Julia Gillard AC

[Rorschach]

Congratulations Julia Gillard on being awarded a Companion of the Order of Australia. A job well done and an Honour highly deserved. Testament to your Leadership is the fact the the Abbott/Turnbull Government have hardly changed any of Labor's key 2007-2013 policies - and those they did change - like the NBN - have proven disasters. Well Done!

Well that could be because 75% of Labor policies were sent through with bipartisan support.... not that lunatic rusted ons would recognise the facts about that.

Correct - good policy by Labor that deserved to pass whereas the ones dreamed up and/or implemented by our good friends in Government have been such a raving success haven't they? Not that the lunatic rusted ons would recognise that

Lol... wow you change step without even stopping
I'm unimpressed with both major parties and long ago I was saying Abbott should step aside... I used to support Gillard when she was Deputy, she wasn't a good PM though. Like I said only rusted-ons can't face facts.

Oh I can face facts and debate with the best of them. What exactly in my posting do you disagree with? The Coalition passed Labor Policy, that policy is still there, this country at the moment is largely still running on laws and legislation introduce by Labor. Laws and legislation thought up by the current Coalition have either been subject to extreme watering down (ABCC legislation) extreme backflips or plain cancelled. So tell me exactly what you disagree with rather that filling the page with rubbish retorts and childish emoticons?

Well if English isn't your first language buddy then that is hardly my problem now is it?
Oh if you don't like emoticons... then complain to the person who invented them.
I'd have though being pictures they'd help with your lack of understanding...

[Wayne]

LOL how old are you Wayne?
Do you remember that the NSW government entered into contracts with Private enterprises which made it more expensive to end those contracts than let them run their course?

Who gives a crap about the NSW Government? What about the Victorian Liberals that locked in contracts for a highway no one wanted

Are you unaware that if you can control the senate that legislation can be amended or not amended to suit your agenda?
Promises to states in COAG; eg Gonski NDIS etc where signed agreements are made are also methods to lock in expenditure into the future.
Stacking groups with ideological warriors who cannot be removed by government.
The list goes on and on... these are just a few ways to lock in legislation and processes.

Should that read if you control both houses of parliament you can amend, change, delete, introduce anything you like? Remember "Mr Howard you now have control of the Senate - hence workchoices? Gillard needed Abbott's support in the Senate to get her bills through - Fraser need's Labor. Legislation cannot be locked in and unchageable - you just need control of both house. Why do I need to remind you of such simple facts?

IT’S reasonably well known that the Rudd-Gillard government burdened taxpayers for decades to come by locking up in legislation massive unfunded spending. What’s less well recognised is how Labor, in government, also sabotaged the broader economy to benefit the unions.

{Groan) As above, if your have both house you can do anything. The Coalition have altready jumped into bed with the stinking greens in the Senate - they can do it again if they want. Gillard funded NDIS AS A TRIAL by increasing the medicare levy. The Government DO NOT HAVE TO CONTINUE FUNDING WGATEVER THEY DONT WANT TO. They just need control of both houses to amend the legislation

The common element is Labor’s determination to make itself the natural party of government by entrenching both social spending and union power.

Partisan Right Wing Rubbish

The previous Labor government committed more than $100 billion extra over the next decade to schools and public hospitals. Then there was another $100 billion extra for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Some of it was justified and most of it was legislated but none of it was funded.

Then change what you dont like! Geez how many times do I need to repeat myself? Support from both houses = change?

Bill Shorten feels compelled to oppose the restoration of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, even though it would add at least $5 billion a year in productivity gains, ­because this is the blood price demanded by the building union in return for the $3 million the CFMEU has given Labor over the past four years. Abolishing a tough cop on the beat for the construction industry was the most obvious product of Labor’s dependence on the union movement, but there were many others.

The same can be said for the Coalition and their reluctance to support any investigation into the Banking Industry (for instance) Labor and Liberals are diametrically opposec

The Gillard government is planning to lock-in spending on education and disability insurance for ten years in an attempt to protect these reforms from future economic pressures.

in an attempt Hung by your own petard! Did it work?

Almost $100 billion is expected to be spent across the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), now known as DisabilityCare, and the Gonski education reforms over this ten year period. This unprecedented move is designed to guarantee the survival of these reforms and to force the hand of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

Over time money is often taken from reforms such as these and diverted when governments feel they need the money elsewhere. ‘Locking in’ this funding will help to ease doubt over the long-term success of both DisabilityCare and the education reforms.

Treasurer Wayne Swan explained that this ten-year plan was a test for Mr Abbott. “If he supports DisabilityCare, then he needs to support the responsible saves we’re making to fund it over 10 years – or tell us where he’ll cut.”

Mr Swan will be announcing the Federal Budget this evening, although much has already been leaked to the public. After the Labor Government had to abandon its pledge of a budget surplus just before Christmas last year, it is expected that Mr Swan will be trying to win over those who no longer feel secure about the Labor Government’s economic promises.

As well, to help the unions, the former Labor government stacked the Fair Work Commission with former union officials, passed laws deeming non-unionised contractors to be workers, and made it much easier for unions to enter workplaces to recruit new members. Every one of these changes has imposed additional burdens on businesses and made it harder for them to create jobs.

By starting early and running projects over a longer period of time Australian governments can better plan how they will run. It will also make it possible for future governments to plan around and build from reforms which are already in place, rather than thinking they can start with a clean slate every three years.

What do you think? Is it dangerous tie up Australia’s money by locking in funding for reforms which may be faulty, or is this the bright future of Australian politics?

The rest is just partisan posting probably cherry picked. The sailent point is NOTHING can be "future proofed" against change by another Government

[Wayne]

Well that could be because 75% of Labor policies were sent through with bipartisan support.... not that lunatic rusted ons would recognise the facts about that.

Correct - good policy by Labor that deserved to pass whereas the ones dreamed up and/or implemented by our good friends in Government have been such a raving success haven't they? Not that the lunatic rusted ons would recognise that

Lol... wow you change step without even stopping
I'm unimpressed with both major parties and long ago I was saying Abbott should step aside... I used to support Gillard when she was Deputy, she wasn't a good PM though. Like I said only rusted-ons can't face facts.

Oh I can face facts and debate with the best of them. What exactly in my posting do you disagree with? The Coalition passed Labor Policy, that policy is still there, this country at the moment is largely still running on laws and legislation introduce by Labor. Laws and legislation thought up by the current Coalition have either been subject to extreme watering down (ABCC legislation) extreme backflips or plain cancelled. So tell me exactly what you disagree with rather that filling the page with rubbish retorts and childish emoticons?

Well if English isn't your first language buddy then that is hardly my problem now is it?
Oh if you don't like emoticons... then complain to the person who invented them.
I'd have though being pictures they'd help with your lack of understanding...

So you have no idea, can't refute my posting and revert to childish retorts. If you can't play with the big boys then bugger off and let someone has has some debating skills take your place.

[Rorschach]

Puhlease... what are you Monk's cousin?
I'm not here to try and argue with an idiot who believes black is white

[Wayne]

Puhlease... what are you Monk's cousin?
I'm not here to try and argue with an idiot who believes black is white

Then stop arguing with yourself. All you post is unreferenced crap, biased rhetoric and stupid emoticons. Your only
reply to a decent debate is to screech LEFTARD and run away. You are an ignorant child who should grow up, learn to debate, learn
that the world does not just consist of right wing ideology and accept alternate views. Start acting like you have some sort of maturity level rather than acting like a petulant little snot from Vaucluse. Come back to me when you have graduated to long pants and we can express informed opinion.

[Rorschach]

To the Leftard Gillard lover who cant face facts or the truth for one last time...

LOL how old are you Wayne?
Do you remember that the NSW government entered into contracts with Private enterprises which made it more expensive to end those contracts than let them run their course?
Are you unaware that if you can control the senate that legislation can be amended or not amended to suit your agenda?
Promises to states in COAG; eg Gonski NDIS etc where signed agreements are made are also methods to lock in expenditure into the future.
Stacking groups with ideological warriors who cannot be removed by government.
The list goes on and on... these are just a few ways to lock in legislation and processes.

IT’S reasonably well known that the Rudd-Gillard government burdened taxpayers for decades to come by locking up in legislation massive unfunded spending. What’s less well recognised is how Labor, in government, also sabotaged the broader economy to benefit the unions.

The common element is Labor’s determination to make itself the natural party of government by entrenching both social spending and union power.

The previous Labor government committed more than $100 billion extra over the next decade to schools and public hospitals. Then there was another $100 billion extra for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Some of it was justified and most of it was legislated but none of it was funded.

Bill Shorten feels compelled to oppose the restoration of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, even though it would add at least $5 billion a year in productivity gains, ­because this is the blood price demanded by the building union in return for the $3 million the CFMEU has given Labor over the past four years. Abolishing a tough cop on the beat for the construction industry was the most obvious product of Labor’s dependence on the union movement, but there were many others.

The Gillard government is planning to lock-in spending on education and disability insurance for ten years in an attempt to protect these reforms from future economic pressures.

Almost $100 billion is expected to be spent across the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), now known as DisabilityCare, and the Gonski education reforms over this ten year period. This unprecedented move is designed to guarantee the survival of these reforms and to force the hand of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

Over time money is often taken from reforms such as these and diverted when governments feel they need the money elsewhere. ‘Locking in’ this funding will help to ease doubt over the long-term success of both DisabilityCare and the education reforms.

Treasurer Wayne Swan explained that this ten-year plan was a test for Mr Abbott. “If he supports DisabilityCare, then he needs to support the responsible saves we’re making to fund it over 10 years – or tell us where he’ll cut.”

Mr Swan will be announcing the Federal Budget this evening, although much has already been leaked to the public. After the Labor Government had to abandon its pledge of a budget surplus just before Christmas last year, it is expected that Mr Swan will be trying to win over those who no longer feel secure about the Labor Government’s economic promises.

As well, to help the unions, the former Labor government stacked the Fair Work Commission with former union officials, passed laws deeming non-unionised contractors to be workers, and made it much easier for unions to enter workplaces to recruit new members. Every one of these changes has imposed additional burdens on businesses and made it harder for them to create jobs.

By starting early and running projects over a longer period of time Australian governments can better plan how they will run. It will also make it possible for future governments to plan around and build from reforms which are already in place, rather than thinking they can start with a clean slate every three years.

What do you think? Is it dangerous tie up Australia’s money by locking in funding for reforms which may be faulty, or is this the bright future of Australian politics?

Now learn something and top claiming victory about your inability to refute the facts... it makes you both disingenuous and stupid. Government can be locked into legislation and contracts... and Defeated Governments can make life very difficult for newly elected governments by doing so. Your self delusion and is is totally apparent to anyone with even 1/2 a brain.

Keep your empty headed retorts to yourself... I won't be wasting any more time with you.

[Wayne]

To the Leftard Gillard lover who cant face facts or the truth for one last time...

LOL how old are you Wayne?
Do you remember that the NSW government entered into contracts with Private enterprises which made it more expensive to end those contracts than let them run their course?
Are you unaware that if you can control the senate that legislation can be amended or not amended to suit your agenda?
Promises to states in COAG; eg Gonski NDIS etc where signed agreements are made are also methods to lock in expenditure into the future.
Stacking groups with ideological warriors who cannot be removed by government.
The list goes on and on... these are just a few ways to lock in legislation and processes.

IT’S reasonably well known that the Rudd-Gillard government burdened taxpayers for decades to come by locking up in legislation massive unfunded spending. What’s less well recognised is how Labor, in government, also sabotaged the broader economy to benefit the unions.

The common element is Labor’s determination to make itself the natural party of government by entrenching both social spending and union power.

The previous Labor government committed more than $100 billion extra over the next decade to schools and public hospitals. Then there was another $100 billion extra for the National Disability Insurance Scheme.

Some of it was justified and most of it was legislated but none of it was funded.

Bill Shorten feels compelled to oppose the restoration of the Australian Building and Construction Commission, even though it would add at least $5 billion a year in productivity gains, ­because this is the blood price demanded by the building union in return for the $3 million the CFMEU has given Labor over the past four years. Abolishing a tough cop on the beat for the construction industry was the most obvious product of Labor’s dependence on the union movement, but there were many others.

The Gillard government is planning to lock-in spending on education and disability insurance for ten years in an attempt to protect these reforms from future economic pressures.

Almost $100 billion is expected to be spent across the National Disability Insurance Scheme (NDIS), now known as DisabilityCare, and the Gonski education reforms over this ten year period. This unprecedented move is designed to guarantee the survival of these reforms and to force the hand of Opposition Leader Tony Abbott.

Over time money is often taken from reforms such as these and diverted when governments feel they need the money elsewhere. ‘Locking in’ this funding will help to ease doubt over the long-term success of both DisabilityCare and the education reforms.

Treasurer Wayne Swan explained that this ten-year plan was a test for Mr Abbott. “If he supports DisabilityCare, then he needs to support the responsible saves we’re making to fund it over 10 years – or tell us where he’ll cut.”

Mr Swan will be announcing the Federal Budget this evening, although much has already been leaked to the public. After the Labor Government had to abandon its pledge of a budget surplus just before Christmas last year, it is expected that Mr Swan will be trying to win over those who no longer feel secure about the Labor Government’s economic promises.

As well, to help the unions, the former Labor government stacked the Fair Work Commission with former union officials, passed laws deeming non-unionised contractors to be workers, and made it much easier for unions to enter workplaces to recruit new members. Every one of these changes has imposed additional burdens on businesses and made it harder for them to create jobs.

By starting early and running projects over a longer period of time Australian governments can better plan how they will run. It will also make it possible for future governments to plan around and build from reforms which are already in place, rather than thinking they can start with a clean slate every three years.

What do you think? Is it dangerous tie up Australia’s money by locking in funding for reforms which may be faulty, or is this the bright future of Australian politics?

Now learn something and top claiming victory about your inability to refute the facts... it makes you both disingenuous and stupid. Government can be locked into legislation and contracts... and Defeated Governments can make life very difficult for newly elected governments by doing so. Your self delusion and is is totally apparent to anyone with even 1/2 a brain.

Keep your empty headed retorts to yourself... I won't be wasting any more time with you.

I'm sorry - I didn't realise I was dealing with a simpleton. Governments CANNOT future proof things! Do you understand that? I hear all the tards waffling on about how Gillard set things in stone so as incoming governments can't change them. What a load of crap! Of course they can change them - if they have the numbers in both house. Seriously, are you mentally deficient? The outgoing thugs in the recent Victorian election - that would be the LNP - tried to lock Victoria into a road no one wanted - sure it cost to get out of it, but get it through your thick head that nothing can be "locked in" everything is open to negotiation or change of legislation. The NDIS for instance was funded in a trial phase by increasing the Medicare Levy - it was not locked in - the Government can withdraw funding any time it likes and shut it down. Gonski funding was there for the initial year - if the incoming Abbott government wanted to axe it they could! Nothing is locked in!


Honestly, you have the intellectual and debating skills of a dead gnat.

[Outlaw Yogi]

It's more acknowledgement of a fairly good job done by a Labor PM.

Good job on what? Slush funds?
Everything Gillard put her hand to as PM was a fuck up.
So much so that she and her hand bag hit squad tried a Soviet style of censorship on the media regarding mention of their blunders and history of corrupt practices via a 'Media Council'.
Even the NDIS, which at face value appears a good initiative has turned out to be just another unfunded monumental cock up.

The existing Government have been nothing but a four year disaster for this Country and the sooner the rusted on rightards on here realise that, the better we will be. Are you honestly going to tell me this mob of fools we have in now are better than the Labor mob kicked out?

Well I'm not rusted onto anything, I'm too cynical to bother voting most of the time, but yes Abbott was by far better (in actions, not necessarily in words) that Gillard imagined she was, and as pitifully ineffectual as Turnbull has turned out to be, he's still marginally better than Gillard. If Labor had stuck with Rudd, they'd probably still be in Govt now.

"Easy Mark and Legit Target"? With this rampant block of fools running the country?

It's not anyone in Govt you've got to concern yourself with here, it's the membership of this site, who take delight in you putting egg on your face every time you defend the incopetents who got booted out by the electorate.

I don't think so Mate.

I know so ... been here so long I'm part of the furniture.

I have probably been around a lot longer than you have ...

Or probably not ... I'll be 51 this year ... and you?

and I can speak from being in the moment,...

Oh shit, another self help book devotee.
Listen sport, I was a meditation instructor for a yogic cult, and I can tell you from personal experience that phrase "being in the moment" is typically parroted by mugs and dingbats who can't reason things for themselves, or even know what it really means.
"Being in the moment" means not worrying about the past, because it's gone, or the future because it doesn't exist yet. It's helpful for manic depressives/bi-polars to be more spontanious, but .... forgetting the past leads to making the same mistakes over and over, and not considering the future leaves one with no planning ability.

not reading about it, googling it or being influenced by Mum and Dad about it - ...

I wish I had more time to read, as it is sometimes I don't get to read the paper (The Australian) until days after I bought it. My puter's a bit slow so practically the only thing I google are spelling mistakes. As for the oldies, well I'm more of an influence on my old man these days than he is on me, and I've barely spoken a word to my mother since 1989.

I have experienced it. ...

I don't believe you. From my experience those with real life/world experience are not partisan welded onto anything, be it political parties, religion, ideology, philosophy or any other form of intellectual masturbation.

This is without a doubt the worst government this country has even seen.

They are ineffectual in many aspects, but far better at slowing the stream of welfare parasites funnelling through Indonesia and nowhere near as knee jerk (or authoritarian for that matter) as Gillard or Rudd.

I at least am happy to bash both sides, target away.

Yet to see it, so far all I've seen is praise for incompetence and bad grapes for successor.
Now if you want to see someone lay the boot in to just about everyone on the political spectrum, I'll show you how it's done. So far about the only crew I'm yet to put shit on or take the piss out of is Liberty Alliance. They might get their turn one day ... see what happens.

[Wayne]

It's more acknowledgement of a fairly good job done by a Labor PM.

Good job on what? Slush funds?
What slush funds did Gillard have as a Labor PM? See you cant even get the topic correct. This is about Gillard getting an award nothing to do with what she did in the Unions. Try again

Everything Gillard put her hand to as PM was a fuck up.

Really? What in particular? even Abbott admitted that over 80 percent of Gillard legislation presented to the Coalition controllds Senate was passed. Everything is not the word you are looking for. Try again

So much so that she and her hand bag hit squad tried a Soviet style of censorship on the media regarding mention of their blunders and history of corrupt practices via a 'Media Council'.

Conroy's Internet Filter Plan. Good idea on paper for what it was originally intended for but would never work

Even the NDIS, which at face value appears a good initiative has turned out to be just another unfunded monumental cock up.

The NDIS is finalising a TRIAL which was funded by an increase in the medicare levy. There is little to no burden on the budget at this time with the NDIS but it will need further funding if it is to oroceed to full blown stage. Try again

The existing Government have been nothing but a four year disaster for this Country and the sooner the rusted on rightards on here realise that, the better we will be. Are you honestly going to tell me this mob of fools we have in now are better than the Labor mob kicked out?

Well I'm not rusted onto anything, I'm too cynical to bother voting most of the time, but yes Abbott was by far better (in actions, not necessarily in words) that Gillard imagined she was, and as pitifully ineffectual as Turnbull has turned out to be, he's still marginally better than Gillard. If Labor had stuck with Rudd, they'd probably still be in Govt now.

You are joking surely. I am not rusted on either way but to say Abbott was anything other than a complete and utter disaster is farcical! The man was a blatant liar and misled the stupid Australian Public at the 2013 election into believing he was a man of his word. No changes to super? No changes to the ABC and SBS? Parental Leave? Medicare. The list goes on. WRT your last sentence, by the time Gillard rolled Rudd, I think everyone had had a gutful of him as well. Labor would have lost the 2013 election no matter who was in charge. They were a good party to start with, bought in some good policies and ideas (NDIS, NBN, etc) but led by a madman. Abbott was a disaster, Turnbull is no better and there is little talent on the front bench to replace him

"Easy Mark and Legit Target"? With this rampant block of fools running the country?

It's not anyone in Govt you've got to concern yourself with here, it's the membership of this site, who take delight in you putting egg on your face every time you defend the incopetents who got booted out by the electorate.


Then refute the arguments. Labor deserved to get the boot - but are you honestly telling me this lot are any better? They are still running on most of Labor's policies and legislation - they cant even think outside the box and get there own in. Stop dribbling rubbish - the problem with the risted on rightards on here is most are too stupid to realise they have been duped by a bloke selling them three magic beans

I don't think so Mate.

I know so ... been here so long I'm part of the furniture.


And? What relevance does that have? A lonely old rusted on clinging to a forum instead of evaluating and forming opinions and argument? You blokes sit here whinging and moaning but you have no alternative, you have no ideas and you gave no forward thinking. You lot are all stuck in the 40s and 50s when the deliniation between Labor and Libs was there and they were diametrically opposed to each other. They are basically one and the same these days Lseft and Right are very similar - but you blokes are so rusted on you cant see that

I have probably been around a lot longer than you have ...

Or probably not ... I'll be 51 this year ... and you?

65 My real interest in politics began when Fraser blocked Supply and we weren't going to get paid

and I can speak from being in the moment,...

Oh shit, another self help book devotee.
Listen sport, I was a meditation instructor for a yogic cult, and I can tell you from personal experience that phrase "being in the moment" is typically parroted by mugs and dingbats who can't reason things for themselves, or even know what it really means.
"Being in the moment" means not worrying about the past, because it's gone, or the future because it doesn't exist yet. It's helpful for manic depressives/bi-polars to be more spontanious, but .... forgetting the past leads to making the same mistakes over and over, and not considering the future leaves one with no planning ability.

No, just a forward thinking man who has lived through many decades of both sides of politics, seen the good and bad things at first hand without sitting in a forum all day listening to other whiners who would not have a clue. worse still, the ones who are so obsessed by how Mum and Dad voted they are unable to make their own choices - that describes a couple on here. Basically numpties. Living in the moment for me means I have seen the past I am seeing the present and I am looking to the future and seeing the same mistakes made again - a crime of all politicians

not reading about it, googling it or being influenced by Mum and Dad about it - ...

I wish I had more time to read, as it is sometimes I don't get to read the paper (The Australian) until days after I bought it. My puter's a bit slow so practically the only thing I google are spelling mistakes. As for the oldies, well I'm more of an influence on my old man these days than he is on me, and I've barely spoken a word to my mother since 1989.

I agree there. Pay walls make it hard and many people are very selective in what they post rather than letting people judge the full article and debate

I have experienced it. ...

I don't believe you. From my experience those with real life/world experience are not partisan welded onto anything, be it political parties, religion, ideology, philosophy or any other form of intellectual masturbation.

As stated, I am 65. My first recollections of politics began in the Whitlam era but as I was in my early twenties I was more interested in girls and drinking as much piss as I could. As I said, I only took interest when my pay was about to be stopped and I thought i had better stay up to speed. I have seen the good and bad sides of both major parties and have been equally shafted by both of them. At the moment, it is the Coalition in the drivers seat, so they are the ones who are under the pump. Shorten and his bunch of cronies can do whatever they like, they are in opposition and can be as free and wild with the truth as they like. Same as when Abbott was in Opposition

This is without a doubt the worst government this country has even seen.

They are ineffectual in many aspects, but far better at slowing the stream of welfare parasites funnelling through Indonesia and nowhere near as knee jerk (or authoritarian for that matter) as Gillard or Rudd.

Tha'ts a joke - tell me all about the Centrelink data match up cock up that this Government have presided over? That's just this weeks example. This Government have blundered from disaster to disaster, they have changed Leaders, they have changed Ministers, they are corrupt and they are incompetent. Rudd and Gillard were bad and embarrassing to say the least - but they shine over this mob of fools. As for ayslum seekers, I doubt if you will find many people that thought relaxing our borders was a great idea.

I at least am happy to bash both sides, target away.

Yet to see it, so far all I've seen is praise for incompetence and bad grapes for successor.
Now if you want to see someone lay the boot in to just about everyone on the political spectrum, I'll show you how it's done. So far about the only crew I'm yet to put shit on or take the piss out of is Liberty Alliance. They might get their turn one day ... see what happens.

This thread gave kudos to Gillard for an award which, by the way, was sanctioned by the Coalition Government! I think she deserved it and there are many Coalition members who I would be more than happy to give kudos to as well.

Enjoy your evening!

[Neferti]

I shall always remember Our Julia for this effort.