Mastodawn

i got 1'20" into https://www.abc.net.au/listen/programs/politics-now/albanese-stares-down-tax-push-back/106723456 then closed the tab. PK persists in wrongly portraying #auspol & parly as a two horse race, as if the liebs+nuts have any political sway at all. everyone who still flogs this obsolete paradigm can just get into the bin, coz i shan't be indulging you.

Albanese stares down tax push back - ABC listen

Household energy bills are set to drop by up to 10 per cent, with the Albanese government crediting renewables and batteries for the decrease. It's a good news story for Labor, as the fight over capital gains tax changes continues to dominate parliament — and the Prime Minister doubles down. But the Government isn't the only one feeling the heat, with outgoing National Anti-Corruption Commissioner Paul Brereton fronting up for a grilling in Senate estimates. Patricia Karvelas and Tom Crowley break it all down on Politics Now. Got a burning question? Got a burning political query? Send a short voice recording to PK and Fran for Question Time at [email protected]

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John Smith 5d ago

@MsDropbear42 Tim Dunlop's discussion about the problem of parties is interesting. https://michaelwest.com.au/teals-parties-the-problem-not-the-solution/

Backward step. "Parties the problem, not the solution" - Michael West

Current talk of independent MPs forming a new party is fraught and potentially a huge backwards step for a functioning democracy,

Michael West

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Droppie 5d ago

@smitjo ta. yep i agree with him, have long felt our rigid party paradigm a major liability to democracy. in the specific current case though of possible new teals party, i oppose it as missing the point. the actual problem, for which this is their proposed solution, is twofold, & both explicitly the fault of this labs govt

- the outrageous political chicanery of elbow in denying Indies adequate office & staff resourcing
- the despicable corruption of their recent laws on donations, overtly bent to perpetuate 2PP & annihilate Indies & small parties

imo both areas should be moved to the auspices of AEC, entirely out of venal party politics

#auspol #whythefuckislabor #ProgIndies

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John Smith 5d ago

@MsDropbear42 💯 The Farrell funding fiddle is corruption writ large. It was a relief to see that similar arrangements in Victoria were ruled unconstitutional by the courts and I hope the SA and Federal laws go the same way.
One of the reasons I gave up on Labor was the disconnect between members goals and the parliamentary team's actions. I think the Greens are much better in that regard.

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Looking for explanations…5d ago

@smitjo @MsDropbear42

I don’t mind the idea of “parties”, because for some politicians, having that support is the only way that those with real talent can find their way into cabinet. But I think all MPs should always be free to exercise a conscience vote and the membership should be more of a loose coalition. Too much power lies with the leadership. I’m pretty sure that many Labor MPs have had to bite their tongue in matters concerning climate, submarines & Gaza.

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John Smith

@Susan60 @MsDropbear42 yep, too often the elected parliamentarians seem to be speaking for their party ahead of their electorate. 'Conscience' voting would be better if it allows an electorate's representative to represent their electorate.