Sunday political talkies: Bonfire of the Wedges quickening as Rudd's refugee treaty breach cruels Copenhagen role
Mood:
sad
Topic: aust govt
Picture: The good and evil angels of a tired, flushed Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard nominally of the Left within the federal ALP government. At one point she is ambushed, totally becalmed and takes an intellectual broadside - a quote from her own 2003 press release attacking the Howard Govt on boat people. She didn't pick it in the question and the image of her expression was unique. We hope to get it off the web as soon as practical, if possible. Veteran Oakes has still got it, and the Big Media know the Govt are wedged big time, bring it on we say.
Author’s general introductory note
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. Perhaps the greatest utility is the headline synthesis above of the 3 or 4 shows followed in this session.
For actual transcripts and/or video feeds go to the programme web sites quoted including Riley Diary on 7. And note transcripts don’t really give you the image content value.
Other sources of pollie talkies on Sunday include SkyNews paytv Sunday Agenda, Radio National Monica Attard Sunday Profile show. And of course Sunday night shows SBS Dateline, Sixty Minutes and now Sunday Tonight on 7.
Media backgrounders. (this section under construction)
1. Federal govt are rolling out soft face of the govt like Wong and Gillard given ruthless denial of refugee obligations via interference in governance in Indonesia. Which will all feed into Rudd reach at CopeH for being an international laggard and unprincipled wanker.
2. John Mangos on 9 year old Brinda on Thursday arvo journo forum ABC Sydney 702 to the effect of 'I saw my 9 year old mother from Greece after WW2. She was a refugee.' Meanwhile in the big media generally it’s the bonfire of the wedges, Coalition on ALP (refugees), and ALP on Coalition (on climate change policy). Leigh Sales on Friday Lateline referred to 'Tony Abbott MP on the refugee issue in the Sydney Daily Telegraph earlier today'. Only it wasn't in the paper copy. Ah, new media actually!
Here it is to quote:
Prime Minister Rudd said this week that the Government’s policy towards boat people was both “hardline and humane”. His difficulty is that it’s next-to-impossible to be hardline and humane at the same time. A hardline policy will seem inhumane to refugee advocates. A humane policy will seem like a welcome mat to people smugglers and their clients.
There’s no doubt that the Rudd Government has watered down John Howard’s border protection policies. In particular, it has replaced temporary protection visas with permanent residency; provided people on offshore islands with additional appeal mechanisms; and stopped sending would-be arrivals to places such as Nauru and PNG. Last year, the Government wanted to stress how different it was from its despised predecessor. The message might have been intended for voters in inner city electorates but it was also picked up by people in troubled third world countries. With boat people arrivals ten times greater than in 2007, Mr Rudd now wants to stress how tough the Government will be. Unfortunately for him and for the integrity of Australia’s borders, desperate people are more interested in the Government’s actions than its words.
Tough talk at doorstop media conferences and phone calls to the president of Indonesia won’t stop boat people from risking their lives at sea. The only way to stop the flow is to make it clear that the chances of staying in Australia aren’t worth the dangers and expense of making the trip. Giving permanent residency to the Afghan men who blew up their boat in April sends precisely the wrong message. Funding street theatre in Sri Lanka and providing handouts to potential boat people likewise could send the message that Australia is a soft touch.
Mr Rudd looks ridiculous trying to be Mr Nice Guy and Mr Tough Guy in the same breath. A humane policy towards boat people means that more will come. Life in Australia could look pretty good to millions of people with potential access to a boat that might survive the trip. On the other hand, if boat people are to be deterred it has to be crystal clear that getting here doesn’t mean staying here. Keeping people in detention, turning around boats, holding people overseas and denying refugees permanent residency are hardly high-minded polices but they might be necessary to prevent a form of peaceful invasion.
* * *
The Daily Telegraph says that the Rudd Government is about to change the law to help loved ones to track missing persons. This sounds suspiciously like Centrelink’s programme to allow people who have lost track of each other to get in touch. This was suspended a few weeks ago after a paedophile used it to renew contact with an accomplice. On boat people, the Government wills the end but not the means. On this issue, the Government wills the means but not the end. To the public, or at least those who are paying attention, it must seem like a government with a radical disconnect between what it says and what it does.
Join Tony in his live blog at 3pm. Send questions below
Abbott makes commentary throughout the 21 comments posted. And no we haven't read it all, nor do we support or oppose. But it should be kept close for the record.
3. Talk about cop out – if your brand is being exploited by a sleazy politician, that’s okay then? Not.
Caroline ShepherdPosted Wednesday, 14 October 2009 at 1:51 pm | Permalink
On behalf of Amnesty International, I’d like to clarify a few points mentioned in this forum. Amnesty International Australia has never revoked the membership of any member, or requested that anyone return their badge.As it is for anybody, Phillip Ruddock’s choice to wear the AI badge is his to make. Amnesty International Australia calls on anyone representing Amnesty International in this way to live up to the values enshrined in that badge – of promoting and defending all human rights, for all people in the world.Amnesty International has many thousands of members in Australia. Our focus continues to be on our human rights work and not on any particular individual’s membership of AIA.
Regards,
Caroline Shepherd
Media and Public Affairs Coordinator
4. Image via link off Crikey comment recently re Big Media failure to use correct language, in that case Leigh Sales apparently regarding asylum seeker versus 'unlawful', reminiscent of squatter for 'illegal settler' :
5. Vale Fred Bell champion with Milo Dunphy and others of the foundation of Total Environment Centre in Sydney in 1972, and a guiding light for this writer. Reportage here recently A sustained passion for survival Fred Bell, 1932-2009
A life dedicated to saving the planet ... Fred and Joan Bell with their seven grandchildren.
6. We would hear from Fred every now and then, and though we have cleared out old emails we notice these, one of which gave us a real jolt lately, being an automated reply from his relatives:
7. This follows another moving obituary for a pioneer of animals rights issues here Marjorie Wilson who we also knew from various annual conferences of Nature Conservation Council and launch of such stirring books as The Kangaroo Betrayed at NSW Parliament House.
Animal protector put roos on a pedestal
July 18, 2009
"We are opposed to any kangaroo products whatsoever'' ... Marjorie Wilson at her home in 1981 with a sculptured friend. Photo: Briony Davidson
Marjorie Wilson, 1918-2009
8. Refugee numbers mean we are 'harvesting the world wind' says bogus ex minister Ruddock. What about the real issue of harvesting the record economic immigration levels and the record predictions of a population boom? The real taboo and displacement by the major parties, audience and big media, is that simply substituting refugees for economic immigration would be an easy solution. But they won't go there because they know economic immigration is a public policy racket for big shopping mall and high rise residential builders. Big Party developer mates.
9. Stateline NSW continues to be an abc tv show of import and record on planning controversy every Friday night and now is webcast from the following Monday. In the capable hands of Quentin Dempster.
10. Regarding the $2 Billion blowout in projections for Sydney Metro, in story broken by News Corp tabloid this week located close to Central Station, one recalls PM Rudd having a secret tete a tete with the Fairfax Board at Darling Island about the time the metro was launched ... to expensively cross the harbour to .... Fairfax at Darling Island.
That's one way for the ALP to pander to the Big Media, but what about the wider Sydney transport task and the public interest PM?
Picture: SAM editor's limousine parked outside new-ish Fairfax offices in May 2008. Yep it's the bicycle.
11. On Crikey ezine strings we have taken to calling PM Rudd 'Science' as an ironic term indicating his lack of solid principle or conviction about anything including latest topic humane refugee policy. Indeed as a news grab in search of a conviction. Similarly climate policy with King Coal lately. And before that Tasmanian forest policy where the tag originally arises as explained here:
From another string:
“Ah yairs, explained elsewhere on the comment strings here, only recently though.
Back on early election when Rudd was questioned on Tasmanian forests, and Michael O’Connor was appointed onto the national ALP execuitive from Forestry union within CFMEU (having condoned violent union protests against anti logging folks), Rudd said to the effect of:
We will decide forests on the “science”.
But over 100 best biologists wrote a letter Howard as PM prior to 2004 election where Latham flamed out, saying in clear language most of that forest should be saved. It was hard to reference but I found the list, first linked to defunct Earthbeat, also published by me at the time.
But Rudd didn’t follow the science. He is a, and I mean this in a front bar room and also legal technical sense, a big f*cking liar. The forests policy fraughtness is emblematic of Rudd on king coal climate (iCoal 2.0 indeed, as per Get Up).
So there we have it Kevin “Science” Rudd. A logical hook for him as an accomplished academic to grab at, his default rhetorical indeed. But when he said it under pressure in an interview, it was without sincerity or conviction. He is thus hoist on his own hook/petard. Science is a purely ironic term.
The fact he looks like a walking lab coat only amuses more even more. It’s a slow fuse this tag and joke. But it bears repeating, repeating, repeat ……..”
12. Brinda of refugee fame, an articulate 9 year old innocent, was only upstaged briefly in big media stakes here by Falcon, 6 year old intrepid balloonist (not). Actually he was just a naughty boy hiding in the attic, because it seems he knew the baloon in his childish mind was 'for a show' and there he had gone and released it, or an unscheduled showing. That's our take out, no hoax, just show off kid with the made for tv name wanting to 'help'. What the poor kid exhibiting significant hybrid vigour will no doubt reflect on as his very own 'oh sh*t' moment.We know of another mixed race marriage here in Sydney which a 5 year old named Tiger also of significant hybrid vigour.
13. What can you say about the Hawkesbury Nepean Community Legal Centre in their new office at Windsor? We applied with other droves no doubt for a solicitor job there lately but also that we wanted to volunteer regardless because we need 12 months service to fully recommence practice. Seems they don't have space for volunteers, not from a home office using web databases for research, not via the huge public library complex 100 metres away. The last time we attended to loan our CLE papers to them (defamation, data base work) we were pursued by a desperate local wanting legal advice.
And he's not the only one. So here we are with practicising certificate and goodwill to offer and high local need but restrained from legal work by NSW Law Society red tape, closed shops at least to us, having qualified over 19 years ago with years of experience. As we said to their principal - this situation 'is not OK'. Should we organise a volunteer legal advice service in parallel to the official bureaucracy? That would be sure to attract attention but also would be illegal without a supervising solicitor with an unrestricted certificate. Unions don't just run building sites.
10 Meet the Press: 8- 8-30 am Footage of coalition re ETS and Tamil refugees (lose the long beard ‘Alex’)
Wong is the talent to shore up credentials of Govt as ethnic despite stance against refugees before Copenhagen. She bats off claim causing 25 refugee deaths. Says Tuckey doesn’t want action on climate (probably right, given heat in Kalgoolie, wants us all to cook like him).
Humour out take is Bob Brown grace in face of name calling Steve Fielding. A real hoot. Panel is Wilkinson smh, Farr Telegraph, both centrist types. Confusing grab Joe Hockey re USA scheduling.
Q re timing rush. Strong response – not new, 12 years, business groups, more countries gives momentum, public do want. (not one mention of science imperative – dumb aussies don’t care about that?). Boilerplate about targets at Copenhagen – increase the costs to delay – stronger point.
Grab about coal and power industries – Vic premier wants energy security. Skips question of MW re scare campaign about blackouts. Boilerplate. Q re China how serious? Sings their praises re level of investment, level of access, Pres Hu, Willing to extend parliament. Discordant tough and choir – jarring re Rudd. This PM is given to moralizing. Failed to hurdle it this week. Fantastic quote from the strongest of gospels St John re lukewarm.
Panel re press re coalition Lenore Taylor, Stuchbury ended refugee hunger strike,
Outstanding GetUP satire advert iCoal 2.0 out take.
2nd break swine flu Mummy Govt advert. Expect more of these in fed govt profile build.
Last third, greenpeace action stunt, John Connor in ALP spiv suit mode as “CEO” of “Climate Institute”. [Garrett clone, when’s he going to shave his head too?.] At home with the beltway is our “John”. His line re rear vision here last of G20 in energy efficiency, need policy changes for that. Talks about CopeH re purpose financial framework etc. Regarding polling only 7% don’t want any action. “Dinosaurs” in big business.
Meet The Press - Watch Political Video Online - Channel TEN.
Riley Diary 7, from 8.40am
Ute advert pre segment with brown natives acting goofy. The blackface scandal all over again? Racism in advertising?
.....................
Satire game show on Rudd interviewing himself. Real element of disrespect in the tone. Lights out moment for Rudd. Turnbull on climate still serious and always be contention. Wilson grab.
http://www.seven.com.au/sunrise/weekend
9 Sunday newshour Laurie Oakes interview 8.44 am
Totally weird Barbie camper advert pre segment. Non stop glamour whaaa?
……………..
Picture: Former shining light of the Rudd federal Govt is reduced to hand signals postage stamp split screen, as if for deaf viewers on the occasion of aspiring round the world yachtie 15 year old girl/woman. And see images above at intro.
Late start clash with Riley, yacht girl question, refugee boat in distress. Tub thump about Warren Truss accusing loss of 25 lives – no evidence via google, irresponsible. Fake email affair and still at it. Wants to be deputy prime minister. [strong rebuttal but is she right or not?]
Q. each boat a policy failure? Dodges the question, shows flummoxed, ill prepared or uncertain. An important lapse. Dated Gillard presser 2003 – looking really nonplussed and dismayed by that ambush but cops it on the chin indicating her steel with hardly a second lapse. This is a brutal real politik exchange. Looking cooked both in makeup and crease on forehead.
Much happier on climate policy wedge in reverse direction.
http://news.ninemsn.com.au/oakes
Insiders 2: 9- 10am
Riley style package of Coalition ramping refugee wedge. Rudd “balance tough fair”. Turnbull both sides of the street re door wide open and did see heart breaking Brinda 9 year old plea.
Guest is shadow Sharman Stone.
Chris Uhlmann – Turnbull to get restricted hunting licence on climate. Doesn’t believe DD, noted Wong on MTP give more ground, go to grab, extend parliament if necessary.
Sharman Stone rams home the wedge on refugee issues – refer transcript.
Vox pop on refugee status with word games.
Panel chat gets excitable but within reason. Footage of NT mp running off at the mouth, let loose by PM Rudd. Fran Kelly says not so much organized crime behind boats, rather desperate fisherman.
Paul Kelly encyclical – Indonesia solution for refugees. Panel chat.
Grab of Ross Garnaut on 7.30 Report re economics, observed also by Stutch ETS policy ‘worse big issue conduct’ quoting RG. Doyen says winding stimulus back necessary. Taylor depends on forecasts ‘above trend growth’. [Trouble with that is forecasts are crap proven regularly.]
Panel has growl, good tv. Fast pace, a bit Westy too (meaning West Wing).
Hilarious grab of Alan Jones interview with Joe Hockey, with AJ apparently on uppers in last week or two [also on front page of Daily Telegraph].
Talking pics – very amusing, Downer talking up to Obama etc. Rudd attacks “Right”wing The Australian.
Essential transcript of Stutch re The Australian and Rudd Govt. Taylor on panel ignored being centre left, Stutch centre right.
http://www.abc.net.au/insiders
Inside Business with Alan Kohler
Refer http://www.abc.net.au/insidebusiness/
Posted by editor
at 12:00 PM NZT
Updated: Sunday, 18 October 2009 1:50 PM NZT
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26th August 2009 EST
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