Is Robert Oakeshott having second thoughts?

[Sojourner]

According to todays Advertiser Robert Oakeshott is keen for Tony Abbott to detail to him why the NBN is wrong and has stated that he will be reconsidering his positon if its the case that its not financially viable. What happened to his statement that he was supporting Labor? Is it media conferences on a few weekly basis each time one of the independants changes their mind on something?

[redandblack]

Nothing

No.

[dedja]

Any thoughts he has is a worry ...

[redandblack]

Yes, he was naive enough to think Tony Abbott was a man of his word.

[redandblack]

Even more so, now.

Abbott has gone back on his word about pairing the Speaker.

Sequence:

Gives his word before the Ind's decide.

The Independents choose Labor.

Abbott breaks his word.




Stop the boats - that's about it for this bloke.

[Media Park]

So whom exactly is our Speaker?

[redandblack]

Can Abbott get any worse?

Liberal Alex Somlyay was reported as having agreed to be Deputy Speaker and 'pair' with the speaker.

This would have been a major slap in the face for Tony.

The Liberals then issue a press release, denying it completely and 'quoting' Somlyay saying he was a good Liberal and wouldn't have a bar of it.

The only problem was that Somlyay had agreed to be Deputy Speaker and not vote against Labor on supply and no-confidence motions.

The 'quotes' came from Tony Abbott's office and were totally wrong.

This bloke not only breaks his word, whether verbally or in writing, but even 'verbals' his own side.

Gillard or Abbott? Who would you rather have negotiating for you?


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010 ... 021583.htm

I'm guessing there's a bit going on behind the scenes in Tony's office and there'll be a good 'explanation' to come.

Should be entertaining

[smac]

Depends if you consider Gillard's capitulating as negotiating. At least Abbott actually has a stance. If Gillard disappeared up her own arse would anyone actually notice?

And if she did, I'd push Abbott up there after her to be rid of them both.

[redandblack]

Successfully negotiating with the Independents. Successfully persuading a Liberal to be Deputy Speaker?

That's capitulating?

Lying? Not keeping his word? Losing?

That's a stance?

I suppose it is, FWIW.

[Psyber]

I'm having second thoughts..
I'm thinking of forming a political party dedicated to reducing the number of MPs and slashing their salaries by 25%.
I would also aim to end tax-payer funded travel for MPs, and only send technical experts on "fact-finding" missions.
Is anyone willing to join me and stand as a candidate for the party at the next elected on those terms?

[Gozu]

I'm having second thoughts..
I'm thinking of forming a political party dedicated to reducing the number of MPs and slashing their salaries by 25%.
I would also aim to end tax-payer funded travel for MPs, and only send technical experts on "fact-finding" missions.
Is anyone willing to join me and stand as a candidate for the party at the next elected on those terms?

You want to form a party to get into government but no one to be there? End tax-payer funding to travel so only the rich ones and those sponsored by lobbyists (independence?) can travel? Are climate scientists "technical experts" on climate change or will the "fact-finding missions" only be open to retired ex-doctors? Do facts really want to be found?

Yes, I'd like to stand as a member for the party that either doesn't want to exist or believes it shouldn't exist

[Psyber]

You want to form a party to get into government but no one to be there? End tax-payer funding to travel so only the rich ones and those sponsored by lobbyists (independence?) can travel? Are climate scientists "technical experts" on climate change or will the "fact-finding missions" only be open to retired ex-doctors? Do facts really want to be found?

Yes, I'd like to stand as a member for the party that either doesn't want to exist or believes it shouldn't exist

1. Yes, I favour less politicians and I'd be prepared to stand on that basis and take the pay cut willingly for the cause.

2. I didn't advocate ending tax payer funding for travel for genuine reasons - I just didn't want amateurs like me or most politicians doing the trips.
I wanted those with technical skills to be sent instead.

3. Yes, climate scientists qualify, but they like "experts" in other fields may have to be sent in small balanced groups to offset individual bias.

4. No, facts like to hide in dark corners.

[bulldogproud2]

The non-pairing of members is absolute proof that Tony Abbott is not interested at all in 'leading' Australia, only in his own ego and the status of becoming Prime Minister. He has the perfect opportunity to help parliament work on good policy, to have all work together and create a better Australia. What does he want to do? Take his bat and ball home and break the stumps because he did not become Prime Minister.
The fact that he has even made a statement saying that he believes Julia Gillard should never be allowed to leave Australian shores on business as Prime Minister just shows how low this man will go!

[Gozu]

Try not to take much of what comes out of the Mad Monk's mouth seriously he's playing to the News Ltd crowd.

The coalition's Peter Slipper has been elected deputy speaker.

[bulldogproud2]

True, we have to remember that he did say earlier this year that the only time he is telling the truth is when he is reading a speech prepared by someone else!

[redandblack]

The election of Peter Slipper as Deputy Speaker is another embarrassment for Abbott.

The vote was 78 - 71, which means either Crook or one of the Coalition voted for Slipper, as well as all the other Independents.

His performance since the election, on anyone's reckoning, has been extremely poor.

On top of that, he's shown that his word is worth nothing.

[Gozu]

"Ambushed: Slippery Pete rats on Abbott":

TONY ABBOTT has warned his angry charges not to drive Peter Slipper out of the Liberal Party after the renegade Queensland MP cut a secret deal with Labor to become the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In a loss of face for the Opposition Leader and an important strategic victory for the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, Mr Slipper secured the job by 78 votes to 71 after at least five of the six crossbenchers, including Bob Katter, voted with the government.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/ambushed ... 15vuk.html

[Executive Member]

"Ambushed: Slippery Pete rats on Abbott":

TONY ABBOTT has warned his angry charges not to drive Peter Slipper out of the Liberal Party after the renegade Queensland MP cut a secret deal with Labor to become the Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives.

In a loss of face for the Opposition Leader and an important strategic victory for the Prime Minister, Julia Gillard, Mr Slipper secured the job by 78 votes to 71 after at least five of the six crossbenchers, including Bob Katter, voted with the government.

http://www.smh.com.au/national/ambushed ... 15vuk.html

pairing will now happen without Tony knowing as Jenkins has stated that he will vacate the chair of speaker at will forcing the deputy to fill the void - will probably happen at every cruical vote

Red Head 1
Mad Monk 0

although the game has just started

[redandblack]

The Government lost a minor procedural vote earlier today.

Red Head 1
Mad Monk 1

[ca]

The Government lost a minor procedural vote earlier today.

Red Head 1
Mad Monk 1

What an embarrassment.