Rob Masters

 So I made the mistake of watching commercial news this evening, and there were a bunch of UAP ads. One thing that struck me was that most of the things being campaigned about are things that are not actually things the Australian government directly controls - where super is invested, home-loan rates, and so on. Now these things *could* be legislated, but doing so would transform our economy into a centrally planned economy. This is quite aside from the rather conflicting platform of increasing investments while dropping (or holding) interest rates. Presumably also via legislation. For a party that claims "freedom" as a defining feature, they sure seem keen on direct legislative control of the economy - a defining feature of authoritarian governments. 

 West Aussies - don't forget to vote tomorrow! (The AEC is supplying individual pencils rather than tethered ones this year, to assist in disease control)

 So in a few weeks time the W.A. population go to the polls. The incumbent party (Labor) is riding an unprecedented wave of popularity, mainly due to our Premier, who basically got us through The 19 with minimal deaths, and a roaring economy.  The other side (Liberal/National coalition) has had their former leader jump ship just a few months ago, and have a perfectly decent, young, attentive, and (for a politician) honest chap in her place. He is largely resigned to the fact that he is not going to win. The Greens are just plugging away with a 'Keep them both honest" theme.  So what is annoying me? 1/ The Labor party is choosing to target the Opposition Leader's youth and the fact that he's only been in Parliament for one term. Not a good look, and Labor can do better than that. 2/ The Coalition is basing their campaign on the idea that Labor must be prevented from gaining control of the upper house (the Legislative Council) - or as they call it 'full control'....

Thanks to the actions of a Very Large Nation, and those of a handful of hateful right-wingers, Australia now finds itself in a rather uncomfortable place. On the one hand, we fight a constant battle against racism - both towards immigrants and tourists, and towards our own First Nations. The latter is deplorable, ingrained and we are gradually making some inroads on (albeit far too slow and late for far too many). The former ... we had largely gotten over it. Until three things collided with the sort of mindset that creates false dichotomies and can believe five mutually contradictory things at once. The first was the idea created by a past Liberal government that refugees arriving by boat are somehow criminals. Never mind the various treaties we've signed that say otherwise. For whatever reason, Labor jumped onboard with this cruel lie, and set a horrible stage for the last 20-odd years. This re-sparked the ember that "Dem Forn Types" are somehow a threat to our way ...

It could be argued that the least popular minister in Australia is our Minister for Home Affairs, the Honourable Peter Dutton. So when the word broke yesterday that he had tested positive for NCovid-19, it was inevitable that there would be some sort of fallout. Sure enough, minutes later, a co-worker of mine (a recent immigrant) visited Wikipedia to read up on him, and encountered the following. Now it was reverted within 2-3 minutes, but he managed to grab a screenshot at my request.

I was looking at the ABC's summary of the various Senate parties ( https://www.abc.net.au/news/2019-05-10/federal-election-your-guide-to-the-wa-senate-ballot/11080108 ) and I was struck by how balanced the field is. There are the big parties, the minor parties, and the micro parties. There centrist, far left, far right, and plain fruitcake parties. There is something for everyone. But. With all this choice, every Australian voting will have one incredibly difficult decision to make (assuming they don't go for single above-the-line voting). One that is much more difficult than choosing who to vote for. Who to put last? If you are of a right wing bent, do you put the Greens below the Hemp Party? Or Labor? And what about the Pirates? Those of a more leftwards leaning have work out if One Nation is worse or better than Fraser Anning's Conservative National Party, or if the Liberal Party is worse than both. Social progressive folks have it just...

#auspol #antonygreen Originally shared by John Samuel Glorious psephology thread is glorious. https://twitter.com/calculush/status/1031768522974613506?s=12

#GooglePhotos #rediscovertheday #marriageequality #auspol Relevant at this time is this reminder of a year ago today.

Hattip to Scott Hamilton​. Very funny, left leaning, but pretty much accurate for that. Originally shared by God Emperor Lionel Lauer A snarky, but surprisingly accurate guide to all the Australian political parties standing in tomorrows election. Eg: Seniors United Party of Australia Finally, a voice in parliament for the wealthiest generation that ever lived. Family First But only if your family consists of a white Christian man, a white Christian woman and at least two white Christian children and you believe everyone else is headed straight for hell. Via Sue T  #ausvotes   #auspol   #australia   #straya   https://knowyourparties.wordpress.com/

#auspol   #australiavotes

Originally shared by Kerry Wright "Petition to Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull and all Australian Politicians: Nima and Ashkan are a gay couple who come from Iran, where being gay can cost you your life. They sought asylum in Australia, but were sent to detention in Nauru, where being gay is also a crime. They've been attacked and beaten, just for being in love. This kind of treatment is inhumane and unnecessary. Please bring Nima and Ashkan to safety in Australia and halt your cruel detention process.  Sign the Petition: https://go.allout.org/en/a/australia-asylum/?akid=8122.2937290.QMSugN&rd=1&t=2&utm_campaign=australia-asylum&utm_content=english&utm_medium=email&utm_source=actionsuite #australia   #auspol   #malcolmturnbull   #nauru   #asylum   #detention   #LGBT   #gayrights   https://go.allout.org/en/a/australia-asylum/?akid=8122.2937290.QMSugN&rd=1&t=2&utm_campaign=australia-asylum&utm_content=english&utm_medium...

Cry me a river #corybernadi   The bigoted berk.  Originally shared by Kerry Wright "Cory is upset because Opposition Leader Bill Shorten called him a 'homophobe' in a televised exchange at Parliament House this morning. Not to get dramatic, but that is the worst thing to happen to anyone ever in the history of everything. How dare you, Bill Shorten. Calling someone with a long and well-documented history of fighting against the rights of LGBTI people a 'homophobe'! Describing someone who fits the literal dictionary definition of a word with that same word! Can’t a man walk down the street and claim marriage equality will lead to legalised bestiality without people showing some manners? For shame, sir. It's one thing for someone like Cory Bernardi to have a giant sook about being called a 'homophobe', and to whinge about the dangers of name-calling while simultaneously angling to axe a program that combats anti-LGBTI bullying in schools and stirring up ...

Seen at #FringeWorld #FringeWorld2016 #auspol #corgi #corybernardi

One aspect of the "positive" #tpp  . Sounds great, doesn't it? via Scott Hamilton. #notpp   #auspol Originally shared by Kerry Wright Thought provoking cartoon from the USA. Could such a thing also happen in Australia, I wonder? #australia   #auspol   #tpp

TPP - not on my watch if I can help it! #stoptpp #notpp #auspol Via Scott Hamilton​ Originally shared by Matt Stanfield #auspol #notpp #stoptpp

#auspol A coup is a group seizing power outside of the law. Voting in a new party leader is not a coup, and John Samuel​ reminds us below. And it is not exactly rare in Australian politics, either. Originally shared by John Samuel I’m getting really tired of seeing how the recent change of administration is referred to in the media. So, just to make sure everyone understands how this works: Repeat after me: Gillard ousting Rudd: Parliamentary democracy Rudd ousting Gillard:… http://piratesobg.wordpress.com/2015/09/18/repeat-after-me-a-change-of-leadership-in-a-parliamentary-democracy-is-not-a-coup

WARNING - Rare excursion into politics! "The Federal Government Welcomes Refugees" (Barbed wire security fence at a factory - and nothing to do with refugees. See below.) WPP2015-Wk-37-Metal Weekly Photo Project 2015 curated by Alen Ianni , Bernhard Rembold , Cliff Loresco , Francesco Scaglioni , Heather D ,  Ken Fowkes ,  Navin Upendran  , Robyn King and T.E. Smith #WPP2015 #WPP2015-Wk-37-Metal Photo taken outside my office, which borders the factory of a formerly iconic Western Australian solar hot water system manufacturer. And now for the politics. Successive waves of Australian Federal Governments - of both major parties - have taken to demonizing refugees not sourced from UNHCR camps. As the policies have gotten more extreme, offshore (think Gitmo-like) 'processing camps' have been set up to house those that do make it through the gauntlet of naval vessels that tow them back to Indonesian waters. In the camps they are subject to institutional abuse, physical and...

Over on LJ, the inimitable blamebrampton has released the latest episode of her HP/auspol mashup. As always, it is hilariously accurate. #auspol   http://blamebrampton.livejournal.com/303874.html#cutid1

Originally shared by Skye Serena #auspol   https://twitter.com/Rottoturbine/status/643394057939517440?utm_source=fb&utm_medium=fb&utm_campaign=ottavl&utm_content=643407932349026304

Seen via many friends. Boosting the signal. Originally shared by Kerry Wright "According to this definition, metadata is not what you type on a device or say over the phone, but rather the footprint that's left behind. For instance, when you use a phone or mobile, this includes the number called, the location from which the call is made, and the duration of the call", writes Ben Grubb and James Massola in the Sydney Mornig Herald. Source:  http://www.smh.com.au/digital-life/digital-life-news/what-is-metadata-and-should-you-worry-if-yours-is-stored-by-law-20140806-100zae.html #australia   #auspol   #tonyabbott   #georgebrandis   #metadata