Mood:  accident prone

Author’s general introductory note (skip this bit if you know this regular weekly column):

This is not a well packaged story. It’s a contemporaneous traverse of the Sunday television free to air political talkies indicating the agenda of Establishment interests: Better to know ones rivals and allies  in Big Politics and Big Media.

Indeed it’s the tv version monitoring task similar to what Nelson Mandela refers to here in his book Long Walk to Freedom (1994, Abacus) written in Robben Island prison (where he was meant to die like other African resister chiefs of history in the 19C), at page 208

“..newspapers are only a shadow of reality; their information is important to a freedom fighter not because it reveals the truth, but because it discloses the biases and perceptions of both those who produce the paper and those who read it.”

Just substitute ‘Sunday tv political talkie shows’ for "newspapers" in the quote above.

For actual transcripts go to web sites quoted below except with Riley Diary on 7. And note transcripts don’t really give you the image content value.

- 17 May 2008 "Nelson nitwits" - Libs hash the Budget strategy | The Daily Telegraph

9 Sunday 7.30 – 9.30 am

Features on bikies and civil liberties, flesh eating bug drug resistant – ate young man’s lungs! Yuk.

Footage damaging from NBC (?) of China chaos in rescue effort there of 50K fatalities earthquake.

Good roundup of Forescue and emotional Twiggy Forest on his patriotic vindication via magnetite in Pilbara at say 40% quality ‘which is high’, comparision by Ross Greenwood with Norway high class problem of how to manage ‘resource curse’ namely $300 billion (US, Aus $ ?) for 4.5 million citizens (re oil there), compared to $100 b for 20 million citizens here. Implication that it is low compared to Norway.

Need sovereign funds to manage for the future this blessed financials. But vote at the ballot box re whether it should be held by super funds, and private savings than govt funds like $40 billion.

Interesting feature on civil liberties for freedom of association of bikies [political winner though even though in SA after murder of Brendan Keilor, my school mate actually, in Melbourne last year]

Strong feature about MRSA, staph infection. [exhortation to healthy living, for natural immunity, no smoking, drinking, exercise, fresh whole foods, not processed. Natural immunity is the key probably and care with wounds. Exponential growth.

Young adult son killed by MRSA – missed most of this but a really good worthy story I thought.

………………………………..

Laurie Oakes ‘forensic test of shadow Mal Turnbull – going to be rough. “free kick” first re health funds major leakage to public system. LO in attack mode.

[It’s the leadership interview]

Surcharge intro to high income folks to join, now affects middle lower income folks. Tax policy previous govt carryover, addresses that. Consequence now says MT must be worried.

Inconsistency – carrot and stick approach to medical insurance.

Budget in reply – cut in fuel excise, block tax alcopops. Where $ from – out of surplus or savings. Not in govt to really give chapter and verse. LO on high horse. Costello demanded costing. Turnbull concedes point “as Dr Nelson said” which is subtle departure dumping responsibility on Nelson for his approach. Too cavalier. MT concedes “is a large amount of money” …. “not in govt” another subtle message to party about quality fo leadership. Hits govt about watching not doing. Cut on exercise. Moderate measure.

Technical analysis of GST on excise back to states anyway. Explaining Nelson quite patronizing ‘what he meant’ ouch.  MT red tie is a real look at me choice. Smile by MT on bit of a rabble comment by LO. MT very relaxed at the accusation. Ouch again. The fin is in the water!

Alcopops – John Herron ex Lib minister council on drugs,  likes Govt approach – support for battling bingeing. [‘White spirits/dark spirits’ – what a bogus distinction also used by Riley. ] MT refers to economic evidence alcohol use is inelastic – not responsive to price increase [maybe true like petrol?, only 4% less on youth drinking.

LO refers inequity of anamolies re alcohol products wine, to pops to beer etc. Joe Hockey referenced, more anomalies. Needs to be fixed right across the board. Henry Ergas tax review to look at this.

http://sunday.ninemsn.com.au/sunday/default.asp

Footage of Wayne Swan, flattering. Press leads with Fairfax SunHerald on health funds leakage claimed. Swan is guest which is high kudos to early MTP show and possibly a quid pro quo to Paul Bongiorno for his general moderation in news work.

Swan looking settled, still a hint of smart arse in his presentation but well hidden now [you see it in absolute language ‘no economic credibility of coalition’ truth is adjusted cuts because of the business sensitivity to swingeing cuts and cycle inflation coming down by late 2009/10, and smarter politically to offer faint praise to Nelson for ‘trying’]

Chat about reception of the budget. Health funds story. States cost 1.7 billion$ worse off. Says bigger investments in hospitals infrastructure.

Petrol pricing thrust by Nelson, says 22b cost to budget and too uncertain. Petrol prices will rise says PB, re greenhouse for instance. Yes agrees. Emissions trading system later. PB re solar panels cut in subsidy. Means testing of solar panels. Fully subscribed – means test as responsible – gives the game up – too successful.

Out take of Costello hitting at Michelle Grattan – reported first (?) by SAM here as improper attack on admired icon of the gallery, but more revealing the accuracy of MG observation he is indeed feeling “sensitive”.  Footage bears it out.

Adbreak skip to 9.

Panel Hartcher Fairfax – insufficient downward pressure on inflation [fact is inflation cycle up then down, so Swan actually responded to Turnbull analysis by lessening cuts to steady as she goes, a non debate, more adversary masking consensus].

Says 7 b cuts, but PH net increase and stimulating tax cuts.

Jennifer Hewitt – The Australian (?) on panel.

Mis timed says PH? Swan says cuts demand. Costello spending inflationary last 4 budgets.

Alco Con? Asks JH. Substitution affect?  Sticks to his guns.

Footage of big funds accusation re slush fund 40b. Swan refers to [pious] BAF evaluations etc. PH still notes political control. 

Amusing re trust us, we are the govt. An old ironic cliché. Both laugh.

Footage of Tuckey (?). Out take about middle class winners versus over 150K Bentley drivers Zannetti cartoon.

Carer call in, sober Rudd listening in radio station. Contrary to stupid Harris demand. Swan sympathy mode to carers. Rudd wants to act – the mother’s voice is his mother talking. He is an open book to such women and it’s also a very appealing aspect to this PM’s character. Who cried at the loss to his colleague Latham. Keep going carers and mothers.

Meet The Press - Watch Political Video Online - Channel TEN.

Riley Diary 7, 8.35 am

Budget coverage – Robinhood  - fox cartoon character. Elephants trumpeting. ‘working families’. Satirical music. Works over those clichés. Riley recall is highest paid press gallery 200K plus – calls up Bulworth classic movie. Ethical moral debate in cartoon characters. Whinging wendy type pensioner.

Double triple the taxes with. Missed visual pun. Nelson Turnbull inconsistency. Nelson knives in back budget in reply. Spending too much, spend more. High taxing high spending high interest rates.

Nelson lower taxes on petrol, watching doesn’t. Pensioners stripped, Family First, strip stunt. Naked ambition of Steve Fielding.

Q&A - Mark Riley – what does it mean as rich media folks whinge themselves – suggests keep going , Riley notes the same point, quite good self awareness that. Working man drink habits tactic by Nelson. Notes health funds story over million going back to public health. Sam says very scary, big worry. Arc up over the next week.

No follow up Q& A Ellen to LO? Would be good tv that, but conflict with Insiders bang on 9 am too.

Insiders 2: 9- 10am

Fat Tony on news footage.

Cassidy intro flatters Federal ALP budget. Swan at press club – first one tougher? Don’t confuse tough with stupid. Not slam economy into wall.

Nelson says block tax on a pops. Got a laugh on watching petrol price. ALP govt says nothing in silence – quite eloquent that.

Panel is Annabel Crabb. Re NSW Lib director.  [Good story about low range speeder Della yesterday human normal thesis].

Funding medicare surcharge – 425K, may be double. Sunday press says Gerard Henderson drop out or not join close to 1 mil. PWC figures or treasury unsure but it’s a big figure.

Don’t accept says Swan on MTP. Questions modeling of treasury.

Meglo says private health framing the debate as a ‘public good’. Playing govt off a break. What going to do on public health.  GH says elective surgery private, Meglo public for emergency.

Nelson feisty and confident performance – Nelson is the cross. Rings/bags under eyes are alarming. Hair and eyes. May be falling apart? Turnbull also looked weary but still together with LO on 9.

Confirm block alco con? Get’s on positive foot – “yeah” which is a good sound. BC – leadership off the floor? Rudd govt not evidence based. Showing his medical expertise here on the stats. Not integrated approach re alcohol abuse. Price signals part of it but RTD to other drugs. Long list people who do support Govt, disagree with you, for Rudd policy. Says happy to address because they have a lot more in policy more integrated. Chair of govt policy.

Nightwatchman [our metaphor and it’s a cutting one] looking and sounding fairly okay actually. Hair a bit greyer and flattened, speaking strongly. Arguably make it worse. As much as says stupid to swap baggy green cap for beer commercial.

On petrol exercise policy – practical thing to do – expects to be bagged. Duck savings to fund hole from this? Says it’s an election policy. NRMA notes difference – [petrol is a public good natural monopoly?!]

Notes pre election ALP didn’t submit to treasury costing – fair point from memory.

Confusion about pensions coalition policy – plays sympathy mode, increases by them in past, Rudd ignores in this budget (high profile naked protest echoes). How improve? Too soon hedge but inquiry conducted, deserves “hell of a lot more”. Sledges Cate Blanchett baby visit not protest in Melbourne.

“Madness “of cutting solar subsidy [reached saturation] destructive of small business. On a winner with this critique. Unity ticket with Bob Brown. Christine Milne by the sounds on this.

Chat in panel re ‘fraud’ of both sides re alcopops.

Paul Kelly soliloquy – very targeted pain. Not a robinhood budget. Private health insurance – policy and politics. Mildy deflationary. Big picture – sustainable re inflation – questions sustainable or not. New funds 40b infr health and education. Not locked box. Draw down capital. Immigration 300K strong immigration prime minister. Says right thing to do. Signficant political problems. Nelson had to give back bench some red meat. Understands re morale boost. Weak opp leader pop tactics, bear in mind, Lib party one great asset ec policy credentials of Howard govt. Great risk will walk away from those credentials.

Everyperson panel of fashion models, modest presentation, eyes glazed.

Back to panel – Costello face – poker face on Nelson petrol price. Footage of Howard 2006 no simple way, cutting excise, 10c a litre meaningful. Not a durable undertaking says AC. Absolute disastrous policy says GH. Reluctant conclusion only 2 capable PC and MT. What fundamentally wrong? Bad economic policy. GH goes across the bridge against Nelson. Where’s the $ coming from [as per MT on with 9 with LO]. Trashing policy for survival says AC in so many words. Listener parrot.

GH goes back to Menzies, leadership unpopular decisions and worked. As did Howard/Costello. Populist leader. Nelson correctly predicts thrashing from ‘the couch’. AC warns couch it’s a fight Nelson chooses.

Footage of 9 LO with MT – clear split MT and BN. Interesting development, too right, leadership is correctly in play.

MG says leadership is terminal references BC, didn’t know MG gone so far. Too late for fruit and too early for flowers.

[Panel in real time news mode can see it’s on, ready to jump to their keyboards as soon as cameras stop rolling.]

Hockey, alco props nice use of language.

AC is very cute with her flouncing wordage.

Footage of Rudd Garrett pre election, inconsistency re solar. Very hard on young people. Transcript April 2007 250K not a lot of money – bogus – draw down on assets if not. Have equity as reassurance – move location. GH argues very serious mistake. Hardly. GH squealing for his constituency works in big media with Howard closed shop on power but that’s all gone to smithereens.

Meglo big picture slaps down GH and BC adds to that. GH has lost the plot in this political economy respect. GH goes way too personal with Meglo shows his underlying thuggish nature post Howard.

High achievers should have foals. Class snobbery there. From Tuckey footage.

Environmental and economic madness claim by Nelson applies to petrol too.

Which all reflects the 20C economy settings of both ALP and Coalition.

Latham sly dig at Rudd, very amusing re fiction or true. Rudd response – not credible panel concludes. Rudd is indeed an elitist. And Mark is indeed highly envious.

Cornwall from crikey.com.au good kudos, mainstreaming consolidates access to budget lockup. Looks like the proverbial cartoonist too. He’s smart as, sometimes over my head.

Peter Costello ‘luxury liberal party airbag’ . Mike Bowers self referential but it’s a stunningly good photo – beautiful work MB.

Footage revenge as per 10 MTP re sledge on Michelle Grattan, on Peter Costello about theatrical attacks on media. AC says shrinking band of pirates for PC.  No truth at all in quokka cruelty from blogger source.

UK politics – Gordon Brown, junior PM .

My friends in the ALP says GH, Costello would have done better to JH, not beaten him. Missed time not second half of 2007.

Roxon footage on ALP spin.

Moving tribute to Irene Semmler rescuer of 2000 Jewish kids in WW2 by GH.

Home page is http://www.abc.net.au/insiders/ 

Posted by editor at 12:02 PM NZT

Updated: Sunday, 18 May 2008 1:25 PM NZT

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