Comments on: It’s Malcolm Turnbull Jim, but not as we know him

By: philwearne

philwearne — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 07:51:10 +0000

Uncertainty principle:

B. Keane: something about slipping in and out of different/alternate universes…

W. Heisenberg: that a particle’s position and momentum cannot both be known to arbitrary precision..

By: Patrick Devery

Patrick Devery — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 04:54:16 +0000

There are bad Star Trek episodes?

By: Venise Alstergren

Venise Alstergren — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 02:54:31 +0000

Christine Johnson. This is stale news by now, as I’ve only just got home. Andrew Bolt has article today begging Peter Costello to rconsider.
Haven’t heard from FD maybe he didn’t like them?
Gotta go and it won’t be till after 2pm that I get to read Crikey.

By: Christine Johnson

Christine Johnson — Wed, 01 Jul 2009 01:19:27 +0000

Maybe this Alice in Wonderland trip we’re having has something to do with a shift in media policy? After Malcolm imploded last week News Limited, Fairfax and Macquarie dropped off their Liberal bandwagon to claw back readers and listeners sick of the old spin. This morning Steve Price surrendered allegiances to his old team and it worked wonders. For once listeners lined up to demand Hockey be held to account on his pledge not to seek the leadership and they pilloried Malcolm for going to Afghanistan. “It’s a stunt to save his face and if I was serving over there the last person I’d want to shake hands with is that guy’! Perhaps ratings and careers will persuade Price, Jones, Milne, Ackerman and Albrechtsen it’s wise to occasionally sing from another hymn sheet.

By: David Sanderson

David Sanderson — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 22:35:51 +0000

Joe Hockeys’s comments on the tax illustrate so well why Hockey would be a poor alternative. He couldn’t resist attacking the government but in the process scored an own goal with headlines heralding his opposition to tax cuts. He seemed to realise how silly he had been by quickly following up with the mantra that the Liberals were the party of tax cuts but the damage had already been done.

Turnbull is getting a lot of advice about avoiding ‘silver bullet’ solutions or tactics but Turnbull has been rational in going down that path. He will not be able to win a political/policy debate with the government so the only way of getting himself into power was to bring the government down by highlighting scandals, manufactured or otherwise.
Now that silver bullets are out Turnbull must be a depressed man. Effectively he is being asked to ‘hold the fort’ until after the loss at the next election, after which he will be replaced. Hardly the great assault and victory he had imagined for himself.

By: harrybelbarry

harrybelbarry — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 13:57:40 +0000

Spike, your right Joe hockey is very keen, go watch his performance on Lateline. He looks like he is doing the ground work for next nice Liberal leader after Turnball loses the next election and a big wad of cash to pay for his election, the liberal party is broke and need him, short term. The voters could not be stupid enough to vote Abbott for PM? Dont blame me for any of this, i voted for the Greens and will continue to so , knowing that they wouldn’t take money from the Biggest polluters and Gunns.

By: Spike

Spike — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 10:58:21 +0000

Howard was never touched by this sort of thing, no matter what his role was, he made sure that he could come out squeaky clean. Turnbull has probably seen Howard getting away with murder, and wrongly assumed that he could do the same, without the careful precautions that Howard always implemented.

As far as the lack of choice for a Liberal leader goes; what about Joe Hockey? He is certainly keen. When Utegate was being wrangled out in parliament, he did not look unhappy at all, his loyalty to Turnbull is only skin deep in my opinion. I believe that he may have somehow encouraged Turnbull to take the reckless course of action that he took.

By: Venise Alstergren

Venise Alstergren — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 09:28:36 +0000

DaveLiberts: I read what you say and I understand what you say. However, given Malcolm Turnbull’s ‘questionable’ business tatics. His dishonesty I should say together with his astonishing ability to lie. (once I was watching him raving on and endorsing the latest statement the previous leader of the Libs, Nelson, had made. Endorsing it, fielding all the questions with effortless ease pata ti pata ta. Suddenly it was born in upon him that the press release did, in fact, state the opposite of what he was saying. Without missing a beat he took the opposite view of his previous argument. It was sickening, the ease with which he can do that. No explanations to the viewers; anyone who lies like that is not to be trusted. He may have thought it clever. I call it effortless lying.

I never, ever, thought I would say this, but Peter Costello would be preferable to Malcolm the Mad.

By: coreena

coreena — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 08:09:17 +0000

Tony Abbott as PM is the worst thing I think would happen to Australia. He’s even more conservative than Howard. Being Pro-Life he’s against euthanasia & abortion but I fear he would try to make both illegal under commonwealth law. The Libs are in a mess but unless Costello changes his mind Turnbull is their best option. Turnbull’s bravado is admirable & amusing given his current pickle.

By: brewesan

brewesan — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 07:41:09 +0000

Not sure how the Libs would free up dead wood in O’Connor WA - Fremantle, which is held by Melissa Parke of the ALP??? Although I do agree she’s dead wood. “If anything, their [Lib MPs] predicament should accelerate the process of removing the party’s dead wood, freeing up the seats of … O’Connor”

By: djpl

djpl — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:41:36 +0000

It appears the Opposition have only one major policy platform at the moment, asylum seekers are blugers and criminals and should be put behind barbed wire and deported. This disgraceful thinking is fully endorsed by News Ltd and we can expect their stable to continue the assault on behalf of the opposition, I don’t hear the voice of Sen Feilding supporting the Govt or the boat people. Doesn’t he represent a party called “FAMILY FIRST”. Is he not like Abbott a man of God? They and the other Catholics on the Opposition are hypocrites of the first order. If you have the need for a good clean out of the inner regions, catch a replay of PM Agenda on Sky News. Chrissie Pyne was at his sickening best. He could not have sucked up to Turnbull any better other than a tender embrace. Did Sky ask him about his overseas trip? Not one question. Another pathetic amateur perfomance by Sky, they really do lack credibility as a professional news organisation. Its not importing old hand news readers like Jim Whaley that will improve their image, they need skilled, well trained interviewers in News and Sport. With the exception of David Spiers, the rest are second rate. As a former trainer of interviewers in England, Singapore and New Zealand I do have expertise in this area. The reality is Sky do not measure up.

By: Mark Hummel

Mark Hummel — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:28:49 +0000

Bernard, Ziggy says there’s a 62% probability that you’re here to reverse Peter Costello’s decision to retire.

By: daveliberts

daveliberts — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 06:21:48 +0000

Venise, I agree wholeheartedly that the Libs right wing do them no favours electorally and I’m never going to vote for Turnbull anyway, but if I was a swinging voter I don’t think I’d have written Turnbull off as ‘damaged goods’ just yet. Politically, he’s made some clangers in the last week and a half, no question. And in business, I’m sure there are those who would agree that he’s capable of being a tad evil. But the facts are that everyone makes the odd clanger and everyone in business will make the odd enemy if they are to be successful. If you’re to be very successful, as Turnbull has been, there will be a list of people prepared to state that you’re very evil.

I don’t think Turnbull is dishonest. I just think he jumped to some silly conclusions last week and got burned. If he keeps repeating this kind of mistake, then he certainly will become damaged goods. But meanwhile, I’m interested to see if he can turn this around.

Interestingly, the Libs used to be the party ‘free of Catholics’. Although this meant they were therefore free of a bunch of dodgy dogma, it also meant they were inclined to discriminate against huge sections of Australian society. Might want to be careful for what you wish for on that one! (and I write this as a happy atheist who is appalled by the Vatican.)

By: Venise Alstergren

Venise Alstergren — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:47:37 +0000

Bernard Keane: “whoever replaces him will be demonstrably inferior” You are speaking solely on an intellectual level. On a factual level Malcolm Turnbull is badly damaged goods. He has a history, both in business and now politically, of being a very shonky person indeed. If the Libs were to choose someone-if they exist-who is moderately honest he/she would face a relatively canter into contention.
Face it, the conservative parties have not attempted to live in the present. Their leaders are almost indistinguishable from each other. Until such time as they have formulated A PHILOSOPHY, one which they all should believe in and until such time as can present themselves as a modern Party - user friendly, and until such time as they are demonstrably able to make decisions without having accepted the imprimateur of big business before thinking about the potential voter. Finally if they could be a Party free of catholics and all other far right-wing religious nut cases. Then they will become electable.
Even the Americans are waking up to the intense dis-service done by the religious right which has beset the Republican movement. It is well over-due to happen here in Oz. If anyone doubts me I will give you Steve Fielding.
What is the point of the wretched Senator going on an overseas ‘fact-finding mission’ When he takes with him a closed mind. He believes that Global Warming isn’t happening because it isn’t written in the bible.
Tony Abbott and many of his fellow catholics have closed minds and frustrate such things as Stem-cell research. And other the fields of medicine. WTF gives these amateur politicians the right to stall a nation’s progress? Remember the relentless Brian Harradine and the appalling deal he cut with John Howard to vote with Howard. The price? To move Tony Abbott to Health. Where he blocked the drug RU486.

All of the above is intolerable. But until the voters make up their minds the situation is intolerable the so-called independents, and the known examples set by the Liberal and National Parties will continue to dominate the opposition benches. What will they do for the good of their nation? Fu-k all!!!

By: Tom McLoughlin

Tom McLoughlin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:33:58 +0000

Evan, in my world being independent of both major parties is simply reward enough.

Jean, agree the AFP involvement is one thing the govt is doing. But as I say, it’s not subjudice, so what is the executive govt doing besides ‘wait and see’ (remember their scorn at Julie Bishop’s ‘wait and see’ re the stimulus #2?).

It stretches credibility that the Govt is not doing anything additional to the AFP anyway. God help the munchkins in Treasury as we speak.

As for wild theories, having argued an ALP type scenario, a Coalition inspired scenario:

Costello is considering his position. His former loyal servants are angered their leader the ex Treasurer is getting mouldy on the backbench. Now by late April 09 there is a serious chance he won’t even renominate and the ALP overlords will be ensconsed virtually forever. All those halcyon days of GST swathe through the body politik p*ssed up against the wall in stimulus #1 and 2.

Anger turns to frustration and then action - a flying piece of electronic poison is launched into the home computer of a known stickler for protocol, Mr Grech. If anyone is bound to be believed for blowing the whistle it will be him. And besides he’s not so well and will likely need an early retirement. ….??

By: Jean Thornton

Jean Thornton — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 05:00:38 +0000

Tom, the faked email is currently being investigated by the Federal Police. That is what the Minister and the government did about the fake email. Until they report on the matter then it would be wrong to speculate (have you learned nothing from Turnbull!) about who wrote the offending document. As Ken Henry said - all will be revealed.

By: Evan Beaver

Evan Beaver — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 04:34:52 +0000

Terrific stuff Tom, keep up the good work. Buggered if I know what the good work is though.

Speaking of crackpot theories, I’ve got one of my own. Reading Ms Crabb’s Quarterly at the moment, I’m left with the distinct impression that the way Turnbull does business would tend to put a few noses out of whack. He even admits himself that people either love him or hate him. Maybe the haters, realising that a first term Govt almost never gets beaten, have put Turnbull up as a sactificial lamb? I agree, there’s no-one else who could lead the party, particularly since Costello has left, but maybe no one else wants to, and they’re happy to see Turnbull take the flak?

I must say, I’m enjoying it immensely.

By: Tom McLoughlin

Tom McLoughlin — Tue, 30 Jun 2009 03:47:39 +0000

Two thoughts come to mind in response:

1. As Justice Kirby once said: ‘Doesn’t the big media run the country?’ You guys in the national media got the polling reaction to the coverage you ran regarding the ALP blowback on the ‘fake’ email. No doubt you are all feeling the shock today of too much power without responsibility?

2. Following on from my first point, how can it be that an allegedly fake ‘email’ sent by someone within Treasury, suggsting the PMO is doing electorate related lobbying for a constituent, is not the responsibility of the relevant minister? I can fully accept that even in a Westminister system of Govt a minister can’t be blamed, just like any employer, for fraud or criminality of a staffer gone rogue - at least usually. But what is the Govt and the Treasurer doing about a criminal in their midst? Where is the big media pressure to identify the criminal? Who indeed are the suspects?

No one has been charged, so there is no sub judice issue here. How can it be there is a big media wide conspiracy of silence? If they think it’s Godwin Grech (because I don’t) then have the guts to make the accusation. If they think it’s a Liberal mischief maker - say that. If they think it’s a Lachlan Harris sting on the Opposition then say that. Bob Woodward and Carl Bernstein made contact with Deep Throat and all the Canberra Press Gallery can flush out is their happy snaps of the Mid Winter Ball. And they get paid how much?