Yenn Posted November 28, 2020 Posted November 28, 2020 I have been thinking that politicians don't inspire me. They all seem to be the same and equally useless. I will start off with the pollie who has my admiration in federal politics. Maxine Mc Kew, I hope that is correct spelling. If you can remember her, you will probably know why.
Jerry_Atrick Posted November 28, 2020 Posted November 28, 2020 I have two, no, three favourite pollies in order of preference: The late Sid Spindler - Australian Democrats -but long before they sold out to the Lib Dems.. A man of great integrity and practical solutions. Not willingto bend to climb the greasy pole and therefore would not be welcome in the major parties. Understood issues some pollies only recently are willing to concede - like climate change, pollution, popularims, etc. I remember listening to an interview with him after he retired and thought - what a loss to Australian politics. Dr. Gerry Vaughan - State Victorian member for Glenhuntly.. tireless worker for the community ; not scared to stand up to his party when they were taking the wrong direction and although I only met him a few times, taught me a lot. The late Joan Child - Member for the then Federal seat of Henty, first female speaker of Reps. and my next-door neighour. Again, a tireless worker for her constiuency and between her and Dr. Vaughan, an inspiration to get me involved in politics (and I would become disenfranchised by about the age of 18 - 19). I was amazewd at her compassion.. .and if you think all pollies have their snouts in the trough, well... all three of the above eschewed it.. I know we paint our pollies in a bad light.. Those that have their eyes on the prize probably are more selfish than self-centrerd. They are the ones you hear about in the press, because the lengths theyt are prepared to go to get what THEY want are what is reported in the press. What you don't hear about is they many tireless MPs and senators on all sides of the political divide that work their posteriors off for their constituencies/communities and the betterment of Australia (or their state or council). But I will also havfe a special mention of 3 ex PMs (in no special order): Mal Fraser... Too early in my life (or interest in politics) to judge his PM performance, but he was head of the razor gang. However, his post-PM performance (pants above or at his ankles) was amazing.. a tireless proponent of social justice and the little guiy after his reign as PM.. So I can't comment on his days as PM, but afterwards... seemed pretty good.. Bob Hawke - Not perfect, but a good all round bloke.. but also governed Australia for Australia.. tamed the unions more outrageous tactics (Norm Gallagher, anyone)... But made sure corporate interests were also in check.. A PM opf all the people. Paul Keating - I didn't like him at first, butsome of his legacy has had a profound impact for the better on most Aussie battlers.. Yes, her had high mortgage rates when he was Treasurer... but so dod the rest of the world and to think Australia could buck that trend and not go broke given the structire of Australia's economy is fantasy. I can't think of too many others..Gillard - maybe, but thatwould not be founded on much more than the press in the UK at the time... 2
willedoo Posted November 29, 2020 Posted November 29, 2020 (edited) 2 hours ago, Jerry_Atrick said: Paul Keating - I didn't like him at first, butsome of his legacy has had a profound impact for the better on most Aussie battlers.. Yes, her had high mortgage rates when he was Treasurer... but so dod the rest of the world and to think Australia could buck that trend and not go broke given the structire of Australia's economy is fantasy. High interest rates under Keating brought on a bout of everlasting National amnesia. Highest housing interest rates were under the Fraser government with Howard as Treasurer in April 1982 (21.4%). The Hawke government's highest was 19% in December 1985, and the Keating government's was 7.9% in December 1994. It's a good example of how personal dislike for a particular politician (Paul Keating) can cloud one's concept of the truth. The narrative has grown to fit the disliking of him. Edited November 29, 2020 by willedoo 1 1
Old Koreelah Posted November 29, 2020 Posted November 29, 2020 16 hours ago, Yenn said: I have been thinking that politicians don't inspire me. They all seem to be the same and equally useless. I will start off with the pollie who has my admiration in federal politics. Maxine Mc Kew, I hope that is correct spelling. If you can remember her, you will probably know why. Although her term was brief, Maxine earned her place in history for unseating one of our most intolerable PMs.
Yenn Posted November 29, 2020 Author Posted November 29, 2020 One that I don't respect was talking on Australia all Over this morning. He said that he has regular talks with john Howard. Now that is a worrying thing. To consider that our present PM talks to the worst PM we ever had, doesn't make him look good. Glad to see I am not the only one who considers Paul Keating was good. The reason that I forgot that interest rates were higher with Hawke and Howard, was because I paid out my mortgage in 1980.
nomadpete Posted November 29, 2020 Posted November 29, 2020 I'm trying to think of a politician that I'd admire.............
spacesailor Posted November 29, 2020 Posted November 29, 2020 The one that had the constituents Partying in the streets.was the most Hated, only put a smile on their faces when they saw the funeral. spacesailor
Bruce Tuncks Posted November 29, 2020 Posted November 29, 2020 I reckon Julia was the best pm we ever had... but I gotta tell this story about how I once rang up a brother-in-law and pretended to be John Howard asking for advice.. Well he hung up! 2
nomadpete Posted November 29, 2020 Posted November 29, 2020 Still thinking........... Can think if some isolated good things done or said, but....they might have just been momentary brainfarts. 1
old man emu Posted November 29, 2020 Posted November 29, 2020 I always thought that King O'Malley was a politician with an agenda. He was a member of the Lower House from 1901 to 1917. He was prominent in selecting Canberra as the Federal Capital and for the awarding of the design prize to Walter Burley Griffin. He agitated for the formation of the Commonwealth Bank as a Government holding. He could also claim credit for beginning the building of the Trans-Australian Railway from Port Augusta to Perth. HIs greatest act of social reform was the introduction of a ban on the sale of alcohol in the Capital Territory. It wasn't much of a ban as the pubs of Queanbeyan were only 16 kms away, and there was no ban in bringing alcohol into the ACT. His political views combined with his personal background and personality traits made him a controversial figure during his career. His antecedents were a bit murky. It seems that he was actually ineligible to be a parliamentarian as he was probably born in the USA and never became a British subject. However, poor record keeping in the mid-19th Century American and Canadian frontiers made it hard to disprove his claim that he was Canadian. It is believed that he made it out of the USA just ahead of the authorities who wanted to chat with him about a slight matter of a fraud involving tens of thousands of dollars. 2
nomadpete Posted November 29, 2020 Posted November 29, 2020 I'd never heard of King O'Malley, but he sounds like a 19th century (pre Twitter, pre Murdoch, pre Breitbart) trump.
nomadpete Posted November 29, 2020 Posted November 29, 2020 No matter how hard I try, I still can't admit to 'favoring' any particular politician. So I can't say I have a favourite.
nomadpete Posted November 29, 2020 Posted November 29, 2020 Has anyone else noticed that many politicians sound logical, knowledgeable, and sometimes even interesting............... When they get interviewed (years) after they are out of the job? Did they gain wisdom with age, or is it a sign that they were shackled by media and lobby groups (which might equate to integrity being compromised by bribes)?
Yenn Posted November 30, 2020 Author Posted November 30, 2020 They are not shackled but their prime aim s to keep their party in power. They will not answer a straight question ut are very quick to denigrate the opposition while applauding their measly attempts to do good.
Bruce Tuncks Posted November 30, 2020 Posted November 30, 2020 Julia Gillard was the best PM we have ever had. What she achieved when she didn't even have a majority in the house was amazing. Of course she never had a fair go... after all, she was a woman.
Old Koreelah Posted November 30, 2020 Posted November 30, 2020 11 hours ago, nomadpete said: Has anyone else noticed that many politicians sound logical, knowledgeable, and sometimes even interesting............... When they get interviewed (years) after they are out of the job? Did they gain wisdom with age, or is it a sign that they were shackled by media and lobby groups (which might equate to integrity being compromised by bribes)? I have noticed that politicians clearly-spoken in opposition quickly becoming very hesitant about what they say after they get into the hot seat. 1
Marty_d Posted November 30, 2020 Posted November 30, 2020 On 29/11/2020 at 2:04 PM, Yenn said: To consider that our present PM talks to the worst PM we ever had, doesn't make him look good. I thought you were talking about John Howard. The worst would be Tony Abbott. Howard came a close second, but at least he gave us decent gun laws. Hey at least we dodged a real bullet - imagine that tool Dutton as PM. 1
Jerry_Atrick Posted November 30, 2020 Posted November 30, 2020 Or.. Bronnie Bishop.. or Mark Latham... With time, he really showed what an appendage of the make anatomy he is.. I can't work out which of him and Abbot is worse... 1
willedoo Posted December 2, 2020 Posted December 2, 2020 On 01/12/2020 at 4:55 AM, Jerry_Atrick said: I can't work out which of him and Abbot is worse... Jerry, I don't think it's possible. Chuck mutton head Dutton into the mix and you've got the trifecta.
nomadpete Posted January 16, 2021 Posted January 16, 2021 (edited) My favourite politician at the moment........ Mr morrison (representing infamous coal lobby) shows us what it takes to lead a country......... "While Sydney choked on bushfire smoke one year ago, Scott Morrison and Josh Frydenberg billed taxpayers almost $5,000 to take a private jet on a whirlwind overnight trip to Lachlan Murdoch's Christmas party." (Quote borrowed from getup) It seems that Dutton missed the party. PS I hope this post doesn't get me an asio portfolio! Edited January 16, 2021 by nomadpete added some sarcasm 1
Bruce Tuncks Posted January 16, 2021 Posted January 16, 2021 Barry Jones... he went from being a quiz champion to a minister in a Labor government. He was smart and sure knew a lot of stuff. He was much the same on a recent interview. What I want now though is a politician who will reduce the red tape which surrounds us too much today. The thing I would like is that there can only be so many regulations, so if you introduce a new one then you need to get rid of an old one, or maybe it should be 2 old ones... 1 2
nomadpete Posted January 16, 2021 Posted January 16, 2021 Well they did get rid of some old red tape surrounding the use of automobiles.... We no longer have to have a man carry a red flag in front of an automobile. And they also deleted that old law that allowed me to urinate on the rear left wheel of my carriage. 1
Yenn Posted January 17, 2021 Author Posted January 17, 2021 When I read on these forums someone saying that there should be a law against something, I can see where all the red tape comes in. Someone just recently said that dogs should be banned from aerodromes. Let CASA know that and away we go. The problem ith red tape is that we have a heap of bureaucrats who love to nit pick their way around every bit of legislation. There is no room for common sense. Just look at what is happening with Covid quarantine. 2
Marty_d Posted January 17, 2021 Posted January 17, 2021 Barry Jones was before my time but I've heard him speak since on a number of topics, and he seems to be a very knowledgeable and smart bloke. Kind of like the exact opposite to Alan Jones. Current pollies - I have a lot of time for Andrew Wilkie, Richard Di Natale (just left), and Albo. There's a hell of a lot more that I wouldn't piddle on if they were on fire.
gareth lacey Posted January 17, 2021 Posted January 17, 2021 Under J Howard s time i had the best years, under all others i went backwards, i would not feed any of the current crop especially albo and fryberg
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