#auspol items of interest - discussion

ozbob · June 05, 2021, 13:54:10 PM

https://twitter.com/MarkBaileyMP/status/1400970413010608128

ozbob · June 06, 2021, 01:11:31 AM

https://twitter.com/ozbob13/status/1401194630616522759

ozbob · June 21, 2021, 11:54:06 AM

https://twitter.com/tegangeorge/status/1406789779157491718

ozbob · June 21, 2021, 12:18:53 PM

https://twitter.com/markhumphries/status/1406787440824655872

ozbob · August 09, 2021, 00:38:14 AM

ABC News --> Former Queensland LNP premier Campbell Newman to seek federal election with Liberal Democrats

QuoteKey points:

Campbell Newman is seeking election in the federal senate as a member of the Liberal Democrats

Mr Newman was the LNP premier of Queensland for one term, losing in a landslide election defeat in 2015

The former Brisbane lord mayor resigned from the LNP last month in protest against the party's pandemic response

====

Mr Newman announced late last month he was quitting the Liberal National Party, saying the political wing had "failed" to stand up for the party's core values.

Former Queensland premier Campbell Newman is seeking a return to politics, announcing his candidacy for the Senate ahead of the next federal election.

Now he has confirmed he will seek to return to the political fray with libertarian micro-party the Liberal Democrats.

The party has never before had a senator elected in Queensland, nor has it had any members elected to Queensland's state parliament. ...

ozbob · November 08, 2021, 09:50:22 AM

https://twitter.com/3AW693/status/1457485705777541127

#Metro · November 08, 2021, 09:58:20 AM

A simple reflection of Australian society in its current state.

This is the mirror people, I know it is not nice to look at, but it is what it is. YOU elected them.

Donations should probably be limited to real natural persons and on the electoral roll.

I'm less sure about company donations - it is a prickly area - banning them outright might lead to simply lead to money flows going underground, which would not be desirable or the formation of Political Action Committees (PACs) like the USA has, not sure if we want unintended consequences like that either.

PS:

Just look at the housing market for examples. People are getting enormous 100K+ financial boosts for no other reason than they owned a house at a time the RBA has flooded the economy with cash. And whatever they gain is at 50% discounted capital gains tax rate.

Can I get 50% break on my income, you know the one I actually worked and laboured for??

People's homes are earning more money than working!!

AnonymouslyBad · November 08, 2021, 18:08:17 PM

^ Capital gains tax concessions are so blatantly regressive: it's almost impressive they evade much scrutiny.
There's heaps of attention on negative gearing, which while a valid discussion is a non-event in comparison. A loss is a loss. But apparently when it comes to property, a profit is only half a profit and that's considered OK.

Agree, political donation rules can be fraught. I think almost real time, comprehensive reporting of corporate donations is probably better than outright banning them.

ozbob · December 16, 2021, 16:09:44 PM

Rail Express --> More infrastructure funding for rail and road

QuoteThe Federal Government is providing $2.3 billion towards projects across Australia, aimed at ensuring Australia's road and rail networks remain strong, efficient and safe into the future.

Through the 2021-22 Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook, projects include:

$316.1 million for the Coomera Connector Stage 1 (Coomera to Nerang) in Queensland

$300 million for projects to support the delivery of METRONET in Western Australia

$80 million for the Freight Capacity Upgrade Program in Tasmania;

$50 million for the Lefevre Peninsula Upgrades Project in South Australia

$17.93 million for intersection upgrades at four locations across the Australian Capital Territory, to keep pedestrians and motorists safe;

and $6 million for the Caulfield to Rowville Link business case (Victoria).

Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce said the Government is continuing to invest in new and existing infrastructure projects that will create more jobs for Australians and help secure economic recovery. ...

ozbob · December 16, 2021, 16:42:27 PM

Sunshine Coast News --> Action stations: funding pledge to fast-track coastal rail vision after decades of talk

Quote
A decades-old vision to extend the passenger rail line from Beerwah to Caloundra and Maroochydore could soon be on track after a Federal Government announcement.

The Morrison Government has revealed "investment planning" for heavy passenger rail running along the coastal strip of the Sunshine Coast will get underway in 2022 thanks to a $3 million funding pledge.

This was included in its mid-year budget update.

The commitment will be matched by the Queensland Government to deliver a $6 million investment planning project for extending the rail line from Beerwah to the Maroochydore CBD, running through Caloundra and Kawana.

The agreement would give traction to a renewed push to extend the line to the Maroochydore CBD using the CAMCOS corridor in time for the 2032 Olympic and Paralympic Games.

Member for Fairfax Ted O'Brien welcomed the news.

"This is the next step to take the project forward," he said.

"There's still a long way to go, but there's no time to waste and we must keep
moving which is why this news is so welcomed. ..