BULLSHIT-O-METER HITS RED ZONE
Somebody really needs to help out the Liberal party.
At this point, a work experience kid could do a better job of strategy than what they’re doing themselves.
The latest opinion polls show Tony Abbott’s approval rating as preferred prime minister has dropped yet again. You’d think that would be a sign to both him and his party that their current strategy of simply saying ‘no’ to everything is no longer washing with the Australian public.
Turns out that’s not the case.
As soon as the polls came out, both Christopher Pyne and Julie Bishop jumped to their leader’s defence claiming that the drop had nothing to do with Abbott completely cocking up on on the 7.30 Report; nothing to do with the massive job cuts under NSW, Victorian and Queensland Liberal governments; nothing to do with John Howard coming out to sing the praises of Work Choices and nothing to do with the profound lack of Armageddon promised by Abbott when the carbon tax came into effect.
Nope, none of that was a factor.
We’ve turned on Mr Abbott because he punched a wall, or didn’t punch a wall, or the wall punched him. We’re not smart enough to look at his current political record and make our own decision, we’ve simply been duped by an evil smear campaign.
Did you know you were that stupid? It was news to me too.
It’s an assumption the Liberal party has been working on for some time now: that the Australian public are a bunch of dribbling fools who’ll believe any old crap if it’s said loud enough and for long enough.
That’s why they ran around before the carbon tax was even implemented saying we were suffering the effects of it. There were ministers actually saying that businesses were closing under the carbon tax months before it was introduced. That’s either flat out lying or the party is full of complete imbeciles who don’t understand basic things like how calendars work.
It’s also more than a bit ludicrous to defend Poor Tony when Poor Tony is quite capable of being a massive shit kicker himself.
This is a man who has shown time and again that he relishes a stoush, that he gives as good as he gets and delights in tearing down his opponents. This is a man who happily sat back while Bronwyn Bishop made a joke about the size of the Prime Minister’s nose. This is a man who, on the floor of parliament, called the Prime Minister a liar, retracted it, immediately repeated it, and then sulked about getting kicked out.
We are also talking about a party who have, at worst, encouraged hatred towards our Prime Minister and, at best, turned a blind eye to it.
There was a bit of awkward foot shuffling and careful language about hanging out with people calling our Prime Minister a witch and a bitch; a bit of looking in the other direction as Larry Pickering drew the most extraordinarily crude and insulting cartoons depicting our PM naked and in various sexual positions; a bit of buddying up to Alan Jones, even after he labelled her “Juliar” and continues his tediously over-worked line about putting her and every other woman on the planet in a chaff bag.
And yet it’s Poor Tony who is the real victim. Give me a break!
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61 Responses to this article
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Carolyn September 20, 2012
Ah Corinne, I love your optimism, but there is a large contingent of the Australian public that is precisely that stupid. And if recent elections are any indication, most of them live in Queensland.
They do listen to Alan Jones and they do believe what A Current Affair tells them to, and they take on the opinions any old pollie wants them to if they are said often enough and loud enough in the media.
That’s why you should have to pass a basic test on policy attribution before you get to vote.
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Cate P September 20, 2012
Best comment ever, Carolyn.
And another brilliant read, Corinne. -
Rosie September 21, 2012
Carolyn – I keep hoping that what you have said about so many Australians isn’t so. But sadly I know it is. And as angry as so many Queenslanders are at the moment at Newman – what is the betting that in two and a half years they will have forgotten. Frightening, isn’t it?
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Keziah Hill September 20, 2012
Got it in one Corinne.
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Richard September 20, 2012
You’re 100% correct Carolyn.
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Douglas September 20, 2012
If Abbott continues the downward spiral, even with his massive media majority, what hope for him?
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helenbea September 20, 2012
Thanks Corinne for voicing the thoughts for so many of us ‘out here’ who can’t be heard by the masses who keep feeding from the same old nosbag of mass media. It’s been difficult to get a word in with all the ranting and raving of the dogmatic diehards of the ‘old order’. To Hoopla – keep this dialogue going. Good humour is a powerful voice. The ‘artists’, not the bull-shit artists, can bring a new vision for us all.
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We remember September 20, 2012
I will never forget the way Tony Abbott and his gang of thugs bullied Craig Thomson. It was like watching a schoolyard pack and not one person in the LNP spoke out against it, except Dr Mal Washer. I will never forget the way the media followed the pack. Dangerous people.
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Bruce Vale September 20, 2012
I have been saying this people for the last couple of years..politicians stop treating me as a fool and govern for the sake of Oz not your own career – by the way is it just me or are most of our current pollies ex – lawyers…must be the career of choice !
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Stacie Mayer September 20, 2012
Corrine, you hit the nail on the head with this post.
I hope people think long and hard about who they vote for at the next election. What will come of Australia if Abbott becomes our PM? He’s a man without a plan, without any clear policies. Whenever I see or read an interview with him he’s almost always complaining or tearing an ALP idea to shreds but NEVER offerring a solution.
If only people would open their eyes to the game he is playing. He’s a bully who plays the victim whenever it suits him. -
Steve September 20, 2012
Corinne,
Brilliantly incisive article.
I only have one qualm about it. You said that the way the Liberals have been acting is Starting To Wear Thin. This is inaccurate. It was starting to wear thin prior to the last election. We (and I say “we”, because it’s the same sentiment from everybody out here now) have now had an almighty gut-full of them. They’re just automatically contrarian to the point where you could swap Monty Python’s “Argument” sketch in for their truly amateur-hour rhetoric and I suspect nobody would know the difference. Tony Abbott is nothing more than an unsophisticated political opportunist with no measurable eloquence or, it would seem, public insight or empathy. How he has progressed this far in politics is a measure of a few things:
a) The default progress made by opposition leaders pitted against wildly unpopular governments;
b) That the Liberal party cannot tell the difference between “a)” above and real positive public feedback because they only ever look at (suspect by default) poll figures;
c) The fact that they believe that there is no-one else in their ranks who could do a better job…;
d)…..except Malcolm Turnbull, whom they dumped in a fit of whimsy & ideological pique, and to return to whom they envisage would be to re-invoke the Howard-Peacock see-sawing of the past, and to some extent mirror the leadership problems in the Labor party which they have so roundly derided, and from which image they want to distance themselves completely.Neither camp in Canberra really gives a toss about the electorate. All they’re interested in is winning the election so they can run things their way. They’re basically oligarchic animals evolved to live in a democratic ecosystem. We have one ruling cabal or the other. And representation is sadly just a myth.
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Darryl September 20, 2012
Preaching to the converted here!
How do we convince the bogans to ‘think’ about what is happening and stop listening to the shock jocks etc?
Great article nonetheless.
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DeeDee September 20, 2012
I agree with all of you, great piece Corinne. This was all demonstrated with the senate vote on gay marriage yesterday. One party has a conscience vote, but it’s leaders vote against to ensure their re election. The other party dictates a party line vote and all those in favour have to vote against their conscience. In the end, we the people, 62% of which are supportive of the bill, miss out. It’s truly a comedy….no tragedy!
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The Huntress September 20, 2012
I must admit that when Abbott took the opposition leadership and declared that he was going to loudly oppose EVERYTHING the labor party did to bring them down, I did wonder if he was a politician, or a playground bully.
Playground bully wins hands down. And to say “I have policies, I’m just not telling you what they are” is sort of like digging yourself a grave. How can we honestly vote for a party who won’t actually share the policies we are supposed to be voting for. Personally I think my stupidity has been overestimated and Abbotts stupidity has been underestimated by miles.
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Jenny September 20, 2012
Thanks for that timely reminder, Huntress. I had forgotten that early remark by Tony – it explains a lot! I don’t know why he hasn’t woken up to the fact that it hasn’t worked so far and changed his strategy to something more positive, because it isn’t a policy that will do him any good at the next election.
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sam September 20, 2012
Where is Mez? I’m sure he/she wouldn’t agree with you. I have a friend who went to school with Tony Abbott and has told be a few stories of him being a bully. Nothing he has done so far can convinced me he has changed.
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Deb September 20, 2012
Love it Corinne, here I was thinking the bullshit o meter was broken, but no, it’s stuck on the red zone……..
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Alberta September 20, 2012
Good article! I think the negativity and total lack of civility we have witnessed from the Liberal Party has lead to the general rudeness and lack of civility we see at work in the wider community. As leaders they have set a dreadful example and are the first to complain when this attitude they have initiated is reflected back to themselves.
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Melrusk September 20, 2012
You have nailed it there Alberta.
The fostering of the “Me, Mine & What’s in it for Me, What are THEY going to cost ME” attitude is most clearly the leading indoctrination of the Coalition strategy.
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moorie September 20, 2012
Oh Corrine you could not be any more spot on, the only thing he doesn’t do is the BOF and Newman stance of having to fix things that Labour broke and to do that we have to sack lots of people, take away their right to a good education and health system. Please could people be any more gullible if they believe that tripe and don’t get me started on Christopher Pyne!!!!!
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chinda63 September 20, 2012
Corinne: they need to bloody hurry up and pass the SSM legislation because I am ready to propose to you!
This article is SPOT ON. People have moved on from the Carbon Tax. It came, it fizzed, everyone went WTF? and now we’ve all twigged that Abbott and co have lied to us for 2 years.
Are we pissed off about that? Damn right we are. All those little old ladies, small business owners and struggling families like mine scared shitless for no real reason. Now we can see it was all BS we are starting to give a one-fingered salute to the bloke who inflicted all the angst.
It’s funny that everyone can see that except the Canberra Press Gallery, who can’t quite let go of their love affair with former journalist Abbott …
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Jackie September 20, 2012
I’ve given up on all of them! This election I’ve voting for the Sex Party….they have good policies plus they have a great sense of fun
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The Huntress September 20, 2012
I voted for the Sex Party at the last election
They were honestly the best option and I liked their policies.
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LORRAINE COLLOPY September 20, 2012
Corrine I must say that I am enjoying a smirky smile when I read the news about Queensland and the upsets which are happening,
it must be acknowledged that the current Government in that state is not a Democracy but a Dictatorship with only seven people in opposition any laws can be passed and carried!!and this is happening,.for a beautiful state a sad state of affairs but then one must think the majority voted against the Labor party so I can only say to the Queenslanders–”YOU WON THEM YOU HAVE TO WEAR THEM!!” -
Jen Politis September 20, 2012
Corinne, stick with the comedy, you’re no political analyst.
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liz September 20, 2012
Abbott is the sad comic
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Geoff September 29, 2012
Awww, now you’ve ruined my day with your nasty comment.
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Rhoda September 20, 2012
Bit of incivility in this conversation too. Queenslanders are not stupid or no more so than the general population and until the last election had been voting Labor for many years. The idea that Queensland is some sort of bogan state is a tired one.
Voters may be or may not be swayed by facts put to them but you won’t get to first base if you berate and denigrate.
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Kerry C September 20, 2012
Great article Corinne – the bullshit meter has been red for so long I wait to hear the klaxons sounding the (hopeful) death-knell for Abbott’s political leadership career.
Probably like others here, I wrote to the politicians after the video slaughter of the pregnant cow and that oh so pitiful new born calf. Having got a sensible response from other politicians (including the opposition) – nothing meaningful you understand, just “we’ll get around to responding” type stuff, Tony’s office has a gem: the 4th paragraph particularly enchanged me NOT.
Thank you for taking the time to make contact with the Office of the Leader of the Opposition, the Hon Tony Abbott MHR.
This is an automated response so that you can be sure your email has reached our office.
We will do our best to follow-up your email in good time but please bear with us.
Mr Abbott receives a very large volume of emails per day and unlike the Government, we do not have additional resources or departmental officials to assist with correspondence. In our case, all emails are handled personally by this office.
To keep up to date with recent speeches, interviews and media releases, please visit http://www.tonyabbott.com.au
You can also access Tony?s facebook page from this link Facebook and his Flickr account from his link Flickr to see what he has been up to lately.
Tony Abbott often undertakes #asktony sessions on Twitter answering a variety of questions. Tony Abbott can be followed on Twitter at @tonyabbottmhr.
Again, we appreciate you taking the time to send us your views.
Please keep in touch.
Kind regards,
The Office of the Hon Tony Abbott MHR
Leader of the Opposition -
Kerry C September 20, 2012
so – while our little friendly mate Tone’s babe, has time to swan around making the most of photo opportunities, each of which are designed to make him appear to be a man and a human being, he excuses himself up front from being responsive to HIS electorate.
SHAME SHAME SHAME Tones babe!
Now – how in the hell do we get all Nth Beaches voters to vote him out????
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Airdre September 20, 2012
oh so agreed. I wish we had politics of optimism and vision, not the continual carping and criticising and carrying on. I am not saying lets all be rainbows and butterflies, but can we please have some wonderful inspiring leadership statements…
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Janet Georgouras September 20, 2012
The Liberals cannot say anything positive because we would be shocked if they spoke up about the things they really like. It is much easier to be negative than positive.
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Brendan September 20, 2012
We as a community should at least have the right to DEMAND that should Abbott remain leader (big call) and should he win power and become Prime Minister (lets ruminate on that for a moment… the PRIME ie numero uno, big cheese, head honcho, the best, MINISTER this country can throw up, pardon the pun) he should HAVE TO WEAR his gimmicky hard hats, fluoro vests, lycra and sluggos in da house at least three quarters of sitting days to remind us of how he got there.
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Rosie September 21, 2012
Brendan – loved this comment – made me laugh out loud!
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Jane September 20, 2012
Thanks Rhoda – I live in Queensland and I’m finding the comments related to us somewhat uncivil as well, as well as unnecessary. Last I heard, Alan Jones lived in Sydney.
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Kel September 20, 2012
I was JUST having this conversation with my boyfriend last night. Tony Abbott can sit there and criticise all he likes , but at least the Gillard government actually have policies that they are pushing for. They are looking towards making changes over the next decade, not until the next election. That’s what we need in a leader. Tony hasn’t given the public anything other than ‘Julia likes this, so I hate it’ kind of attitude. Sounds like a people pleaser with no original thoughts.
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Kate September 20, 2012
Tony and photo ops. Attitude seems to be rather Putin-esque, doesn’t it?
Oh, and must we use the word bogan for people who “don’t understand”. I live in SW Sydney, bogan heartland according to the press. Contrary to popular belief, the people OUT THERE can read and write, too.
Snobbery doesn’t do the discourse any good.
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rosem'ry bertel September 20, 2012
Quite possibly the most succinct, intelligent and plain spoken assessment of the sorry state of the Federal Libs.
Now could you please do one for Labour?
A pox on both their houses.
Very well done, that Corinne.
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Heather September 20, 2012
Thanks Corinne for pointing out that Abbott is indeed Chief Bully and like all bullies cries victim (or has his henchmen do it for him) any time he comes under real scrutiny.
I only hope more people come to realise this before the next election.-
Carolyn September 20, 2012
Rhoda and Jane, I apologise – I should have made clear that I am a Queenslander born and bred, and have watched with horror as everything falls apart around me. This wasn’t an interstate snipe. An overwhelming majority of Queenslanders voted this government in which, in my opinion, was incredibly stupid.
Now we are reaping what we have sown. Nothing to do with bogans and all the other put downs, just staggeringly bad political judgement.
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Rosie September 21, 2012
Carolyn – I so understand you frustration with the Queensland Government right now – I feel the same and I really did not feel you needed to apologise.
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Ro.Watson September 20, 2012
Onya Corinne~ as a kid,I once ran into a brick wall and it hurt~I still bear a scar on my right eyebrow. Having someone punch a wall next to my face would also hurt…On an entirely other note, I wonder about the origins of the word “party” to describe both political tribes, and opponents in a legal action. I also wonder about the origins of the word “bullshit”~the latter I suppose may refer to what comes out of an arse, may come out of a mouth…old pooh joke?
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Jane September 20, 2012
Ah OK – thanks for the apology Carolyn- much appreciated! Campbell is actually my local member, but I didn’t vote for him, knowing what he’d be like – and I was right! I agree with the comments on the Libs though – I’ve always been tired not only of the constant negativity and lack of policy, but the attack dog behaviour of many of the ministers. I wish we had some real leaders.
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Jennie September 20, 2012
Some years ago I read a book by a great author named Stuart Wilde. He had a quote in it that went something like -
‘In elections, we only vote to change gaolers, we can’t vote to open the gates’.
That’s how I feel at the moment – don’t want to vote for either of them much …
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amd September 20, 2012
Agreed. I won’t be. Neither of the above.
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anna September 20, 2012
need to stay positive, good article Corinne
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Wolfie Rankin September 20, 2012
Utterly Brilliant, Well said!
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Rhoda September 20, 2012
Apology accepted, Caroline. Thank you for explaining.
Without gettting into personalities I have to say I think the Parliament has turned into a circus. I’m heartily sick of all the tit for tat and am waiting for a show of leadership.
This latest from the senator who mentioned bestiality in the same breath as gay marriage is beyond ridiculous and just so outrageous I’m now considering withholding my vote until I see some common sense on display.
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amd September 20, 2012
Great to hear from someone who does not assume the public are stupid. It is intellectual elitism of the worst sort to call people stupid and easily led simply because they do not agree with you. I agree, Abbot is not the stuff leaders are made of. But I do not assume that people who believe he is are stupider than I am, or simply being media led. That sort of generalising is ill conceived and ill educated.
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Benison O'Reilly September 20, 2012
Whenever I think of Tony Abbott, I think of independent but politically conservative MP Tony Windsor, who was assumed after the last election would side with the Coalition, but didn’t. He said at the time, “I could not inflict Tony Abbott upon the Australian population.” Says a lot about both men, I feel.
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Ro. Watson September 20, 2012
Pollies~ fix question time. Media grabs are dumbing us down. Do your duty. Make things difficult in a better way….
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Julia September 21, 2012
I dunno Corrine, I think you are wrong. The Liberals do have a strategy. Unfortunately though, for some odd and worrying reason, it seems to mimic the basis tenets of The 25 Rules of Disinformation. Go figure.
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jonah stiffhausen September 21, 2012
Groan. Most intelligent people just aren’t that interested in politics. Agreed, we’ve a very stupid nation. They say we get the governments we deserve, in which case, more fool us.
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graeme September 22, 2012
Give me a break are you people so blind once again labour
will put this country financially back in the shit how are
they going to pay fir all the promises all bluff for you
gullable poor labour voters see who you blame when
we go into recession by the mismanagement of this
country and the true deficit is disclosed -
Carolyn September 22, 2012
Graeme, when you play the man (person?) and not the ball, you totally lose any credibility your argument might have had and you just irritate people. Was that your intention?
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dramaqueen75 September 23, 2012
If you are interested in politics and democracy I believe it is very important to talk about it with others and encourage people to ask questions and make their own decisions.
They also need to understand the nature of our political system – we vote for local representatives who may, or may not, be aligned to a political party. Then the group with the largest representation forms a governments – or makes alliances in the case of a hung parliament such as ours at present.
We do not have a presidential system like the US – we don’t vote for a leader, as such.Encourage others to learn and ask questions- not to blindly make assumptions. And that goes for those of us on the left and those on the right.
One look at the article today in the Telegraph by Piers Ackerman and the ensuing comments below is enough to strike free into the herts of anyone who believes in thoughtful discourse .
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louise flentje September 23, 2012
Have read above comments and agree with most of them (I’m so relieved that I’m not the only one who thinks along these lines about Liberal Party characters ). What I don’t understand is why these Liberal ministers think they have the next election results in the bag!!!!….despite the way they behave with such poor form. Also, I’ve heard that Tony Abbot is a Rhode Scholar!!!!! ……..if it doesn’t look intelligent & doesn’t sound intelligent,how could it be so???? Please someone , clear this up for me!!!
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maggie September 23, 2012
‘Thank You Thank You Thank You
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shreddin October 25, 2012
At least us Queenslanders can play rugby league.
