Yeah no.

-PB

Senior ALP minister Evans to resign
DateFebruary 1, 2013 - 9:49PM

.JULIA Gillard's extended election campaign has suffered another damaging blow with the shock resignation of the third most senior minister in her Government, Higher Education Minister Chris Evans.

Senator Evans, the Government's Leader in the Senate and therefore the third in line to the prime ministership, will leave his post this morning resigning both his Cabinet post and the leadership position immediately.

He will stay in the Senate until the September 14 election but will not contest that election.

The West Australian's departure will force a consequent reshuffle of ministers which is also expected to be unveiled today.

While Ms Gillard retains the power to choose her ministers, the leadership position in the Senate will require a ballot of the ALP Caucus and is likely to be hotly contested.

A Government source told Fairfax Media that Mr Evans had wanted to leave politics and had decided now was the right time.

"He’d just had enough," said one senior source.

But for Ms Gillard, struggling to contain the fallout from the renewed Craig Thomson issue just two days after her extended election campaign gamble, the perception of her losing a senior minister in the same week that she has announced the election campaign.

Possibilities for the role are Finance Minister, Penny Wong from Senator Evans' Left faction, and the Right's Stephen Conroy



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/senior-alp-minister-evans-to-resign-20130201-2dqeg.html#ixzz2Jdyatx5J

The only reason the election has been slated for 9 months away is to see how many times Abbott can get his foot stuck in his mouth between now and then.

*Betting agencies have the unannounced Lib’s candidates as favourites over Labour in most marginal seats.

She doesn't have the support to win from opposition.

Oh geez. Why would the ALP even bother, then.

Let’s see so far:
*Thompsons arrested one day after the Election Day announcement.
* Gillard not convincing in explaining why she announced the election 9 months in advance (Rudd’s challenge or was she tipped about Thompson?).
* Evans and Roxon not to contest the next election.
* Swan blunders on ABC policy costing and candidate to loose his seat.
*Betting agencies have the unannounced Lib’s candidates as favourites over Labour in most marginal seats.

Yeah and it’s only three day’s since the announcement, good going hurting the Lib’s

North Korean joke about elections in the West

Ministers leaving puts Julia into spin

by: SAMANTHA MAIDEN NATIONAL POLITICAL EDITOR From: The Daily Telegraph February 03, 2013 12:00AM

JULIA Gillard wept as two of her senior ministers quit politics yesterday, insisting the pair was not deserting a sinking ship.

..But senior Labor sources predicted more resignations would follow before the next election as Ms Gillard hinted the Speaker may choose to delay any resulting by-elections until September 14, the date of the federal election.

The Prime Minister announced the departure of Nicola Roxon and Senator Leader Chris Evans yesterday in a reshuffle that shocked the ALP caucus.

But she insisted the surprise announcement was all part of a long-planned political strategy, just three days after she announced the date of the federal election.

"I believe this is the team for the next election," she said.

Senator Evans' departure as Senate leader will trigger a leadership ballot when Parliament resumes unless a deal can be struck to install Gillard loyalists Stephen Conroy with Penny Wong as his deputy.

Wong has indicated to party chiefs she would not seek the Senate leadership.

But Rudd backer Kim Carr was also floated as a potential candidate yesterday. Asked whether this was a government in chaos, Ms Gillard replied: "Well, why on earth would anyone say that ?"

"Around 12 months ago, Nicola (Roxon) and Chris (Evans) both came to me to talk about what they wanted to do with the rest of their lives," she said. "We agreed that at the right time they would relinquish their ministerial roles and I would make new appointments to the ministry."

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott said the federal government appeared to be in a state of chaos. "Now I hope the Prime Minister can steady her ship and offer stable government," Mr Abbott said.

The Prime Minister moved Rudd backer and Immigration Minister Chris Bowen sideways to higher education, insisting it was not a demotion, and promoted Victorian Mark Dreyfus to Attorney-General and NSW's Jason Clare to cabinet. Underlining the political importance of western Sydney in the looming poll, she said there were "concerns around the nation, including in western Sydney, on questions of community safety", including gun-related crime, and Mr Clare would lead the efforts to tackle the problem.

In an olive branch to Rudd supporters Ms Gillard promoted several junior MPs who voted against her in last year's leadership ballot, including Melissa Parke and Mike Kelly.

One of her most loyal supporters, Victorian Brendan O'Connor, will take on the immigration portfolio, which has become a poisoned chalice.

The Prime Minister said she hoped this would be the team that took Labor to the next election but couldn't promise there would not be further changes if someone unexpectedly quit for health or family reasons."I can't wish away the real world ... but this is the team I intend to take to the next election," she said.

Former Labor frontbencher Robert McClelland's application for a $250,000 judicial post would be decided next month, according to NSW government sources, and he was likely to secure the post.

But if he quits, the Liberal Party is convinced the Labor Party may seek to encourage the Speaker to delay any by-election until September 14.

Liberal frontbencher Chris Pyne said there was "absolutely no doubt" Ms Gillard called the election early to open the possibility of not calling by-elections if she lost Craig Thomson, Robert McClelland, Peter Slipper or a member of the ALP caucus.

"It would be unacceptable and undemocratic, and the Rafferty's rules you expect to see imposed by factional bovver boys," Mr Pyne said.

Victorian Labor sources also scotched suggestions Ms Roxon's departure could clear the way for Labor Senator David Feeney to be parachuted to the House of Representatives in her safe Labor seat of Gellibrand.

The source predicted others would also choose to quit politics - perhaps providing an opening for Senator Feeney.

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/ministers-leaving-puts-julia-into-spin/story-e6frf7jo-1226567399722

Secular Party of Australia

About
The first and only Australian political party whose chief objective is a liberal, secular democracy. We want all Australians to enjoy freedom of and from religion.

Mission
-To bring about a true separation of Church and State in Australia
-To promote secularism world wide
-To stand for human rights and social justice, affirming the dignity of each human being
-To support the maximisation of individual liberty and opportunity consistent with social and environmental responsibility
-To defend freedom of expression everywhere
-To espouse policies which support a rational approach to human problems
-To promote the fullest use of science for human welfare
-To gain and maintain for non-religious people the same rights that are enjoyed by members of religious bodies
-To promote the election to Parliament of Secular Party endorsed candidates

Why the Secular Party?
- The Liberal Party is too socially conservative
- The Labor Party is too economically conservative
- The Greens are too naive economically
- The Democrats are confused about their role
- All of these parties condone the unwarranted imposition of religious views

Unlike the other parties the Secular Party is:
- Both socially and economically liberal
- The only party that stands for comprehensive secularism. We fight for the separation of religion from state institutions, impartiality between religions and the protection of human rights from violation on the basis of religious doctrine.

The Secular Party's views on religion

The Secular Party is not anti-religion in the sense that we believe that people should be free to indulge their beliefs, provided they do not infringe the rights of others. We support freedom of religion. We also recognise that, as with any freedom, there are inevitable limitations that must be applied to this freedom in support of the public good. Where religious practitioners err, we contend, is in presuming that the supposed authenticity of their beliefs gives rise to a right to impose their beliefs on others.

Belief in religion requires faith. Faith is not necessarily a virtue. Beliefs can be tested on the basis of reason and evidence. The Secular Party reserves the right to question beliefs, in a reasoned manner, as part of the political debate.

We concede that in providing psychological consolation and in inspiring charitable works, the practice of belief may be beneficial. We also contend that by invoking needless fear and guilt, in hindering progress, and in fostering social division and violence, religions are on balance harmful to society. We doubt they are necessary. In the 21st century we can aspire to do better.

The Secular Party seeks a harmonious and peaceful world. It is undeniable that some extremist religious beliefs can cause harm. We contend that it is not wrong to raise questions about the nature of belief, and that in some cases this must be done in order to seek to counter the harm that religions cause.

While in an ideal world we might prefer that all religious practices and freedoms should be conducted in private between consenting adults, we are realistic enough to accept that this will not be achieved. However we certainly think that curtailing government support, endorsement, subsidy and promotion of religion is possible. This is what we advocate.

No more resignations expected: Albanese
DateFebruary 3, 2013 - 12:24PM

.No more resignations are anticipated following the decision of two senior federal Labor ministers to stand down, Transport Minister Anthony Albanese says.

Prime Minister Julia Gillard bade an emotional farewell on Saturday to Senate leader Chris Evans and Attorney-General Nicola Roxon, who will both quit politics this year.

Their resignations came three days after Ms Gillard stunned the nation and many in her party by setting the election for September 14, an unprecedented eight months out.

Mr Albanese defended the timing of the reshuffle announcement and added no more resignations were expected.

He and fellow minister Bill Shorten paid tribute to the outgoing ministers on Sunday.

"You have two people who've made a decision to depart the federal parliament in an orderly way," Mr Albanese told reporters in Melbourne.

"Let's get real here - nine exiting from the coalition - these are two orderly departures after long and successful careers. I think it speaks for itself.

"There is turnover. Not everyone wants to be Philip Ruddock and be there for decade upon decade upon decade, perhaps long after he should've been considering his future."

Mr Albanese said Mr Abbott's statement he would retain his front bench beyond the election if he was successful was extraordinary.

"It shows he's not prepared to make any tough decisions on his internals."

Mr Shorten said the departing ministers had made difficult personal decisions.

"I respect them for being able to make a decision to leave when they're on top of their game, and in politics all too often people leave too late," he said.

"This is not the first time, nor the last time, a government of any political persuasion will have ministers resign and new ministers appointed.

"What is important to note here is we've got ministers working through their own decisions, working with the government to make sure that we have a stable transition."

AAP



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/no-more-resignations-expected-albanese-20130203-2ds6b.html#ixzz2JnUjkevE

Government unravelling like Hitler's regime: Pyne

DateFebruary 3, 2013 - 1:15PM

.Coalition frontbencher Christopher Pyne says the federal government is unravelling like Hitler's government in the movie Downfall.

He says the resignations of two senior ministers and Prime Minister Julia Gillard's cabinet reshuffle after she announced a September 14 election shows the government is divided and dysfunctional.

"This government is starting to resemble a scene from Downfall," Mr Pyne told reporters in Adelaide, referring to the 2004 film that depicts the final days of Hitler's reign.

He also likened the Labor ructions to a plot from Home and Away.


"This government appears to be unravelling on a daily basis. If this is what it's like after three days of election campaign, what would another three years of a Labor government do?"

Mr Pyne says the coalition by contrast has a stable frontbench.

"We don't have a great need to reshuffle our frontbench because we're very happy with the job they're doing."

AAP



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/national/government-unravelling-like-hitlers-regime-pyne-20130203-2ds7y.html#ixzz2JoXEA6FP

TONY Abbott is in the box seat to become the next prime minister, according to the first major opinion poll since Julia Gillard announced that the Federal Election will be held on September 14.

The Galaxy Poll shows the Coalition leads 54 per cent to Labor's 46 and it could win 14 seats if that result is repeated on election day.

A majority of voters back Ms Gillard's decision to have a September election rather than an immediate ballot but do not believe her reasons for announcing the 227-day countdown to polling day.

The poll also reveals that both Ms Gillard and Mr Abbott are still deeply unpopular.

The national phone poll of 1015 voters shows that Labor's primary vote is at 35 per cent - down three points from the 38 per cent achieved at the 2010 election.

Support for the Coalition has climbed from 43.6 per cent at the last election to 48 per cent. The Greens, facing their first poll under new leader Christine Milne, have dipped from 11.8 to 10 per cent.

The Galaxy Poll shows the Coalition leads 54 per cent to Labor's 46 and it could win 14 seats if that result is repeated on election day.

Abbott is coming across much better now.

Julia Gillard accuses own MPs of trying to destroy her, leaking to media

by:
By Simon Benson and Malcolm Farr From:
The Daily Telegraph February 04, 2013
4:12PM

JULIA Gillard has accused her own MPs of trying to destroy her Government from within as she addressed a shattered caucus ahead of the resumption of Parliament tomorrow.

A source inside the caucus told The Daily Telegraph that the PM said she was aware that MPs had been leaking to journalists with the intention of backgrounding against the Government. Backgrounding is where politicians provide sensitive information to journalists under the assumption they will not be named.

In a clear sign that Ms Gillard and her backers are concerned about another challenge being mounted against her leadership, the PM said that marginal seat MPs would be the only ones to suffer from the continuous leaking.

While talk of Kevin Rudd has been revived following today’s disastrous poll results, the former PM was a noticeable absence from the meeting. Mr Rudd was said to be unwell.

. The caucus met at 2pm today in Parliament.

Ms Gillard then claimed that the source for her claim of backgrounding MPs was a journalist.
The caucus also elected Communications Minister Stephen Conroy as the new Senate leader to replace Chris Evans, who rocked the Government on Friday night when he stepped down from Cabinet, along with Attorney General Nicola Roxon.

A caucus spokesman said Ms Gillard's remarks had been "implicit" and had not referred to individuals.

"She referred to media that had said to her a range of negative comments, or people with
negative comments, were waiting for them when they came back from leave."

Caucus had been shaken by the messy start to the year, which included a row over the selection of Nova Peris as a Senate candidate, a shock announcement of the election date, and two cabinet ministers announcing they would quit at the election.

"We need to make sure we're all united," Ms Gillard was quoted as saying.

In an evaluation of Ms Gillard's remarks today, one unimpressed Labor MP who did want to be named said: "It's everyone else's fault."

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/pm-accuses-mps-of-trying-to-destroy-govt/story-fncynkc6-1226570172009

C.Pyne. I wonder whether he will be our new Education Minister?

Why would you say something like that?

Really? How so?