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On that rate topic, I also heard the Gold Coast mayor on the radio saying they're keeping the rate increase this year to a 4% average. I'm not looking forward to my next bill after our council recently announced they're a billion dollars in the red on their budget.

I might have to stop complaining about my 30% council rate increase last year. I was listening to a grazier speaking on the ABC radio country hour talking about his latest rate bill from the Cassowary Coast Regional Council. He's had a 60% increase this time around. Combined with big increases preceding that, he's now handing over a third of his income to council in rates. Or as he put it another way, for every three cows he sells, one goes to paying rates.

They are Not good enough to be worth that price. Nev

We don't HAVE a 2 party system to start with. Lib/NP are almost extinct. WE DID have a 2 Party system but there were other parties from time to time, that came and went. Perhaps change the title? Most forums are wrecked once discussing politics happens. It even breaks up Families and some groups. A lot of people can't find any good at all in Politicians. I don't subscribe to that theory. Look a bit harder. Watch Question time. (It's often not easy. It's not a job I would seek and they are NOT ALL bad. Some are there for the spoils of office. The Best Pollies that Money can Buy. comes to Mind. None of them are overpaid. Their lives are not their own. The Media can destroy their career. Nev

Well the two party system has seen better days. What we should do now is change from voting for candidates, to voting on issues, because it's the issues that are dividing our nation so much. The Governor General can appoint administrators to manage the issues that the voting public have given priority to by majority vote. Old habits die hard, so this proposal will be viewed as radical, but only until it's not. The present system of parties with their own stalwart conflicting opinions is not achieving real harmony or contentment. They're only producing division, nationally incongruent protests and murders in the streets. We need to finish up with the bitter verbal chundering and get on with finding a better way.

A Moderator has issued a warning to Brendan, mainly for abusive posts. As a Moderator myself, I was wondering to myself if, due to the deterioration of the standard of debate we have come to expect, that this thread should be closed. The question has lead to inflammatory remarks, which are actually well off topic since the remarks have been personal attacks. However, closing a thread, no matter what the topic, could be seen as censorous, a denial of a freedom to express an opinion ON THE SENTIMENT OF THE TOPIC. Therefore, I have reached the conclusion that the thread should remain open. The point is, let's get back on topic. Perhaps we should move on to discussing the question, "Is a two-party system the most efficient way to provide governance to a Nation?" We have good examples of governments comprised of representatives of all political philosopies coming together to work for the good of a Nation. Consider teh British governmetn in WWII, and even the Australian Government in the same period. Let's have no more personal attacks. Let's raise ourselves out of the ralm of gutter politics. Say your piece on the topic, and back your statements on sources that can be examined.

PHONey's vetting practices haven't improved. https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2026/jun/16/one-nation-hitler-youth-john-drew-ntwnfb

Well, let's start searching through my posts to find those where I've made OFF comments about other posters. If there are any, they would be 100 times less than the abuse I've copped. The best I can remember, I've only suggested a member may be a Labor supporter.

onetrack, the last quote is not a totally over the top response, but I wouldn't put it in the respectful and courteous discussion category. When it comes to inappropriate speech on this forum, I'll be the first to put my hand up and admit to it. I've never pretended I don't. But I don't do it to other members because I don't like or agree with the content of their posts. The only time I ark up on someone is as a response to someone making unfounded and ludicrous attacks on me personally. And then I have to slap myself and remember the old Chinese saying that if you argue with a fool, there's two fools arguing. I'm not having a go at anyone here for their personal viewpoints, just calling out the blatant double standards that seem to be the norm on this forum lately. I think everyone on both sides needs to take a chill pill.

He certainly hasn't received respectful and courteous replies to his posts, whether they are rants or not. If you did up an abuse balance sheet I don't think long term members score very well on the scale. What ever happened to sensible debate. If people don't think they are getting sensible debate from someone, why just post a reverse rant back. Fair enough if people want to go tit for tat like that, but don't pretend it's just one side doing it.

I don't have an opinion on what Brendan has said, but I agree fully with the rest of it. Name calling, playing the man instead of the topic and mudslinging are not the sole domain of new members. For anyone wanting to sugarcoat the behaviour of long term members, just read back through some of the threads.

No, I think Brendan has a major anger management problem, and he needs to address that, before he can hold a respectful and courteous discussion without ranting.

Yes, I remember them being cheap. Solid frames but often had awful Soviet era welds. Factories used to supply free vodka to the workers; maybe the bad welds happened when the vodka ran out. The new Ural Gear Up 2WD outfits start at $35,000 for the standard model.

I agree with much of what Brendan has said, The abuse of him is exceptional. Anyone reading back impartially through this thread would agree. I invite you all to do so and then think about it.

They were $600 when new. I newly bought one but bought a Yamaha RT1 for similar money.

Another new/old toy picked up today, a 1970 Ural M-63 frame. Frame is original from the steering head back, including the rear guard. It also has left hand sidecar mounts which is a bonus. I haven't identified the wheels and forks as yet. The light is an Everwing, probably an old Datsun driving light. The bloke I got it from had only just recently bought it for a Yamaha 500 single motor that was in it. He said the engine was a tight fit in the frame which probably explains why the longitudinal brace below the steering head has been cut out. It's the closest I've been to an old Cossack since 1972. Second photo is what an original looks like for anyone who doesn't know the model.

The raving you go on with Brendan, wouldn't change any thinking persons Mind. Also do we have 2 Brendans.? If so that IS confusing. Note. Saying you are Raving when you say some things is NOT the same as the sort of thing being objected to lately. No one can make you say what you have said but yourself. Ive Probably been the Most Picked upon person Here for quite a while, so I'm in a good Position to know what it's like. It's become worse than Pprune. We are Here to exchange Ideas, not have a Pissing contest. I come on Line wondering what Crap will I have to Face this time? How is THAT OK? Nev

And the shit throwing continues

a drop in the ocean compared to labour and liberal.

I guess you want to live in the right-wing dream world where there are only white people in Australia, where corporations can do what they like, where poor people are alway just regarded as poor, because they're lazy, and where juvenile criminals are sent to the electric chair for stealing a car. You live in a world of childish simplistic answers and solutions. this comment was extra low. i am sick of telling you dickheads i am not rascist in any way. don't know how much i have to say it.

One Nation, led by Senator Pauline Hanson, has faced numerous financial and lobbying controversies over the years, including undisclosed campaign funds, police raids, and National Anti-Corruption Commission (NACC) referrals. [1, 2, 3] Key Corruption and Financial Controversies: NACC Staffer Referral: In May 2025, a former One Nation senator referred a senior party staffer to the National Anti-Corruption Commission amid allegations the staffer sought commissions from clients met during a 2017 Senate inquiry. [1] National Treasury Audits: In mid-2026, financial accounting reviews revealed the Queensland branch of One Nation accumulated missing assets and repeatedly failed to lodge required audited financial statements with the regulator since 2022. [1, 2] Defrauding the Electoral Commission: In late 2021, the party’s national treasurer, Alexander Jones, was charged with fraud following a referral from the Electoral Commission of Queensland (ECQ) over fraudulent documentation relating to election funding. Jones later pleaded guilty to attempted fraud in 2022. [1, 2, 3] Internal "Money Grab" Allegations: In August 2023, two of One Nation's New South Wales MPs quit the party after alleging under parliamentary privilege that officials improperly misappropriated and funneled state funds into federal coffers. [1] Undisclosed Plane Donations: The party was referred to the Australian Electoral Commission (AEC) following allegations that party officials hid the true ownership and donations of a light aircraft, and misused state taxpayer money. [1, 2] NRA Lobbying Scandal: An undercover investigation in 2019 captured senior party advisers seeking millions of dollars in campaign donations from the US National Rifle Association (NRA) in exchange for lobbying to weaken Australia's gun laws. [1, 2, 3]

labour supporters refuse to believe anything presented to them. i guess that makes them as dishonest as the government or gullible. not sure which. i will leave the forum to you lot. anytime facthunter and onetrack are on the same forum as me it turns into a shitfight. its the worst forum i have ever come across anyway. wish i had never found it.

Until the last few days, this forum has been pretty respectful between people with different political views. Suddenly, it has deteriorated. I am happy to listen to any reasoned, respectful argument.

Yes I react

Read what YOU say. You don't put crap on others? Nev