Government & Politics

Opposition or good government

Government & Politics

Posted by: trisha

10th Sep 2010 08:26am

What a pity the Opposition has decided to act like spoiled children. Julia Gillard offered to work together with the Opposition but instead of taking up the offer like reasonable adults they plan to block anything they can. Despite what they think the Coalition of Libs and Nationals were not born to rule and they would certainly not have any power if they were not in coalition.

We deserve good government no matter who holds the balance of power. Get over it and get on with it.


Comments 31

lateron
  • 23rd Jan 2012 08:04pm

The biggest load of garbage I have read if the Gillard government was a good government there would be no reason to oppose but everything she does is a lie or mistruth. Remember trisha 80% of the governemnt bills put forward have been unopposed so where do you get the spoilt children scenario. Reading too much media that hate Abbott?

Steve49
  • 5th Dec 2011 03:24pm

I can't understand anyone who has to rely on social security voting liberal, they always harass people dependent on social security. I'd rather have labour with all their faults than the nazis any day.

anna
  • 3rd Oct 2011 11:56pm

Where were the greens in all of this? It is the labour-greens is it not? They were anti......so the PM turned to the Opposition!

Milto
  • 31st Aug 2011 10:58pm

That's what oppositions do. Oppose. And a government as bad as this one sure does need plenty of opposition to stop them sending the whole country BROKE and BUSTED.

mysteron347
  • 19th Apr 2011 04:17pm

Oh dear - how short are some people's memories?

Remember when Paul Keating proposed a GST in the 1980's and was told to shut up by the unions? Oh - and then in 1993, John Hewson lost the unlosable election because of ALP scare-mongering propaganda?

Then in 1996, the 'GST never again' lie and the predictions that the sky would fall in and the universe collapse when the corpse was resurrected in 1998?

Forward to 2000 and the GST was going to be "smashed" and then to 2004 when it was going to be "rolled-back?"

And what's happened since 2007? Oh - just one thing on the GST front - my local member finally admitted in print last year that it was a 'scare campaign' all along.

Then there's the "no Australian child will be living in poverty" claim and the "L.A.W. tax cuts" - but perhaps your memories have difficulty stretching back as far as the "No carbon tax" claims - and it appears that voters who expected that promise to be kept are now "spoiled children." Personally, I'd say "gullible."

The basic issue is that the two major parties have conspired together to keep ideas out of politics by introducing various measures by stealth. We have compulsory voting, so the majors can rely on a majority courtesy those who would prefer to watch the footy or go to the beach We have voting "above the line" to make it easier for Tweedledum or Tweedledee to get elected, but never the Cheshire Cat. We even have legislation to allot a vacant seat on a party basis when one of the decrepit loyal party members croaks when in office. We have propaganda meekly repeated by the populace that you elect a party. You don't - or shouldn't. You elect a representative, and that representative is duty-bound in my book to represent the best interests of the electorate - not of the party.

In all, we have blues and buffs - no ideas between them, squabbling and exaggerating, competing to get away with the biggest lie. Every incoming government seems to say 'we can't fulfil our promises because the other party left the economy in a worse state than we expected.' I'm sure that both parties are working full time on how to twist this excuse for when a government miraculously gains re-election...

CAT17
  • 31st Aug 2011 07:14pm
Nothing wrong in principle with the Westminster (note: no "i" between "n" and "s") system - where one person is delegated by a group to negotiate and make decisions.

The root of the...

Thanks for the spelling lesson - was really a typing error! Do you study Polictical Science? It is all a bit heavy for me, but over all or do I mean generally speaking I agree pollies are twits and government is run by inexperienced people who have no idea how to actually management of a country. They are more about pushing and imposingl their own idilolgies whether the rest of the country wants it or not. The Greens are dangerous and will send this country broke if they are allowed to bring in their crazy policies. This country is feeling more and more like a dictatorship than I democracy. I filled in the census form, so I guess I am one of millions who do cos some said we have to??

mysteron347
  • 31st Aug 2011 01:39am
Our Westminister style of government stinks! Mainly it is all politicing and no governing. We elect a representative whom we believe will fullfill our needs and are sure they will do our biding,...

Nothing wrong in principle with the Westminster (note: no "i" between "n" and "s") system - where one person is delegated by a group to negotiate and make decisions.

The root of the problem is the parties - the politicians rely on party affiliation for their jobs and the majority are simply small brainless cogs mechanically performing their function of representing the PARTY, not the people.

Underlying this is the "everybody must" mentality that is second nature to our brain-dead politicians. Just write a rule in the book that "everybody must," create a licensing system, collect a licence fee, a bureaucracy and a penalty structure for the heretics. Hence, "everybody must" vote, and so on.

Like "everybody must fill out the census form" for instance. Try reading the legislation. Census Act 1905 if you wish to Google it. Note the penalties can only be applied if you get a WRITTEN directive (not request) to fill the form out (not that the magistracy would actually enforce the law - they're more interested in expediency, like the politicians.) Yet the ABC and the government websites lie that it's compulsory and you can be fined. Note also the brevity of the legislation - from 100 years ago when it might just be acceptable to apply the "ignorance of the law is no excuse" mantra. Heck - I've seen mobile 'phone contracts that are more complex.

And look at the reasons for conducting the census. "Only practical way to gather the statistics." What rot. When the law was written, perhaps - in those days, you didn't have to get permission from every public servant and his dog to build a house. Nowadays, you need permission from the Queen to the cleaner - all neatly recorded in local council records - ask THEM how many rooms. No, the statistician won't. Just far too lazy or dull. Remember "everybody must" seek the council's permission - and most important of all, pay the fee.

Politicians have been buying votes for years by ingratiating themselves to small sections of the community for the publicity value. Every election, there is some new "disadvantaged" group discovered and placed on the taxpayer's payroll to make the system "fair." None are ever removed - that would be electoral suicide.

And having made their money by manipulating the laws, making unsustainable laws and promises and relying on the fact that the average voter hasn't got a clue but "everybody must" vote, the politicians can leave their mess and promises for the next mob of scavengers to sort out.

CAT17
  • 30th Aug 2011 08:00pm
Oh dear - how short are some people's memories?

Remember when Paul Keating proposed a GST in the 1980's and was told to shut up by the unions? Oh - and then in 1993, John Hewson lost the...

Our Westminister style of government stinks! Mainly it is all politicing and no governing. We elect a representative whom we believe will fullfill our needs and are sure they will do our biding, but then once they are IN all seems to go out the window. I truly believe we would have a better and true government if it was not compulsory to vote. The promises that PMs have made over the years are laughable when you think about it. "No child shall live in poverty" was one of the worse lie ever. Keating said every main city would be linked by rail!. What annoys me is these people go off and live very comfortable lives when they are thrown out of government leaving behind massive debt, polocies that have done nothing to improve our way of life and "nanny state reforms" that bebefit no one.

GretaZ
  • 19th Apr 2011 12:34pm

I have to totally agree with Trisha, that the Opposition is playing the negative game! I see them on tv and I just tune out now. I get enough negativity in every day life! We need a little optimism in our lives these days, don't we? Tony Abbot comes across as a petulant teen sometimes, and it makes me feel like he would just be a figurehead if the Opposition was voted in. When Howard was in, I didn't always agree with him, but he wasn't always negative like they are these days! At least Labour is trying to look after the people and shows a smile and some optimism!

rosy@kempsey
  • 8th Dec 2011 02:22pm
Whoopy dee, Julia has offered me a set top box to supplement the one I already have and she is giving me NBN that I do not need as I have wireless technology that I can access where-ever I go. Bah,...

Paradocs, how nice to find you again, trust you and dog are well? Bah Humbug indeed and I quite agree with your comments. Keep up the good work. A pox on all their houses, pollies in general, I mean x lol

paradox
  • 5th Dec 2011 02:25pm
I have to totally agree with Trisha, that the Opposition is playing the negative game! I see them on tv and I just tune out now. I get enough negativity in every day life! We need a little optimism...

Whoopy dee, Julia has offered me a set top box to supplement the one I already have and she is giving me NBN that I do not need as I have wireless technology that I can access where-ever I go. Bah, to the spin by labour. And now we see the Hypocrisy of labour in full swing with allowing Uranium mining but opposing nuclear power.

Karen
  • 20th Mar 2011 05:06pm

I agree we need to do something about the Asylum Seekers. As you say we have given them everything and with the recent riots and burning of buildings on Xmas Island they should be immediately deported. If they aren't prepared to fit in and assimilate with our society they should be sent back home to wherever they came from. I can understand your frustrations! I'm not saying that I agree with everything Julia Gillard is doing but at the same time I wouldn't like to see Tony Abbott as an alternative PM. Maybe Malcolm Turnbull should be elected. At least he's got some good ideas - especially in regard to Climate Change - although he does appear to have reneged on that recently!

June
  • 22nd Sep 2011 10:11pm
I agree we need to do something about the Asylum Seekers. As you say we have given them everything and with the recent riots and burning of buildings on Xmas Island they should be immediately...

I totally agree with you Karen, I admit Julia Gillard went back on her word about carbon Tax but has everyone forgotten how many lies Tony Abbott has told and I cannot understand at all why pensioners would want the liberal party in again especially headed by Tony Abbott. If they do, they have short memories and have forgotten that pensioners had to resort to going naked to Canberra to try to get more money for single pensioners and they did not get an increase until Labor came to power. Doesn't anyone listen to what the rest of the world says about Australia and the Labor party. Think about how much better off we all are compared to other western, countries not to mention the third world countries. For goodness sake don't follow that absolute negative whinger Tony Abbott. If he cannot speak without written notes, he can only say NO

Anonymous
  • 13th Apr 2011 10:36am
I agree we need to do something about the Asylum Seekers. As you say we have given them everything and with the recent riots and burning of buildings on Xmas Island they should be immediately...

I agree that neither the government nor the oppositon are doing their jobs well.
Asylum Seekers should be sent to refugee camps and made to wait for their turn to come to this country. There are people in these refugee camps that have been there for 10-15 years waiting and these "boat people are taking their place! maybe then the message will get across that if you want to come here you come via the "FRONT DOOR"

Karen
  • 16th Mar 2011 11:58pm

The Liberal Party are spiteful, arrogant and spoilt brats - they just can't take any criticism at all. They don't call Tony Abbott "phony Abbott' for nothing as I don't know how many times he's been caught out for not telling the truth and back-tracking on what he says; or the spiteful Julie Bishop who is another back-stabber. And Joe Hockey - well we won't even go there. He's another hypocritical idiot.

paradox
  • 6th Dec 2011 11:36am
Obviously a died in the wool liberal supporter , yes they accumulated a lot of money , but failed to use for the benefit of the population , sitting in the bank does not help anyone , if anyone...

Rubbish you still have not got it , have you???? How do you know which way the Howard or any Liberal government would have spent the savings made, certainly not on the stuff ups it was spent on by Labour. As to the being the envy of the world, would not be without the economic management of the Howard Government. Money in the bank is a damn sight better than borrowed money that has to be paid back including interest. And no I am not a died in the wool liberal but I give credit where its due.

rubbish
  • 6th Dec 2011 08:46am
This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules.

Obviously a died in the wool liberal supporter , yes they accumulated a lot of money , but failed to use for the benefit of the population , sitting in the bank does not help anyone , if anyone needs to get back to reality it is yourself , at least our country is the envy of all the western governments

paradox
  • 5th Dec 2011 02:45pm
The Liberal Party are spiteful, arrogant and spoilt brats - they just can't take any criticism at all. They don't call Tony Abbott "phony Abbott' for nothing as I don't know how many times he's...

Please remember that Julia also needs the Greens to form Government. The greens have opposed her as well and Julia could only find fault with Tony's opposition to her plans. She obviously cannot castigate Bob for not siding with her as she desperately needs his support on every bit of legislation. In effect we are being governed by a coalition of 5 party's. 3 independents with their agenda, 1 Greens party and Labour with less seats than Liberal/ National party. Go figure that and tell me its right.

paradox
  • 5th Dec 2011 02:09pm
stop listening to the biased media for your opinions , at least the government keep us out of a recession , and the opposition do not have any policies , all we hear is negative responses

This comment was removed because the moderators found it broke the house rules.

rubbish
  • 30th Aug 2011 05:38pm
Are you seriously going to say you are pleased with the way the Gillard government has performed over the past few months! Have you forgotten how much money has been wasted on "hair brain schemes"...

stop listening to the biased media for your opinions , at least the government keep us out of a recession , and the opposition do not have any policies , all we hear is negative responses

CAT17
  • 20th Mar 2011 12:59am
The Liberal Party are spiteful, arrogant and spoilt brats - they just can't take any criticism at all. They don't call Tony Abbott "phony Abbott' for nothing as I don't know how many times he's...

Are you seriously going to say you are pleased with the way the Gillard government has performed over the past few months! Have you forgotten how much money has been wasted on "hair brain schemes" grocery watch,petrol watch etc. donations to foreign countries( $500 million to Indonesia for schools!) and ofcourse not to mention how much the asylum seekers are costing the tax payers. This would have to be the worse government this country has had. We have a PM who was not elected by the people and cabinet ministers who still act like union bosses. The independents who gave Julia the job should be shot. This country is in a terrible mess and we should all be worrying about how this will all end.

PukPuk
  • 26th Oct 2010 09:14am

I just wish there were less gullible people voting for show ponies on both sides of politics and actually vote in people who actually have a brain for reality rather than popularity. Unfortunately those who could do good do not have the celebrity value that gets them past the nomination post in the first place.

Colliedog
  • 23rd Sep 2011 12:21pm
I just wish there were less gullible people voting for show ponies on both sides of politics and actually vote in people who actually have a brain for reality rather than popularity. Unfortunately...

I don't think any of them are capable of doing the job and sadly our country is paying the price for that.Politicians live in a world of there own with their snouts firmly in the trough and no idea.

peppi6
  • 26th Oct 2010 12:48am

Please explain.... what great wonderous things has our present govt. done for us now up to date........since being elected ......plss pls clarity!!!!!

ValmaL
  • 24th Sep 2010 07:57pm

We live in a great country and it is such a "shame" that all we hear from Tony is bleat bleat bleat. Is that the true opposition?

paradox
  • 5th Dec 2011 02:44pm
We live in a great country and it is such a "shame" that all we hear from Tony is bleat bleat bleat. Is that the true opposition?

Same story when Labour was in opposition. Remember Beasly and Latham and so on. Enough said!

Hughie
  • 28th Sep 2010 06:14pm
We live in a great country and it is such a "shame" that all we hear from Tony is bleat bleat bleat. Is that the true opposition?

Sadly it would seem so. The pity of it is that Abbott, the failed priest, is about to become Abbott the failed Politician. With all of his complaining and scheming all he is doing is to make the Liberal Party look like a misinformed rabble, neither capable of being a constructive opposition or of being a responsible Government, he seems hell bent on destroying the whole system. When will he realise that Government consists of the elected party and also the opposition, and that the two should work together for the good of the country. Even when offered the opportunity to do so he retreats like a snapping and snarling dog. Woe is Australia if this man ever comes to power.

Hughie
  • 16th Sep 2010 11:48am

I think it is very telling that we have seen more of the "true Tony Abbott" after the election, whinging and whining like a spoiled kid as trisha has so rightly said.
The Government of a Country is supposed to be there to do the best for the whole country, regardless of which party they belong to, and a Government consists of two sides who should be working together for the betterment of the country.
Perhaps this latest election will teach the party leaders this lesson, or perhaps the opposition will continue to block everything they can, thereby showing once and for all that they are not fit to be in Parliament.....

rosy@kempsey
  • 12th Sep 2010 02:45pm

Yes, trisha, I agree. I really admire Rob Oakeshott for not yielding to temptation of a Ministry, because he wants to retain his independence. It would have given him kudos and an extra $100,000 pa, shows he is a man of integrity. I wish Julie Bishop would shut up and stop talking rubbish....and do something about that hair.....

Karen
  • 5th Dec 2011 09:11pm
Once again the truth suffers. Oakshot stood as an independent Liberal and people voted for him as such. He took the glory road as Gillard caved in to his demands and Abbot did not. he is besotted...

I agree with all the comments posted by Trish. I'm definitely a Labour supporter and the Liberals are like spoilt kids - always fighting amongst each other and back-stabbing the Labour party. I think the Labour party generally are trying to do a good job and some of their policies are working really well. The only thing that could be improved is the Immigration Policy - but again that was due to the High Courts over-ruling the Malaysian solution.

paradox
  • 5th Dec 2011 02:16pm
Yes, trisha, I agree. I really admire Rob Oakeshott for not yielding to temptation of a Ministry, because he wants to retain his independence. It would have given him kudos and an extra $100,000...

Once again the truth suffers. Oakshot stood as an independent Liberal and people voted for him as such. He took the glory road as Gillard caved in to his demands and Abbot did not. he is besotted with the power he's been handed by Gillard. Once again, look past your own hip pocket and maybe you see that this and the previous labour government has achieved nothing!!!!

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