Jacqui Lambie claims victory over defence pay

Jacqui Lambie's bill to link defence
pay to that of politicians won't
lead to a pay increase.

The Courier-Mail reports:  JACQUI Lambie's bill to "keep the bastards in the blue ties honest" about defence force pay won't lead to a pay increase for the nation's military.

BUT the independent senator wants it to serve as a warning to Prime Minister Tony Abbott.Senator Lambie claimed victory on Thursday after winning upper house support for her private bill that links the pay of defence force personnel to that of politicians or inflation, whichever is higher.

However, it was a pyrrhic victory.

The bill now has to go to parliament's lower house where it's unlikely to be even debated.

Senator Lambie doesn't seem phased.

"This is going to be a very valuable lesson," she told reporters after the Senate vote.

Mr Abbott retreated from his lower-than-inflation pay rise earlier in March, bumping up an initial offer of 1.5 per cent annually to two per cent.

That wasn't enough to convince Senator Lambie to withdraw her bill, which won the support of Labor, the Greens and some crossbenchers.

Full story: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/senate-debates-defence-force-pay-hikes/story-fnihsfrf-1227269015470?from=public_rss

QLD government scuttles uranium mining: LNP open-slather policy overturned

No uranium mining in Queensland.

The Brisbane Times reports:  "The Department of Natural Resources and Mines has not received one single application for a uranium mining lease." 

Labor plans on scuttling a Queensland industry before it even begins.

The Newman Government announced it would overturn the long-time ban on uranium mining in 2012 and opened applications in August 2014.

Queensland's Mary Kathleen Mine, near Mount Isa, closed in 1982, seven years before uranium mining was banned in the state.

Campbell Newman announced the state would once again open its uranium resources to the world, following then-Prime Minister Julia Gillard setting in motion plans to export Australian uranium to India.

Mary Kathleen uranium mine. 

The Mines Minister, Andrew Cripps, said mining uranium "will help ensure we remain Australia's job powerhouse for the long term".

"The uranium industry has the potential to generate significant development in North Queensland, as well as royalties to fund school and health services, roads and public infrastructure," he said in August last year.

"Each new uranium project has the potential to create a large number of construction and operational jobs."

But while in Opposition, Labor was against overturning the ban, an attitude Mr Cripps had labelled "ideological", but a spokesman for the new government said uranium mining would once again be kiboshed in Queensland.

Full story: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/labor-says-no-to-uranium-mining-in-queensland-20150313-143pzi.html

Vaccinations should be compulsory for all kids at child care centres and school students

Vaccinations should be compulsory.

The sooner the better vaccinations are compulsory for all children at child care centres in Queensland and for all primary and secondary students.

The benefits of vaccination are so well-proven, it is hard to fathom how anyone could legitimately oppose the health and well-being of our children.

The Courier-Mail reports: QUEENSLAND'S premier has indicated she'll introduce vaccination laws to ensure all children are protected, but says she doesn't want to go down the path of banning unvaccinated kids from childcare centres.

ANNASTACIA Palaszczuk says her government is committed to making sure every child is protected against infectious diseases.But she says unfortunately there are still high rates of unvaccinated children on the Sunshine Coast and northern Queensland.

Ms Palaszczuk wants to bring in laws around vaccination, but says she doesn't want to ban unvaccinated children from attending childcare centres.

"I know it's an issue that is out there in the community. It's a public health and safety issue; we will introduce that legislation this year," she said.

Full story: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/qld-to-strengthen-immunisation-laws/story-fnihsfrf-1227259566654?from=public_rss

Australian Politics: Julie Bishop makes bizarre plea to Indonesia - Pity the AFP didn't cause this mess in the first place

 Andrew Chan and
Myuran Sukumaran.

The Courier-Mail reports: FOREIGN Minister Julie Bishop's offer to cover the cost of life imprisonment for Andrew Chan and Myuran Sukumaran is part of a package aimed at sparing the pair from the death penalty, the men's Australian lawyer says.

MS Bishop reportedly made the offer to Indonesian counterpart Retno Marsudi in a letter in which she lists the alleged corruption of trial judges as one of many reasons the two Australians should be saved.The Bali Nine ringleaders are in quarantine conditions on Nusakambangan island off Java awaiting execution, with their lawyers due to return to court on Thursday with their most urgent appeal yet.

Speaking on Thursday, the men's Australian lawyer, Peter Morrissey, described Ms Bishop's offer as attractive, but doubted Indonesian authorities would take it up.

"It's attractive in itself. Whether that on its own will do the trick, I doubt. It's part of a package," Mr Morrissey told the Seven Network.

"I think, Indonesia will consider the whole range of things that Julie Bishop and Tony Abbott have put forward."

Full story: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/bishops-bali-nine-offer-attractive/story-fnihsfrf-1227259474704?from=public_rss

Australian Politics: Labor still well ahead nationally

The latest Newspoll published in today's Australian has Labor ahead of the Liberals 55:45.

This is sure to put more pressure on nervous Liberals to dump Tony Abbott in favour of Malcolm Turnbull.

QLD Politics: LNP secret donations law to be ditched by Labor

Jarrod Bleijie - his
outrageous law is about
 to be tossed out by Labor.

It was a disgraceful piece of legislation dreamed up by the LNP, given life by the former Attorney-General Jarrod Blejie and carefully nurtured by Campbell Newman - whose reign as Premier will go down in history as the worst performance of any Premier since Queensland became a separate colony in 1859.

Puggsley from the Addams Family
bears a striking resemblance to Jarrod
Bleijie.  One was a pretentious, little
upstart - the other of course
was a child TV actor.

It was designed for one reason - and one reason only - to hide political donations made to the Liberal National Party in Queensland.

Its justification was impossible to fathom and this law was the beginning of the end of the Campbell Newman LNP government.

The Palaszczuk government had done the right thing with its quick decision to bury this anti-democratic, outrageous law.

Premier Palaszczuk set to dump the
 LNP's secret donations law.

The Courier-Mail reports: Palaszczuk commits to reverse controversial political donations law created by Newman government.

THE Palaszczuk Government is moving forward with its plan to roll back controversial Newman government reforms to political donation disclosure laws, with Cabinet today formally approving the introduction of legislation.

As previously promised, the reversal of the donation law changes - which raised the disclosure threshold from $1000 to $12,800 - will be the first piece of legislation introduced into the new Parliament.

Cabinet has also approved moves to reinstate six-monthly reporting requirements, scrap voter ID requirements and examine the possible introduction of “real-time disclosure” of donations.

Ms Palaszczuk said the donation law changes would stretch back to November 21, 2013.

“No more will there be secrecy in political donations,” Ms Palaszczuk said.

Full story:  http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/palaszczuk-commits-to-reverse-controversial-political-donations-law-created-by-newman-government/story-fnihsrf2-1227255441662?from=public_rss

NSW Politics: ALP promises stamp duty payments over 5 years for new home buyers

NSW Labor to ease first home
  buyers' stamp duty burden.

The Courier-Mail reports: FIRST home buyers of properties worth up to $750,000 will be able to pay stamp duty in monthly instalments over a five-year period if Labor wins the state election.

THE option to defer stamp duty would be open to more than 37,000 first home buyers each year."Property across greater Sydney will continue to be in high demand. Labor will act to help hard-working people achieve their dream of home ownership," Opposition Leader Luke Foley said in a statement on Monday.

Mr Foley, who is launching his Central Coast campaign in Gosford, accused the government of stripping stamp duty exemptions and first home buyer grants, leaving first home buyers up to $25,000 worse off.

This translates to a 33 per cent slump in the number of first home buyers gaining finance since 2011, he said.

"Mike Baird and the Liberals have crushed the dreams of first home buyers," he said.

"With no incentive or support, individuals and young couples working hard in Sydney just can't get into the property market and buy their first home."

Mr Foley said Labor's plan would cost $60 million and had been fully costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office.

If Labor wins the March 28 election, it will come into effect on January 1, 2016.

Full story: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/nsw-stamp-duty-in-five-year-instalments/story-fnihsfrf-1227254769031?from=public_rss

Labor rules out Hockey's hare-brained super scheme

Chris Bowen rejects Joe
Hockey's "brain wave".

The Courier-Mail reports: ALLOWING young people to dip into their superannuation to buy their first home would only push up house prices and undermine retirement savings, Labor says.

OVER the weekend Treasurer Joe Hockey said Australia needed to make the super system more flexible, even suggesting it could be used to help first home buyers.Labor's treasury spokesman Chris Bowen has dismissed the idea as a "thought bubble".

"We need superannuation more than ever before because we are living longer," he told ABC radio.

"It could have the perverse impact of making housing affordability worse and undermining retirement incomes for people on lower and middle incomes."

Industry groups have also spoken out against the idea, saying it would erode retirement savings.

Fully story: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/super-not-for-first-home-buyers-labor/story-fnihsfrf-1227254549983?from=public_rss

Australian Kids are politically smart

Nine-year-old has perfect response to school quiz asking about the 'three major problems facing Australia'

The kids are alright.

Kids, as the popular phrase goes, say the darnedest things. But sometimes they're also just, you know, right.

Reddit user JonoUK posted a pic of his friend's 9-year-old son's school homework - a few delightfully spot-on answers to the question, "Select 3 major problems facing Australia today."

His answers? "1. Tony Abbott. 2. War. 3. Cyclones."

Even better, to the follow-up question "What are your solutions?", he replied: "1. Do not vote for Tony Abbott. 2. Say no to war. 3. Do something about climate change."

I hope he got a well-deserved early-mark for this.

Because the internet likes to wreck everything, some fellow Redditors got defensive, arguing that the 9-year-old's answers showed a distinct "lack of critical thinking", and he probably just wrote down the radical, cyclone-hating drivel his vegan-anarchist folks hypnotised him into repeating. 

Or, you know, maybe he's just a smart kid?

"Hey guys I only posted this because I thought it was funny," clarified JonoUK. "Obviously a 9-year-old child is going [to] parrot what he hears his parents saying. I'd be lying if I said he had come to this mindset on his own. Take it from me, his dad's about as far left as you can get. Even so, I'm sure most sane level-headed people would agree with his sentiment."

I think the teacher's ticks all over the page back that up, too. Surely that page should be covered in a few more gold stars.

http://www.dailylife.com.au/dl-people/dl-entertainment/nineyearold-has-perfect-response-to-school-quiz-asking-about-the-three-major-problems-facing-australia-20150305-13vl2n.html

Logan City: Pam Parker to quit as Mayor

Pam Parker will not contest the 2016 election.

Logan City Mayor Pam Parker Not To Contest 2016 Election.

Logan City Mayor Pam Parker has today announced she will not be contesting the 2016 Mayoral election.

Speaking in front of almost 400 guests at an International Women's Day brunch at the Logan Entertainment Centre today, Mayor Pam Parker reflected on her 18 years in Logan City Council, and the trials and triumphs of leading Australia's fifth most populated Local Government Area.

"After consulting my family and close friends, I have decided I will not be contesting the next election as Mayor of Logan", said Mayor Parker.

"This is a decision I have not taken lightly, as there are many who believe in me and know of my genuine love and care for this great city and its people, having served 11 years as a Councillor, and now seven years as Mayor.

Mayor Pam Parker

"I do have remorse in making this announcement, however after the next Local Government elections in March 2016, it will be time for me to recharge, rebuild my health, reconnect with my family and friends and begin the next chapter of life."

Mayor Pam Parker was first elected as a Divisional Councillor in 1997, and over 11 years built a strong reputation for working hard and caring for the community.

With the support of family and close friends, Cr Parker contested the 2008 Mayoral election and stormed home with an impressive 72% of the two-candidate preferred vote, defeating a former Mayor and former State Government Minister.

Mayor Pam Parker this morning paid tribute to the many people who supported and encouraged her during her time as Mayor.

"I was blessed to be surrounded by such a supportive family and staff who truly sustained me throughout my first term as Mayor given the toxic political environment in Council at that time", said Mayor Parker.

"Add to that overseeing Local Government amalgamation, DA reform, and water restructuring, my first term can only be described as gruelling.

"Thankfully, my second term has afforded me the opportunity to do more of what I do best – and that is to promote the City of Logan like there is no tomorrow."

With just over one year until the next Local Government elections, Mayor Pam Parker re-affirmed her commitment to fervently serving the people of Logan right through until her very last day as Mayor.

"Over the next year I am going to passionately continue letting the world know why Logan is a city of opportunity for investors, business and residents", said Mayor Parker.

"We are a city on the go and we are hungry as a Council team for businesses to invest in Logan to create jobs for today's residents and future generations - our children's future is all consuming for me.

"There will be ample opportunity over the next 12 months to say farewell to the thousands of people I have met over the past nearly two decades, but in the meantime, there is still much work to do."

http://www.logan.qld.gov.au/about-council/news-and-publications/media-releases/media-releases/logan-city-mayor-pam-parker-not-to-contest-2016-election/_nocache

Close the Convention Centre down until they get their act together

Close the Convention Centre until
 the source of the problem is identified.

Public health and proper food sanitation are absolutely essential especially for major establishments which the public should be able have every confidence in. 

To have one serious large-scale outbreak of food poisoning is bad enough but to have two, beggars belief.

The Health Department should close the food operations at the Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre until source of the food poisoning is identified at all steps implemented to prevent it from ever happening again.

The Courier-Mail reports: The Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre has been linked to a second outbreak of salmonella poisoning.

THE Brisbane Convention and Exhibition Centre was the source of a salmonella outbreak a week before 250 people got food poisoning at a school principals’ conference.

It’s been revealed about 10 people fell ill after attending the Fundraising Institute of Australia at the centre, a week before the principals’ conference was held late last month.

Five of those 10 people were confirmed to have had salmonella.

Full story: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/brisbane-fast-first-bcec-linked-to-second-salmonella-poisoning-outbreak-and-the-latest-breaking-news-march-6/story-fnqcjzme-1227228706002?from=public_rss

NSW Politics: The ABC's Antony Green says Mike Baird might still lose

Can Mike Baird hold on to power in NSW?

The new Liberal Premier of New South Wales Mike Baird may be about to do the impossible - lose government.

Who would have ever thought that three years after winning only 7 of 89 seats in the Queensland Parliament, Labor would win the next election.

But a similar thing could easily occur in NSW.

Mike Baird carries a litany of corruption, broken promises and corrupt members on the conservative side of the NSW parliament.

He deserves to lose and may well do so given the current fickle nature of Australian politics.

The Courier-Mail reports:  NOT so long ago, the 2015 NSW election was shaping up as a drab, dry affair.

BUT a $3000 bottle of plonk, a foggy memory, a letter written on behalf of Sydney siege gunman Man Haron Monis and Prime Minister Tony Abbott's unpopularity have livened up proceedings.Barry O'Farrell, who led the coalition to a landslide victory in 2011, fell on his sword last April after giving misleading evidence to ICAC about a bottle of red gifted to him by a Liberal donor.

His Treasurer Mike Baird, formerly a merchant banker, was anointed premier and set about regaining the public's trust in politics.

But the issue that has come to dominate Mr Baird's premiership, and one that might define his political career is power privatisation.

All the recent opinion polls suggest the coalition will be returned to power with a diminished majority.

Even the worst poll result for the coalition, a Galaxy survey published in February, has the Baird government returning with a comfortable majority despite it suffering an 11 per cent swing against it.

That scenario could leave Labor with an extra 16 seats should the swing be applied uniformly across the state.

But the ABC's election analyst Antony Green says the coalition is at risk of losing its majority.

He argues the nature of Labor's defensive 2011 campaign means that many coalition seats are sitting on "vastly inflated" margins and could be under threat.

A number of far north coasts seats held by The Nationals on 20-plus per cent margins are in reality at serious risk of falling to the ALP, Mr Green suggests.

NSW Liberals are also worried that Mr Abbott's sagging popularity will translate to a sizeable swing against the Baird government.

Whatever ends up happening in Canberra, the recent Queensland and Victorian election results exemplified the increasing volatility of voting patterns across Australia.

Mr Baird has been warned.

Full story: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/nsw-election-closer-than-it-looks/story-fnihsfrf-1227250808104?from=public_rss

Queensland MPs base pay jumps to $152,688 per annum

The Courier-Mail reports: QUEENSLAND MPs are in line to receive a 2.58 per cent pay rise, boosting their base salary by $3840.

The Queensland Independent Remuneration Tribunal today released its latest determination revealing it would raise MPs’ pay from April 6.

“The Tribunal has determined that the base salary and additional salaries of office holders will increase by 2.58 per cent,” it’s report states.

“By applying the same percentage increase to the additional salaries of office holders, the relativity in levels of these additional salaries is maintained.

“This increase moves the base salary from $148,848 to $152,688.”

But MPs may have to pay back some of that increase if it doesn’t match the pay rises awarded to public servants this year with Ms Palaszczuk revealing she intends to pass new laws retrospectively linking MP pay to that of bureaucrats from this year.

Full story: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/queensland-mps-may-have-to-hand-back-latest-pay-rise/story-fnn8dlfs-1227249140813

Queensland women let down as LNP hosts lunch at sexist male-only club

PM Tony Abbott defends Australia's most-
 sexist club -  Tattersall's in Brisbane.

The LNP has proven conclusively it is anti-women by holding its International Women's Day lunch as one of the most-sexist clubs in Australia.

Tattersall's Club, off the Queen Street Mall in Brisbane, is the last bastion of conservatism in the nation where women are treated as second class citizens and refused membership on the basis of their sex.

What's worse - Prime Minister Tony Abbott promised only two weeks ago to reform his biased, conservative ways, yet has now let down the women of Australia with a tirade of abuse justifying and supporting the disgraceful treatment of women by Tattersall's.

Tony Abbott wants two Australian nationals on death row in Indonesia to be afforded natural justice and treatment in accordance with Australian law, but when it comes to protecting the rights of Australian women, he has shown he is still living in the Ice Age.

Australia's political Neanderthal strikes again!

The Brisbane Times reports: The Liberal National Party reportedly plans to hold an International Women's Day function at a men-only club - and Tony Abbott says that's a good thing.

The Liberal National Party will host a celebration of International Women's Day at an exclusive Brisbane club that only allows men to be members.

The lunch will be held at the Tattersall's Club from 11.45am on Friday, two days before International Women's Day on March 8.

An LNP spokesman said the lunch had been organised by party organisation LNP Women.

Prime Minister Tony Abbott's said: "Nearly half of the LNP's 14,000 members are women and this event aims to discuss and promote the involvement of more women in politics at all levels," he said.

"LNP Women appreciate the efforts of Tattersall's Club in accommodating their function at short notice."

Fiona Simpson will be keynote speaker at the event.

Tattersall's proudly boasts on its website it is "more than just a club for male members to enjoy", as it also allows their partners and families to accompany them in the plush CBD space.

Ms Simpson appeared unperturbed by the symbolism.

"I'm less troubled by openly 'male only' clubs or openly 'women only' gyms than I am by areas of society that have a veneer of equality but which hide structural impediments or unconscious bias that block women from opportunities," she said.

The issue spread to Canberra on Wednesday afternoon, when Opposition Leader Bill Shorten asked Prime Minister Tony Abbott to respond to the controversy.

Mr Abbott, also the federal Minister for Women, trumpeted the event as a triumph for feminism.

"This is just how wonderful this broad church that I lead is … obviously they've just broken down the last barrier and they've made the men-only club admit women," he said in a spirited response during question time.

"Admit women! Isn't that fantastic? At last, this bastion of chauvinism has admitted women and they've done it on International Women's Day because of the Liberal National Party.

"Good on the Liberal National Party, smashing the glass ceiling yet again. I say congratulations and thank God that bastion of old-fashioned chauvinism has finally collapsed like the walls of Jericho at the trumpet cry of the Liberal National Party."

Mr Abbott may have overstated the significance of the lunch, as its speakers remained ineligible for Tatts membership.

Queensland Minister for Women Shannon Fentiman appeared surprised at the move.

"Seriously? You can't make this stuff up," she said.

"It shows how out-of-touch the LNP are and their excuse of organising the event at short notice just doesn't stack up, because International Women's Day is held on the eighth of March every year.

Full story: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/lnp-hosts-international-womens-day-lunch-at-menonly-club-20150304-13ux5s.html

Malcolm Turnbull says Abbott best for PM - except for himself of course!

Loyal until the next battle.
Beware the Ides of March.

Malcolm Turnbull can huff and puff all he likes about loyalty to his leader but when the final showdown begins, he will be there with all his might, ready to become Australia's next Prime Minister.

There's not a bone in Malcolm Turnbull's body which is not rattling with excitement about the imminent prospect of becoming Prime Minister.

Malcolm would make the best poker player in Australia with his sombre and almost contrite appearance.  

He must be busting to say: "Give me the job, NOW!!".

The Courier-Mail reports: MALCOLM Turnbull insists Tony Abbott is the best person to be prime minister.

THAT'S because he has the confidence of the party room.

"To be the leader of a political party you only need one attribute and that is to have the confidence of the party room," he told ABC TV.

Mr Turnbull has been billed as the likely challenger in any spill of the Liberal leadership.

"You can have all the attributes in the world, perceived, real, unreal, imagined - the only attribute that matters is ... whether the majority of the party room support you," he said.

Asked if he had the ticker to challenge Mr Abbott, he replied: "My ticker is in very good shape."

"We support Tony Abbott as our leader. He has the support of the party room. Yes, there was a spill motion, but it was not carried and we are all behind the leader, every single one of us," he said.

On the contentious issue of gay marriage, Mr Turnbull said there was really little difference between his position and Mr Abbott - as they both supported a conscience vote, even though he supported same-sex marriage and the prime minister opposed it.

Full story: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/turnbull-says-abbott-best-for-pm/story-fnihsfrf-1227246897956?from=public_rss

Poms to update Queen's coin portrait: Australia should go it alone and dump her off our coins

Lawson, Blaxland and
Wentworth: A perfect triple
portrait for Australia's coins.

As the UK moves to update the official portrait of the Queen on their coins, there is now a real opportunity for Australia to dump the Queen off our coins in favour of something uniquely Australian.

This is a chance for a genuine "mea culpa" by the Prime Minister Tony Abbott after his disastrous PR stunt in making Prince Philip a Knight of the Realm on Australia Day.

There are many great Australians who could be a permanent part of our coinage.

For example, we could recognise our greatest explorers Lawson, Blaxland and Wentworth who crossed the Blue Mountains in an epic feat in 1813 to open up the western plains.

Australia could have unique coinage with a "Triple Head" on our coins.

Australian coins would become distinctive across the world and would be genuine collectors' items.

If we don't do anything, sooner or later we will see King Charles on our coins.

And that would be a total embarrassment, even for arch-conservatives and monarchists like Tony Abbott.

British coin with the
Queen's new portrait.

ABC News reports: A new portrait of Queen Elizabeth which will feature on the United Kingdom's coins has been unveiled.

The portrait is the fifth of the 88-year-old queen, who will overtake Queen Victoria as Britain's longest-reigning monarch in September, to appear on coins since she came to the throne in 1952, and the first since 1998.

The new portrayal, showing Queen Elizabeth wearing the royal diamond diadem crown worn for her coronation, was created by 33-year-old Royal Mint engraver Jody Clark, whose design was selected from a number of anonymous submissions.

The last Royal Mint engraver to be commissioned to undertake a royal portrait was George William de Saulles, who engraved the portrait of Edward VII which first appeared on coins in 1902.

Coins featuring the new effigy will go into production immediately, and are set to go into circulation later this year.

Just when Australians can expect to pocket the new portrait of Queen Elizabeth remains unclear.

A spokeswoman for the Royal Australian Mint said there were no plans to use the latest effigy on Australian coins at this stage.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-02/new-coin-portrait-of-britain-queen-elizabeth-unveiled/6275740

Aussie Post Joke: Stamps to jump from 70c to $1 - a 42% increase

Australia Post plans massive
 Aussie ripoff.

In a once in 200 years outrageous move, the cost of basic postage in Australia is likely to jump by a staggering 42.8 percent.

And the mastermind behind this anti-consumer move is the man who wants us to believe he could be a breath of fresh air as the next Prime Minister of Australia.

Yes, it's Malcolm Turnbull who wants to slug ordinary Australians a king's ransom to send a letter across town.

Malcolm Turnbull is really no different from Tony Abbott - just a slightly classier, anti-worker, anti-Australian, conservative millionaire politician who wouldn't know what Struggle Street is or what a Bundy clock looks like.

ABC News reports: Malcolm Turnbull confirms plans for two-tier mail service, wants postage stamp cost to rise from 70c to $1

The price of a standard postage stamp could rise from 70 cents to $1 and mail will take longer to arrive, under a plan announced by the Government today.

Communications Minister Malcolm Turnbull said Australia Post would introduce a two-speed mail service, with a regular service operating two days slower than the current delivery speed, and a premium-rate priority service.

At a meeting of Coalition MPs this morning, Mr Turnbull explained the plan, saying there needed to be greater transparency from Australia Post - what he called an "open kimono" approach.

Mr Turnbull said the two-tier system would not be introduced until September at the earliest.

Australia Post is also set to lodge an application with the Australian Competition and Consumer Commission (ACCC) to increase the price of a stamp from 70 cents to $1.

The ACCC could knock back the application.

A 60 cent stamp price will remain in place for pensioners and Commonwealth concession card holders, and Christmas cards will still cost 65 cents to send.

"Australia Post is facing significant structural decline as people choose to communicate over the internet," Mr Turnbull said in a statement.

"Australians are now sending 1 billion fewer letters a year than they were in 2008, with letters losses rising to more than $300 million a year.

"While Australia Post has been able to offset these losses by growing its parcels business, losses in letters are now so large that they are overwhelming all profitable areas of the business.

"Without reform total projected company losses could reach $6.6 billion over the next 10 years, with letters losses of $12.1 billion."

He said that despite the decrease, the postal service was still required to provide a Monday to Friday delivery service to most homes.

Mr Turnbull also flagged that the changes could mean job cuts.

"Obviously there are implications for jobs in these changes," he told Parliament.

He added that Australia Post has a policy of trying to redeploy staff and views redundancy as a "last resort".

Last week Australia Post announced a 56 per cent dive in its first half profits, with losses due to letters delivery doubling to more than $150 million.

The company did not publish a full breakdown of its accounts, but it said revenue from its parcel service was up 4 per cent, and revenue for its business parcels service it was up 5 per cent.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2015-03-03/70c-stamps-could-cost-1-under-plan-for-australia-post/6276704

The government needs to step in over out-of-control power companies as Origin slugs Camira resident $3884

Origin Energy:
Making huge
demands on
householders.

Despite promises from former Premiers Peter Beattie and Campbell Newman to reduce electricity costs, prices are continuing to skyrocket for average Queensland householders.

A circuit breaker needs to be found for struggling families who cannot afford escalating electricity charges.

And if you dare to question sky-high bills, Origin has introduced a new level of corporate bastardry by accusing residents of tampering with their electricity meters.

Electricity companies are fast becoming like our banks - without a spark of decency and revolting business practices.

Sam Andary and wife Julie
received a bill backdated
 to December 23, 2011. 

The Courier-Mail reports: A CAMIRA man has been accused of tampering with his power meter and slapped with a $3884 power bill.

Sam Andary, 58, and wife Julie, 56, have always been cautious with their energy consumption, so it came as a shock when they received a bill backdated to December 23, 2011.

“They rang me a few months ago and said they’d send out a technician to check the meter to see if everything is working fine and they changed it to digital,” Mr Andary said.

“That’s all I heard from them until I got this bill.”

Following lengthy conversations with Origin and Energex, Mr Andary has lodged the matter with the Energy and Water Ombudsman of Queensland (EWOQ).

Energex alleges Mr Andary’s meter was tampered with and provided Origin with estimates for how much energy was shaved off the initial readings.

“An inspection by Energex metering staff in December identified a meter at the property had been tampered with, which slowed the meter disc, impacting the accurate reading of energy used at the property,” an Energex spokesman said.

Mr Andary denies having any knowledge of the device being tampered with. Origin Energy said it was liaising with Energex and the EWOQ to try resolve the issue. The ombudsman declined to comment

Full story: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/origin-hands-camira-man-with-3884-power-bill-then-say-pay-up-or-talk-to-the-hand/story-fnn8dlfs-1227245892379?from=public_rss

What is the Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan raving on about? - Kate Jones says no specific terror threat to Queensland schools

Michael Keenan raving on about
schools but fails to speak to the
Queensland Education Minister.

The Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan is unnecessarily scaring Queensland school authorities, parents and students with today's embellished announcement about unspecified terror threats to Queensland schools.

He should have spoken to the State Education Minister Kate Jones before making today's announcement.

The Brisbane Times reports: reports: There is no specific terrorism threat to Queensland schools, even though two schools will receive additional funding for security guards, Federal Justice Minister Michael Keenan says.

The schools - which may be Islamic or Jewish schools - are among 54 that received at total of $18 million for security guards, closed-circuit television and fences.

"There is no specific information we have that makes us worried about these two schools in Queensland," Mr Keenan told Fairfax Radio 4BC on Monday morning.

Two Queensland schools are among 54 around the country to get security upgrades.

"And there is no specific information we have that makes us worried about any of the 54 schools that have been identified."

Mr Keenan said the program had been running since 2007, however before the September 2013 federal election, the Coalition promised to widen the parameters for how the security money could be used to let schools employ security guards.

He declined to say which two Queensland schools had received the security funding because they had a "slightly higher risk profile".

"Not all of the school community are comfortable talking about it," he said.

Mr Keenan said applications for schools to seek additional funding for terrorism security began well before the terrorism attacks in Paris (January 2015) or at Sydney's Lindt Cafe (December 2014).

"This is not in response to incidents we have seen overseas or here," he said.

Full story: http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/no-terror-threat-to-queensland-schools-kate-jones-20150302-13shgi.html

Australian Politics: This is a joke! Another VOLUNTARY code of conduct for big business.

Response from Woolworths and
Coles over another voluntary code:
"Ha, ha, ha, ha, ha ...."

Whenever the Federal Government announces another purely voluntary code of conduct for big business, you can be sure big business is laughing all the way to the bank.

Even the Minister Bruce Billson is pre-empting the voluntary code will fail because he says after three years there will be a review and according to the Minister they would then "look at ways it could enforce it".

This is utterly hopeless, pro-business, anti-consumer clap-trap.

The Small Business Minister is doing nothing to protect either small business or the ultimate day-to-day consumers across Australia, preferring to concentrate on helping the daddy long legs of Australian commerce, Woolworths and Coles, who have treated farmers and growers across the nation with absolute disdain for far too long.

The Courier-Mail reports: Food and grocery code of conduct to prevent supermarkets ripping off farmers

SHOPPERS could look forward to cheaper groceries at the checkout as a result of a new food and grocery code of conduct to be in place from tomorrow.

Small Business Minister Bruce Billson today announced the government’s planned code, but said the major supermarkets would have to agree to voluntarily adopt the standards.

And get ripped off!

The new measures include an obligation to enter into grocery supply agreements in writing, minimum standards of behaviour in dealings with suppliers and dispute resolution mechanisms to assist suppliers in resolving stoushes.

Mr Billson said the code was “pro-competition” which could lead to better deals for consumers.

Mr Billson said the code would be reviewed in three years.

He said if supermarkets rallied against the code, the government would look at ways it could enforce it.

Full story:
http://www.couriermail.com.au/business/companies/food-and-grocery-code-of-conduct-to-prevent-supermarkets-ripping-off-farmers/story-fnkjkokp-1227244221800?from=public_rss

Australian Politics: ALP moves censure motion against Attorney-General George Brandis over Gillian Triggs

Sentaor George Brandis: Will he do
 the honourable thing and resign if
censured by the Senate?

The ALP has quite properly moved to censure the Attorney-General George Brandis over his appalling treatment of the president of the Australian Human Rights Commission Gillian Triggs.

If the motion is carried, Senator Brandis should show some modicum of respect for the Senate and resign his portfolio immediately.

After all, he is always preaching to the people of Australia about the rule of law, respect for the law and decency in politics.

The Courier-Mail reports: LABOR has tried to censure Attorney-General George Brandis over his "deplorable" treatment of the Australian Human Rights Commission.

Opposition Senate leader Penny Wong moved the censure motion as the upper house began sitting on Monday, claiming Senator Brandis was unfit to hold the office of attorney-general.

It censures the minister for failing to defend the commission's president Gillian Triggs from "malicious attacks", trying to seek her resignation and refusing to own up to his conduct during last week's Senate estimate hearings.

http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/labor-tries-to-censure-brandis-over-triggs/story-fnihsfrf-1227244347221?from=public_rss

Australian Politics: Federal Liberal MP Andrew Robb has delusions of Tony Abbott's future as Prime Minister

Andrew Robb has perfected that
sinking feeling - without even
realising it!

Federal Liberal MP, who fancies himself as Australia's next Prime Minister, must be suffering severe political delusions if he thinks Tony Abbott is on the comeback trail.

Andrew Robb has always been an inward looking, navel-gazing, right-wing Australian politician.

If he had been on board the Titanic's maiden voyage, he would have shunned the lifeboats - proclaiming help was on its way!

The Courier-Mail reports: Campaign against PM dying, says Robb.

SENIOR Liberal frontbencher Andrew Robb has told colleagues agitating for a leadership change to pull their heads in, saying a positive poll for the prime minister shows their campaign is "dying".

A FAIRFAX-IPSOS poll puts the coalition almost neck-and-neck with Labor in two-party terms at 49-51, a significant improvement on the 54-46 result in January.

Mr Robb has hit out at those pushing for a change, saying the poll shows voters think the prime minister should be given some clear air.

"They've been putting out continued spurious leaks and other things to try and keep some momentum, but I think it's dying because the voters have spoken," he told ABC radio.

"These elusive unnamed colleagues have got a clear responsibility to the rest of the team and the country to pull their heads in."

Mr Robb never thought a leadership vote was likely this week after the "solid dismissal" of the spill motion last month.

Full story: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/breaking-news/campaign-against-pm-dying-says-robb/story-fnihsfrf-1227244068046?from=public_rss

Local Government: Former MP Sean Choat wants to swap jobs with his political nemesis Jim Madden

The defeated Member for Ipswich West Sean Choat wants the Somerset Council seat vacated by the new Member for Ipswich West Jim Madden.

It's a game of political musical chairs fit for an entry into the Guinness Book of Records.

And if Sean Choat snares the vacant position on the Somerset Regional Council, he will be receiving close to $150,000 less on the public purse per year than he pocketed during the past three years.

Former MP for Ipswich West Sean 
Choat stays "mum" on his chances 
of resurrecting a new career
 in local government.

The Queensland Times reports: Former Ipswich West MP throws hat in the ring for Somerset role.

The Bill Lawry of Ipswich politics is set to fly again.

Sean Choat, a pigeon enthusiast just like the legendary former Australian Test cricketer, has applied for the Somerset council position vacated by the man who took his former seat of Ipswich West at the state election.

Mr Choat lost the seat to Labor's Jim Madden but that has not dimmed his interest in continuing in public life.

Applications to fill the councillor position left vacant by Mr Madden close on Friday, March 6 and the Somerset Regional Council will collate all entries and appoint a new councillor.

Speculation Mr Choat would nominate was rife in the district and the QT had to drag it out of him that he had applied.

But the former LNP MP wants to make a contribution to the local community that is dear to his heart.

"The people in the community, and God bless them, are getting excited about it as though it is a fait accompli and that if I put an application in I will be selected," Mr Choat said.

"But that is not the situation at all.

"I certainly don't want to be seen as some sort of schmuck who assumes he will go from the state position to the council."

Full story: http://www.qt.com.au/news/the-bill-lawry-of-ipswich-politics-is-set-to-fly-a/2559527/#email

One way to put the illegal share riding app UBER out of business in Australia

UBER - The illegal ride sharing app.

The illegal share riding app UBER is riding high in Australia with little effective law enforcement.

If the eight state and territorial governments are fair dinkum in getting this menace off Australian roads, there is one simple solution.

All they have to do is change the laws to allow the seizure of any vehicle illegally being used as a UBER hire vehicle.

The vehicle would be towed away and impounded for a minimum of 7 days for a first offence, one month for a second offence and then forfeited for a third or subsequent offence.

This approach works with the impoundment of louts' vehicles under anti-hooning legislation across the nation.

UBER drivers are under no serious
legal controls, unlike licensed
 taxi drivers.

It would be very simple and effective and would put a serious financial dent in the hip pockets of UBER drivers who are thumbing their noses at the law.

UBET it would work against UBER law breakers.

There are no tough Australian legislative controls over UBER drivers and it is only a matter of time before a serious incident occurs in Australia which will see the various governments jump to attention quicker than they could say: "Let's get rid of UBER".

Tony Abbott cleans up for Clean-up Australia Day but he's about to be cleaned up himself

To the dump, to the dump,
to the dump, dump, dump!!

www.TheAustralian.com.au reports: TONY Abbott has made light of the latest round of leadership speculation as recycled rubbish.

Mr Abbott is facing reports that a majority of Liberal MPs and senators now want to dump him, with Julie Bishop and Malcolm Turnbull touted as challengers.

But, speaking to reporters at a Clean Up Australia Day event on NSW's south coast, the prime minister played down reports he could face another leadership spill this week.

"This is Clean Up Australia Day, and I'm just not going to do anything but recycle the rubbish," he joked.

"And that's what's happening, we're just recycling rubbish today."

"Frankly, I think the people of Australia are sick of the insider obsessions of people in Canberra," he said.

Full story: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/politics-news/abbott-leadership-crisis-dissident-liberals-will-never-be-satisfied/story-fn59nqld-1227243358657

Australian Politics: Who is this man who wants to be our next Prime Minister?

The Dr Who of the Liberal Party.

The man sure to lead the Liberals into the political wilderness for many years!

Australian Politics: Josh Frydenberg never satisfied with dissident Liberals who are never satisfied

Josh Frydenberg: Slams dissidents while he waits for his own chance to be Prime Minister. 

www.TheAustralian.com.au reports: DISSIDENT Liberals will never be satisfied with Tony Abbott's leadership, Josh Frydenberg says, amid reports Julie Bishop would run as a leadership contender if a ballot were called.

The Assistant Treasurer this morning said the Prime Minister would never satisfy those MPs, even if he won a Nobel Prize or delivered a stirring speech in the mould of Abraham Lincoln.

Asked if there would be a leadership spill this week, Mr Frydenberg said: "I hope not."

"Ever since the formation of the Liberal Party by Sir Robert Menzies in the mid-1940s we've never ever thrown out a prime minister in his first term," he told ABC's Insiders.

"John Gorton came to the leadership in 1968. In 1969 he won an election. In 1971 he used his own vote to take himself out of the leadership. Look what happened; we got Gough Whitlam in 1972; that wasn't a good outcome for the Liberal Party.

Full story: http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/politics-news/abbott-leadership-crisis-dissident-liberals-will-never-be-satisfied/story-fn59nqld-1227243358657

Australian Politics: Oh, no! Julie Bishop wants to be Prime Minister

His "loyal" deputy wants the spoils of war should the Prime Minister be blown out of the top job.

"Well done, good and faithful servant" will be the cry from Tony Abbott as he slinks out of the Liberal Party room and off to his next promotion - on the backbench of the House of Representatives.

If Julie Bishop happened to miraculously jag the Prime Ministership, her infamous death stare would follow her around the world from London to Ottawa, Moscow to Jakarta, Washington to Wellington.

But could she out-stare the people of Australia at the 2016 election?

If Julie Bishop becomes Prime
Minister, her death stare would spook
every other world leader.

The Courier-Mail reports: JULIE Bishop and Malcolm Turnbull will both stand for the Liberal leadership in the event of a spill motion, setting the scene for a Melbourne Cup’s field of candidates that could even include Trade Minister Andrew Robb.

The Foreign Minister’s supporters have indicated the mood of the party room is clear: Liberal MPs want a choice and don’t want a “fait accompli’’ where powerbrokers form a ticket in the event that Tony Abbott resigns or faces a second spill motion.

That is likely to spark a three way contest if Tony Abbott contests any second leadership spill, or even the prospect of a four-candidate race if Mr Robb also throws his hat in the ring.

Senior cabinet ministers insist Mr Robb has been telling MPs Mr Turnbull is “not conservative enough’’ in the event the Prime Minister is toppled.

While cabinet ministers have hosed down reports a challenge could come as soon as this week, they admitted the situation was “unpredictable’’.

Asked if he was concerned Ms Bishop was refusing to rule out contesting if the leadership was vacant, the Prime Minister said in New Zealand: “Well, look, I don’t expect that opportunity to arise.’’

Ms Bishop said: “I am not aware of any attempt to bring a spill motion to challenge the leadership.’’

Full story: http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/liberal-party-faces-three-way-tussle-if-leadership-spill-called/story-e6freon6-1227243019196?from=public_rss