Source: http://www.abc.net.au/news/2012-01-26/riot-police-escort-gillard-abbott-from-protest/3795036 [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Hfb2KEHwhYo[/youtube] Protesters trap Gillard and Abbott http://news.theage.com.au/breaking-...s-trap-gillard-and-abbott-20120126-1qj0v.html
Regardless of whether I like our current crop of politicans or not. It is still a sad indictment on our society, that a group of circa 200 can actually do this to our Commonwealth head. Still, I am sure that the powers that be will not miss an opportunity to increase security, and further distance the elected from the public.
considering what goes on across the pond our politicians are treated very well http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_United_States_presidential_assassination_attempts_and_plots
We should have seen this x 1'000 Australia wide at the introduction of the GST and Work (no) Choices.
^^ so true... Sitting up high in their tower looking down at everyone tends to detach them from the feeling/ reality in the streets
The precedent for allowing Politicians to tell bold face lies has long been set. Indeed, we let Howard get away with bringing in the GST so the electorate gets everything they deserve until they / we start holding our elected and non-elected overlords to account [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ixn9fFatdcs[/youtube] [youtube]http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=KMVc0IbtyAQ[/youtube] What's the difference? Are we really going to argue about who gets to rape us? Time to put a stop to it. Politicians can keep their obscene pensions but there is zero recourse to public funds and no payments made above the 9% that the pleb's get (unless they're my wife ). EDIT TO ADD Dr John Hewson was honest and said he'd bring in the GST and he lost an election to a very unpopular politician (Keating). Lawrence Springborg was honest and said he'd save money by sacking a whole lot of public servants and he lost the Qld State election to a very unpopular politician (Bligh) who promised to create jobs. Shame her definition of a job was 3 hours a week. She also sold off the last of Queenslands assets. When the LNP take over they'll have a fiscal mess to sort out. And here we are. Wondering why politicians lie. Because we want to be lied to.
That's a bit deceptive - Gillard said there will be no Carbon tax 5 days before the election. The video of Howard that you posted was a couple of years before the election where he clearly stated before that election: "If I am elected again, I will take that as a mandate from the Australian people to bring in a GST". Putting those two clips together out of context is not very honest either.
I was a member of the Liberal party that election and campaigned on their behalf there was ZERO talk about GST. If Howard campaigned on GST it's news to me and what's more if he had done so Keating would have got in again.
We obviously move in different circles. I also remember that election, and there was massive debate amongst friends and work collegues regarding Howard's intent to bring in the GST if he won. I also remember the television advertisements spruiking for the GST in the leadup to the election.
I'm happy to admit when I'm wrong. I just don't recall it that way. I guess I was blinded by my then desire to see Keating go? I still think it's fine to put that video of Howard up. "Never ever" isn't a statement that leaves wiggle room. If nothing else it shows that the man isn't the "man of steel" that George Bush claimed.
Yes. That election was a vote on the GST, and every Australian who followed the media knew perfectly well that a yes vote for Howard was a vote for a GST. I am not standing up for Howard, I am simply saying that he did not commit election fraud with reference to the GST, unlike Gillard and her outright lie over the carbon tax.
Whoa Nugget, your memory is very selective. It was well after Keating. Howard at least took the GST to an election. Everyone knew that if he was voted in we would get the GST. Comparing the GST to the Carbon tax is not even close. If Julia had not brought in the carbon tax, gained more support then took it to the next election then it would be it he same. Not even close.
I'll concede that I was wrong Interesting to note that <50% of the vote is equated to a "mandate". WIKIPEDIA
If my memory serves me correctly, and it does, I nearly was Australian of the year in 1988 but damn politics. I am awesome though, well my missus tells me I am
I never said that they both weren't liars. ;-) Mind you, Gillard has taken lying to breathtaking new levels. She makes Kim Jing Il look like a decent, honest human being with more interest in the welfare of citizens that with political power.