MALCOLM TURNBULL – BACK TO THE FUTURE

Hello my dear Liberal Party switchboard operator. Please put me through to NBN Co – that’s the National Broadband Network Company – if my carrier pigeon didn’t arrive there 30 minutes ago.

No need to get smart with me! I know broadband hasn’t been invented yet. I’m trying to get back to the future.

I hate being yesterday’s man. I’m a social progressive. I’m a republican. I believe in gay marriage. I’m social media savvy. And you should see the way I dress. But here I am stuck in the past, in this party that makes time go backwards – ever since I lost control, that is.

Did you say, “Lost control of your senses”?

Tanya Plibersek speaks up about gender inequality

Tanya Plibersek will not be silenced on the issue of gender inequality

“Gender inequality has been a driver of the women’s movement for many years; and economic inequality is inextricable linked with gender inequality. The equity principle at the heart of the women’s movement has a particular relevance today, in a world characterised by rising economic inequality.”
This is an extract of a speech made by Tanya Plibersek MP, Deputy Leader of the Opposition, Shadow Minister for Foreign Affairs and International Development, and Member for Sydney at the National Labor Women’s Conference on 2 August 2014.

Introducing Rodney Redneck next page

Scott Morrison hits back at UN criticism on refugees

Immigration Minister Scott Morrison has hit back at UN criticism of Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers

Morrison hits back:
Actual quote: “The most flagrant abuse of human rights I am aware of is the beheading and crucifying of people in Syria and Iraq, where Australia is seeking to relieve the humanitarian crisis.”
Detainees:
Possible response: Small consolation Mr Morrison. We would prefer to be beheaded and put out of our misery, rather than suffer this endless torture. Come on, be humane. Relieve our humanitarian crisis. Decapitate us! That’ll do your party the world of good in the polls. Those polls which are the reason we are here.
Morrison:
Actual quote on record: “My Christian faith remains the driving force for my family, beliefs and values.” 
Possible follow-on reply to detainees: I regret to inform you whingeing pack of heathens that my Christian faith prohibits me from having you decapitated. However, your invitation does have one particularly appealing feature. It would get the UN Committee on Torture off my back for causing you – “serious physical and mental suffering” – as they claim. I can’t be accused of torturing dead people, can I? I’ll have a chat with our party pollsters and see what they think. I’ll let you know how I get on. Regards, Scott.

ABC News: New UN Human Rights chief criticises Australia’s asylum seeker policy ….

See ABC column

SBS News: Morrison hits back at UN criticism of Australia’s treatment of asylum seekers

See SBS column

Christine Milne – it’s not easy being Greens Leader

For Christine, it’s tears of blood over logging, but John Williamson’s hit song has helped the cause:

Over the hill they go, killing another mountain
Gotta fill the quota – can’t go slow
Huge machinery wiping out the scenery
One big swipe like a shearer’s blow
Rip rip woodchip – turn it into paper
Throw it in the bin, no news today
Stirs my blood – gonna make a stand
~ Lyrics in part from the hit ‘Rip Rip Woodchip’
Full lyrics

The official video on YouTube

Media release authorised by Christine Milne (27  October 2010):
BOB BROWN TO INDUCT JOHN WILLIAMSON INTO A.R.I.A. HALL OF FAME
Release in full

Joe’s unpalatable budget cuts for quick sale – wicked!

Budget butcher Joe Hockey tries to make his wicked cuts look palatable – nice try Joe!

Link to related column published in The Sydney Morning Herald on 11 August 2014:

CUT YOUR LOSSES ON BUDGET, PETER COSTELLO URGES JOE HOCKEY

Joe Hockey has been urged to reboot his budget and scrap the unpopular $7 GP co-payment, with former Liberal treasurer Peter Costello saying governments have to cut their losses.
The Treasurer is struggling to convince crossbenchers to back his budget, with key measures such as the Medicare co-payment and welfare changes facing defeat.

Bad news for babes in the Tasmanian wilderness

The Adventures of Snugglepot and Cuddlepie starring Greens Leader Christine Milne

Link to related column by Bob Brown published in The Guardian on 6 March 2014 in which the former Greens leader cites Tony Abbott referring to the Greens as “the devil”.

TASMANIA: A DEATH WARRANT AGAINST PRISTINE FORESTS ABBOTT HAS NEVER SEEN

Although 1% of Tasmanian jobs are in logging forests and 15% in tourism, the Liberals are pushing for a move infused with a destructive materialist ideology which will decimate the region.