An Own Goal, But They Can Recover

[icyfroth]

The poll shows that the budget was a landmark moment in political unpopularity.

''There have only been less popular prime ministers on a handful of occasions''  in the 40-year history of the survey, pollster John Stirton said. Those include when the Whitlam government was embroiled in the notorious  Khemlani loans affair, when Paul Keating broke his ''L-A-W'' promise to deliver tax cuts, and when Julia  Gillard announced the carbon tax"

''The politics of the Australian budget,'' Mills says, ''seem so bad that you  can only conclude that Abbott and Hockey must genuinely believe they are doing  the right thing and will receive the electoral rewards of a booming economy in  2016.''

And it is that timing which explains why Abbott and Hockey are not  panicking. Governments have hit these lows before and recovered to be  re-elected. This poll puts the government behind by 56 per cent to 44 on the  election- deciding measure, the two-party preferred vote.

The Howard government hit this low point in 1998, 2001 and 2004 yet recovered  to win. As Stirton remarks: ''Recovery is always an option, especially when it's  this early in the term.''

This is Abbott's and Hockey's first budget, not their third.

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/an-own-goal-but-the-game-is-far-from-over-2...

So don't count your chickens before they hatch, ppl.

[silverfaun]

Joe, way to go Mr Hockey, Australians are cheering you on Treasurer

[spotweldersfriend]

Yep cheering him on into the wilderness where he belongs.And that goes for His Fullness too,Sir Tony.

[icyfroth]

For all their ire at the budget at the moment I don't think the Aus voters are ready to topple the elected PM. There's just no-one else even remotely suitable to step into the breach.

Even come closer to election time in another 3.5 years, I can't see the Labor party presenting Mr Shorten as their Prime Ministerial candidate.

[fourandsixpants]

Mr Palmer at Palmer United, 'PUP'  looks a threat atm.

[icyfroth]

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@paintsew007 wrote:

Mr Palmer at Palmer United, 'PUP'  looks a threat atm.

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Clive Palmer for PM?

Would you vote for him as PM? Seriously now, Paints.

[freakiness]

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@icyfroth wrote:

For all their ire at the budget at the moment I don't think the Aus voters are ready to topple the elected PM. There's just no-one else even remotely suitable to step into the breach.

Even come closer to election time in another 3.5 years, I can't see the Labor party presenting Mr Shorten as their Prime Ministerial candidate.

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The election is in 2 and half years.

The PM isn't remotely suitable to be leader. Maybe that's why the polls are killing him at the moment.

Shorten might not be the best choice but he's doing better in the interm polls than abbott did.  While Gillard was polling low so was abbott.

[izabsmiling]

[izabsmiling]

I don't believe that they can and they shouldn't be permitted the chance imo Icy .

ICAC:Hartcher, Watson and the Shovel 

IA, Ross Jones 20 May 2014

Chris Hartcher was in ICAC yesterday and so was Sydney bureau chief Ross Jones, who considers where it all will lead.

FOR MINE, the best line of ICAC so far didn’t come from Geoffrey Watson SC, it came from a tenacious Nine journalist Lizzie Pearl, who asked Terrigal MP Chris Hartcher, as he fled through the back entrance of the ICAC building on Castlereagh Street into an adjacent shopping centre:

“Is this really how you wanted your political career to end? Walking through Westfields?”

Hobson’s choice if you are a corrupt liar.

Watson has laid bare the squirming underbelly of the Liberal Party. Beneath the blue ties and the slightly trembling hands lies the truth.

In a Venn diagram of overlapping self-interest, Central Coast MPs, Tinkles, Caputo, Di Girolomo, BO'F, Sinodinos, state government ministers, parvenus and hangers-on have all sat, teeth–bared, in the face of the frigid, howling gale of logic that is ICAC.

I put it to you that you are corrupt?

No.

What about this document that nails you to the wall?

I have no recollection.

But surely that phone call followed by those texts followed by that email followed by those bank transactions means you were in it up to your neck?

I have no specific recollection.

“Oh well," says Geoffrey, “there goes your chance”.

A flicker of doubt, headlights sweep across the prey’s eyes. Too late, it’s all on tape

http://www.independentaustralia.net/politics/politics-display/icac-hartcher-watson-and-the-shovel,64...

[cherry*135]

I will be listenting out for the squawking from all quarters when the States and Terrorities are forced to increase taxes (GST?) to make up for the $80bn cuts to grants announced in  the budget for hospitals and education.

The budget cut spending but didn't increase taxes... that is a FAIL for a Budget.

[icyfroth]

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@freakiness wrote:

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@icyfroth wrote:

For all their ire at the budget at the moment I don't think the Aus voters are ready to topple the elected PM. There's just no-one else even remotely suitable to step into the breach.

Even come closer to election time in another 3.5 years, I can't see the Labor party presenting Mr Shorten as their Prime Ministerial candidate.

---

The election is in 2 and half years.

The PM isn't remotely suitable to be leader. Maybe that's why the polls are killing him at the moment.

Shorten might not be the best choice but he's doing better in the interm polls than abbott did.  While Gillard was polling low so was abbott.

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It's not popularity contest though, is it, freaks? 🙂