.

At their core, Malcolm Fraser and the Australian psyche share a common blend of traits: grit, humility, determination and aspiration. Neither one’s genesis predestined greatness; both emerged from adversity stronger and greater nonetheless. Malcolm Fraser’s creed is wrought in perseverance, and it is because of this that history records the restoration of responsible government in 1975. It is because of this that the Australian economy was able to thrive once again. It is because of this that Australia turned to a leader with an intense commitment to integrity in public administration.

Today we look back on a government that wrote into the pages of history some of Australia’s greatest environmental protections. The cessation of sand mining on Fraser Island and the prohibition of whaling in Australian waters are among them. We look back to a time when Australia’s 22nd Prime Minister became the first to adopt a migration program that was truly multiracial, when government policies were inspired by an indomitable belief in the Australian fair go. The trajectory of the Fraser government is something to behold in the index of this nation’s history. Malcolm Fraser has not merely lived history; he has made it, changed it and charted us a better course for it."

------------------------------

Followed a week later by Malcolm Fraser resigning his membership from that party, in disgust.

----------------------

SENIOR Liberal figures were not shocked by Malcolm Fraser's decision to quit the Liberal Party, citing his disaffection for nearly a decade with policies on a range of social issues including asylum-seekers and the Iraq war.

Mr Fraser, Liberal prime minister from 1975 to 1983, confirmed yesterday through his office that reports were accurate that he had quit the party, saying it was no longer a liberal party and he could not stomach the way it operated.

Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard leapt on Mr Fraser's resignation, saying it highlighted how extreme the party had become under Tony Abbott.

"Mr Fraser's resignation is highlighting some of the extreme policies that Mr Abbott and his opposition have been drawn to," Ms Gillard said.

But Mr Abbott said he would not criticise Mr Fraser, who resigned in December soon after Malcolm Turnbull was deposed as Liberal leader.

"I think he was a fine Liberal prime minister," Mr Abbott said.

---------------------

The head of Woolworths says many Australian retail jobs were saved by the Federal Government's stimulus measures, which were implemented in late 2008 and the first half of last year.

Speaking at a business lunch in Sydney today, Michael Luscombe said the global financial crisis forced the closure of Woolworths' namesake [unrelated to the Australian company] in the UK after 100 years of trading.

Mr Luscombe says the Australian stimulus payments were introduced at exactly the right time.

"That stimulus payment really did work. There was no doubt that it buoyed consumer confidence, and it did protect and save many retail jobs and allied jobs at a critical juncture for our country," he observed.

However, the effects of the stimulus payments have worn-off and retail sales growth has slowed.

The head of Woolworths says he is concerned the recent downturn in the retail sector could see more companies like Clive Peeters pushed to the brink.

Administrators were appointed to the electronics and whitegoods retailer Clive Peeters last week, and a review is underway to see if the business can be saved or sold-off.

Mr Luscombe says he hopes other Australian retailers are resilient enough to avoid the same fate.

---------------------

see toon at top...

The head of Woolworths says many Australian retail jobs were saved by the Federal Government's stimulus measures, which were implemented in late 2008 and the first half of last year.

Speaking at a business lunch in Sydney today, Michael Luscombe said the global financial crisis forced the closure of Woolworths' namesake [unrelated to the Australian company] in the UK after 100 years of trading.

Mr Luscombe says the Australian stimulus payments were introduced at exactly the right time.

"That stimulus payment really did work. There was no doubt that it buoyed consumer confidence, and it did protect and save many retail jobs and allied jobs at a critical juncture for our country," he observed.

However, the effects of the stimulus payments have worn-off and retail sales growth has slowed.

The head of Woolworths says he is concerned the recent downturn in the retail sector could see more companies like Clive Peeters pushed to the brink.

Administrators were appointed to the electronics and whitegoods retailer Clive Peeters last week, and a review is underway to see if the business can be saved or sold-off.

Mr Luscombe says he hopes other Australian retailers are resilient enough to avoid the same fate.

---------------------

Gus: my personal view on this was that Clive Peeters advertising was wonky... The whole package appeared to be on shaky grounds from the start... But that's only my opinion. see toon at top...

Supermarket giant Coles and the Commonwealth Bank have received Shonky awards from consumer watchdog Choice.

The companies were among eight brands named and shamed at this year's Shonkys.

The not-so-prestigious prize has been given to Coles for its "under $10 meal promotion", fronted by celebrity chef Curtis Stone.

Choice says the recipes in the promotion require ingredients which actually make the meal cost up to triple the price that Coles quotes.

"The deal claims you can feed four people for less than $10, the catch is you have to already happen to have some of the ingredients in your pantry - which aren't included in the price," Choice said in a statement.

The Commonwealth Bank got the nod for its Standard Awards Card, which Choice says offers very little reward.

Other firms outed by Choice for "mean and silly rip-offs and scams" include pain relief brand Nurofen, whitegoods brand LG, a baby names website and several olive oil brands which were in fact not extra virgin.

LG was outed for overstating the energy efficiencies of a model of a side-by-side refrigerator.

Choice singled out Nurofen for marketing painkillers for specific pains - such as back, period and migraine pains - when in actual fact all the manufacturer's painkillers contain identical ingredients.

"The shonkiest aspect of this type of marketing is that the fast-acting painkillers labelled for specific pain types are more expensive," Choice said in a statement.

Choice spokesman Christopher Zinn says consumers need to be on the lookout for dodgy companies.

"This is the fifth year of the Shonkys and you'd think most companies would be doing their best to ensure they're delivering good, honest products and services," he said.

"Yet year after year we're continually amazed by marketers' efforts to take Australians for a ride."

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/10/26/3048550.htm

-----------------------------

Gus: in politics, the YourDemocracy Giant Shonky Awards goes to Tony Abbott for having had too many budgies in his smugglers. It was not a disputed contest for first place... Other candidates such as Malcolm with his anti-broadband gnarly campaign, Joe hockey with his bank-attack and his elastic shadow budget figures, and Andrew Robb for just being there, were equal second, though far behind Tony. In third Shonky place came the staring women for killing a gnome with just a powerful glance... In fourth place came a lot of Liberal hasbeens whose name are better forgotten.

In the public service areana, Grech got the Golden Shonky Gong.

As in previous years, the Shonky Media Award for 2010 went to... Uncle Rupe.

 

"It's like being slapped around the head with a terry-towelling hat." said Tony Abbott while receiving the Award. He added he was humbled to be in such illustrious company as John W Howard, his mentor, and as Wilson Tuckey, his security baton-twirling cheer-squad, retiring this year (booted out)... Special mentions were made of Christopher Pyne and senator Abetz for their teeth-grinding...

The Religious Shonky Award was a dead heat between the real-estate non-selling broke anglicans of Sydney and Archbishop G. Pell who got two points deducted from his total for not becoming irate at Reverend Dorothy showing herself in a catholic church in Redfern.

Abbott rates his first year as Opposition Leader

Jessica Wright

TONY ABBOTT no longer wants to stop the boats. At least he's not putting it quite that way.
The mantra, which carried the Coalition to within a whisker of an election victory, will have a new, softer edge for 2011.

''Lower taxes, fairer welfare, better services, stronger borders'' will replace ''end the waste, pay back the debt, stop the new taxes and stop the boats''.

But it doesn't mean the opposition will be going soft on the Gillard government. Mr Abbott promises a tough year of policy rather than politics, pledging to ''expose the weaknesses'' in the government, which he said has ''gone from bad to worse''. Education and health will also be high on the agenda.''Next year is about being a more credible alternative,'' he said. ''I do want to deepen our conversation with the Australian public.''

In an interview with The Sun-Herald to mark one year since becoming opposition leader, Mr Abbott reflected on how close he came to becoming prime minister, as well as some of the year's low points

'It has been a great year in every respect except that we didn't form government. It was a moral victory but the Labor Party won the subsequent negotiations. But that's life, that's the way the system works.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/abbott-rates-his-first-year-as-opposition-leader-20101204-18kr1.html

 

Meanwhile at the printing press...

THE Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott, used his taxpayer-funded parliamentary entitlements to print 491,000 sheets of personalised letterhead before the federal election - enough to send direct-mail to his Sydney electorate of Warringah five times over.

Mr Abbott's office did not know yesterday whether his letterhead had been used for mailouts during the election, but said it was ''a bulk order of stationery for normal office use'' and that any use had been within the rules on MPs' entitlements.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/to-the-491000-whom-it-may-concern-abbott-splashes-out-on-personal-stationery-20101203-18jtx.html