chicken_lipsforme wrote on Feb 16^th, 2014 at 11:13am:


Labor never rose the quota to 20,000 - it was an election promise.

Abbott would have been smart to raise the quota. Sure, no one notices numbers in this debate, and the rise would be yesterday’s news within 24 hours, but Abbott could have claimed the high moral ground and brought the churches into the tent.

At present, they’re damning the Libs to hell.

If Abbott can shake the racist Howard-era boat policy stigma, he can begin to reform himself. He’s already trying to soften his image with his take on Aboriginal issues. If Abbott wanted to be the conviction politician Rupert Murdoch thinks he is, he could do a David Cameron and take the edge off blunt policies like Nauru/Manus Island and his veiled Indonesian taunts.

Abbott could reach out to the centre by making some very small, if not symbolic, concessions. Raising the refugee quota would give his tough border action some heart. Abbott needs desperately to show there’s something nice about him.

Let’s face it, Abbott’s not making any friends with farmers, business, unions, and after the budget is leaked, everyone else. None of the impending long-term economic woes are Abbott’s fault, but the boat issue is entirely his own making. No one would have noticed refugees if Abbott, Alan and the Tele didn’t stage a joint opera for 5 years over 60,000 boat people.

But they did, and Abbott is now reaping the rewards. The navy are now getting results, which is starting - ever so slightly - to make Abbott look less like a flat foot. If the Navy succeed in preventing boats entering without any deaths, popular opinion may well come around to the idea that there was always some sense in turning back boats.

But Abbott won’t be forgiven if he doesn’t give the luvvies something. They never forgave Howard, and in the end, their criticisms came home to roost. A large "not happy John"  minoririty in 2003 became a landslide in Kevin 07. Ultimately, Workchoices did it, but the electorate still smelt something fishy over Children Overboard, the Pacific Solution, and of course, the Iraq War. Howard’s demise would not have been so jubulant without the sins of his Tampa past.

The same will happen to Abbott if he doesn’t claim the centre. With economic dark clouds on the horizon, he is shaping up to be one unpopular leader if he doesn’t develop a conscience.

This is, after all, why he’s in politics. Abbott’s not a dry, he’s a social conservative. Abbott doesn’t have the faintest care for economic issues. His bent is his own take on social justice and reclaiming the country from the sinister forces of the left. Abbott’s soul is in the church, but he is rapidly alienating this group. When the cuts come (and the charity sector loses valuable contracts), he’ll push them even further away.

If Abbott’s smart, he’ll soften up. If his natural instincts for biffo aren’t buffeted , he will be a two term PM - at best.

Not bad, but this is not what the Libs are settling in for.

Who will be responsible if one of these orange life boats smashes onto some rocks with woman and children aboard.....I know some of you will say the asylum seekers are responsible for their own choices but they had already been rescued imprisoned by the navy and forced back to a country that is not a signatory to the refugee convention.....Abbott and Morrison are completely responsible for anything that occurs after the Navy intercepts asylum seeker vessels.....Once you take it you own it???

St George of the Garden wrote on Feb 16^th, 2014 at 9:24am:

Putting Australia's interest first - unbearable for leftoids.

Love to see the lefties suffering emotional incontinence. That alone has made electing Abbott worthwhile. The rest is bonus.

Karnal wrote on Feb 17^th, 2014 at 8:36pm:

You are passing the ball (making bizarre connections) to people only you see, PB.

Soren wrote on Feb 17^th, 2014 at 8:50pm:


There’s nothing wrong with cleaning out one’s colostomy bag in the public toilet, old chap. We don’t hold you as any less of person because of it, and yes, I would fight for your right to do so.