The Right Aussie http://therightaussie.com The other way is a dead end. posterous.com Sun, 01 Apr 2012 01:36:00 -0700 Earth Hour in Melbourne, 2012 http://therightaussie.com/earth-hour-in-melbourne-2012 http://therightaussie.com/earth-hour-in-melbourne-2012

Earth Hour. I am definitely NOT a fan.

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Melbourne, Australia. 8.13pm 31/3/2102. I detect a few buildings getting in early.

 

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Melbourne, Australia. 8.30pm 31/3/2102, with Earth Hour just starting.

The ghostly shadow to the far right is the Ernst & Young building. Boo hiss to that building's owners for proselytising an eco-fascist political movement like Earth Hour.

They weren't alone.
Dishonourable mentions also to the owners of the building in the centre for turning off the mast and beacon illumination - that must constitute a contravention (probably a very obscure one) of some airspace regulation.

Other buildingsI noticed (not in the photo) also involved in this rubbish were the Victoria University and the Rendezvous Hotel.

and THIS: this from The Langham, my lodgings for the night:

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Humph! Needless to say, I kept the lights in my room ON.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Fri, 23 Mar 2012 15:10:00 -0700 Queensland election http://therightaussie.com/queensland-election http://therightaussie.com/queensland-election
Goody, another election. Fearless prediction time!

They say the ALP might end up with as few as 12 seats after today's state election in Queensland. The ALP currently have 51. The ALP are certainly going to lose, but I can't see them ending up with as few as twelve.

Predictions are that the LNP will cruise to victory on an 11 percent swing.

With that figure in mind let's assume the LNP will win all currently held ALP seats up to the nine percent mark (they won't, but humour me for now). That will give the LNP 33 seats added to their current crop of 31. Based on the principle that swings are never universal, and there will always emerge this superman or superwoman candidate who wrestles victory against all odds, blah, blah, blah ... I am predicting two ALP upsets amongst that lot, thereby reducing the LNP tally of changed seats so far to +31.

Now things get interesting.

There are currently 18 seats held by the ALP in Queensland by a margin of 9 percent or greater. Now, if the above prediction of a swing to the LNP of 11 percent is correct, this would mean that the LNP should win all the seats  with margins of between 9 and eleven percent: Morayfield, Algester, Stretton, Ipswich West, Capalaba and Sunnybank. Referring to my comments above on swings never being universal, I am predicting the LNP will win 3 of those six, although which ones is not relevant for now.

The tally (changed seats) for the LNP is now +34.

Now things get really interesting.

There are 12 seats held by the ALP with margins of between 12 and 25.5 percent. With an eleven percent swing predicted, you would assume all of these seats are safe. Well, if you assume that I will personally hunt you down!


Of these 12 seats, I am predicting three will fall to the LNP, thereby giving the LNP a final tally of +37. 

Add this to the current LNP holding of 31, and my final fearless prediction (assuming my maths is right) will have the LNP on 68 seats, ALP 16, Independents 3 and Katter's Australian Party 2.

Being Queensland, though, anything can happen, and probably will.

Margin statistics courtesy of ABC Electoral Pendulum

UPDATE
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On the left is Campbell Newman's mother, Jocelyn - former Minister in the Howard government. I met her on a polling booth in Goulburn, NSW, in 2007. Charming lady. And small world.

Photo belongs to the author.

UPDATE

An astonishing result. It looks like the final figure will be LNP 76, ALP 7 plus or minus 2 or three. Campbell made an excellent acceptance speech.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Thu, 01 Mar 2012 23:04:00 -0800 MTR - station close. http://therightaussie.com/mtr-station-close http://therightaussie.com/mtr-station-close

Melbourne AM Station, MTR was been taken off the air @ 4.58pm today.

More to the story than meets the eye, I think, but still a pity. MTR was a refreshing alternative to the established News stations in Melbourne.

UPDATE

From Andrew Bolt on his blog:

I am very sorry to say that MTR is no more. It is such a pity. I have loved my time there, and some wonderful colleagues are now out of a job. If you are in the market for some superb producers and other radio professionals, please contact me privately.

In the end, the competition was too strong and our signal disastrously weak. We also made some mistakes in our marketing and presentation. Yet I do not regret a minute, and will miss my daily 40 minutes with Steve Price. I appreciate e support listeners gave us over the Internet, with our spot getting more downloads than most other shows around, I am told.

As for me, I re-signed with Macquarie recently and will let you know what I shall be doing with them when I know it.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Thu, 01 Mar 2012 01:33:00 -0800 Don't skip Breakfast http://therightaussie.com/dont-skip-breakfast http://therightaussie.com/dont-skip-breakfast

I get up at 5.30 during the week.

I listen to Alan Jones from 5.30am until I leave for work at 6.30.

Or, I used to.

Don't get me wrong, I think Alan's great, but the reception at my house, some 300 kilometres from the 2GB transmission tower, is a bit iffy at the best of times. Sure, I could listen via the internet from the computer in my study, but the volume required for me to hear it in the kitchen wold not make me popular with those with whom I share the house. 

I have found an antidote for dodgy radio reception, however - Ten's new morning show Breakfast.  http://tenbreakfast.com.au/home.htm

Breakfast's hosts are Dr Andrew Rochford, Kathryn Robinson and Paul Henry, a New Zealander whom I think has a wonderful sense of the absurd. This TV genre was made for him. I have been a fan of Henry's for years, and I hope Australia comes to like him. He is very irreverant, opinionated, polarising, and when he winds up, has a laugh that would set your pets scampering. He reminds me a bit of Clive Robertson, albeit a more giggly version.

Breakfast is fresh, informative and has a proper meteorologist in the delightful Magdalena Roze. Breakfast also has some of the best on-screen graphics I have seen on a news program - very well done.

How refreshing and restorative for my sanity to be able to watch morning TV and not be inflicted with either David Koch or Ben Fordham.

I still listen to Alan from 5.30 till six, and his highlights podcast when I get home. Now, though, in Breakfast, I have found something a little bit different from the mainstream morning TV (or radio) offering, and I wish it the success it deserves.

Here is The Right Aussie's extraordinarily scientific verdict on the menus on offer on morning TV in Australia: 

Breakfast (Ten Network) - Kiwifruit and Mango Smoothie
Today (Nine Network) - Ham and Cheese Croissant
Sunrise (Seven Network) - Fruit Loops
ABC News Breakfast (ABC News Ch 24) - All Bran (milk optional).

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Sat, 25 Feb 2012 22:28:50 -0800 A candid Right Aussie interview with a Canberra insider http://therightaussie.com/a-candid-right-aussie-interview-with-a-canber http://therightaussie.com/a-candid-right-aussie-interview-with-a-canber

I had a chat with a friend of mine on Friday, who works in Parliament House in Canberra. They are not a politician, nor do they work for one. I received their permission to publish the following brief candid discourse - their own take on the farce being played out at the moment. My questions plain, unbolded. Their responses, bolded.

There seems to be a disconnect between who Canberra wants to be PM and who the public want.

It’s true. Canberra loves Gillard and hates Rudd, but the public love Rudd and think Gillard's the pits. The problem is the public never see the real Rudd and don't have to share a work environment with him. The caucus knows full well that Rudd would give them a much better chance at the next election than Gillard - although they still won't win -  but they also know that Rudd’s a tyrannical ego-maniac whose disproportionate arrogance they would prefer to watch from the other side of the world, rather than inside the ALP caucus room.

Do you think Kevin has any chance on Monday?

No. Look, caucus have long memories and I just…the caucus would, by electing Rudd again, be voting for a continuation of the sheer chaos that marked his prime ministership. Plus, with all the vitriol uttered and written by many of his colleagues this week, it would just be an unworkable situation. Rudd has said he’s changed. A leopard doesn’t change its spots.

How many votes do you think he’ll get?

I would be staggered if he got more than thirty. I'll say 28.

That’s bordering on humiliation, isn’t it?

Yes, but Rudd is the master of spin. He’ll probably say something like “twenty-eight aspirational souls realised that I was the last chance of saving the Australian people from the ravages of an Abbott government.” or something. I think he mentioned that word “ravages” before.  

What role do you think the Independents have played in keeping Rudd’s figure so low?

Not much at all. Even though they are saying that they signed an agreement with Gillard and that all bets are off if Rudd wins (I think Tony Windsor said that) – anyway, that’s bullshit. The ALP government is the Independents’ meal ticket. It wouldn’t matter whether after Monday’s vote the Prime Minister was one of the parliament house cleaners, the Independents will work with whoever caucus elect.

So Julia Gillard will cruise to victory on Monday.

Yes, she will. Not that Gillard is without fault. She’s got plenty of those….

But the caucus is craving stability. They know she’s poisonous electorally, but it seems they would they would prefer to sacrifice an election win for stability in government, which seems extraordinary.

For many in caucus it’s a case of better the devil you know than the devil you’d wished you never met.

****

Personally, I think KRudd will get 32 votes on Monday. I would dearly love to see some abstentions - a kind of a 'pox on both your houses', if you'll pardon the pun. Whatever the result on Monday, this unedifying spectacle will continue well into the year. I've said it before: the ALP have got themselves into this mess, but only the Australian people can get them out of it.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Sat, 18 Feb 2012 13:07:19 -0800 A @$*#! happy vegemite http://therightaussie.com/a-happy-vegemite http://therightaussie.com/a-happy-vegemite So Kevin Rudd swears. Who knew?

Let me tell you, this cute little video will look absolutely nothing in comparison to the tirade he will dish out when he finds out he doesn't have the numbers should Gillard call a leadership spill.

As it only appears to be Kevin and Julia slugging it out, there will be no winner. Certainly no winner for the Australian people.

Julia, call an election now and put an end to this farce once and for all.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Thu, 09 Feb 2012 01:06:00 -0800 Vote for the Party, not for the man (I don't think you've got much choice) http://therightaussie.com/vote-for-the-party-not-for-the-man-i-dont-thi http://therightaussie.com/vote-for-the-party-not-for-the-man-i-dont-thi

The GOP is an embarrassment. The best candidate for Republican nominee, Gary Johnson, is now not running for the party, because the party snubbed him and would not support his inclusion in televised debates, even though he met the criteria for inclusion in most instances.

The spotlight is now on Rick Santorum after he won a couple of Primaries recently.

Santorum is a spender. This has got him into trouble in the past. America desperately needs a fiscal conservative right now, but Santorum’s record suggests he wouldn’t know a fiscal conservative if one snapped a bible shut on his nose.

Speaking of books, the left – particularly the secular left, despise Santorum for his devout Catholicism and social conservatism. (I’m amazed he’s even on Twitter - I bet he needed to be cajoled by his team). If he wins, it wouldn’t surprise me if he legislated a prayer room in every school and office in the country.

Santorum’s campaign lacks organisation (that’s putting it nicely.) He didn’t even make the ballot in two states. (In this respect he is kinda like Johnson, who had to fly to New Hampshire to file the papers himself).

These are a few things going against Santorum. He is definitely not my preferred Republican candidate. In fact, I don't have a preferred candidate. Some say Romney is the best of a dreadfully uninspiring bunch, but, as far as I’m concerned, the jury is still out on him.

I must admit I am getting close to the point where I don't care who wins, as long as Obama doesn’t. It wouldn’t surprise me if many in the GOP base echoed those sentiments. That the party ever let it get to this stage is something they should hang their heads over.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Tue, 17 Jan 2012 01:52:00 -0800 Family values http://therightaussie.com/family-values http://therightaussie.com/family-values

Just took delivery of The Family on DVD. The Cardamone family from Melbourne were miked up and allowed 35 remote controlled cameras to follow them in their daily rituals for 100 days. It was fascinating and real and I loved it. 

The Family is bright, captivating, funny, and, despite the occasional arguments, name calling and swearing, you can tell they really do love each other.

 
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Photo is the author's. 

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Sun, 01 Jan 2012 04:20:00 -0800 Happy New Year http://therightaussie.com/happy-new-year http://therightaussie.com/happy-new-year

I extend my best wishes to my five blog readers, and trust that the coming year will be pleasant and fulfilling.

Here's hoping that 2012 brings tranquility to those who need a respite from a year just passed that they would sooner forget.
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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Sat, 26 Nov 2011 16:37:39 -0800 New Zealand Election http://therightaussie.com/new-zealand-election http://therightaussie.com/new-zealand-election Congratulations to John Key and National on their thumping election win in New Zealand. Your conservative friends here across the ditch are looking on, green with envy, at you guys having a charismatic, intelligent leader with sound business sense. Here in Oz, we are led by raving lefty socialist nut jobs that you wouldn't trust with a chook raffle.
How soon can I emigrate?

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Thu, 24 Nov 2011 11:41:23 -0800 Peter Slipper - Watch out Julia http://therightaussie.com/peter-slipper-watch-out-julia http://therightaussie.com/peter-slipper-watch-out-julia I have never had anything charitable to say about Peter Slipper, the new Speaker of the House of Representatives in Canberra, and, as you could imagine, events of the past 24 hours have not led me to change my mind.

Slipper is a manifestation of the Liberal Party (as it then was) in Queensland failing to do proper due diligence on its pre-selected candidates.

Thankfully Slipper has resigned from the Liberal Party.
The great conservative party of Australia can well do without odorous, megalomaniacal picaroons in their ranks.

Slipper is Julia's problem now.
And Julia can have him.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:36:00 -0800 Peter Roebuck http://therightaussie.com/peter-roebuck http://therightaussie.com/peter-roebuck

Cricket commentator and writer Peter Roebuck has been found dead in his hotel room in South Africa. http://tiny.cc/usayy

I was, more often than not, in disagreement with what Roebuck had to say and write, nevertheless, I mostly enjoyed listening to him on the radio. It will not be easy for ABC Grandstand to find someone to fill his shoes.

UPDATE

Peter was an excellent cricket commentator, and, I have to say, I liked listening to him over reading him. I perhaps took issue more often with what he wrote, than when I heard him voice an opinion on the radio. Just wanted to clarify the above.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Sat, 12 Nov 2011 20:24:46 -0800 Story of the year http://therightaussie.com/story-of-the-year http://therightaussie.com/story-of-the-year Bill Shorten says that the Qantas dispute is a failure of Qantas' leadership. Yeah, right, Bill. And the Fair Work law is the most infallible piece of legislation ever drafted.
http://tiny.cc/6ubob

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Wed, 28 Sep 2011 04:24:00 -0700 The Only Republican Who Can Beat Obama http://therightaussie.com/the-only-republican-who-can-beat-obama http://therightaussie.com/the-only-republican-who-can-beat-obama
Media_httpwwwahherald_ynmpi
via ahherald.com

Yes he can!

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Tue, 27 Sep 2011 04:49:55 -0700 Gary Johnson is still head and shoulders above the field http://therightaussie.com/gary-johnson-is-still-head-and-shoulders-abov http://therightaussie.com/gary-johnson-is-still-head-and-shoulders-abov I still endorse Gary Johnson for Republican nominee for President. 

I supported Johnson the week after he became the first Republican to nominate, and now, after his appearance on the Fox News/Google debate in Florida, I still support him. Why wouldn't I? Johnson is, quite frankly, ten country miles ahead of his nearest rival as to who should win the nomination. Unfortunately, he is still a dark horse. A fringe candidate. 

Johnson is gaining traction, however, and supporters - and bucks (following his appearance in Florida, his campaign got the biggest inflow of donations since Johnson announced his candidacy.)

He is a remarkable candidate - composed, yet gutsy. Don't believe me? Read this fantastic article on him and draw your own conclusions http://www.gq.com/news-politics/politics/201111/gary-johnson-republican-candidate-debate-interview

The Fox debate gave him the push he needed. But this mountaineer is still only at base camp. Johnson will need many more pushes to get him anywhere near the summit by next November.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Wed, 21 Sep 2011 02:28:00 -0700 Radio host Michael Smith challenges impending dismissal, claiming political victimisation | The Australian http://therightaussie.com/radio-host-michael-smith-challenges-impending http://therightaussie.com/radio-host-michael-smith-challenges-impending
Radio host Michael Smith challenges impending dismissal, claiming political victimisation
via theaustralian.com.au

Michael Smith is an excellent broadcaster, and the best thing to have happened to 2UE since Alan Jones joined the station in 1985.

My only gripe is that it is not Smith, but his counterpart on 2GB, whose program is networked to my nearest transmitting station.

Good luck, Michael, and don't let the bastards grind you down.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Tue, 20 Sep 2011 13:03:00 -0700 Wayne Swan is Euromoney's Finance Minister of the Year | News.com.au http://therightaussie.com/wayne-swan-is-euromoneys-finance-minister-of http://therightaussie.com/wayne-swan-is-euromoneys-finance-minister-of
Wayne Swan is Euromoney's Finance Minister of the Year
via news.com.au

There are no words in the English language to describe how laughable this story is. As for the publication responsible: never heard of it. Apparently few people subscribe to it in Australia. It should have even fewer after today.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Fri, 09 Sep 2011 04:00:00 -0700 Abbott agrees to pair for Thomson http://therightaussie.com/abbott-agrees-to-pair-for-thomson http://therightaussie.com/abbott-agrees-to-pair-for-thomson

Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has agreed to give Labor MP Craig Thomson a parliamentary "pair" to attend the birth of his second child.

via smh.com.au

A stupid, populist decision by Abbott.

Look, Tony Abbott is a compassionate man. He would never deny the right of a member of parliament to be present at the birth of their baby. But remember, it is the Labor Party who will decide when the Carbon Tax legislation comes before parliament. If they wanted to, they could delay the introduction of the bill until after Thomson's partner gives birth. Very short odds now that the bill will be introduced when Thomson is absent from the chamber, and paired. Coincidence? I think not.

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Tue, 30 Aug 2011 04:00:00 -0700 Yoshihiko Noda http://therightaussie.com/yoshihiko-noda http://therightaussie.com/yoshihiko-noda

I do not know a lot about the new Prime Minister of Japan, Yoshihiko Noda. However, if this quote by him is a correct attribution, then I like him already:

"But Mr Noda, who is said to enjoy a glass of sake, opposes raising taxes on alcohol or tobacco. He once said this would be "the same as bullying the salarymen".


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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie Thu, 25 Aug 2011 03:59:16 -0700 Never send to know for whom Dobell tolls....* http://therightaussie.com/never-send-to-know-for-whom-dobell-tolls http://therightaussie.com/never-send-to-know-for-whom-dobell-tolls Fearless prediction: Craig Thomson will be out of politics before parliament resumes on 12 September. In which case, it won't resume. 

* Apologies to John Donne

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]]> http://files.posterous.com/user_profile_pics/1227843/DSC_0004_2.JPG http://posterous.com/users/hesAPMr5vXLBw therightaussie therightaussie therightaussie