This really beggars belief that the Labor government in Victoria thinks this is a good idea and actually defends it…

https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/juvenile-offender-given-taxpayerfunded-gold-coast-trip-to-rehabilitate-is-arrested-again/news-story/423eff6740563349913846d65c92099a

I really hope that this incompetent Labor government is FINALLY voted out later this year at the state election.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 8^th, 2026 at 9:54am:

I really hope that this incompetent Labor government is FINALLY voted out later this year at the state election.

That is just not going to happen until we get a competent, stable, corruption free Opposition in place.   Jess Wilson talks the talk and walks the walk but all I have heard so far are motherhood statements about fixing this and fixing that - but no concrete ways of actually doing it.   Meanwhile, Matthew Guy is undermining her at every opportunity and sadly, I think he will succeed and lead the Libs to yet another defeat.

From the article, I thought NDIS and funding was a Federal rather than State issue?

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 8^th, 2026 at 7:44am:

This really beggars belief that the Labor government in Victoria thinks this is a good idea and actually defends it… https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/juvenile-offender-given-taxpayerfunded-gold-coast-trip-to-rehabilitate-is-arrested-again/news-story/423eff6740563349913846d65c92099a

They are trying rehabilitation as opposed to locking people up.

Neither approach will solve the problem of youth crime; government must close the gap, which means eradicate economic disadvantage - even Albo recently admitted that governments have failed to do so, over many decades.

And politicians in general don't have a clue how to close the gap, because the public want politicians who promise to reduce taxes.....meaning government can't fund the resources needed to close the gap;  eg, social intervention into dysfunctional families and communities, and provision of paid work and affordable housing etc.

You can change your vote as Vic says,  but nothing will change until the government funding model changes.   

And yes, funding is a federal issue.

thegreatdivide wrote on Jan 8^th, 2026 at 1:06pm:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 8th, 2026 at 7:44am: This really beggars belief that the Labor government in Victoria thinks this is a good idea and actually defends it… https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/juvenile-offender-given-taxpayerfunded-gold-coast-trip-to-rehabilitate-is-arrested-again/news-story/423eff6740563349913846d65c92099a They are trying rehabilitation as opposed to locking people up. Neither approach will solve the problem of youth crime; government must close the gap, which means eradicate economic disadvantage - even Albo recently admitted that governments have failed to do so, over many decades. And politicians in general don't have a clue how to close the gap, because the public want politicians who promise to reduce taxes.....meaning government can't fund the resources needed to close the gap;  eg, social intervention into dysfunctional families and communities, and provision of paid work and affordable housing etc. You can change your vote as Vic says,  but nothing will change until the government funding model changes.    And yes, funding is a federal issue.

It clearly is not working. These kids have criminal histories longer than many adults and Labor just won’t enact legislation that punishes them. There’s a time for compassion and there’s a time for throwing the book at them. Some of these kids have more than 30 arrests only to be released by Magistrates each time. It’s a joke. At this point it’s time to give the Coalition a go because Labor clearly are incompetent.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 8^th, 2026 at 7:44am:

This really beggars belief that the Labor government in Victoria thinks this is a good idea and actually defends it… https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/juvenile-offender-given-taxpayerfunded-gold-coast-trip-to-rehabilitate-is-arrested-again/news-story/423eff6740563349913846d65c92099a

Victorians get what they voted for.

These days the best thing to come out of Victoria is the Hume hwy

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 8^th, 2026 at 3:24pm:

thegreatdivide wrote on Jan 8th, 2026 at 1:06pm: Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 8th, 2026 at 7:44am: This really beggars belief that the Labor government in Victoria thinks this is a good idea and actually defends it… https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/juvenile-offender-given-taxpayerfunded-gold-coast-trip-to-rehabilitate-is-arrested-again/news-story/423eff6740563349913846d65c92099a They are trying rehabilitation as opposed to locking people up. Neither approach will solve the problem of youth crime; government must close the gap, which means eradicate economic disadvantage - even Albo recently admitted that governments have failed to do so, over many decades. And politicians in general don't have a clue how to close the gap, because the public want politicians who promise to reduce taxes.....meaning government can't fund the resources needed to close the gap;  eg, social intervention into dysfunctional families and communities, and provision of paid work and affordable housing etc. You can change your vote as Vic says,  but nothing will change until the government funding model changes.    And yes, funding is a federal issue. It clearly is not working.

Yes, but you aren't  listening; you can't imprison your way out of social dysfunction without looking at the causes, because there are too many potential prisoners. 


Quote:

These kids have criminal histories longer than many adults and Labost won’t enact legislation that punishes them. There’s a time for compassion and there’s a time for throwing the book at them. Some of these kids have more than 30 arrests only to be released by Magistrates each time. It’s a joke. At this point it’s time to give the Coalition a go because Labor clearly are incompetent.

Well, there is a case for locking up kids with more than 30 arrests, but what of the many with fewer arrests?

What policy does the coalition have, apart from locking them up?

thegreatdivide wrote on Jan 8^th, 2026 at 3:36pm:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 8th, 2026 at 3:24pm: thegreatdivide wrote on Jan 8th, 2026 at 1:06pm: Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 8th, 2026 at 7:44am: This really beggars belief that the Labor government in Victoria thinks this is a good idea and actually defends it… https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/juvenile-offender-given-taxpayerfunded-gold-coast-trip-to-rehabilitate-is-arrested-again/news-story/423eff6740563349913846d65c92099a They are trying rehabilitation as opposed to locking people up. Neither approach will solve the problem of youth crime; government must close the gap, which means eradicate economic disadvantage - even Albo recently admitted that governments have failed to do so, over many decades. And politicians in general don't have a clue how to close the gap, because the public want politicians who promise to reduce taxes.....meaning government can't fund the resources needed to close the gap;  eg, social intervention into dysfunctional families and communities, and provision of paid work and affordable housing etc. You can change your vote as Vic says,  but nothing will change until the government funding model changes.    And yes, funding is a federal issue. It clearly is not working. Yes, but you aren't  listening; you can't imprison your way out of social dysfunction without looking at the causes, because there are too many potential prisoners.  Quote: These kids have criminal histories longer than many adults and Labost won’t enact legislation that punishes them. There’s a time for compassion and there’s a time for throwing the book at them. Some of these kids have more than 30 arrests only to be released by Magistrates each time. It’s a joke. At this point it’s time to give the Coalition a go because Labor clearly are incompetent. Well, there is a case for locking up kids with more than 30 arrests, but what of the many with fewer arrests? What policy does the coalition have, apart from locking them up?

Sometimes there are people who just need to be locked up to keep the community safe. Your whole mindset is the problem. You're more concerned with these shitbag teen criminals than you are about their victims.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 8^th, 2026 at 4:25pm:

thegreatdivide wrote on Jan 8th, 2026 at 3:36pm: Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 8th, 2026 at 3:24pm: thegreatdivide wrote on Jan 8th, 2026 at 1:06pm: Armchair_Politician wrote on Jan 8th, 2026 at 7:44am: This really beggars belief that the Labor government in Victoria thinks this is a good idea and actually defends it… https://www.news.com.au/national/victoria/crime/juvenile-offender-given-taxpayerfunded-gold-coast-trip-to-rehabilitate-is-arrested-again/news-story/423eff6740563349913846d65c92099a They are trying rehabilitation as opposed to locking people up. Neither approach will solve the problem of youth crime; government must close the gap, which means eradicate economic disadvantage - even Albo recently admitted that governments have failed to do so, over many decades. And politicians in general don't have a clue how to close the gap, because the public want politicians who promise to reduce taxes.....meaning government can't fund the resources needed to close the gap;  eg, social intervention into dysfunctional families and communities, and provision of paid work and affordable housing etc. You can change your vote as Vic says,  but nothing will change until the government funding model changes.    And yes, funding is a federal issue. It clearly is not working. Yes, but you aren't  listening; you can't imprison your way out of social dysfunction without looking at the causes, because there are too many potential prisoners.  Quote: These kids have criminal histories longer than many adults and Labost won’t enact legislation that punishes them. There’s a time for compassion and there’s a time for throwing the book at them. Some of these kids have more than 30 arrests only to be released by Magistrates each time. It’s a joke. At this point it’s time to give the Coalition a go because Labor clearly are incompetent. Well, there is a case for locking up kids with more than 30 arrests, but what of the many with fewer arrests? What policy does the coalition have, apart from locking them up? Sometimes there are people who just need to be locked up to keep the community safe. Your whole mindset is the problem. You're more concerned with these shitbag teen criminals than you are about their victims.

Interesting reply, showing why democracies are becoming dysfunctional:

I agreed with your assertion, ie, "Sometimes there are people who just need to be locked up to keep the community safe", with my remark " there is a case for locking up kids with more than 30 arrests," but you ignored my following  question: "what of the many kids with fewer arrests?" even after I informed you society can't solve social dysfunction by locking people up.

So in fact YOUR mindset is part of the problem.

Indeed, you are blinded by an ignorant, unthinking  ideology which is incapable of addressing causes.

Deplorable. 

Nah ... nah ... democracies are by nature dysfunctional - it is not possible to entirely reconcile all the real issues for every person (or group, thanks Reg) in ANY governing structure - the only difference is that in a democracy people have more Right to differ and to say so.

No controlled society every persists .... look around the world at the moment...... perpetual upheaval ....

Grappler Racist Filth wrote on Jan 9^th, 2026 at 12:21pm:

Nah ... nah ... democracies are by nature dysfunctional - it is not possible to entirely reconcile all the real issues for every person (or group, thanks Reg) in ANY governing structure - the only difference is that in a democracy people have more Right to differ and to say so. No controlled society every persists .... look around the world at the moment...... perpetual upheaval ....

Your error: compare China with the US...

On a 1 to 5 scale, with 1 being least stable to 5 the most, how would you rate each nation?

“People also ask
How many people moved out of Victoria?
From March 2020 until September 2024, Victoria lost almost 55,000 people to net interstate migration. Many of those people moved to Queensland, including almost 10,000 in 2022-23.4 Nov 2025
https://www.news.com.au”



Victoria is an absolute  disaster .

Even the once iconic Melbourne Cup is now no longer the race that stops the nation.

Other states hardly know it’s on or could care less if they do!

Daves2017 wrote on Jan 10^th, 2026 at 12:00am:

“People also ask How many people moved out of Victoria? From March 2020 until September 2024, Victoria lost almost 55,000 people to net interstate migration. Many of those people moved to Queensland, including almost 10,000 in 2022-23.4 Nov 2025 https://www.news.com.au” Victoria is an absolute  disaster . Even the once iconic Melbourne Cup is now no longer the race that stops the nation. Other states hardly know it’s on or could care less if they do!

I would never go to the Melbourne Cup now. It’s just a massive booze fest for idiotic young people. They don’t give two hoots about the races.

Daves2017 wrote on Jan 10^th, 2026 at 12:00am:

Victoria is an absolute  disaster .

Only if you fall for the mainstream mythology re government debt:

https://profstevekeen.substack.com/p/when-the-experts-are-wrong?utm_source=post-email-title&publication_id=872467&post_id=184130361&utm_campaign=email-post-title&isFreemail=false&r=rzu3p&triedRedirect=true&utm_medium=email

When the Experts are Wrong
How can the public cope if the so-called experts get money wrong?

YouTube popped a video into my feed of Niall Ferguson (the author of The Ascent of Money: a financial history of the world) being interviewed on the TRIGGERnometry show. He was asked the inevitable question about governments “living beyond their means”, and gave the standard answer that governments which spent more than they collected in taxation are on the road to ruin.

.......

In fact, deficits are a feature of the system. Firstly, the government has to spend more than it takes back in taxation in order to create “fiat money”: money backed by the government’s authority, rather than by debt, as is the case for (private sector) credit money.

Secondly, if the government spends more than it takes back in taxation, it increases the financial equity of the non-government sectors. The banks are already in positive financial equity, as they have to be. But the non-bank private sector starts in negative financial equity—as shown by the initial conditions—and the only way it can get into positive financial equity is if government spending exceeds taxation. This necessarily involves the government going into negative financial equity.

....a significant article from Prof. Steve Keen.