If anything happened to disrupt our imports of oil and fuel, such as a blockade of shipping through the South China Sea or the Strait of Hormuz, our reserves would be exhausted within three weeks. We would have run out of petrol, diesel and jet fuel.  All road transport and all private cars would grind to a halt. All aircraft, both civil and military, would be unable to take off. The distribution of food and essential services would cease. There would be no deliveries to supermarkets, no ambulances, no fire engines, no police cars. By the end of the fourth week, amidst looting and civil unrest, the rule of law would have crumbled and been replaced by that unforgiving law of nature – the survival of the fittest.

This is not a storyboard for the next apocalyptic but fictional Hollywood blockbuster. It is a serious scenario envisaged by experts who are concerned that Australia’s lack of liquid-fuel security makes her extraordinarily vulnerable and exposed to political unrest or conflict in Opec nations, or to any flare-up of tensions in the key shipping lanes of the world.

Australia is a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which was set up in 1974 under the auspices of the OECD in response to the 1973 Opec oil crisis. It acts as a sort of mutual protection society for oil-importing countries that are members of the OECD, and as a member, Australia is under a treaty obligation to maintain liquid fuel stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports.  When we joined the IEA in 1979 we were actually a net exporter of oil and thus exempt from the stock-holding requirement. But since then our oil production first peaked and then declined and soon we were no longer a net exporter.  In fact, we have failed to comply with the IEA minimum of 90 days supply since 2010/11. Indeed the government’s own Australian Petroleum Statistics for December 2018 reveal that at that date we held stocks amounting to just 21 days supply of petrol for road vehicles, 18 days supply of diesel and 20 days supply of aviation fuel. It should also be pointed out that all such stocks are in commercial hands, mainly the major petrol retailing companies, with none being under government control. For Australia there is no such thing as a national strategic reserve.

https://www.spectator.com.au/2019/03/running-on-empty/

Why??

Why doesn't Australia have petroleum refining capacity? Why not have petroleum reserves? Why have politicians of all colours made Australia so vulnerable to outside forces? We are not in a friendly neighbourhood of the world. Why make ourselves vulnerable?
https://www.smh.com.au/business/interactive-map-shows-how-australia-relies-on-shipping-routes-20160426-goexdv.html

Bad policy for a nation that once produced over 90% of its own petroleum and still does - but it's all shipped Offshore and like everything else now - gas, coal, ores - we are hopelessly tied to international or global economy pricing to suit THEM and not Australia.

Too many politicians bought and paid for and probably so stupid they can;t see the reality of what they're doing, but who KNOW that Downfall will not affect them.

Nation's been in decline for forty years now... I've been watching every step of the way - and now it is totally unrecognisable other than as a dumping ground for the Third World - with the clear aim of reducing Australia to Third World status and neo robber baron society and a new master-servant relationship - and the introduction of a Banana Republic style of government and society, in which the government elect and their mates get all the cream and the peasants will take it or be sent to a gulag or similar or reduced to poverty, criminal status via 'created criminal laws', and powerlessness.

Beggars in the streets..... just some of the scenery ....

Massive upward social movement for the majority came into play after WW I, and then accelerated after WW II - due to the sacrifice of the peasants... all that has been forgotten now in the pursuit of greed is good and the mass infusion of foreign blood with no connection to Australia and its histories and its ways, and their graves trampled on.  It seems only another major conflict in which the nation realises its debt to its people first and foremost is the only way things will get back on an even keel.

Frank,

I agree.



But people who are bent on pleasure seeking, don't 'have-a-care', about what may, or may not, happen tomorrow.

They are not provident, in their habit.        [.....there is a good word.]

They are, Australians, of 2019.

Frank wrote on Mar 31^st, 2019 at 5:03pm:

If anything happened to disrupt our imports of oil and fuel, such as a blockade of shipping through the South China Sea or the Strait of Hormuz, our reserves would be exhausted within three weeks. We would have run out of petrol, diesel and jet fuel.  All road transport and all private cars would grind to a halt. All aircraft, both civil and military, would be unable to take off. The distribution of food and essential services would cease. There would be no deliveries to supermarkets, no ambulances, no fire engines, no police cars. By the end of the fourth week, amidst looting and civil unrest, the rule of law would have crumbled and been replaced by that unforgiving law of nature – the survival of the fittest. This is not a storyboard for the next apocalyptic but fictional Hollywood blockbuster. It is a serious scenario envisaged by experts who are concerned that Australia’s lack of liquid-fuel security makes her extraordinarily vulnerable and exposed to political unrest or conflict in Opec nations, or to any flare-up of tensions in the key shipping lanes of the world. Australia is a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which was set up in 1974 under the auspices of the OECD in response to the 1973 Opec oil crisis. It acts as a sort of mutual protection society for oil-importing countries that are members of the OECD, and as a member, Australia is under a treaty obligation to maintain liquid fuel stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports.  When we joined the IEA in 1979 we were actually a net exporter of oil and thus exempt from the stock-holding requirement. But since then our oil production first peaked and then declined and soon we were no longer a net exporter.  In fact, we have failed to comply with the IEA minimum of 90 days supply since 2010/11. Indeed the government’s own Australian Petroleum Statistics for December 2018 reveal that at that date we held stocks amounting to just 21 days supply of petrol for road vehicles, 18 days supply of diesel and 20 days supply of aviation fuel. It should also be pointed out that all such stocks are in commercial hands, mainly the major petrol retailing companies, with none being under government control. For Australia there is no such thing as a national strategic reserve. https://www.spectator.com.au/2019/03/running-on-empty/ Why?? Why doesn't Australia have petroleum refining capacity? Why not have petroleum reserves? Why have politicians of all colours made Australia so vulnerable to outside forces? We are not in a friendly neighbourhood of the world. Why make ourselves vulnerable? https://www.smh.com.au/business/interactive-map-shows-how-australia-relies-on-shipping-routes-20160426-goexdv.html

Talk to the economic realists, Soren.   They decided that it was easier to shut down our oil refineries and have our oil processed overseas in Indonesia and Singapore.  As most of them come from your side of the aisle in politics, I think you're shooting yourself in your own foot...    ::)

We could be self sufficient in fuel if we wanted to be, but the anti-Australia Libs and Labs would never allow that to happen, the rest of the world comes first with them

It'd be nice if this project could become fully Australian owned ...

$20 trillion shale oil find surrounding Coober Pedy 'can fuel Australia'

https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/20-trillion-shale-oil-find-surrounding-coober-pedy-can-fuel-australia/news-story/6335561639bd7f5c2f87c27d843c0bd3

The Labor Party have acknowledged the problem and have a policy to address Australia's national fuel reserves....We are still waiting to hear from the Coalition on the issue???


Quote:

Labor to establish national fuel reserve to boost emergency stocks Bill Shorten proposes a government-owned corporation to safeguard Australia’s fuel supplies Labor has pledged to establish a national fuel reserve to address Australia’s depleted emergency stocks seven years after the country became a net importer of oil.

:-? :-? :-?

https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2019/feb/28/labor-to-establish-national-fuel-reserve-to-boost-emergency-stocks

https://www.news.com.au/finance/economy/australian-economy/coalition-under-fire-as-australias-onshore-fuel-stockpiles-reach-worrying-lows/news-story/5a3c92c103a50d903f00a72ff1314d5c?from=rss-basic

As usual, ALP is on the ball.

So we'll only get a national fuel reserve if Labor gets elected, is that right?

https://www.captiongenerator.com/1344132/Morrison-discusses-the-fuel-shortage

Very simple - the useless union parasites made refining TOO EXPENSIVE to do here in Australia.

And as Australia uses only a small amount of fuel in world standards the refining was simply moved overseas to get away from the vicious brutal union thugs.

Bias_2012 wrote on Mar 31^st, 2019 at 9:51pm:

So we'll only get a national fuel reserve if Labor gets elected, is that right?

Looks that way....What is the Coalitions policy???

:-? :-? :-?

philperth2010 wrote on Apr 1^st, 2019 at 9:42am:

Bias_2012 wrote on Mar 31st, 2019 at 9:51pm: So we'll only get a national fuel reserve if Labor gets elected, is that right? Looks that way....What is the Coalitions policy??? :-? :-? :-?

And if Labor doesn't get elected. What then?

Bias_2012 wrote on Apr 1^st, 2019 at 9:49am:

philperth2010 wrote on Apr 1st, 2019 at 9:42am: Bias_2012 wrote on Mar 31st, 2019 at 9:51pm: So we'll only get a national fuel reserve if Labor gets elected, is that right? Looks that way....What is the Coalitions policy??? :-? :-? :-? And if Labor doesn't get elected. What then?

Who knows....Have the Coalition got a policy on fuel security....One would expect there is one somewhere???

:-? :-? :-?

Brian Ross wrote on Mar 31^st, 2019 at 7:54pm:

Frank wrote on Mar 31st, 2019 at 5:03pm: If anything happened to disrupt our imports of oil and fuel, such as a blockade of shipping through the South China Sea or the Strait of Hormuz, our reserves would be exhausted within three weeks. We would have run out of petrol, diesel and jet fuel.  All road transport and all private cars would grind to a halt. All aircraft, both civil and military, would be unable to take off. The distribution of food and essential services would cease. There would be no deliveries to supermarkets, no ambulances, no fire engines, no police cars. By the end of the fourth week, amidst looting and civil unrest, the rule of law would have crumbled and been replaced by that unforgiving law of nature – the survival of the fittest. This is not a storyboard for the next apocalyptic but fictional Hollywood blockbuster. It is a serious scenario envisaged by experts who are concerned that Australia’s lack of liquid-fuel security makes her extraordinarily vulnerable and exposed to political unrest or conflict in Opec nations, or to any flare-up of tensions in the key shipping lanes of the world. Australia is a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which was set up in 1974 under the auspices of the OECD in response to the 1973 Opec oil crisis. It acts as a sort of mutual protection society for oil-importing countries that are members of the OECD, and as a member, Australia is under a treaty obligation to maintain liquid fuel stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports.  When we joined the IEA in 1979 we were actually a net exporter of oil and thus exempt from the stock-holding requirement. But since then our oil production first peaked and then declined and soon we were no longer a net exporter.  In fact, we have failed to comply with the IEA minimum of 90 days supply since 2010/11. Indeed the government’s own Australian Petroleum Statistics for December 2018 reveal that at that date we held stocks amounting to just 21 days supply of petrol for road vehicles, 18 days supply of diesel and 20 days supply of aviation fuel. It should also be pointed out that all such stocks are in commercial hands, mainly the major petrol retailing companies, with none being under government control. For Australia there is no such thing as a national strategic reserve. https://www.spectator.com.au/2019/03/running-on-empty/ Why?? Why doesn't Australia have petroleum refining capacity? Why not have petroleum reserves? Why have politicians of all colours made Australia so vulnerable to outside forces? We are not in a friendly neighbourhood of the world. Why make ourselves vulnerable? https://www.smh.com.au/business/interactive-map-shows-how-australia-relies-on-shipping-routes-20160426-goexdv.html Talk to the economic realists, Soren.   They decided that it was easier to shut down our oil refineries and have our oil processed overseas in Indonesia and Singapore.  As most of them come from your side of the aisle in politics, I think you're shooting yourself in your own foot...    ::)

F off, parrot. Read the article, get the point,  if you are mentally able ( a huge if),  then talk to the point.
Trying to sledge me will just reinforce what a piss-soaked, incomprehending, demented old aunty you are,  Bwian Woss.

Frank wrote on Apr 1^st, 2019 at 8:22pm:

Brian Ross wrote on Mar 31st, 2019 at 7:54pm: Frank wrote on Mar 31st, 2019 at 5:03pm: If anything happened to disrupt our imports of oil and fuel, such as a blockade of shipping through the South China Sea or the Strait of Hormuz, our reserves would be exhausted within three weeks. We would have run out of petrol, diesel and jet fuel.  All road transport and all private cars would grind to a halt. All aircraft, both civil and military, would be unable to take off. The distribution of food and essential services would cease. There would be no deliveries to supermarkets, no ambulances, no fire engines, no police cars. By the end of the fourth week, amidst looting and civil unrest, the rule of law would have crumbled and been replaced by that unforgiving law of nature – the survival of the fittest. This is not a storyboard for the next apocalyptic but fictional Hollywood blockbuster. It is a serious scenario envisaged by experts who are concerned that Australia’s lack of liquid-fuel security makes her extraordinarily vulnerable and exposed to political unrest or conflict in Opec nations, or to any flare-up of tensions in the key shipping lanes of the world. Australia is a member of the International Energy Agency (IEA), which was set up in 1974 under the auspices of the OECD in response to the 1973 Opec oil crisis. It acts as a sort of mutual protection society for oil-importing countries that are members of the OECD, and as a member, Australia is under a treaty obligation to maintain liquid fuel stocks equivalent to at least 90 days of net imports.  When we joined the IEA in 1979 we were actually a net exporter of oil and thus exempt from the stock-holding requirement. But since then our oil production first peaked and then declined and soon we were no longer a net exporter.  In fact, we have failed to comply with the IEA minimum of 90 days supply since 2010/11. Indeed the government’s own Australian Petroleum Statistics for December 2018 reveal that at that date we held stocks amounting to just 21 days supply of petrol for road vehicles, 18 days supply of diesel and 20 days supply of aviation fuel. It should also be pointed out that all such stocks are in commercial hands, mainly the major petrol retailing companies, with none being under government control. For Australia there is no such thing as a national strategic reserve. https://www.spectator.com.au/2019/03/running-on-empty/ Why?? Why doesn't Australia have petroleum refining capacity? Why not have petroleum reserves? Why have politicians of all colours made Australia so vulnerable to outside forces? We are not in a friendly neighbourhood of the world. Why make ourselves vulnerable? https://www.smh.com.au/business/interactive-map-shows-how-australia-relies-on-shipping-routes-20160426-goexdv.html Talk to the economic realists, Soren.   They decided that it was easier to shut down our oil refineries and have our oil processed overseas in Indonesia and Singapore.  As most of them come from your side of the aisle in politics, I think you're shooting yourself in your own foot...    ::) F off, parrot. Read the article, get the point,  if you are mentally able ( a huge if),  then talk to the point. Trying to sledge me will just reinforce what a piss-soaked, incomprehending, demented old aunty you are,  Bwian Woss.

Poor, poor, Soren.  I only gave you a very minor sledge by pointing out that it was really the Tories who shutdown most of the oil refineries, not the ALP.  It happened in the late 1990s - early 2000s IIRC, when Little Johnny was in power.   If you think that is worth complaining about, then I pity you, Soren, I really do.   He represented your views, didn't he or was he too left wing even for you?   ::)

Run along, little laddie, run along.  You're needed back in the little kiddies' playground where they are mixing up a fresh batch of mud for you roll in.  Off you go, while the adults have a serious conversation.    ::) ::)

Speaking of crappy infrastructure ...

The Altona oil refinery (near Melbourne) is about 70 years old and there are, literally, lines in that plant than no one knows where they run and which valves do what.

Seriously, that place is a monumental environmental time-bomb.

One day it will go up with a bang.  :o

Air Vice Marshal (retired) John Blackburn has written extensively on the subject from both a military and a civilian viewpoint. In a recent issue of the Australian Defence Magazine he said that ‘energy security is fundamental to our way of life; without it and without resilient supply chains our Defence Forces will not be able to operate’. Last October he told a Senate committee hearing that ‘Australia was the only country in the world that didn’t have either government-owned reserves, mandated industry minimums for fuel stocks, or the ability to control the market. All other developed countries have some of those things at least, and countries in the region here are increasing their fuel and oil stock holdings because of their concerns’.

He rightly castigates the federal government for being asleep at the wheel over this matter.  But it’s more than just the fact that successive Australian governments have since 2010 ignored their international obligation to maintain the barest minimum reserve of liquid fuels. It’s the reckless mindset that those governments reveal by the fact that throughout those years they were willing to risk the safety of every Australian that they had pledged an oath to serve and protect. What would have happened to the Australian public had – as was suggested by Liberal Senator Jim Molan – another Middle East war broken out last July in the wake of US airstrikes on Russian targets in Syria? Molan supposed that the oil-fields could have been put out of action for months. What would former PM Malcolm Turnbull have done then, apart from retire to his New York apartment?


2010 - Gillard. Then Rudd, then Abbott, Turnbull, Morrison.  Both sides are asleep.




Australia’s fuel security is far more precarious than we might realise. Not only do we not have the internationally mandated 90-day stockpile, but the ongoing closure of Australia’s refineries means we are on track to be 100% reliant on imported petroleum by 2030.

Australian refineries import roughly 83% of the crude oil they process from more than 17 countries, mainly in Asia (40%), but also Africa (18%) and the Middle East (17%). We are a significant oil producer, but export 75% of our crude production, with the largest recipients being Indonesia and Singapore.

At the same time, the importance of importing refined petroleum from overseas is only increasing as our local production declines.
http://theconversation.com/australia-imports-almost-all-of-its-oil-and-there-are-pitfalls-all-over-the-globe-97070

It is one, very stark, example of how Australia ignores its own national interests for no obvious reasons. I suspect it has a lot to do with wanting to be 'nice' and enabling of our Asian neighbours.

But it's still myopic and stupid. Singapore refines over 50% of our petroleum supplies - Singapore which imports a lot of the crude from us to refine and sell back.

Crazy. Dumb.

Blame the Tories, Soren, they were just as guilty as the ALP in this regard.   Abbott, Turnball, ScoMo they've been the last three in charge as Prime Minister.   They must bear the blame equally, even perhaps more so, afterall they are supposedly touted as the "better economic managers" than the ALP, now aren't they?   ::) ::)

Brian Ross wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2019 at 8:10pm:

Blame the Tories, Soren, they were just as guilty as the ALP in this regard.   Abbott, Turnball, ScoMo they've been the last three in charge as Prime Minister.   They must bear the blame equally, even perhaps more so, afterall they are supposedly touted as the "better economic managers" than the ALP, now aren't they?   ::) ::)

Well they sure didn't blow billions by relaxing our borders like Labor did.

It's bipartisan stupid.
It did start with Howard and was continued by Rudd/Gillard/Rudd and not corrected by Abbott/Turnbull/Morrison.


It's a national disgrace, indicative of a national malaise.
That malaise is about policy confidence. self-confidence, a shared and accepted national sense of self. A country that understands itself can assert itself. Australia is a country that refuses to understand itself, invites every undermining, inventing every new way of self-fragmentation, every doubting of its own values.
Australia has been successfully white-anted because nobody today can say what it is to be an Australian without being immediately challenged.

This country, like Canada, the US, UK, most of Europe, has been successfully fvked up by multiculturalists, race-baiters, grievance-mongers.

When all the Western institutions are swept away we will have the naked aggression of tribal, identitarian war because there will be no higher civilistation to stand in its way.

Which is why it is utmost important for Australia to start changing its energy dependance from petrolium to renewables.  Then none of this would be an issue.   If the big cities are electrified, including interstate rail ways.  Then, all we need is perhaps half of strategic reserves.  Or if we are desperate, in times of crisis, we can rebuild our oil refinery capacity - but be able to put the economy back with lesser effort. 

The problem is that we need to hold on to people with the right skills.  I mean after the last refineries closed, how many technician are still left in Australia knows how to operate + maintain, and rebuild a refinary? 

Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2019 at 8:11pm:

Brian Ross wrote on Apr 2nd, 2019 at 8:10pm: Blame the Tories, Soren, they were just as guilty as the ALP in this regard.   Abbott, Turnball, ScoMo they've been the last three in charge as Prime Minister.   They must bear the blame equally, even perhaps more so, afterall they are supposedly touted as the "better economic managers" than the ALP, now aren't they?   ::) ::) Well they sure didn't blow billions by relaxing our borders like Labor did.

Nope, they blew billions by continuing to punish people by locking them up in overseas Gulags, Hammer.   I hear they are closing again, only months after re-openning it to much fanfare the Gulag on Christmas Island.  It was buried in the Budget.  Funny that, hey?  Imagine them spending millions just to make a political point against the opposition, which wasn't actually necessary.  Tsk, tsk.   ::)

Frank wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2019 at 8:36pm:

It's bipartisan stupid. It did start with Howard and was continued by Rudd/Gillard/Rudd and not corrected by Abbott/Turnbull/Morrison. It's a national disgrace, indicative of a national malaise. That malaise is about policy confidence. self-confidence, a shared and accepted national sense of self. A country that understands itself can assert itself. Australia is a country that refuses to understand itself, invites every undermining, inventing every new way of self-fragmentation, every doubting of its own values. Australia has been successfully white-anted because nobody today can say what it is to be an Australian without being immediately challenged. This country, like Canada, the US, UK, most of Europe, has been successfully fvked up by multiculturalists, race-baiters, grievance-mongers. When all the Western institutions are swept away we will have the naked aggression of tribal, identitarian war because there will be no higher civilistation to stand in its way.

Sounds like it is something you're looking forward to, Soren.  You got your AR-15, your bunker, your provisions all prepared for that day?   You takin' survival courses?  You learnin' how to live off der land?

Run along, with your fantasies, Soren.   You are one sick individual.  You don't want to live in a modern, liberal, democratic society at all.  You just want to live in your fascist land where you and your like are Übermensch compared to all the Untermensch who will carry out your commands, obey your superior will.    ::)

tickleandrose wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2019 at 2:09pm:

Which is why it is utmost important for Australia to start changing its energy dependance from petrolium to renewables.  Then none of this would be an issue.   If the big cities are electrified, including interstate rail ways.  Then, all we need is perhaps half of strategic reserves.  Or if we are desperate, in times of crisis, we can rebuild our oil refinery capacity - but be able to put the economy back with lesser effort.  The problem is that we need to hold on to people with the right skills.  I mean after the last refineries closed, how many technician are still left in Australia knows how to operate + maintain, and rebuild a refinary?

Absolutely.

But not by crippling the energy supply and affordability during that transition period.

THAT'S the big issue, not whether we should switch from finite to infinite energy supplies.

Australia's rivers should be dammed and efficient coal or gas power should be maintained to ensure cheap and reliable electricity. Let those who want to and can afford pay more for renewables do so. that will put money into their development.

Australia's share in global man-made CO2 is vanishingly small and utterly insignificant. Virtue signalling with no impact on global CO2 levels is vain and foolish.

( I don't actually accept that anthropogenic CO2 is a significant factor in any climate variation.)

Brian Ross wrote on Apr 3^rd, 2019 at 2:43pm:

Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 2nd, 2019 at 8:11pm: Brian Ross wrote on Apr 2nd, 2019 at 8:10pm: Blame the Tories, Soren, they were just as guilty as the ALP in this regard.   Abbott, Turnball, ScoMo they've been the last three in charge as Prime Minister.   They must bear the blame equally, even perhaps more so, afterall they are supposedly touted as the "better economic managers" than the ALP, now aren't they?   ::) ::) Well they sure didn't blow billions by relaxing our borders like Labor did. Nope, they blew billions by continuing to punish people by locking them up in overseas Gulags, Hammer.   I hear they are closing again, only months after re-openning it to much fanfare the Gulag on Christmas Island.  It was buried in the Budget.  Funny that, hey?  Imagine them spending millions just to make a political point against the opposition, which wasn't actually necessary.  Tsk, tsk.   ::)

It's called follow through.

They were told not to get on people smugglers' boats because they would not get to settle in Australia.  They ignored it. Australia did what it said it would do. Dweadful, isn't it. old pissy.
And so now you complain because you are a spoiled brat at heart, revolting against any attempt to instruct and improve you.

You arwe Bwianesque,  Bwian.

Frank wrote on Apr 4^th, 2019 at 7:08pm:

Brian Ross wrote on Apr 3rd, 2019 at 2:43pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 2nd, 2019 at 8:11pm: Brian Ross wrote on Apr 2nd, 2019 at 8:10pm: Blame the Tories, Soren, they were just as guilty as the ALP in this regard.   Abbott, Turnball, ScoMo they've been the last three in charge as Prime Minister.   They must bear the blame equally, even perhaps more so, afterall they are supposedly touted as the "better economic managers" than the ALP, now aren't they?   ::) ::) Well they sure didn't blow billions by relaxing our borders like Labor did. Nope, they blew billions by continuing to punish people by locking them up in overseas Gulags, Hammer.   I hear they are closing again, only months after re-openning it to much fanfare the Gulag on Christmas Island.  It was buried in the Budget.  Funny that, hey?  Imagine them spending millions just to make a political point against the opposition, which wasn't actually necessary.  Tsk, tsk.   ::) It's called follow through. They were told not to get on people smugglers' boats because they would not get to settle in Australia.  They ignored it. Australia did what it said it would do. Dweadful, isn't it. old pissy. And so now you complain because you are a spoiled brat at heart, revolting against any attempt to instruct and improve you. You arwe Bwianesque,  Bwian.

No one was getting on Smugglers' boats, Soren.  It was all a means to scaring voters who have come to hate innocent Asylum Seekers simply 'cause they arrive by boat.   No mention of the tens of thousands of Asylum Seekers who have arrived by plane in the last two years, Soren.  Funny how the government and il Duce' overlook those people.   They just want to scare voters to vote for them, nothing more and you're a prime candidate for that, right?   ::)

Brian Ross wrote on Apr 4^th, 2019 at 7:49pm:

Frank wrote on Apr 4th, 2019 at 7:08pm: Brian Ross wrote on Apr 3rd, 2019 at 2:43pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 2nd, 2019 at 8:11pm: Brian Ross wrote on Apr 2nd, 2019 at 8:10pm: Blame the Tories, Soren, they were just as guilty as the ALP in this regard.   Abbott, Turnball, ScoMo they've been the last three in charge as Prime Minister.   They must bear the blame equally, even perhaps more so, afterall they are supposedly touted as the "better economic managers" than the ALP, now aren't they?   ::) ::) Well they sure didn't blow billions by relaxing our borders like Labor did. Nope, they blew billions by continuing to punish people by locking them up in overseas Gulags, Hammer.   I hear they are closing again, only months after re-openning it to much fanfare the Gulag on Christmas Island.  It was buried in the Budget.  Funny that, hey?  Imagine them spending millions just to make a political point against the opposition, which wasn't actually necessary.  Tsk, tsk.   ::) It's called follow through. They were told not to get on people smugglers' boats because they would not get to settle in Australia.  They ignored it. Australia did what it said it would do. Dweadful, isn't it. old pissy. And so now you complain because you are a spoiled brat at heart, revolting against any attempt to instruct and improve you. You arwe Bwianesque,  Bwian. No one was getting on Smugglers' boats, Soren.  It was all a means to scaring voters who have come to hate innocent Asylum Seekers simply 'cause they arrive by boat.   No mention of the tens of thousands of Asylum Seekers who have arrived by plane in the last two years, Soren.  Funny how the government and il Duce' overlook those people.   They just want to scare voters to vote for them, nothing more and you're a prime candidate for that, right?   ::)

Fifty thousand got on smugglers' boats, ijit.

Plane arrivals are KNOWN, they had a visa, they can be dealt with by proper process. A shite, broken process but that's by the choice of the Australian Government. Giving visa over-staying non-citizens access to the Australian legal system at taxpayer expense is the stupidest aspect of the whole drama. It is motivated and maintained by lilly-livered idiots like you, Bwian. It would be cheaper, neater, juster to deport them at $5,000 a pop than give them access to a legal system that cots hundreds of thousands of dollars in each case.

Clarity of purpose and resolve - that's what is missing and you are all for undermining any efforts in those directions.

Illegal boat arrivals break the law by showing up and continue to be unverifiable and doubtful. People flying to Indonesia from the Middle East on commercial flights and then trying to enter Australia illegally is not what this or any other country needs. Let the Indonesians have them if they are so wonderful. THEY let them into Indonesia legally, after all.

Frank wrote on Apr 5^th, 2019 at 7:29pm:

Brian Ross wrote on Apr 4th, 2019 at 7:49pm: Frank wrote on Apr 4th, 2019 at 7:08pm: Brian Ross wrote on Apr 3rd, 2019 at 2:43pm: Mr Hammer wrote on Apr 2nd, 2019 at 8:11pm: Brian Ross wrote on Apr 2nd, 2019 at 8:10pm: Blame the Tories, Soren, they were just as guilty as the ALP in this regard.   Abbott, Turnball, ScoMo they've been the last three in charge as Prime Minister.   They must bear the blame equally, even perhaps more so, afterall they are supposedly touted as the "better economic managers" than the ALP, now aren't they?   ::) ::) Well they sure didn't blow billions by relaxing our borders like Labor did. Nope, they blew billions by continuing to punish people by locking them up in overseas Gulags, Hammer.   I hear they are closing again, only months after re-openning it to much fanfare the Gulag on Christmas Island.  It was buried in the Budget.  Funny that, hey?  Imagine them spending millions just to make a political point against the opposition, which wasn't actually necessary.  Tsk, tsk.   ::) It's called follow through. They were told not to get on people smugglers' boats because they would not get to settle in Australia.  They ignored it. Australia did what it said it would do. Dweadful, isn't it. old pissy. And so now you complain because you are a spoiled brat at heart, revolting against any attempt to instruct and improve you. You arwe Bwianesque,  Bwian. No one was getting on Smugglers' boats, Soren.  It was all a means to scaring voters who have come to hate innocent Asylum Seekers simply 'cause they arrive by boat.   No mention of the tens of thousands of Asylum Seekers who have arrived by plane in the last two years, Soren.  Funny how the government and il Duce' overlook those people.   They just want to scare voters to vote for them, nothing more and you're a prime candidate for that, right?   ::) Fifty thousand got on smugglers' boats, ijit.

Really?  And how long ago, Soren?  Was it yesterday?  Last week?  Last month?  Or was it over 5 years ago, Mmmm?


Quote:

Plane arrivals are KNOWN, they had a visa, they can be dealt with by proper process. A shite, broken process but that's by the choice of the Australian Government. Giving visa over-staying non-citizens access to the Australian legal system at taxpayer expense is the stupidest aspect of the whole drama. It is motivated and maintained by lilly-livered idiots like you, Bwian. It would be cheaper, neater, juster to deport them at $5,000 a pop than give them access to a legal system that cots hundreds of thousands of dollars in each case.

Immaterial, Soren.  They are Asylum Seekers.  Just like the boat arrivees, they make their presence known to the authorities in order to claim asylum.   Yet, il Duce and ScoMo remain silent about the increasing number.  Funny that, right?

Visa over-stayers are actually illegal immigrants, Soren.  Different category and your inability to differentiate just shows how foolish you are.   Visa overstayers are also increasing in number and guess what?  The majority are from the USA, UK and Europe.  All members of your supposedly "superior culture."  Still doesn't stop them from seeing a good deal and staying longer than their visas allow them to...   ::)


Quote:

Clarity of purpose and resolve - that's what is missing and you are all for undermining any efforts in those directions.

There is no clarity, there is no resolve, Soren.   ScoMo is running scared and the electorate getting ready their cricket bats to give the Tories a real walloping at the coming election.  He's frantically trying to appease the voters...   ::)


Quote:

Illegal boat arrivals break the law by showing up and continue to be unverifiable and doubtful. People flying to Indonesia from the Middle East on commercial flights and then trying to enter Australia illegally is not what this or any other country needs. Let the Indonesians have them if they are so wonderful. THEY let them into Indonesia legally, after all.

The Indonesians don't care.  They are not signatories to the UN Convention on Refugees, Soren.   The Australian Government has been paying the Indonesians to put the people smugglers out of business.    ::)

Australia produces 10 to 20% of it's own oil, and could probably increase that if it actually became important.

That's more than enough for the military, and you probably wouldn't want to fly to Bali in the middle of a war.

Bias_2012 wrote on Mar 31^st, 2019 at 8:22pm:

We could be self sufficient in fuel if we wanted to be, but the anti-Australia Libs and Labs would never allow that to happen, the rest of the world comes first with them It'd be nice if this project could become fully Australian owned ... $20 trillion shale oil find surrounding Coober Pedy 'can fuel Australia' https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/20-trillion-shale-oil-find-surrounding-coober-pedy-can-fuel-australia/news-story/6335561639bd7f5c2f87c27d843c0bd3

Some projects just need to stay buried..... and shale oil is one of them.

It's dirtier than the dirtiest coal..... and dare I say on a par or worse than hydraulic fracked gas(CSG) extraction.

No use being self sufficient in our own country if we f#*k up our own environment doing it.

juliar wrote on Apr 1^st, 2019 at 4:07am:

Very simple - the useless union parasites made refining TOO EXPENSIVE to do here in Australia. And as Australia uses only a small amount of fuel in world standards the refining was simply moved overseas to get away from the vicious brutal union thugs.

The usual blame workers Unions/union bashing bs from you.

philperth2010 wrote on Apr 1^st, 2019 at 10:40am:

Bias_2012 wrote on Apr 1st, 2019 at 9:49am: philperth2010 wrote on Apr 1st, 2019 at 9:42am: Bias_2012 wrote on Mar 31st, 2019 at 9:51pm: So we'll only get a national fuel reserve if Labor gets elected, is that right? Looks that way....What is the Coalitions policy??? :-? :-? :-? And if Labor doesn't get elected. What then? Who knows....Have the Coalition got a policy on fuel security....One would expect there is one somewhere??? :-? :-? :-?

I doubt the factions with in the Coalition would be able to agree on a policy
Remember the NEG debarkle

Gnads wrote on Apr 6^th, 2019 at 10:41am:

Bias_2012 wrote on Mar 31st, 2019 at 8:22pm: We could be self sufficient in fuel if we wanted to be, but the anti-Australia Libs and Labs would never allow that to happen, the rest of the world comes first with them It'd be nice if this project could become fully Australian owned ... $20 trillion shale oil find surrounding Coober Pedy 'can fuel Australia' https://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/20-trillion-shale-oil-find-surrounding-coober-pedy-can-fuel-australia/news-story/6335561639bd7f5c2f87c27d843c0bd3 Some projects just need to stay buried..... and shale oil is one of them. It's dirtier than the dirtiest coal..... and dare I say on a par or worse than hydraulic fracked gas(CSG) extraction. No use being self sufficient in our own country if we f#*k up our own environment doing it.

Funnily enough, I actually agree with you Gnads.  My god!  Get me a strong cup of tea and a bex so I can have a long lie down!   I need it.  The shock has proved simply too great!   ::) ::)

Frank wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2019 at 8:36pm:

It's bipartisan stupid. It did start with Howard and was continued by Rudd/Gillard/Rudd and not corrected by Abbott/Turnbull/Morrison. It's a national disgrace, indicative of a national malaise. That malaise is about policy confidence. self-confidence, a shared and accepted national sense of self. A country that understands itself can assert itself. Australia is a country that refuses to understand itself, invites every undermining, inventing every new way of self-fragmentation, every doubting of its own values. Australia has been successfully white-anted because nobody today can say what it is to be an Australian without being immediately challenged. This country, like Canada, the US, UK, most of Europe, has been successfully fvked up by multiculturalists, race-baiters, grievance-mongers. When all the Western institutions are swept away we will have the naked aggression of tribal, identitarian war because there will be no higher civilistation to stand in its way.

How marvellous. You like Danish, no?

Brian Ross wrote on Apr 6^th, 2019 at 4:59pm:

My god!  Get me a strong cup of tea and a bex so I can have a long lie down!   I need it.

We need it.  How about a hundred years, Cinders?

Frank wrote on Apr 7^th, 2019 at 9:40pm:

Brian Ross wrote on Apr 6th, 2019 at 4:59pm: My god!  Get me a strong cup of tea and a bex so I can have a long lie down!   I need it.  We need it.  How about a hundred years, Cinders?

Sorry, Buttons, I'm on for the whole show!   8-)

Brian Ross wrote on Apr 8^th, 2019 at 3:25pm:

Frank wrote on Apr 7th, 2019 at 9:40pm: Brian Ross wrote on Apr 6th, 2019 at 4:59pm: My god!  Get me a strong cup of tea and a bex so I can have a long lie down!   I need it.  We need it.  How about a hundred years, Cinders? Sorry, Buttons, I'm on for the whole show!   8-)

Yeah, you have the long sleeping part - and then swept away by karnal. With gweggy sticking to the back of your dress.

Frank wrote on Apr 8^th, 2019 at 8:31pm:

Brian Ross wrote on Apr 8th, 2019 at 3:25pm: Frank wrote on Apr 7th, 2019 at 9:40pm: Brian Ross wrote on Apr 6th, 2019 at 4:59pm: My god!  Get me a strong cup of tea and a bex so I can have a long lie down!   I need it.  We need it.  How about a hundred years, Cinders? Sorry, Buttons, I'm on for the whole show!   8-) Yeah, you have the long sleeping part - and then swept away by karnal. With gweggy sticking to the back of your dress.

Oh, dear, Buttons, what can we do?  I know!  We can get you to clean it all up!  Of you go, little servant boy!    ::)