Menzies House

Turnbull—square peg in round hole

Perhaps Malcolm Turnbull’s self-appraisal sets him distant, if not at odds with his Party colleagues? Maybe he views them as less sharp and less accomplished in commerce by comparison? Undeniable, however, is his unrelenting quest for success—Turnbull style.

Malcolm’s form has a repeating factor—what he wants and who he wants to be is variable. The goal posts are movable. Hardly the cohesiveness and consistency suited for political policy and the Me, before Us presents as a constant in the man’s character.

Where would Malcolm be today had Kerry Packer not leapfrogged his legal career to various boardrooms of mercantile moguls? Turnbull showed his appreciation by dumping on Packer over a business deal in 1991. Acrimony between the two was palpable.

Turnbull later told Sydney newspapers that, “He [Packer] did threaten to kill me. And I said to him: ‘Well, you'd better make sure that your assassin gets me first because if he misses, you better know I won't miss you.’ He could be a complete pig, you know. He could charm the birds out of the tree, but he could be a brute.”

Abbott's traitor within - sack him now!

Turnbull re-launches campaign for Australian Republic

It's been more than a decade since the Republican movement was defeated at a referendum, but now a revival is underway to put a Republic back on the national agenda.
This time around Australia's Republicans, including Senior Liberal Malcolm Turnbull, have vowed to engage with the public.

Read more: Via ABC News

GC.Ed.@L.

Politics defined and reviled

Opinion

From which to choose? For whom to vote?

Two musty old parties that boredom and disinterest has rendered indistinguishable in many ways. Such is the sorry state of politics in Australia caused by what is essentially a two-horse race. Horses too haggard for the glue factory.

The remedy is simple but to date unachievable. A few parties have tried to break the vice-like grip held on the levers of power so long held by the Labor and Liberal duo. The Democrats, One Nation, and the Greens were the more recent contenders, only the Greens have survived—for now—for what?

The two major parties are like old furniture, they don’t take kindly to being moved or threatened by an interloper to their patch. In fact, Labor/Liberal, supposed political enemies by nature, will unite in villainy should their positions be threatened by an outsider. Their sense of entitlement has become a genetic imprint.

This assumed inheritance is also a savagely protected right to the taxpayers’ purse and the only change tolerated, reluctantly, is a parliamentary swap from one side of the house to the other. Either way, salaries, pensions, and perks are assured.

MUST READ: A Health Warning For Liberals

Medicine is pressured by a radical socialist transformation. Some of this is top down. Much of it is bottom up, writes Dr Grant N Ross

For 2 years I was the Melbourne University Liberal Club’s token doctor. Turning up late, or never, I would always be out of kilter with JSM, political theories and fights of the day and somewhat under the impression that Kroger was a kind of cheese. Luckily, being a stereotype got me over the line.

I would like to redeem my standing by attempting to write about the direction of health under Labor and the alternative policy direction the Liberal Party should choose when in Government.

The one's who flew over the cuckoo's nest

I truly am amazed by the zany school yard stupidity displayed by the ALP, writes Assistant Managing Editor Tim Humphries

It seems appropriate with the events of the past week to reflect on a classic Jack Nicholson film. The one who flew over the cuckoo's nest perfectly describes the Australian Labor Party.

With the Nielsen polling showing the LNP is unchanged on 56-44, one has to question the semblance of sanity that may or may not exist within the Labor Party at the current time. 

Eliminating The Competition

Siobhan Harris attacks new laws designed to lock out minor parties from the Federal Election:

New laws set to double the deposits lodged by federal candidates contesting elections may force small parties from participating in the electoral process.

Small parties including Australian Sex Party, Australian Democrats and the Hemp Party have questioned the timing, only ten weeks out from the federal election (Ed: Family First and the Liberal Democrats have also attacked this decision, although not joined in the coalition of minor parties). They believe that this is a deliberate attempt to reduce competition. The official reasoning given has been that doubling the deposits "will simplify the ballot"

The coalition of minor parties argues that, “any party who gets through the rigorous registration procedures administered by the AEC and wants to run above the line to maximise the registration of their party name, will now have to stump up an absolute minimum of $32,000 (8 x $4,000) to run a federal senate ticket”. This however will not be troubling the major parties or the Greens, because they’ve polled at above 4% their costs are paid by you, the taxpayer.

Minor parties face a lot of hurdles funding their campaigns and covering their deposits. Major parties receive significant funding  through businesses and unions, as well as the taxpayer. Minor parties however are hugely dependant on the donations of involved individuals especially in the early days of the party’s formation.

A strong democracy needs diversity; it needs a broad pool of ideas for it to flourish. Punishing small parties for a silly excuse may threaten this precious democratic system. We should either embrace other forms of voting that assist minor parties or instead look into the effects of having an electronic voting system. 

Siobhan Harris is a student at La Trobe University. 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Homage to Robert Menzies

Politicians are in a marathon contest to the finishing line on September 14. This election is probably the most important in Australia's political history as Labor plans and present legislation will encumber us with many laws of draconian measure designed to control.

Menzies House welcomes MP Kevin Andrews' contribution. Coalition Members will need to keep their policies before the public for best advantage and MH will endeavour to serve. GC.Ed.

Robert Menzies once observed that “the duty of an opposition which wants to move over on to the Treasury benches is to be constructive, judicious, and different.”

The nation’s longest-serving Prime Minister went on to say that “Opposition gives more time for study and thought. It must be regarded as a great constructive period in the life of a party; properly considered, not a period in the wilderness, but a period of preparation of the high responsibilities which you hope will come.”

The publication of a book of policy essays, Future proofing Australia: The right answers for our future, is the latest evidence that the current federal Opposition has taken Menzies’ advice to heart. Edited by Senator Brett Mason and Daniel Wood, it contains essays about our society, economy and nation by a range of well-known Australians.

The contributors include Nobel Laureate, Peter Doherty, General Peter Cosgrove, Cardinal George Pell, and former Deputy Prime Minister, Tim Fischer, as well other policy experts and Coalition members.

Solutions for all Australians - says Abbott

The Liberal Party has relesed a plan forming a base on which to race for the polls. The link offers several download methods and viewing. GC.Ed.

This is the plan that Australia needs.

It will deliver a strong and prosperous economy and a safe and secure Australia – and restore hope, reward and opportunities for all Australians. 

Our Plan will make Australia an even better place.

Read Liberal's plan:http://www.liberal.org.au/real-solutions?utm_source=Liberal+Party+E-news&utm_campaign=cc413ff3e4-Real_Solutions_Our_Plan1_26_2013&utm_medium=email