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]

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@debra9275 wrote:

Goodness! Thst was a long planned "secret" captain's call then wasn't it?

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Sure was!

[cherry*135]

The Australian

[vicr3000]

They are certainly getting desperate to have to co e out with the Iraq invasion story.

[cherry*135]

Not a 'story', actually happened (not formally) which was part of a very long article. That on top of all the other Abbott blunders, not looking good for him.

[vicr3000]

I read the article. Too many things missing for him to even think that.

We as in Aus have invaded Iraq once before and it is well known what is required
And we haven't got it.

[cherry*135]

It happened, it was Abbotts idea, Credlin didn't crush it, it just got knocked on the head later (not formally presented).

The Australian had a follow up on the long article.

He only denied it being 'formally' put forward.

[debra9275]

whoa! here we go

http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-news/dramatic-split-in-pms-power-base-over-finances...

Dramatic split in PM's power base over finances and Credlin, leaked emails reveal

A dispute about the Liberal Party's finances has caused a split in Tony Abbott's inner circle, with the party's federal treasurer threatening to resign over transparency issues and alleged conflicts of interest involving the Prime Minister's chief of staff, Peta Credlin, and her husband, federal director Brian Loughnane.

In two extraordinary emails sent to members of the federal Liberal Party executive over the weekend, federal treasurer Phil Higginson wrote of  being "overwhelmed by the sheer vitriol" within the party at present and his unease at seeing his "good friend" Mr Abbott being "brought down this way"

Mr Higginson wrote that he had raised $70 million since 2011 and recently "laid out my plans to the PM" to travel to the United States to raise "tens of millions" from donors.

I wonder who are these US donors worth 'tens of millions"

[debra9275]

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/politics-news/tony-abbott-liberal-party-urged-to-ac...

The Australian has spoken to senior Liberals who echoed the fears set out in Mr Higginson’s letter to the federal council, backing the case for urgent changes to the party and the Prime Minister’s office to save the government in the wake of the leadership spill two weeks ago.

Mr Higginson’s letter, obtained by The Australian yesterday, has triggered fears that the party will lose its top fundraiser just 18 months out from the next election because of the sense of dysfunction at the top of the government.

John Howard expressed concerns about Ms Credlin at a private dinner last Thursday night, sources confirmed yesterday, but the former prime minister also told the group that Mr Abbott was not listening to some of the advice about changing his office staff.

Mr Howard stood by Mr Abbott as leader but also said his ultimate loyalty was to the Liberal Party and that Malcolm Turnbull would also have his loyalty if he became leader.

Some Liberal MPs believe the government would perform better if Ms Credlin was shifted to a different position while others say the chief of staff is being blamed unfairly for the government’s woes.

One option being canvassed is for Mr Loughnane to move on so that ministers and backbenchers can speak candidly to a new party director without fear that their remarks will be passed on to the Prime Minister’s chief of staff and then used against them.

[cherry*135]

Leaked emails.....

Mr Higginson [federal treasurer ] wrote that the "most serious current dilemma" facing the party was conflict of interest between the political and organisational wings because of Mr Loughnane and Ms Credlin's marriage.

He wrote "how this party ever let a husband and wife team into those roles" was beyond him and it was a situation that would not be tolerated in corporate Australia.

He said the dysfunction created by Mr Loughnane's and Ms Credlin's relationship contributed to "wooden and unreliable" communication and resulted in "dare I say it, retribution" for those who opposed the status quo.

Mr Higginson's predecessor as federal party treasurer, Michael Yabsley, also fell out with Mr Loughnane over finance issues and told the Australian Financial Review in 2011 of his concerns at only receiving "heavily sanitised financial information".

SMH link

[cherry*135]