Abbott.... has made himself look dumb, which seems to be a Tony specialty lately.

He's correct that Gillard should be in Jakarta instead of New York to be meeting with someone that is in New York rather than Jakarta to discuss an issue that they are already discissing?

Right, then.

If I was Labour, come election campaign, my main tv advert would be sound/videobites of all the sexist, racist, nasty and all round inane comments that Abbott has made.

So basically, you subscribe to the current political view that Australian voters are better served by character assasination and muck raking as opposed to genuine discussion about the actual policies the party's are proposing?

Yep. They're too dumb and lazy to engage in such debate.
If Malcolm Turnbull was in opposition, it would be a different story.

You're on the money, and it also would be irrelevant who was in government and opposition as that is pretty much how every election campaign is run now. Issues are something to be ignored as much as possible as bringing them up just highlights how little any political party in Australia actually thinks.

McKew backs Tanner on Rudd 'ambush'

DateSeptember 26, 2012 - 5:49PM

Former MP Maxine McKew has strongly backed Lindsay Tanner's attack on the coup against Kevin Rudd, saying it had been described it to her as a "professional hit".

As Julia Gillard and her senior ministers closed ranks against the Tanner criticism Ms McKew, who held Bennelong in 2007-10, said Mr Tanner had referred to Mr Rudd's removal as an "ambush". In researching her forthcoming book Tales from the Political Trenches, "one caucus member of long standing described it as a 'professional hit' on Rudd".

Mr Tanner in Politics with Purpose, out yesterday, argued that the coup was an extreme overreaction to deficiencies in the Rudd style which ministers then enormously exaggerated. He also wrote that Labor could be entering a time of "unprecedented bleakness" and also described the party as "an electoral machine largely devoid of wider purpose".

Ms McKew told The Age she welcomed Mr Tanner's comments. "A confident party shouldn't be fearful of these kinds of contributions".

Mr Tanner was right to lament the lack of a contest of ideas. "What we have is a contest of fears", she said. "I worry we are about to go into the election with my side of politics saying 'vote for us because Tony Abbott is a scary kind of guy'. It's not good enough".

Echoing recent comments by former Labor minister Barry Jones, she said her worry was that the Labor party was being run and owned by a few "who don't want to see reform of a 120 year old party". This was shown by the failure to release the report by Senator John Faulkner and two Labor premiers, Bob Carr and Steve Bracks on party reform. This contrasted with the role Gough Whitlam played in reforming the ALP in his day.

Ms Gillard, who is in New York, rejected Mr Tanner's claim Labor had lost its purpose. "I can be very clear about the government's purpose", she said; this included to keep the economy strong, and deliver better schools, dental care and a national disability scheme.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr said "we went through a stage where every galah in a pet shop had an opinion about what was wrong with the Labor party. I'm sick of that. I think the public's sick of it." If he had been in retirement "it would have been a pushover to have polished off another book, number 20, on what's wrong with the Labor party."

He was sure there was a "terrific analysis" in Mr Tanner's book "but it's got a bit too easy to write another book spelling out what's wrong with the battered old Australian Labor party".

Communications Minister Stephen Conroy accused Mr Tanner of commercial motives. "Lindsay's looking to sell a book and good luck to him", he said. "I absolutely reject suggestions Labor has no soul."

Regional Australia Minister Simon Crean — who disagreed with the 2010 coup but opposed Mr Rudd's comeback attempt in February — said he did not see the point of rehashing the old events. "The party's moved on from that and so should Mr Tanner". It was a common line: Attorney-general Nicola Roxon said: "The government has moved on since the time Mr Tanner was in the parliament".

But Mr Tanner's criticisms of the party resonated with Labor backbencher Ed Husic. "As a new MP, I think more often than not we're conditioned not to speak on issues that we are concerned about", he said. "That does really need to be addressed because I think fundamentally there should be give in the system or, if politics is a contest of ideas, for ideas to able to be expressed".



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/mckew-backs-tanner-on-rudd-ambush-20120926-26l92.html#ixzz27Z0atxxo

.. .News
Alan Jones says Julia Gillard's dad 'died of shame'

by: JONATHAN MARSHALL From: The Sunday Telegraph September 30, 2012 12:00AM

VETERAN broadcaster and 2GB host Alan Jones has claimed Prime Minister Julia Gillard's father died of "shame" because of the political "lies" his daughter told.
He told a group of 100 Young Liberals that John Gillard's death was the fault of his proud child.

He went on to suggest Ms Gillard's tears of grief, for a man she publicly said she "will miss for the rest of my life", were what sparked a sudden leap in political polling for her.

Mr Gillard, a former psychiatric nurse, died in Adelaide on September 8, age 83.

The remarks occurred during Mr Jones' 50-minute speech at the annual $100-per-head Sydney University Liberal Club President's Dinner, on the top floor of Sydney's Waterfront restaurant in The Rocks last Saturday.

After referring to Ms Gillard's track record with telling the truth to voters over issues including the carbon tax, Mr Jones said her father's death was caused by the Prime Minister herself.

"The old man recently died a few weeks ago of shame," Mr Jones told a group of party members and MPs, including Alex Hawke, Ray Williams and Sussan Ley.

"To think that he had a daughter who told lies every time she stood for parliament.

"Every person in the caucus of the Labor Party knows that Julia Gillard is a liar."

Some members of the audience gasped with surprise.

Theradio star went on to say Ms Gillard had enjoyed a recent spike in polls sparked by her tears. He also said she was being given an easy ride by the "brainwashed" Liberal Party who had backed down because she was a woman.

Organisers of the dinner were not aware a journalist from The Sunday Telegraph, who had purchased a ticket, was present.

While paying tribute to her father in parliament on September 19, Ms Gillard spoke of the rough and tumble of politics and how that affected the family.

She said her father "felt more deeply than me, in many ways, some of the personal attacks that we face in the business of politics, but I was always able to reassure him that he had raised a daughter with sufficient strength not to let that get her down".

Mr Jones made several mentions about why Liberal leader Tony Abbott should be Australia's next PM.

"His overweening weakness is his humility. You will never ever hear this bloke argue his ability, his virtue, or indeed his competence," he said.

"He is a man of incomparable integrity and conviction."

The broadcaster said it was vital every member of Mr Abbott's party united behind their leader in the lead-up to the election. Mr Jones said some members of the Labor caucus were scared of the Liberal leader and others thought he was sexist.

Yesterday Mr Jones did not respond to approaches from The Sunday Telegraph.

The event was staged by Sydney University Liberal Club president and aspiring MP Alex Dore. Mr Jones has endorsed his political endeavours.

Yesterday, Mr Dore said Mr Jones had not made the comments about Ms Gillard's father. Later, informed there was a recording of the speech, his position changed.

"It was a very long speech and I did not hear it. I have always found Alan to be respectful," Mr Dore said.

He said there was "no need" to "pick apart Alan's speech. All you are doing is reducing it to a very small thing which distracts from the issues facing Australia".

Mr Williams would not be drawn on Mr Jones' remarks.

"I will just let this one go through to the keeper, the room was a bit a noisy at the time, I can't remember him saying it," he said.

Fellow MPs Mr Hawke and Ms Ley could not be reached.

Mr Abbott had previously expressed his condolences for the Prime Minister.

"This is a tragic time for (Ms Gillard) and we all feel for her at this very sad time," he told parliament. "It is a remarkable parent who produces a prime minister of this country."

During the five-hour event, three spoof songs were sung by Young Liberals member Simon Berger, Woolworths' government realtions manager.


http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/jones-says-gillards-dad-died-of-shame/story-e6freuy9-1226484128451

Tanner is spot on.

RIP Ed Husic's career.

the red neck radio host puts his foot in his mouth again.......personal comments just show lack of tolerance, we all know she is a liar, but there is no need to bring a dead relative into the argument......show some decorum...

Edited by batfink: 30/9/2012 11:26:44 AM

Alan Jones apologises for speech that claimed PM's father 'died of shame'

by:
Jonathan Marshall From:
The Sunday Telegraph September 30, 2012
3:39PM

ALAN Jones has apologised publicly to PM Julia Gillard, after claiming that her late father "died of shame".
He said his comments to a Sydney University Liberal Club dinner were unacceptable, and he had contacted the Prime Minister's office to see if she would accept a personal apology.
A spokesperson for Julia Gillard said the Prime Minister "does not intend to talk to Mr Jones about his comments".
"The comments were, in the light of everything, unacceptable," Alan Jones told a press conference in Sydney today.
"They merit an apology by me."
Opposition leader Tony Abbott said Jones' comments were completely out of line.
''Alan's remarks regarding the PM were completely out of line. It's good that he's recognised this and apologised for them,'' Mr Abbott said.
. Jones said he had not considered resigning over the remarks.
"The advertisers aren’t queuing up to pull their advertising - that's up to the station," he said.
He said he had heard the "died of shame" remark at a children's party, and likened it to "black-humoured comments" made in the trenches of Gallipoli.
"I shouldn’t have repeated the story. I'm old enough and smart enough to know that shouldn't have happened," Jones said.
"It was a throw-away thing at a private function - I thought it was a private function."
Jones said he did not know there was a Sunday Telegraph journalist in the audience, or that his comments were being recorded.
"I spoke without notes for 58 minutes, I've no idea of the material I covered," he said.
He said that he was sober when he remade the remark.
Jones said he did not dislike the Prime Minister, but did dislike her policies.
He said he'd raised money in the past for female candidates and he resented any suggestion he didn't think women should be involved in public office.
Jones added that he had been the target of Twitter trolls, who had said they wished his prostate cancer would return.
He issued the apology following today's Sunday Telegraph report about his speech to the Sydney University Liberal Club President's Dinner.
The dinner also featured an auction with items that included a jacket made of chaff bags autographed by Jones.
The material is a reference to the broadcaster's infamous comment that Julia Gillard should be "put in a chaff bag and thrown into the sea".
Jones bid on and won the jacket, but said the auction wasn't his idea.
The annual $100-per-head Sydney University Liberal Club President's Dinner was held on the top floor of Sydney's Waterfront restaurant in The Rocks last Saturday.
The Sunday Telegraph was present at the dinner and photographed the auction list, which also included a pair of fishnet stockings autographed by former foreign minister Alexander Downer.
During his 50-minute speech at the dinner, 2GB host and veteran broadcaster told the group of 100 Young Liberals that John Gillard's death was the fault of his proud child.

Alan Jones

Alan Jones apologised to Prime Minister Julia Gillard at a press conference in Sydney. Picture: Nikki Short Source: News Limited

Jones went on to suggest Ms Gillard's tears of grief, for a man she publicly said she "will miss for the rest of my life", were what sparked a sudden leap in political polling for her.
The Sunday Telegraph's poll has been inundated with responses, with more than 23,600 readers saying Jones went too far with his comments.
Mr Gillard, a former psychiatric nurse, died in Adelaide on September 8, age 83.
After referring to Ms Gillard's track record with telling the truth to voters over issues including the carbon tax, Mr Jones said her father's death was caused by the Prime Minister herself.
"The old man recently died a few weeks ago of shame," Mr Jones told a group of party members and MPs, including Alex Hawke, Ray Williams and Sussan Ley.
"To think that he had a daughter who told lies every time she stood for parliament.
"Every person in the caucus of the Labor Party knows that Julia Gillard is a liar."
Some members of the audience gasped with surprise.
The radio star went on to say Ms Gillard had enjoyed a recent spike in polls sparked by her tears. He also said she was being given an easy ride by the "brainwashed" Liberal Party who had backed down because she was a woman.
Organisers of the dinner were not aware a journalist from The Sunday Telegraph, who had purchased a ticket, was present.
The Young Liberals club posted a tweet praising the speech the following day: “brilliant speech by Alan Jones lat night. No wonder he's the nation's most influential broadcaster! #presdientsdinner"
The tweet has since been deleted and the club tweeted this response to the controversy Jones' words sparked: “we apologise for recent comments. Alhough out of context and not our own, they've cause offence &distracted from the national debate. AD"
The event was staged by Sydney University Liberal Club president and aspiring MP Alex Dore. Mr Jones has endorsed his political endeavours.
Yesterday, Mr Dore said Mr Jones had not made the comments about Ms Gillard's father. Later, informed there was a recording of the speech, his position changed.
"It was a very long speech and I did not hear it. I have always found Alan to be respectful," Mr Dore said.
He said there was "no need" to "pick apart Alan's speech. All you are doing is reducing it to a very small thing which distracts from the issues facing Australia".
Jones' remarks condemned
Meanwhile, Jones' remarks about the Prime Minister's late father have drawn widespread criticism.
Senior Liberal Malcolm Turnbull said the remarks were cruel and Jones should apologise.
“Alan Jones' comments about the late John Gillard were cruel and offensive. He should apologise to the PM and her family," Turnbull tweeted earlier today.
Conservative columnist Andrew Bolt condemned Jones' comments in this blog this morning.
“Those who were there and are quoted in the article deny hearing any such comment, but if it was indeed said it was very cruel, very wrong," Bolt wrote.
“UPDATE: No, the tape confirms it. The remark is shameful. I wish the few Young Liberals who laughed in apparent surprise or scorn had booed or otherwise protested instead.
“Alan Jones is a colleague, and I've long valued his courage. But this is very wrong," Bolt said.
Foreign Minister Bob Carr said he expected both Alan Jones and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott to apologise.
"I've heard indecent things in politics but never something as thoroughly indecent as this," Senator Carr told Network Ten.
Melbourne talkback commentator Neil Mitchell said Opposition Tony Abbott needed to take a stand on the issue.
“What Alan Jones said about Julia Gullard's [sic] late father is poisonous and disgraceful and hurtful. Australia must be above this," he tweeted earlier today.
“Tony Abbott must reject what Jones said and condemn it," the 3AW host tweeted.
Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd tweeted: "Alan Jones' comments are lowest of the low. Abbott must dismiss Jones from Liberal Party now & ban him from future Liberal events. KRudd."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/jones-says-gillards-dad-died-of-shame/story-fncynkc6-1226484128451

a year ago every thought it was just a matter of time until Abbott was PM

I wonder what Andrew bolt had to say ? Did he try to defend Jones on his show

Nah, was fairly scathing of him, did point out though that this really just falls into Labor's hands as it would build sympathy for Gillard and play into their argument that people were harder on her because she is a women.

Enter Bob Carr, who argued that Alan Jones's comments were somehow Tony Abbott's responsibility, Nicolas Roxon went a step further to argue that the comments were actually Tony Abbott's fault! Now seriously, do Labor really think people are THAT dumb to swallow an argument that comments by Alan Jones are the fault and responsibility of Tony Abbott? Please...

But no, there's no active campaign of character assassination going on here! Alexander Downer had it right when he said that the modern ALP is nothing more then an election machine that stands for nothing and will do anything

Edited by RJL25: 1/10/2012 05:51:16 PM

What happened to free speech in this country? not that i agree with Alan Jones sentiments

ALP is nothing more then an election machine that stands for nothing and will do anything

Umm, that is what the Libs are.
Labour grew a large set of nuts and introduced a Carbon Tax. The ballsiest policy in political history.
Its been a couple of days now, aren't we due for another idiotic Bud Abbott comment?