The same no gst that Howard said he wouldn't introduce . The same Howard who backed Reith over children overboard . Both sides of politics have murky shit

Me labour ?? Nah I'm over both major parties . I'm over the constant bullshit politicans say to get into power or hang onto it . Sick of personal attacks from sides

Just turned 18. In my electorate I only have Libs, ALP, Green and Family First. Who do I vote for?

Liberal mate. don't fall for the Labor spin and ineptness

Vote donkey then. The Greens have nothing good to offer this country.

Watching the ABC’s 7.30 program last night, it struck me that the left or so-called progressives have completely given up on their own values, in favour of party-political positioning. Paradoxically, this effort to put politics above principle has had the reverse effect, as the left of politics wallows in a sea of confusion.
Let me take just a few examples over recent years. Remember how the left railed against tough border protection laws and offshore processing? While I disagreed with their position, there was no doubting where they stood. Labor, the ABC and others campaigned vociferously against the Pacific Solution. They were passionate and vitriolic in their denunciation of these policies. This stand was absolutely core to their beliefs, or so it seemed, as they used it relentlessly to attack the government and even to denigrate mainstream Australians they argued had fallen for a racist dog-whistle.
Fast forward to the current time and because Labor has resorted to offshore processing and proposed the Malaysia Solution, the ABC, other elements of the love media and many activists have fallen silent. Labor MPs have fallen into line. Suddenly offshore processing is okay. Suddenly the ABC no longer froths at the mouth over it. Yet the only difference is that it is being implemented by a Labor government. So, it seems, there never were any principles at play – just politicking.
Let’s recall also how the ABC, Labor and others on the left have handled issues about immigration and xenophobia. Remember when Pauline Hanson dared to suggest foreign workers might take our jobs? The ABC turned itself into a fulltime national attack dog against Hanson and her supporters – ironically elevating her to a prominence she never deserved. Even though the Liberal Party had disendorsed her before her election, it was roundly condemned for not being sufficiently robust in distancing itself from her. The left and the ABC have continued to talk about Hansonism as some dark episode in the nation’s history and a blight on the conservative side of politics.
Now, it is Julia Gillard who is beating the drum about foreign workers taking “Australian jobs”. And the ABC has been struck dumb. Now, apparently, it is a serious issue about “job insecurity” worthy of furrowed-brow concern on Radio National. Labor and the unions are deliberately trying to stoke a xenophobic argument in the desperate hope it will revive their dire electoral situation. And the ABC, and the left generally, see no principle to stand on. Apparently their opposition to xenophobia was also just a political position rather than one of principle. Either that, or it is a principle they are willing to abandon now for political gain. Same thing really.
Finally, we come back to last night’s 7.30 interview. The left and the ABC have styled themselves as great supporters of freedom of speech and a plurality of media voices. Incredibly, given the sustained and nasty attacks against John Howard, the left even complained that the Howard government enforced a culture that silenced dissent.
Yet now, confronted with the greatest government intrusion into media regulation this nation has ever known, the ABC has lined up where? On the side of Big Brother. For Leigh Sales to attack The Daily Telegraph’s thundering front page on media regulation instead of a government seeking to have the last say on media standards is the ultimate inversion of reality for the left. We only have to ask ourselves one question. Imagine if the Howard government had still been in power and communications minister Richard Alston had proposed a public interest media advocate to oversee media regulation. What stand would the ABC have taken then?
We all know the answer. They would have adopted the right stand, and they would have taken it up with alacrity. That they don’t now says all we need to know about their principles versus their politics, and the ideological confusion of the left. If the left doesn’t know what principles are their most important, how can they expect voters to support them?

:lol:

They're all as bad as each other, imonfourfourtwo. Greens are the only ones that actually stand for anything (unless you count the batshit crazy things that Family First stand for).

Greens are fucking stupid. They're all philosophy and no reality.

Greens are fucking stupid. They're all philosophy and no reality.

Elaborate.

Left gives up values in favour of politicking



http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com.au/chriskenny/index.php/theaustralian/comments/left_gives_up_values_in_favour_of_politicking/#.UUES9q6v670.twitter

They oppose mining (in general terms). Like it or not we're tied to mining.

http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/greens-hypocrites-on-mining-tax-20130221-2eue6.html

Why i'm so opposed to mining taxes is that we are in a delicate market. We have similar resouces to Canada and similar problems (in terms of logistical issues even though they differ greatly) in getting minerals to ports to export. I'm worried we will get to a point where the greens will get their way and mining companies will curb investments and future ventures in Australia.

In a sense these fucking morons want to cap profits to some extent. Capping profit reduces exploration which DIRECTLY affects my industry.

Just turned 18. In my electorate I only have Libs, ALP, Green and Family First. Who do I vote for?

Packer warns politicians against Asian xenophobia

DateMarch 14, 2013 - 3:35PM

With an election looming, billionaire James Packer has warned both sides of politics against sending xenophobic messages to the region that will define our future – Asia.

In a speech to the Asia Society, Mr Packer warned of the "destabilising" effect elections can have by sending "the wrong message" overseas.

"If I can urge our political leaders across all parties to keep in mind when it comes to the issue of foreign and domestic affairs, the rhetoric we casually throw around is keenly followed throughout the region," Mr Packer said.

"Some of the recent public debate does not reflect well on any of us. Even worse, it plays on fears and prejudices and is completely unnecessary. We are all better than that. To succeed in China and Asia we must be better than that," he said.

The government and the Coalition have traded blows in recent weeks over the increase in overseas workers on 457 visas in Australia, and arrival of boats carrying asylum seekers.

Emphasising his theme of bipartisanship, Mr Packer avoided any criticism of the major parties and instead singled out individuals for praise.

Foreign Minister Bob Carr received the most effusive commendation: "To his credit, I think our Foreign Minister Bob Carr truly understands China and won't waiver in putting Australia's interest first," Mr Packer said. "I urge whoever wins the next federal election to ensure Bob Carr is at the forefront of our diplomatic relations with China," Mr Packer said.

"As a country, we could not have a better envoy and standard-bearer in the region."

Mr Packer has extensive interests in Asia through his casino operator Crown Limited.

Its joint venture in the Chinese gambling enclave Macau, Melco Crown, has become a lucrative investment as wealthy Chinese indulge their appetite for gambling.

Crown has also spent billions in Australia in order to cater to this same Chinese audience as they travel here and spend on luxury shopping, eating and gambling.

Mr Packer's speech included a call for further investment in Australia's universities, which he described as important "soft power" assets to building influence in Asia.

"There are few better ways to forge Australia into China and the Asian century than through student exchanges," he said.

"As a country, we need to dramatically increase the number of Chinese and Asian students studying in Australian universities. The economic benefits are immense and so are the the person-to-person contacts."



Read more: http://www.theage.com.au/opinion/political-news/packer-warns-politicians-against-asian-xenophobia-20130314-2g2nm.html#ixzz2NVJZfCOg

Prime Minister Julia Gillard's office denies rumours of leadership spill

by:
Lanai Scarr From:
News Limited Network March 14, 2013
4:33PM

JULIA Gillard's office has dismissed as "silly rumours'' suggestions Simon Crean was leading a group of ministers calling for her resignation.

Leadership speculation swept Canberra this afternoon.
However, both supporters of Gillard and Kevin Rudd are describing the rumours as a false alarm.

Former ALP leader Crean was not in Question Time today because he was attending an event in Newcastle.

The Prime Minister also confirmed that Bill Shorten was absent from Parliament for personal reasons with his office confirming he was unwell

Kevin Rudd's camp dismissed speculation of an imminent challenge to Prime Minister Julia Gillard.

The social networking site Twitter went into overdrive on Thursday afternoon amid
unsubstantiated rumours there could be another challenge involving the former foreign minister.

. But a Rudd camp source said: "There is nothing you need to know about.''

Mr Rudd has repeatedly said he would not challenge Ms Gillard again, after losing to her in February last year.

There was some action at Ms Gillard's office, but that was because of a visit by the President of Mozambique, Armando Emilio Guebuza.

Mr Rudd was ousted as prime minister in 2010 and now sits on the backbench.
Other Labor MPs have denied leadership speculation sweeping parliament house, telling News Limited it was "not true".


"I seriously don't know what you are talking about," one MP said.

"It's bull---t," another said.

Employment Participation Minister Kate Ellis told Sky News there was no challenge to Julia Gillard's leadership.

"Certainly not and I think everyone should calm down," she told Sky News.

Ms Ellis suggested the Liberal party had started the rumours to deflect attention from the good things the government was doing.

"I do think whenever there is good news around people try to stir up something more negative about the government," she said.

Ms Ellis said she could “certainly" guarantee Ms Gillard would still be Labor leader at the September 14 election.

Labor MP for McEwen Rob Mitchell posted on his twitter account: "(Liberal Senator Bill) Heffernan is really not a good source for Labor leadership briefings #justsaying".

The twitter hashtag #spill was trending on twitter this afternoon as news of a suspected coup hit the public.

Actor Rhys Muldoon, who co-authored a children’s book with Mr Rudd, tweeted "spill IS NOT happening. (Today)".

Ben Raue posted: "Australia needs to go back to an era where we pick leaders whose names rhyme with the year #crean13 #spill"

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/national/prime-minister-julia-gillards-office-denies-rumours-of-leadership-spill/story-fncynkc6-1226597507366

Ok let's review the other smallers parties and see if they have some crazy ideas...


http://www.sexparty.org.au/Party-Info/australian-sex-party-policies.html

http://www.climate-sceptics.com.au/policies.html

http://www.animaljusticeparty.org/portfolioshows/policies/

http://www.nationallibertyparty.com.au/policies/

http://www.socialist-alliance.org/page.php?page=190 :lol:

http://www.shootersandfishers.org.au/policies