It seems that the lead up to this years election is all about tax and the economy. Well, that is just wonderful for all of those for whom economics is not easy and for young people who are still learning to adult (and I fit into both boxes). Bill Shorten is trying to get it back on the agenda by changing negative gearing on new purchases, which the government originally just said it was a bad idea before finally deciding that it wouldn’t raise enough money, and then that it would reduce the house prices (which for young people is a plus). There is also confirmation that there will be no changes to the GST, which was covered in a media conference in which Malcolm Turnbull equated himself and new Deputy PM Barnaby Joyce t0 Thelma and Louise – which may not have been the best analogy…
Meanwhile, Scott Morrison had a more difficult week, speaking at the National Press Club, where he said that it would take years for there to be a surplus as they need t0 find savings that the senate will pass, while keeping taxes low and dealing with bracket creep. Bill Shorten is using this indecisiveness to try and show the government in disarray, although there is confidence that the Liberals will win this year’s election with a few seats less than 2013.
As we go into March, we’re going to start seeing preselection fights for seats across the country, with eight people challenging the Liberal preselection for Bronwyn Bishop’s seat of Mackellar – including Bishop. One of the challengers has written references from NSW Premier Mike Baird and former PM and Warringah MP Tony Abbott. Also this week, Labor politicians Alannah MacTiernan and Gary Gray announced their retirement from federal politics. There are also rumours that Australia could vote as early as July, instead of the suggested September-ish timeline a few weeks ago.
The new Cabinet was announced on Sunday and sworn in on Thursday, with some great commentary from ABC journalists Chris Uhlmann and Greg Jennet, who had the histories of some of the Bibles being used during the ceremony such as Senator Scott Ryan’s massive family bible. You can see who moves where on the ABC website, although some notable moves include Fiona Nash as Deputy Nationals Leader, Minister for Regional Development, Regional Communications and Rural Health, Alan Tudge as Human Services Minister and Darren Chester as Minister for Infrastructure and Transport. Cabinet now has six women in Cabinet and ten in the executive.
The Royal Commission is now trying to figure out where to do their vide0 link evidence with Cardinal Pell in Rome, while critics still say he should come back to Australia for it. Some victims and families have raised money to travel to Rome to watch in person – however, whether or not that happens is yet to be seen. Some of that money was raised thanks to this song by Tim Minchin which is causing some controversy.
Finally this week,John Key came to visit and stayed in the Turnbulls’ Point Piper home instead of the Lodge, leading to a lot of jokes from the media about a ‘sleepover’; Australian of the Year David Morrison has said he will not be defined by he critics and that he will support veterans, as well as domestic violence and gender equality (which is what he was chosen for in the first place); there is call for there to be a Royal Commission into the banking industry after revelations that the big banks have been using heavy-handed tactics to foreclose on regional properties and electoral change is nigh, with plans for the senate ballot papers.
Tweets of the Week
https://twitter.com/workmanalice/status/700089646705831936
Things I’ve Been Looking at Online
Some weeks I don’t find much and then there are weeks where I find a lot…
Kristina Keneally on the Tim Minchin song and the Catholic Church – The Guardian
Annabel Crabb on election policies – ABC The Drum
A look at LGBTIQ safe formals – Buzzfeed
Media and Journalism Couples – Crikey
ABC News ACT’s Virginia Haussegger on that Sunrise segment with Kristen Davis – SMH
Kara L 