Is this Hockey trying to set himself up as a leadership contender?

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/federal-opposition-politicising-the-funerals-of-christmas-island-asylum-seekers/story-fn59niix-1226006223081


I must admit, I like that Liberals do sometimes disagree with each other.  If only they had a viable leader...

We are on the verge of a bloody battle for control of the liberal party.

Hard Right Neo Cons Verses The Small L Liberals.


Small L's have the numbers to win and send neo cons into history.

____ wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 7:38pm:

We are on the verge of a bloody battle for control of the liberal party. Hard Right Neo Cons Verses The Small L Liberals. Small L's have the numbers to win and send neo cons into history.

sugar woody I am worried about you you been smoking funny cigarettes again?? watch out those neo cons are gunna get you.especially those great big ugly green ones.

'Cods,' you are 'mellie.' Wanna deny it?

By their heroes shall ye know them. For Tony Abbott the greatest world leaders of recent times are Ronald Reagan and Margaret Thatcher; the greatest contemporary theologian, Pope Benedict; the greatest Australian churchman, Cardinal Pell; the greatest Australian prime ministers, Robert Menzies and John Howard. Abbott looks to Kevin Donnelly for matters educational, to Christopher Pearson for matters cultural, to Keith Windschuttle for his interpretation of Aboriginal history and to Ian Plimer as his source of understanding in the area of climate change. When thick-as-bricks Sarah Palin won the vice-presidential nomination for the Republican Party, Abbott claimed with a perfectly straight face that she was an outstanding politician with greater experience than Barack Obama or John McCain and that she had just “the right stuff for high office”. Tony Abbott last month floated the idea of taking the dole from anyone under 30 who wouldn’t go to live in an area of labour shortage such as Western Australia. This echoed a notorious suggestion of Margaret Thatcher’s first employment secretary, Norman Tebbit, who was reputed to have told the unemployed to get on their bikes.

I have nothing whatever personal against Abbott. But I fervently hope, for the sake of the country and also for the sake of the Liberal Party, that later this year he leads the Coalition to a crushing election defeat. And that the nation can then say, in a single voice: “Tony Abbott, on your bike!”

http://www.themonthly.com.au/nation-reviewed-robert-manne-comment-tony-abbott-2436


The Liberal Party is at a make of break party. Will Abbott look backwards while retreating the Liberal Party, or will a small L lead Liberals into this millennium. Time will tell.

Senior Liberal Staffer Speaks Out: Hockey Must Go



An anonymous senior Liberal Party staffer writes on how Joe Hockey's position is no longer sustainable:

The most interesting development in the Liberal Party of the last fortnight has not been the “silent pause gaffe” by Tony Abbott when confronted by journalist Mark Riley. It is, in fact, Joe Hockey’s decision to undermine his Liberal colleague Scott Morrison, and contradict official party policy on the issue of taxpayer funds being used to ferry asylum seekers across the country. This is a day of remembrance of a tragedy, and we all feel great sympathy for those affected by the recent horrific events. Yet Hockey attempted to manipulate this and grandstand for his own personal advantage. And that is unacceptable. To take advantage of an event such as this to advance your own personal agenda is simply beyond the pale.

This is the demonstrated proof that Joe Hockey is completely ill-equipped to ever be a member of the leadership team of the Liberal Party. In fact, it is the last straw, after a string of gaffes and failures, and our parliamentary team is furious.

Joe Hockey has a teddy bear-like appearance and demeanour. He appealed to many viewers when he appeared on the Sunrise programme with Kevin Rudd. He no doubt enjoys a strong relationship with many journalists. To the average person in the street, Joe Hockey probably comes across as a likeable fellow.

I do not deny that people like Joe. After all, how could you not. Yet there is a big difference between being likable, and being leadership material (a lesson Kim Beazley learned well - and he was actually competent!)

Despite Joe Hockey's jockeying for the top job, however, the Liberal Party is truly fortunate to have had Tony Abbott elevated to the Leadership in the ballot of late-2009. A poll just a few days ago shows The Coalition leading Labor on the primary vote by 46 per cent to 32 - a far cry from when The Coalition was in the 20's under Malcolm Turnbull. Tony Abbott has turned the party around, achieved the impossible, and the vast majority of Coalition MP's thank him for it.

So, despite being touted as the popular choice by numerous two-bit internet polls, there can be no doubt that Hockey would have proven to be the one contender monstrously worse in the role (and not just worse than Malcolm – worse than Brendan Nelson, worse than Alexander Downer... possibly even worse than John Hewson).

Why? Because truth is, Joe Hockey is far more gaffe prone than anyone else on the front bench. Compiling a list of silly things he has said would prove an arduous task. This previous MH post does provide a list of utter failures of a policy nature - but it's only getting started. We also have his disgrace in the Tourism Portfolio (where he was demoted in utter humiliation), his failure in Finance... the list goes on. Suffice it to say: remember when Hockey couldn’t keep on message during the dying days of the 2007 federal election campaign, despite having been charged with one of the most important portfolios of the Government (and the campaign)? Leadership material? Give us a break.

If you seek certainties in this life, give Joe Hockey an important task to do and make sure there’s a camera crew present. The Liberal Party’s Press Office will be shuddering in front of the Sky news telecast. Because there can be no doubt that Hockey will stick his foot in his mouth. Again.

It’s now well past the point of being an amusing joke. We are the Party that gave Australia Peter Costello as our Treasurer. We pride outselves on our economic managment. To say to voters that we propose Joe Hockey be the next Liberal Treasurer is an incomprehensible fall from grace - and a stain on our reputation that will not easily be fixed.

There are countless advantages to a politician being jovial and likeable. However, from the point of view of an Opposition and the Party that values its economic credentials so highly, what is equally important is that the spotlight be shone constantly on the waste and mismanagement of an incompetent Labor Government. And Joe Hockey has consistently failed to do so. In seeking the spotlight for himself alone, he has failed to advance the position of The Coalition - and this has many backbench MP's running scared.

Given the ongoing issues that having Joe Hockey in such a vital portfolio presents, it has naturally meant that murmurings have begun within certain, key Liberal circles that with a new Parliamentary year should come a new Shadow Treasurer.

It is no secret that many Liberal MP's desire a new Shadow Treasurer who does not activly attack the Party line; Someone who does not seek personal attention at every waking turn; Someone who can stay true to Liberal values of small government when formulating policy.

We are beyond the point of backbencher despair - we are at the point of open revolt. While Shadow Cabinet can continue to put on a brave face, there can be no denying the panic that is spreading through the ranks as members view the destruction Hockey is causing. There can be no doubt that there needs to be a mechanism found quickly within the party to replace Hockey as Shadow Treasurer without resulting in a wider bloodbath [Ed: Give him Health?].

After all, we have a far safer pair of hands ready in Andrew Robb - an MP with a proven track record of competence, combined with a consistent history of supporting Liberal Party values and fighting for smaller govern

government.

The replacement might be messy, but the public have come to expect something a lot better from the Liberal Party in such a vital area.
Enough is enough. The Joe Hockey circus must come to an end. The Australian people deserve more. The Liberal Party deserves more. Hockey must go - and soon.

This post was written by a Liberal Party staffer who requested their name not be revealed. Menzies House can confirm, however, that we have verified that the author does indeed work as a senior adviser for a member of the Shadow Ministry. Menzies House wishes to stress, however, that all contributions reflect only the views of their authors, and that we do not take any editorial position on such matters. We welcome submissions disagreeing with this post.

http://www.menzieshouse.com.au/2011/02/senior-liberal-staffer-speaks-out-hockey-must-go.html

[quote author=Tony_Abbott link=1297762536/0#5 date=1297769090]Senior Liberal Staffer Speaks Out: Hockey Must Go



An anonymous senior Liberal Party staffer writes on how Joe Hockey's position is no longer sustainable:

The most interesting development in the Liberal Party of the last fortnight has not been the “silent pause gaffe” by Tony Abbott when confronted by journalist Mark Riley. It is, in fact, Joe Hockey’s decision to undermine his Liberal colleague Scott Morrison, and contradict official party policy on the issue of taxpayer funds being used to ferry asylum seekers across the country. This is a day of remembrance of a tragedy, and we all feel great sympathy for those affected by the recent horrific events. Yet Hockey attempted to manipulate this and grandstand for his own personal advantage. And that is unacceptable. To take advantage of an event such as this to advance your own personal agenda is simply beyond the pale.

This is the demonstrated proof that Joe Hockey is completely ill-equipped to ever be a member of the leadership team of the Liberal Party. In fact, it is the last straw, after a string of gaffes and failures, and our parliamentary team is furious.

Joe Hockey has a teddy bear-like appearance and demeanour. He appealed to many viewers when he appeared on the Sunrise programme with Kevin Rudd. He no doubt enjoys a strong relationship with many journalists. To the average person in the street, Joe Hockey probably comes across as a likeable fellow.

I do not deny that people like Joe. After all, how could you not. Yet there is a big difference between being likable, and being leadership material (a lesson Kim Beazley learned well - and he was actually competent!)

Despite Joe Hockey's jockeying for the top job, however, the Liberal Party is truly fortunate to have had Tony Abbott elevated to the Leadership in the ballot of late-2009. A poll just a few days ago shows The Coalition leading Labor on the primary vote by 46 per cent to 32 - a far cry from when The Coalition was in the 20's under Malcolm Turnbull. Tony Abbott has turned the party around, achieved the impossible, and the vast majority of Coalition MP's thank him for it.

So, despite being touted as the popular choice by numerous two-bit internet polls, there can be no doubt that Hockey would have proven to be the one contender monstrously worse in the role (and not just worse than Malcolm – worse than Brendan Nelson, worse than Alexander Downer... possibly even worse than John Hewson).

Why? Because truth is, Joe Hockey is far more gaffe prone than anyone else on the front bench. Compiling a list of silly things he has said would prove an arduous task. This previous MH post does provide a list of utter failures of a policy nature - but it's only getting started. We also have his disgrace in the Tourism Portfolio (where he was demoted in utter humiliation), his failure in Finance... the list goes on. Suffice it to say: remember when Hockey couldn’t keep on message during the dying days of the 2007 federal election campaign, despite having been charged with one of the most important portfolios of the Government (and the campaign)? Leadership material? Give us a break.

If you seek certainties in this life, give Joe Hockey an important task to do and make sure there’s a camera crew present. The Liberal Party’s Press Office will be shuddering in front of the Sky news telecast. Because there can be no doubt that Hockey will stick his foot in his mouth. Again.

It’s now well past the point of being an amusing joke. We are the Party that gave Australia Peter Costello as our Treasurer. We pride outselves on our economic managment. To say to voters that we propose Joe Hockey be the next Liberal Treasurer is an incomprehensible fall from grace - and a stain on our reputation that will not easily be fixed.

There are countless advantages to a politician being jovial and likeable. However, from the point of view of an Opposition and the Party that values its economic credentials so highly, what is equally important is that the spotlight be shone constantly on the waste and mismanagement of an incompetent Labor Government. And Joe Hockey has consistently failed to do so. In seeking the spotlight for himself alone, he has failed to advance the position of The Coalition - and this has many backbench MP's running scared.

Given the ongoing issues that having Joe Hockey in such a vital portfolio presents, it has naturally meant that murmurings have begun within certain, key Liberal circles that with a new Parliamentary year should come a new Shadow Treasurer.

It is no secret that many Liberal MP's desire a new Shadow Treasurer who does not activly attack the Party line; Someone who does not seek personal attention at every waking turn; Someone who can stay true to Liberal values of small government when formulating policy.

We are beyond the point of backbencher despair - we are at the point of open revolt. While Shadow Cabinet can continue to put on a brave face, there can be no denying the panic that is spreading through the ranks as members view the destruction Hockey is causing. There can be no doubt that there needs to be a mechanism found quickly within the party to replace Hockey as Shadow Treasurer without resulting in a wider bloodbath [Ed: Give him Health?].

After all, we have a far safer pair of hands ready in Andrew Robb - an MP with a proven track record

Crikey, that opinion piece is so counter-intuitive that it's scary - the Libs really have been taken over by far right nutjobs!

Equitist wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 9:45pm:

Crikey, that opinion piece is so counter-intuitive that it's scary - the Libs really have been taken over by far right nutjobs!

The Liberal Party had a real chance to dislodge an incompetent Labor government at the last election but fell just short.....The Liberal party will narrow there appeal if they continue to push the hard right dogma.....A Hockey, Pyne or Turnbull would moderate the Liberals to appeal to a much broader voter base....Labor have to deliver in this term or they deserve to be voted out of government....but I doubt Tony Abbott will appeal to enough voters now they have seen more of his leadership skills!!!

;)

Broad Church???????????????????????
Only if your singing from the same hymn sheet it seems.

philperth2010 wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 10:02pm:

Equitist wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 9:45pm: Crikey, that opinion piece is so counter-intuitive that it's scary - the Libs really have been taken over by far right nutjobs! The Liberal Party had a real chance to dislodge an incompetent Labor government at the last election but fell just short.....The Liberal party will narrow there appeal if they continue to push the hard right dogma.....A Hockey, Pyne or Turnbull would moderate the Liberals to appeal to a much broader voter base....Labor have to deliver in this term or they deserve to be voted out of government....but I doubt Tony Abbott will appeal to enough voters now they have seen more of his leadership skills!!! ;)

Abbott is streaks ahead of 'On the run' Gillard. At least he's consistent, not perfect, but at least stands by his convictions.

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 10:08pm:

Broad Church??????????????????????? Only if your singing from the same hymn sheet it seems.

Do you oppose religion Smithy???

:-?

Crikey, I just realised that this came from a right wing source!!!

If Hockey gets the boot, then what would stop him and Turnbull (and other moderates) from teaming up to split the party right down the middle!?

HC wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 10:12pm:

philperth2010 wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:02pm: Equitist wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 9:45pm: Crikey, that opinion piece is so counter-intuitive that it's scary - the Libs really have been taken over by far right nutjobs! The Liberal Party had a real chance to dislodge an incompetent Labor government at the last election but fell just short.....The Liberal party will narrow there appeal if they continue to push the hard right dogma.....A Hockey, Pyne or Turnbull would moderate the Liberals to appeal to a much broader voter base....Labor have to deliver in this term or they deserve to be voted out of government....but I doubt Tony Abbott will appeal to enough voters now they have seen more of his leadership skills!!! ;) Abbott is streaks ahead of 'On the run' Gillard. At least he's consistent, not perfect, but at least stands by his convictions.

Yes.....he is consistent!!!
Yes.....he is not perfect!!!
Yes.....he stands by his convictions!!!

That is the problem.....Abbott is certain he is right but he is unpredictable!!!

Not to be absolutely certain is, I think, one of the essential things in rationality.
Bertrand Russell (1872 - 1970), "Am I An Atheist Or An Agnostic?", 1947

;)

philperth2010 wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 10:14pm:

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:08pm: Broad Church??????????????????????? Only if your singing from the same hymn sheet it seems. Do you oppose religion Smithy??? :-?

NEVER
Please come and take ease inside my holy place :)
http://www.venganza.org/

Seriously though we are contiually being told by Liberal politicians that their's is a broaad church where all opinions are welcome compared to the apparent union led dogma of the Labor party.

HC wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 10:12pm:

philperth2010 wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:02pm: Equitist wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 9:45pm: Crikey, that opinion piece is so counter-intuitive that it's scary - the Libs really have been taken over by far right nutjobs! The Liberal Party had a real chance to dislodge an incompetent Labor government at the last election but fell just short.....The Liberal party will narrow there appeal if they continue to push the hard right dogma.....A Hockey, Pyne or Turnbull would moderate the Liberals to appeal to a much broader voter base....Labor have to deliver in this term or they deserve to be voted out of government....but I doubt Tony Abbott will appeal to enough voters now they have seen more of his leadership skills!!! ;) Abbott is streaks ahead of 'On the run' Gillard. At least he's consistent, not perfect, but at least stands by his convictions.

Out of curiosity what are these "convictions" you speak of?

Here was me thinking that the Libs would try to hose down the controversy created by Scott Morrison's despicable comments - at a bare minimum claiming they'd been taken out-of-context - and get behind Hockey's empathetic stance...

Now, that would be the most humane and politically-astute thing to do given all the circumstances - so I cannot fathom the mindset that is driving the powermongers within the party...

Talk about being out of touch, eh!?

Hmmnnn....it would seem that Scott Morrison's leadership ambitions may be realised sooner rather than later - hopefully to the extreme detriment of the Libs...

That Morrison guy is like the worst possible combination of the dangerous traits of Abbott and Hockey rolled into one big fat liar and bigot!

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 10:27pm:

philperth2010 wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:14pm: Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:08pm: Broad Church??????????????????????? Only if your singing from the same hymn sheet it seems. Do you oppose religion Smithy??? :-? NEVER Please come and take ease inside my holy place :) http://www.venganza.org/ Seriously though we are contiually being told by Liberal politicians that their's is a broad church where all opinions are welcome compared to the apparent union led dogma of the Labor party.

Fair enough.....the religious right are the worst!!!

;)

Equitist wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 10:36pm:

Here was me thinking that the Libs would try to hose down the controversy created by Scott Morrison's despicable comments - at a bare minimum claiming they'd been taken out-of-context - and get behind Hockey's empathetic stance... Now, that would be the most humane and politically-astute thing to do given all the circumstances - so I cannot fathom the mindset that is driving the powermongers within the party... Talk about being out of touch, eh!? Hmmnnn....it would seem that Scott Morrison's leadership ambitions may be realised sooner rather than later - hopefully to the extreme detriment of the Libs... That Morrison guy is like the worst possible combination of the dangerous traits of Abbott and Hockey rolled into one big fat liar and bigot!

The Liberals ought to sack all press advisors, after Abbott's 28 sec of silence after 2.5 hours of notice on the video and what questions would be asked and now this.
Unless of course they are finally going to purge the party of all small L's and finally reveal their true adgenda.
Maybe they think we as a nation have actually swung that far right.

Equitist wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 10:36pm:

Here was me thinking that the Libs would try to hose down the controversy created by Scott Morrison's despicable comments - at a bare minimum claiming they'd been taken out-of-context - and get behind Hockey's empathetic stance... Now, that would be the most humane and politically-astute thing to do given all the circumstances - so I cannot fathom the mindset that is driving the powermongers within the party... Talk about being out of touch, eh!? Hmmnnn....it would seem that Scott Morrison's leadership ambitions may be realised sooner rather than later - hopefully to the extreme detriment of the Libs... That Morrison guy is like the worst possible combination of the dangerous traits of Abbott and Hockey rolled into one big fat liar and bigot!

FFS Nem.....how low calling Morrison Fat....he is just a bigot....Hockey is the fat bloke and Abbott is the liar!!!

;)

You can't build a reputation on what you are going to do.
Henry Ford (1863 - 1947)

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 10:48pm:

Equitist wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 10:36pm: Here was me thinking that the Libs would try to hose down the controversy created by Scott Morrison's despicable comments - at a bare minimum claiming they'd been taken out-of-context - and get behind Hockey's empathetic stance... Now, that would be the most humane and politically-astute thing to do given all the circumstances - so I cannot fathom the mindset that is driving the powermongers within the party... Talk about being out of touch, eh!? Hmmnnn....it would seem that Scott Morrison's leadership ambitions may be realised sooner rather than later - hopefully to the extreme detriment of the Libs... That Morrison guy is like the worst possible combination of the dangerous traits of Abbott and Hockey rolled into one big fat liar and bigot! The Liberals ought to sack all press advisors, after Abbott's 28 sec of silence after 2.5 hours of notice on the video and what questions would be asked and now this. Unless of course they are finally going to purge the party of all small L's and finally reveal their true adgenda. Maybe they think we as a nation have actually swung that far right.

I heard altogether Abbott was mute for 80 seconds...CH 7 cut it short so they could fit in Home and Away!!!

;)

The whole 80 seconds of silences video was on the yahoo news site.

LOL...my bad!

I was using the word 'fat' in the metaphorical sense - but not quite in the same way that the Libs want to trim the fat in the Budget...

::)

Good on Joe Hockey.....I am starting to like Joe....He is the most sensible member of the Coalition along with Turnbull!!!

Quote:

Is this Hockey trying to set himself up as a leadership contender?

Yep, sure is.
It is obvious that Abbotts days are numbered, Hockey sees that, the media see that and us lefties can see it too.
The only people oblivious to it all are the rusted on tards.
Hockey is definitely differentiating himself from the likes of Abbott and Morrison, a challenge is in the wind, and Hockey will win, the party is showing its split in front of the media, it will be bitter, as it always is in the Libs. This story is all over the media this morning, with the headlines being
"The Liberal party are split" a challenge within two months, I tells ya.Abbott has made far too many mistakes in the last week, he's gone.

I support the position of Morrison on this.

I would not want taxpayers money used for such people.

It's a personal view.

So, what do you right whingers think say, now that Morrison and Abbott have begrudgingly backflipped and apologised over their inappropriate handling of this!?

philperth2010 wrote on Feb 15^th, 2011 at 11:29pm:

Good on Joe Hockey.....I am starting to like Joe....He is the most sensible member of the Coalition along with Turnbull!!!

I am too, show he's human. How come the Liberals always get rid of the good guys. Brendan Nelson, Turnbull ousted, and now Hockeys on the naughty list.

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 11:25am:

philperth2010 wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:29pm: Good on Joe Hockey.....I am starting to like Joe....He is the most sensible member of the Coalition along with Turnbull!!! I am too, show he's human. How come the Liberals always get rid of the good guys. Brendan Nelson, Turnbull ousted, and now Hockeys on the naughty list.

Because the Liberals are Liberal by name but not nature these days.
Its interesting, the party today is nothing like the party pig iron Bob founded, Howard, that lying little rodent, turned the party into a copy of the USA conservative Republicans.
The best thing that could happen would be for Hockey, Turnbull and all the moderate,true Liberals, to form their own party, the existing Libs would never govern again.

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 11:25am:

philperth2010 wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:29pm: Good on Joe Hockey.....I am starting to like Joe....He is the most sensible member of the Coalition along with Turnbull!!! I am too, show he's human. How come the Liberals always get rid of the good guys. Brendan Nelson, Turnbull ousted, and now Hockeys on the naughty list.

I agree that Hockey is one of the best of a bad bunch but I don't trust him - in the past, he's shown that he's been prepared to go against his own moral judgement - albeit in not quite as slimy and bigoted a way as Morrison is obviously disposed...

That said, his body language seemed genuine yesterday - he looked both disgusted and fearful - both ashamed that his party had stooped so low and afraid that he would face an internal backlash for speaking out...

All due kudos to him, tho' - for having the fortitude and courage to speak out on this - probably even after being warned or threatened by party insiders, about the consequences for his standing within the party!

The way I see it Hockey has two choices
1 challenge Abbott and return the Liberal party to its former Liberal self, pre Howard days.
2 Take Turnbull and all the other moderates and form a new moderate party, in the same vein that Menzies did.

The funniest thing is watching some of you crazies predicting the coalition to be 'crushed' by labor. Did you odd-balls actually see the last election and the current polls?

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 11:59am:

The funniest thing is watching some of you crazies predicting the coalition to be 'crushed' by labor. Did you odd-balls actually see the last election and the current polls?

Did you see the decadent coffins that these distraught 'illegals' and 'queue jumpers' were provided by Aussie taxpayers to bury their loved ones in!?

Raw particle board, beautifully-adorned - not with a name plaque - but with a scribbled number in marking pen (and complete with crossing-out)!?

http://resources0.news.com.au/images/2011/02/15/1226006/329660-christmas-island-funeral.jpg

http://www.news.com.au/national/morrison-sorry-for-insensitive-and-inappropriate-comments/story-e6frfkw9-122600686126

If they weren't trying to illegally enter Australia, they would still be alive.

I have no time for it all.

Equitist wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 11:34am:

Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Feb 16th, 2011 at 11:25am: philperth2010 wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:29pm: Good on Joe Hockey.....I am starting to like Joe....He is the most sensible member of the Coalition along with Turnbull!!! I am too, show he's human. How come the Liberals always get rid of the good guys. Brendan Nelson, Turnbull ousted, and now Hockeys on the naughty list. I agree that Hockey is one of the best of a bad bunch but I don't trust him - in the past, he's shown that he's been prepared to go against his own moral judgement - albeit in not quite as slimy and bigoted a way as Morrison is obviously disposed... That said, his body language seemed genuine yesterday - he looked both disgusted and fearful - both ashamed that his party had stooped so low and afraid that he would face an internal backlash for speaking out... All due kudos to him, tho' - for having the fortitude and courage to speak out on this - probably even after being warned or threatened by party insiders, about the consequences for his standing within the party!

Anyone else remember the you tubes from a few years ago showing the young liberals parading around Nazi saluting, yelling degrading remarks about rape & women?
All laughed off as youthful exhuberence by the party, well seem like those young'ns would now be old enough to be advisors to ministers etc.
And going on form ARE.

Smithy come on, that's ludicrous.

Julia Gillard was a card-carrying Communist who wanted to twin Melbourne with Leningrad when she was younger.

Is that the same thing?

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 11:59am:

The funniest thing is watching some of you crazies predicting the coalition to be 'crushed' by labor. Did you odd-balls actually see the last election and the current polls?

You never get it right,old man.
I dont expect the coalition to get crushed by Labor, the coalition will get crushed by the coalition, as it always does.
I have seen the polls, Abbott is still way behind Gillard as preferred PM, Abbott is gone, far to many mistakes in the last week, his imitation of a late term Parkinson's disease sufferer last week was the clincher, the knifes are out, and so is Abbott, there is only one question on the lips of coalition members, who's next?

skippy. wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 12:29pm:

his imitation of a late term Parkinson's disease sufferer last week was the clincher,

He is all class is this Aussie ocker.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 12:31pm:

skippy. wrote on Feb 16th, 2011 at 12:29pm: his imitation of a late term Parkinson's disease sufferer last week was the clincher, He is all class is this Aussie ocker.

Thanks for the troll,Lord sperm breath.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 12:25pm:

Smithy come on, that's ludicrous. Julia Gillard was a card-carrying Communist who wanted to twin Melbourne with Leningrad when she was younger. Is that the same thing?

Oh come on Andrei it's as plausible as some of the other garbage we read on here.
Besides I'm a little board at the moment(should be doing the wages)
so grant me a little sh!t stir :D

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 12:17pm:

If they weren't trying to illegally enter Australia, they would still be alive. I have no time for it all.

WHO ARE REFUGEES?

The 1951 Convention relating to the Status of Refugees (and its 1967 Protocol), to which Australia is a signatory, defines a refugee as:

   Any person who owing to a well founded fear of being persecuted for reasons of race, religion, nationality, membership of a particular social group or political opinion, is outside the country of his/her nationality and is unable, or owing to such fear, is unwilling to avail himself/herself of the protection of that country.

The important parts of this definition are:
•      that the person has to be outside their country of origin
•      the reason for their flight has to be a fear of persecution
•      this fear of persecution has to be well founded (ie they have to have
•      experienced it or be likely to experience it if they return)
•      the persecution has to result from one or more of the 5 grounds listed in the definition
•      they have to be unwilling or unable to seek the protection of their country

The United Nations body responsible for protecting refugees and overseeing adherence to the Convention is the United Nations High Commissioner for Refugees (UNHCR).

The Convention Definition is used by the Australian Government to determine whether our country has protection obligations towards an individual. If a person is found to be a refugee, Australia is obliged under international law to offer support and to ensure that the person is not sent back unwillingly to the country of origin.


This means these people are refugees, and are not illegal in their actions.


Those that opposes these refugees are just being mean spirited.

Hmmnnnn...Hockey's stance may have been part of a more-concerted tilt at the leadership...


http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/tv-tonsil-hockey-shortcircuited-20110214-1atqs.html


Quote:

TV tonsil hockey short-circuited Phillip Coorey February 15, 2011 WAS IT a cunning plan by Joe Hockey and Bill Shorten to boost their profiles, a ploy by Mr Hockey to use Mr Shorten to destabilise Julia Gillard, or a combination of something in between? We shall never know, because Mr Shorten pulled the pin on the idea that he and Mr Hockey become regular sparring partners on the high-rating Channel Seven breakfast show, Sunrise. The show is responsible for one prime minister already. Kevin Rudd squared off against Mr Hockey each Friday for more than a year, building a popular profile that helped him to gain the prime ministership. At the time, Mr Hockey was frowned upon by his superiors for indirectly facilitating Mr Rudd's rise. The Herald has learnt that in recent months, Mr Hockey has been working on revitalising the concept. He first approached Mr Rudd, who declined, so he began working on Mr Shorten, the Assistant Treasurer. Mr Shorten is generally regarded as ambitious and the Liberals will tell anyone within earshot that he is out to depose Julia Gillard as prime minister. Given Sunrise's reputation, Mr Shorten would have sent the rumour mill running had he gone ahead with the idea. He did agree but last Thursday, the day before their first joint appearance, he pulled out, much to the annoyance of Mr Hockey. Mr Shorten said he wanted to get on with his work and he did not want to play a part in helping Mr Hockey build his profile to knock off the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott.

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 12:23pm:

Equitist wrote on Feb 16th, 2011 at 11:34am: Ex Dame Pansi wrote on Feb 16th, 2011 at 11:25am: philperth2010 wrote on Feb 15th, 2011 at 11:29pm: Good on Joe Hockey.....I am starting to like Joe....He is the most sensible member of the Coalition along with Turnbull!!! I am too, show he's human. How come the Liberals always get rid of the good guys. Brendan Nelson, Turnbull ousted, and now Hockeys on the naughty list. I agree that Hockey is one of the best of a bad bunch but I don't trust him - in the past, he's shown that he's been prepared to go against his own moral judgement - albeit in not quite as slimy and bigoted a way as Morrison is obviously disposed... That said, his body language seemed genuine yesterday - he looked both disgusted and fearful - both ashamed that his party had stooped so low and afraid that he would face an internal backlash for speaking out... All due kudos to him, tho' - for having the fortitude and courage to speak out on this - probably even after being warned or threatened by party insiders, about the consequences for his standing within the party! Anyone else remember the you tubes from a few years ago showing the young liberals parading around Nazi saluting, yelling degrading remarks about rape & women? All laughed off as youthful exhuberence by the party, well seem like those young'ns would now be old enough to be advisors to ministers etc. And going on form ARE.

Oh yeah - how'd it go: "We're racist, we're sexist, we're homophobic!?" - see about 1:30 into this video: -

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXtWxxVngV4&feature=player_embedded

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AXtWxxVngV4&feature=player_embedded

skippy. wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 12:29pm:

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 16th, 2011 at 11:59am: The funniest thing is watching some of you crazies predicting the coalition to be 'crushed' by labor. Did you odd-balls actually see the last election and the current polls? You never get it right,old man. I dont expect the coalition to get crushed by Labor, the coalition will get crushed by the coalition, as it always does. I have seen the polls, Abbott is still way behind Gillard as preferred PM, Abbott is gone, far to many mistakes in the last week, his imitation of a late term Parkinson's disease sufferer last week was the clincher, the knifes are out, and so is Abbott, there is only one question on the lips of coalition members, who's next?

so many statements... so many errors... For all you crazies that think someone should take the Libs back to the 'pre-howard days' perhaps you forget that those days were when they couldn win unlosable elections.

as for your unshakabley stupid analysis of the polls it might be worth trying to understand that the PM is chosen by the party that wins the most seats - not the one with the highest 'preferred PM' figure. It is embarrassing to have to explain it to morons like you.

less than 4 years into labors 'reign' abbot has them trailing in the polls and dropping like a stone. Abbott wont be dumped with that kind of record, particularly when the very existance of labor govt is dependant on every single vote,, no byelections, deaths or scandals. He is the next PM.

I wonder though, how does this compare with meeting the travel costs of “direct and close” family members of our troops KIA in Afghanistan?
You know, those brave sould who risk their lives so that shitehead pollies can lie, deceive, and defraud the public

Equitist wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 12:40pm:

Hmmnnnn...Hockey's stance may have been part of a more-concerted tilt at the leadership... http://www.smh.com.au/entertainment/tv-and-radio/tv-tonsil-hockey-shortcircuited-20110214-1atqs.html Quote: TV tonsil hockey short-circuited Phillip Coorey February 15, 2011 WAS IT a cunning plan by Joe Hockey and Bill Shorten to boost their profiles, a ploy by Mr Hockey to use Mr Shorten to destabilise Julia Gillard, or a combination of something in between? We shall never know, because Mr Shorten pulled the pin on the idea that he and Mr Hockey become regular sparring partners on the high-rating Channel Seven breakfast show, Sunrise. The show is responsible for one prime minister already. Kevin Rudd squared off against Mr Hockey each Friday for more than a year, building a popular profile that helped him to gain the prime ministership. At the time, Mr Hockey was frowned upon by his superiors for indirectly facilitating Mr Rudd's rise. The Herald has learnt that in recent months, Mr Hockey has been working on revitalising the concept. He first approached Mr Rudd, who declined, so he began working on Mr Shorten, the Assistant Treasurer. Mr Shorten is generally regarded as ambitious and the Liberals will tell anyone within earshot that he is out to depose Julia Gillard as prime minister. Given Sunrise's reputation, Mr Shorten would have sent the rumour mill running had he gone ahead with the idea. He did agree but last Thursday, the day before their first joint appearance, he pulled out, much to the annoyance of Mr Hockey. Mr Shorten said he wanted to get on with his work and he did not want to play a part in helping Mr Hockey build his profile to knock off the Opposition Leader, Tony Abbott.

you do have to admit though nem... gillard is more and more shown all on her little old lonesome... once upon a time its someone either side and one behind.. now shes all alone..as if no one wants to be caught in the same frame as her.

in fact shorten and combet have been very obvious by their absence in the media of late..and lets not forget they are part of the govt.and then theres swanny another invisable man

Abbott still isnt govt nor is Hockey.. yet they get heaps of attention on here for some reason..

I find it amusing no one wants to talk about the govt and the way its going..weird in fact

cods wrote on Feb 16^th, 2011 at 5:32pm:

you do have to admit though nem... gillard is more and more shown all on her little old lonesome... once upon a time its someone either side and one behind.. now shes all alone..as if no one wants to be caught in the same frame as her. in fact shorten and combet have been very obvious by their absence in the media of late..and lets not forget they are part of the govt.and then theres swanny another invisable man Abbott still isnt govt nor is Hockey.. yet they get heaps of attention on here for some reason.. I find it amusing no one wants to talk about the govt and the way its going..weird in fact

That's all you lot ever babble about - the government. Very rarely do you point out pertinent information or facts - just the opinions of those from the extreme right.

There's no point trying to challenge this propaganda because the RW's can't provide any credible responses or just totally ignore the truth.

How about we hear about some of Abbott's policies instead of the same old pettiness about Gillard?