Diary of our stinking Govt.

[boris1gary]

As it's more than 100 days now, it has been suggested that a new thread was needed.  The current govt has been breaking promises and telling lies at a rate so fast it's hard to keep up.

This below is worrying, "independent" pffft, as if your own doctor is somehow what? biased, it's ridiculous. So far there is talk of only including people under a certain age 30-35, for now. Remember that if your injured in a car, injured at work or get ill, you too might need to go on the DSP. They have done a similar think in the UK with devastating consequences.

and this is the 2nd time recently where the Govt has referred to work as welfare???? So when you go to work tomorrow (or tuesday), just remember that's welfare.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-20/disability-pensioners-may-be-reassessed-kevin-andrews/5400598

Independent doctors could be called in to reassess disability pensioners, Federal Government says

The Federal Government is considering using independent doctors to examine disability pensioners and assess whether they should continue to receive payments.

Currently family doctors provide reports supporting claims for the Disability Support Pension (DSP).

But Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews is considering a measure that would see independent doctors reassess eligibility.

"We are concerned that where people can work, the best form of welfare is work," Mr Andrews said at a press conference.

[cherry*135]

Also on Tuesday night, Queensland MP Mal Brough said Mr Abbott did not have his unequivocal support.

Mr Brough attacked the government's below-inflation pay offer for Australian Defence Force members.

"When the defence forces go into action, they know their lives are on the line, but when they go to training, they also risk being maimed. They risk dying. That doesn't happen to a Centrelink staff member. That doesn't happen to someone from the ATO."

Mr Brough said it would be "arrogance in the extreme" to suggest the federal government had not contributed to the Queensland election bloodbath.

Same link from debra's post

How are they going to keep Tony away from the NSW State Election campaign, as he lives in NSW lol... if he is still PM on 28 March that is.

[debra9275]

yes, if the seat is vacant, she'll put up her hand

[gleee58]

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@am*3 wrote:

Also on Tuesday night, Queensland MP Mal Brough said Mr Abbott did not have his unequivocal support.

Mr Brough attacked the government's below-inflation pay offer for Australian Defence Force members.

"When the defence forces go into action, they know their lives are on the line, but when they go to training, they also risk being maimed. They risk dying. That doesn't happen to a Centrelink staff member. That doesn't happen to someone from the ATO."

Mr Brough said it would be "arrogance in the extreme" to suggest the federal government had not contributed to the Queensland election bloodbath.

Same link from debra's post

How are they going to keep Tony away from the NSW State Election campaign, as he lives in NSW lol... if he is still PM on 28 March that is.

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They are probably angry about getting shut out.   A 2 day cabinet meeting could have been 1 day cabinet and 1 day whole team meetings.  

Changing phone number, not talking to, making dumb choices, no wonder the noddies are angry.  Brough is arrogant in the extreme.   He doesn't deserve to be there.   

He is also the type of sleaze who would use the defence pay dispute to get Jacqui Lambie onside. 

[cherry*135]

Decades of broken political promises take their toll

...Some Abbott ministers are concluding the public's rejection of last year's budget means voters don't care enough about debt and deficits to be willing to bear a little hip-pocket pain. This is self-delusion.

It conveniently forgets the calculated unfairness of Joe Hockey's choice of budget savings, all the broken promises and the government's ignominious climb-down from its pre-election claim that a "budget emergency" existed but could be fixed instantly and without pain.

The ubiquitous strategy of oppositions getting elected by making themselves a "small target", with promises to do nice things and not do a host of nasty things, is now revealed as a dangerous weapon. It works well enough if the incumbent government is on the nose, but leaves you without a mandate to tackle the difficult problems you inherit.

There's a difference between being tough and being extreme. Newman was sacked and Abbott is in trouble because of their unforeshadowed extremeness - both in their policies and their way of implementing them.

Trust can be restored and tough measures accepted if our politicians stop lying to us and playing favourites in the solutions they propose. Putting up leaders who are remotely likeable would also help.

Ross Gittins is economic editor.

http://www.smh.com.au/comment/decades-of-broken-political-promises-take-their-toll-20150203-134kqz.h...

[gleee58]

This is the first govt that has come to power and proceeded with an attempt to erase all signs of the govt before it.   That's not reform, that's a wrecking ball.  Instead of assessing and improving new bipartisan projects it's been smash, smear and silence.

[polksaladallie]

     Looks like most of us have now been vindicated with our opinions of Abbott. 

The coalition backbenchers and some frontbenchers are lining up with us to point out that he is on the nose, and thereby putting his stink on the whole government.

http://mpegmedia.abc.net.au/rn/podcast/2015/02/bst_20150204_0612.mp3

[cherry*135]

Yes, valid opinions about his dud policies, backflips and behaviours.. Not about the colour of his hair, style of his suits or his glasses!

[debra9275]

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/julie-bishop-insulted-offended-after-loyalty-t...

Deputy Liberal leader Julie Bishop felt "insulted" and "offended" at having to prove her loyalty to Prime Minister Tony Abbott, a cabinet colleague has revealed.

Ms Bishop was forced to pledge she would not challenge Mr Abbott for the top job during a cabinet meeting on Tuesday. A damaging leak earlier in the day suggested she refused to provide the Prime Minister with the same promise when asked in person on Sunday night.

[vicr3000]

Debra

I can't remember which threas the car discussion was on so it's going in here.

This is one article. Not the one I read but similar.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/each-holden-staffer-costs-taxpayers-50000/story-fn5...

[vicr3000]

am3

Can't remember the thread it was on but this is worth reading re Quotas

http://www.europeanpublicaffairs.eu/are-gender-quotas-good-or-bad/