Australia General Discussion Thread

[Saint Jade IV]

Oh don't we all hope he gets out. I've seen the Labor Party already paying out Turnbull. I just hope Turnbull gets in, because then I am certain who I'd be voting for and who everyone my age at my school would be voting for.

Which is why I hope Abbott wins. Turnbull will still be promulgating the same IPA wish-list policies designed to stratify Australia into a society of haves and have-nots, he'll just do it in a much savvier fashion.

And the idiots and the sheeple will lap it up, because look over there! He's for gay marriage, which means he's awesome!

Malcolm Turnbull in a nutshell: "No, you stupid punters, look over there and argue about same-sex marriage while I busily dismantle every part of the government that actually helps people!"

Pretty much. I think some also like his attitude towards the NBN.

[Reddogkeno101]

I'm an American and I was wondering, is there an Aussie version of "'Murica"? Would it be, like, "'Straya" or something?

Apologies if this is a stupid question.

You are indeed correct. 'Straya, followed by the c word is the equivalent of 'Murica f yeah!'

[The Foxes Swamp]

I don't know what to think. I for one like Turnbull and I'd prefer him as PM over Abbott.

At the same time, I find this leadership stuff ridiculous. How quickly are we gonna get rid of leaders from now on. How is anything going to get done in this political environment of one term governments and frequent leadership coups.

i blame liberal voters, we could of had Kevin again and a excellent nbn and theirs no way labor would have backstabbed him again.

[Imperial isa]

Damage already done so replacing Abbott like closing the door when the horse already ran off

[Sebastianbourg]

I have a question a question as Briton concerned with everything related to the Commonwealth of Nations and especially the Commonwealth realms. Is there a widespread republican sentiment in Australia or is the Crown thought-of as a politically-irrelevant form of entertainment in the same way as the UK? I know the republican movement in Australia is larger than in New Zealand largely-due to the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by the Governor-General Sir John Kerr in 1975. Hell, you had a referendum in 1999.

[Respawn]

Abbott's moved the party room meeting to Monday. Turnbull no longer confirming that he will vote against spill motion.

Reminds me of the shit Muldoon pulled when he was pissed.

I can only see three possible outcomes.

A: Abbott does a deal with Turnbull to make him Treasurer in return for "please don't knife me".

B: Backbenchers realise they are going to lose their seats under Abbott, so they vote in Turnbull, even though they don't trust him.

C: Julie Bishop wins as a compromise candidate between Abbott (liked but unelectable) and Turnbull (unliked but electable).

Either way, times have changed and voters are a lot more fickle than they once were. Take the last Labor government for example. Kev from the most popular PM to abysmal ratings in less than 6 months. In one term, Labor went from a comfortable majority to a hung parliament, and then lost it convincingly in 2013.

[Reddogkeno101]

I have a question a question as Briton concerned with everything related to the Commonwealth of Nations and especially the Commonwealth realms. Is there a widespread republican sentiment in Australia or is the Crown thought-of as a politically-irrelevant form of entertainment in the same way as the UK? I know the republican movement in Australia is larger than in New Zealand largely-due to the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by the Governor-General Sir John Kerr in 1975. Hell, you had a referendum in 1999.

Well it depends. In the 90's there was a massive movement compromising over 50% of the nation in the yes camp for a republic. In 1999, the referendum, which failed, posed the model used as parliament appoints President, and the people were not happy, so it failed. Had they asked 'do you want a republic', then it would almost have certainly been 'yes'. Ironically enough, at the moment, the old Leader of ARM(Australian Republic Movement), Malcolm Turnbull, is quite possibly going to be PM by Tuesday.

[Dazchan]

Well it depends. In the 90's there was a massive movement compromising over 50% of the nation in the yes camp for a republic. In 1999, the referendum, which failed, posed the model used as parliament appoints President, and the people were not happy, so it failed.

And we were left with a system where parliament appoints a Governor-General.

[West Aurelia]

Channel 7 is showing a documentary about the Lindt cafe incident right now.

[Reddogkeno101]

Channel 7 is showing a documentary about the Lindt cafe incident right now.

The only reason they'd be doing it is for ratings. I don't really know why anyone wants to know so much about it to the tiniest detail now. It's over; they're gone and there are more pressing concerns for air-time. Then again, it is commercial television.

Well it depends. In the 90's there was a massive movement compromising over 50% of the nation in the yes camp for a republic. In 1999, the referendum, which failed, posed the model used as parliament appoints President, and the people were not happy, so it failed.

And we were left with a system where parliament appoints a Governor-General.

'Strayan logic.

[Sebastianbourg]

I have a question a question as Briton concerned with everything related to the Commonwealth of Nations and especially the Commonwealth realms. Is there a widespread republican sentiment in Australia or is the Crown thought-of as a politically-irrelevant form of entertainment in the same way as the UK? I know the republican movement in Australia is larger than in New Zealand largely-due to the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by the Governor-General Sir John Kerr in 1975. Hell, you had a referendum in 1999.

Well it depends. In the 90's there was a massive movement compromising over 50% of the nation in the yes camp for a republic. In 1999, the referendum, which failed, posed the model used as parliament appoints President, and the people were not happy, so it failed. Had they asked 'do you want a republic', then it would almost have certainly been 'yes'. Ironically enough, at the moment, the old Leader of ARM(Australian Republic Movement), Malcolm Turnbull, is quite possibly going to be PM by Tuesday.

But are the people republican, apathetic or largely monarchists at this moment? It would greatly sadden me if the answer were the first one.

[Reddogkeno101]

Well it depends. In the 90's there was a massive movement compromising over 50% of the nation in the yes camp for a republic. In 1999, the referendum, which failed, posed the model used as parliament appoints President, and the people were not happy, so it failed. Had they asked 'do you want a republic', then it would almost have certainly been 'yes'. Ironically enough, at the moment, the old Leader of ARM(Australian Republic Movement), Malcolm Turnbull, is quite possibly going to be PM by Tuesday.

But are the people republican, apathetic or largely monarchists at this moment? It would greatly sadden me if the answer were the first one.

They were massively apathetic, but now leaning more towards republican; my best friend who was a staunch monarchist is now leaning towards republic after the whole Abbott knighthood blunder.

[Sebastianbourg]

But are the people republican, apathetic or largely monarchists at this moment? It would greatly sadden me if the answer were the first one.

They were massively apathetic, but now leaning more towards republican; my best friend who was a staunch monarchist is now leaning towards republic after the whole Abbott knighthood blunder.

How so? I know that I asked the question in the first place but according to a poll from last April "support for an Australian republic has slumped to its lowest level in more than three decades". Why was the reintroduction of the rank of Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia controversial?
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/ ... zqv05.html

[Reddogkeno101]

They were massively apathetic, but now leaning more towards republican; my best friend who was a staunch monarchist is now leaning towards republic after the whole Abbott knighthood blunder.

How so? I know that I asked the question in the first place but according to a poll from last April "support for an Australian republic has slumped to its lowest level in more than three decades". Why was the reintroduction of the rank of Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia controversial?
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/ ... zqv05.html

It wasn't just the reintroduction of knights and dames, but the awarding of one this Australia Day to Prince Philip, even after Abbott, an already unpopular leader, had said that it was meant for Australians when he reintroduced it. it's controversial because we are an egalitarian society; having titles makes you sound pompous and we're Australia for god's sake; it's just not Australian.

[Sebastianbourg]

How so? I know that I asked the question in the first place but according to a poll from last April "support for an Australian republic has slumped to its lowest level in more than three decades". Why was the reintroduction of the rank of Knight/Dame of the Order of Australia controversial?
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/ ... zqv05.html

It wasn't just the reintroduction of knights and dames, but the awarding of one this Australia Day to Prince Philip, even after Abbott, an already unpopular leader, had said that it was meant for Australians when he reintroduced it. it's controversial because we are an egalitarian society; having titles makes you sound pompous and we're Australia for god's sake; it's just not Australian.

Fair enough. I'm in no place to tell the Australian people what to do but I do hope we retain our common head-of-state.

[Reddogkeno101]

It wasn't just the reintroduction of knights and dames, but the awarding of one this Australia Day to Prince Philip, even after Abbott, an already unpopular leader, had said that it was meant for Australians when he reintroduced it. it's controversial because we are an egalitarian society; having titles makes you sound pompous and we're Australia for god's sake; it's just not Australian.

Fair enough. I'm in no place to tell the Australian people what to do but I do hope we retain our common head-of-state.

They're irrelevant and times are changing. An Australian Resident for President I say.

[AiliailiA]

I have a question a question as Briton concerned with everything related to the Commonwealth of Nations and especially the Commonwealth realms. Is there a widespread republican sentiment in Australia or is the Crown thought-of as a politically-irrelevant form of entertainment in the same way as the UK? I know the republican movement in Australia is larger than in New Zealand largely-due to the dismissal of Prime Minister Gough Whitlam by the Governor-General Sir John Kerr in 1975. Hell, you had a referendum in 1999.

Well it depends. In the 90's there was a massive movement compromising over 50% of the nation in the yes camp for a republic. In 1999, the referendum, which failed, posed the model used as parliament appoints President, and the people were not happy, so it failed. Had they asked 'do you want a republic', then it would almost have certainly been 'yes'. Ironically enough, at the moment, the old Leader of ARM(Australian Republic Movement), Malcolm Turnbull, is quite possibly going to be PM by Tuesday.

Though you know, a constitutional ammendment requires more than just a majority at referendum. It requires a majority in every state as well.

I think you'd want a BIG FAT MAJORITY to overcome the fact that some Republicans want a directly elected President and will hold out for nothing but that, while others want the Minimalist solution (G-G appointed directly by Parliament) and actually would vote No to a Republic which included a US-style President.

[AiliailiA]

Fair enough. I'm in no place to tell the Australian people what to do but I do hope we retain our common head-of-state.

They're irrelevant and times are changing. An Australian Resident for President I say.

No! The titular head should have tits! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

[AiliailiA]

Campbell Newman has set some kind of record I'm sure.

He's not the first to be unseated from the position of Leader. John Howard for instance (the longest serving Aus PM, for those who don't know)

The longest serving Australian PM was Robert Menzies, not John Howard. Any Australian interested in politics should know that.

Well yes I should have known that. I stand corrected.

In my defense, I thought Menzies served two separate terms which were each shorter than Howard's single continuous term. But looking it up, I see that Menzie's second term was 17 years, while Howard's was 11, so I was still wrong.

[Reddogkeno101]

They're irrelevant and times are changing. An Australian Resident for President I say.

No! The titular head should have tits! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

Why not Australian tits?

[AiliailiA]

No! The titular head should have tits! LONG LIVE THE QUEEN!

Why not Australian tits?

Well fair enough. Do you think Hockey would like the job?

[Reddogkeno101]

Why not Australian tits?

Well fair enough. Do you think Hockey would like the job?

I didn't have man-tits in mind, but alright then.

[New Chalcedon]

Channel 7 is showing a documentary about the Lindt cafe incident right now.

The only reason they'd be doing it is for ratings. I don't really know why anyone wants to know so much about it to the tiniest detail now. It's over; they're gone and there are more pressing concerns for air-time. Then again, it is commercial television.

TBH, it's more of the usual fellatio that the corporate media give the Coalition. Only when you've actually done some critical-thinking training do you realize how easy Tories have it in front of reporters...like any other well-trained poodles, they yap at your enemies, roll over and play dead all on command.

[New Chalcedon]

Fair enough. I'm in no place to tell the Australian people what to do but I do hope we retain our common head-of-state.

They're irrelevant and times are changing. An Australian Resident for President I say.

It's not a particularly popular view, but I'm in favour of neither a Republic nor an ongoing British crown.

A King (or Queen) of Australia (and not of the UK) suits me just fine, however.

[The Eastern Antarctic State]

They're irrelevant and times are changing. An Australian Resident for President I say.

It's not a particularly popular view, but I'm in favour of neither a Republic nor an ongoing British crown.

A King (or Queen) of Australia (and not of the UK) suits me just fine, however.

But the question is: Who would that be and how do we decide that?