BREAKING: Rudd leadership in doubt

23 June, 2010 by

On the way out?

THIS POST WILL BE UPDATED AS EVENTS UNFOLD.

As I watch Sky’s coverage, there is a possible leadership challenge to Kevin Rudd underway in Canberra right now.

It is being reported that the challenge is being pushed by the right factions in Victoria and South Australia. The question is whether Julia Gillard will agree to be put forward as replacement.

2005 AEST: Senior source states that the question being put comes down to whether a Gillard government would be a “better, more consultative government” than Rudd’s.

2010 AEST: Mark Arbib apparently wishes Gillard to run. Gillard and Faulkner are still in Rudd’s office.

2020 AEST: Anthony Albanese and Lindsay Tanner join the party in Rudd’s office. This process will be very damaging for Rudd even if he survives…

2030 AEST: Bill Shorten is “rushing to make himself Kingmaker” ahead of Simon Crean “whom he detests” – don’t ya just love it!!

2040 AEST: Australian Workers Union move away from Rudd – big move.

2042 AEST: AWU now backing Gillard – is it all over for Rudd? All the other right unions will follow suit.

2045 AEST: Labor source: “Rudd’s dead.”

2055 AEST: Meeting still underway…

2100 AEST: Lefty Sky News is running the screen text “SMS to Liberal MPs to ‘totally shut up about the leadership'”

2120 AEST: NSW Right is now behind Gillard (Sky source) – it’s all over for Rudd.

2125 AEST: Nationwide right faction has deserted Rudd.

Filed Under: Aussie Politics Tagged With: ,

Gillard flounders on ETS cost question

18 December, 2009 by

Fish wife

Fish wife

Asked multiple times on Lateline how much it would cost, Julia Gillard couldn’t give an answer… because the government doesn’t have the foggiest idea:

Ms Gillard said the government had made it clear there would be costs associated with the carbon pollution reduction scheme, adding that there would also be compensation.

But when asked on Thursday night what costs, or what range of costs, Australians may face, Ms Gillard appeared unable to nail down any figures.

‘Well, this is all dealt with clearly in our papers for the carbon pollution reduction scheme,‘ she told ABC Television.

‘We’ve modelled the costs for low-income families, for middle-income families and we’ve provided compensation.’

When pressed on how much of a cost low-income families would face, Ms Gillard was again unable to give a figure.

‘The compensation we’ve modelled, we’ve modelled at 120 per cent of what we predict the costs to be,’ she responded.

Ms Gillard said there was not one number because it would depend on factors such as household type and the number of people in a house, but she was also unable to nominate a range.

‘Well, look, we’ve said to people that there is a range of costs.

‘The figures are obviously in our carbon pollution reduction scheme documentation.’ (source)

If they are in the documentation, why don’t you know them?

Who cares anyway, the ETS is dead.

Read it here.

Filed Under: Climate Tagged With: ,

Labor to bring back ETS in February

2 December, 2009 by

Elocution lessons required

Gillard: fish wife

The ETS is like Monty Python’s parrot: “It’s not dead, it’s just pinin’ for the fjords!”

In an astonishing display of arrogance, Julia Gillard has announced at a press conference that the ETS will be reintroduced into parliament on the first sitting day next year, and she is encouraging Coalition members to vote against their own party to get it through!

Is she hoping to get a different result next time? Sorry, Julia. I can tell you now, it will be voted down again… and again, and again, and again, and again.

The ETS is dead. Get used to it.

However, it is very interesting that they chose not to call a DD straight away, and give the Opposition “one last chance” to pass the ETS. Are they running scared, as Andrew Bolt suggests?

UPDATE: Here’s an excerpt from Julia Gillard’s patronising speech:

We are doing this to give the Liberal Party one chance to work through and deal with this legislation in the national interest. We all know the Liberal Party is deeply divided on this question and there have been many Liberal voices prepared to speak up for the national interest [remind me, how is a massive tax with no effect on the climate “in the national interest” again? – Ed] and to speak in favour of our plan to tackle climate change.

We believe that over the Christmas period there is time for the calmer heads in the Liberal Party to consider this question: to consider acting in the national interest and to join with the Government on the first sitting day when Parliament resumes to take decisive steps to deal with climate change. [maybe you’re hoping that an excess of turkey and mince pies will some how affect Coalition brains? Duh – Ed]

We will bring this Bill back into the Parliament because it’s the right thing to do in the national interest. We are determined to see this legislation pass the Parliament. We know that there are Liberals who are prepared to support this legislation. We know supporting this legislation was the position of the Liberal Party only a few short days ago.

We call on those in the Liberal Party over the summer period who believe in taking responsible action on climate change to consider their position, to consider the position of their Party and to come back to the Parliament next year ready to take action on climate change. (source)

In your dreams, Julia.

Just for the record, Gillard used the phrase “national interest” sixteen times in the press conference, and Penny Wong used it twice. There has seldom been a piece of legislation before the Australian parliament that is less in the national interest.

Filed Under: Climate Tagged With: , ,
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