Eye Catching Headlines What Grab Your Fancy

[Aloysius]

Higher GST collections in Victoria?

 

Hello? that's a payment received by Victoria from the Feds - Can't give credit to the Victorian government for Federal largesse!!

[POWERZONE]

Who's giving credit to the Victorian government?

 

But if you want to run with that, Victoria did generate some of that increased revenue as did NSW.

 

Some other states didn't

[Aloysius]

Who's giving credit to the Victorian government?

 

But if you want to run with that, Victoria did generate some of that increased revenue as did NSW.

 

Some other states didn't

 

 

<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">"Victorian state budget 2016: Taxes lift four-year surplus to $9.2b

<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;"> 

<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">VICTORIAN coffers are awash with cash as property and payroll taxes help the state government post total Budget surpluses of $9.2 billion over the next four years.

<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">A massive revenue boost will also be helped by the lease of the Port of Melbourne this year, expected to bring in an extra $7 billion.

<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">Treasurer Tim Pallas said relatively high employment rates, which have seen more than three million Victorians in work for the first time, have bolstered payroll tax receipts.

<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">There has also been a bigger than expected GST collection, and the property market has remained strong.

<p style="color:rgb(40,40,40);font-family:helvetica, arial, sans-serif;">“The state’s finances are in very good shape,” he said."

[POWERZONE]

With the news that Donald Trump has won the pre selection and thus edged us closer to being nuked the most appropriate response is to have a wail of a time :o

Sadness celebrated on Melbourne's streets > http://www.news.com.au/national/breaking...7f01d2c8fc

 

There'll be wailing, crying and group hugs this weekend as the Good Mourning Melbourne parade moves through the city on Sunday.

"There is much going on and we need space to cry. Cry together, with each other," the group's organisers say on their Facebook event page.

There are a number of activities planned, including writing your reasons for being sad in chalk on the pavement and a grief walk through the CBD.

The misery kicks off at 11.30am at the State Library.

[Aloysius]

"Johnny Depp mocks Australia over apology video"

 

http://www.womansday.com.au/celebrity/ho...alia-15332

 

 

 Oh dear, how sad, NEVER MIND!!!!!

 

Millions of Australian native animals cheer on the actions of our Border Security folks in protecting them from the  effects of US /Irish foot and mouth disease possibly carried by undeclared imported animals.

 

Clearly Johnny has already contracted this disease - .

 

 

 

 

Oops Johnny appears to be on a bit of a bad trend line currently.

[Aloysius]

http://www.news.com.au/world/asia/men-sh...8462ea99b6

 

A new twist on 'hitting me with your rythymstick'?

[Aloysius]

Workers deserve better than shameful Coles deal with shop union

Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/business/workplace...z4AH9NKd8G 

Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook

 

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);">'This is a moment of great shame for Australia's ailing union movement and for one of this country's most significant companies.

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);">Australia largest private sector union, the Shop, Distributive and Allied Employees Association (SDA), has been caught out.'

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"> 

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"> 

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);">So OK 

• The Union and the 'Big end of town' as Mr Shorten calls it, demonstrate that there is no protection for workers thru organised labor.
  
• By Mr Shorten calling Turnbull a sucker up to the 'big end of town' - his mates he calls them - he merely confirms what we have known for some time - he is a hypocrite.
  

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);">It's time the ALP got it's house in order and put a lot of distance between it and the Union movement - until they do there is a significant credibility gap yawning in front of the electorate.

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"> 

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);">How can you trust those who call others 'Mates of the bigend of town' at the same time that another branch of the party is in bed with the 'bigend of town'

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"> 

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"> 

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);">And the result is: the Workers who fund the Union and the party are sold down the river.

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"> 

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);">Hello?

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);"> 

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);">PS:   who do you vote for to protect penalty rates? presumably it would be somewhat naive to imagine that the ALP would actually do anything it promises - at least the government have already demonstrated that it abides by  Fairwork decisions.

 

 

[POWERZONE]

Haha. We actually covered this issue in the EB thread Aloy... > http://www.melbournechat.org/index.php?s...53&p=43353

 

Malcolm Turnbull even defended this agreement, probably without realising it failed the better-off test.

 

In QT he said: “Businesses like McDonald's and Coles have reduced or removed penalty rates in exchange for other conditions like higher base rates of pay,”

 
“Now we will all enjoy and benefit from solutions that create a more flexible and dynamic 21st century economy. So really, it is time for the Leader of the Opposition to stop trying to frighten Australians into poverty.


 

 

My follow up comment went something like this...

 

"This new agreement obviously doesn't benefit workers and should be scrapped and redone.

 

It's a bad reflection on Coles and that union, and also a bad reflection on Turnbull for endorsing it in question time."


 

 

 

Your response was "Heh heh,


A whole membership and it's leadership is wrong and your guy is right?


Hello, obviously just doesn't seem to be the correct word here!
> http://www.melbournechat.org/index.php?s...53&p=43361

 

So yep, looks like my guy was right, even the smh agree

 

So who do I vote for to protect penalty rates? Obviously not Malcolm Turnbull :ras:

[Aloysius]

I guess you have that right PZ - no matter how mistaken you may be!!!

 

I really can't see that anyone could place any faith in EB - he still rants on like the second rate Union organiser that he remains to this day.

 

Class warfare - Turnbull is rich - etc etc well guess what: most folks want to be rich, most folks aspire to improving their lot in life - why should Billie boy want to pee on our very reasonable aspirations?

 

Politics of envy is a corrosive social phenomenon that can never promote unity and harmony.

[POWERZONE]

Corrosive social phenomenon says a lot about advocating lower wages and lower penalties for lower paid workers Aloy

 

I don't care how much money Turnbull has. I don't have a problem with rich people, or those who aspire to be rich.

 

But I do have a problem with those who attain that status by treading on others.

 

And I have a bigger problem with those enjoy that status but publicly rubbish weekend wages for workers.

 

How is rubbishing penalty rates not like peeing on workers' aspirations?

[Aloysius]

Corrosive social phenomenon says a lot about advocating lower wages and lower penalties for lower paid workers Aloy

 

I don't care how much money Turnbull has. I don't have a problem with rich people, or those who aspire to be rich.

 

But I do have a problem with those who attain that status by treading on others.

 

And I have a bigger problem with those enjoy that status but publicly rubbish weekend wages for workers.

 

How is rubbishing penalty rates not like peeing on workers' aspirations?

 

 

 

So we are in total agreement - except that you believe what Shorten says - and I believe what Shorten does.

[Aloysius]

Inflation will drive the RBA to cut the cash rate to 1 per cent


 

 

'There's been nothing but good news about the Australian economy over the past few months – best growth rate in more than three years, decent retail sales numbers, house prices on the rise again, the unemployment rate at 5.7 per cent, its lowest level in two and a half years, and lending to businesses – the key missing link – growing at its fastest pace since the global financial crisis.


<p style="font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;">The list goes on.

<p style="font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;">Tourists spending record amounts of money, residential construction and car sales at, or close to, record-high levels, interest rates at record lows.

<p style="font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;">What's not to like about the dismal science of Australia?


 

<p style="font-style:inherit;font-weight:inherit;font-size:inherit;font-family:inherit;">Well, despite the impressive list of upbeat economic indicators there are still calls for another cut in the official cash rate that is already at a record low 1.75 per cent.'



Read more: http://www.afr.com/markets/inflation-wil...z4AQR0kbju 

Follow us: @FinancialReview on Twitter | financialreview on Facebook

 

 

 

Aaaaaaaaaaaaaaah

 

Isn't it great that the government has been able to manage our economy as well as it has to provide:

1. best growth rate in more than three years
   
2.  decent retail sales numbers
   
3.  the unemployment rate at 5.7 per cent, its lowest level in two and a half years
   
4. Tourists spending record amounts of money,
   
5. residential construction and car sales at, or close to, record-high levels
   
6.  interest rates at record lows.
   

Anyone imagine it's time for a change?

[POWERZONE]

Change penalty rates? No

 

But yeah, the economy's resilient; a good thing

 

Can't see the rate falling to 1% though unless we're planning to print money after that.

 

Bank shares will soar if it happens.

[Aloysius]

Not one straight politician knows what it's like': Penny Wong's plebiscite anguish

 

Heterosexual politicians fail to grasp the hatred gay and lesbian Australians will endure during a plebiscite on same-sex marriage, Labor frontbencher Penny Wong says.

<p style="font-style:italic;font-size:1.75em;font-family:Georgia, 'Times New Roman', Times, serif;color:rgb(102,102,102);">I oppose a plebiscite because I don't want my relationship, my family, to be the subject of inquiry, of censure, of condemnation, by others 

<p style="font-size:12.16px;font-family:Arial, Helvetica, sans-serif;color:rgb(0,0,0);">The lesbian mother-of-two used the annual Lionel Murphy Memorial Lecture on Tuesday to deliver a personal rebuke of the planned plebiscite, which Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull has promised to hold if the Coalition is re-elected.

 
Read more: http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/f...z4CFnW9VIe 

Follow us: @smh on Twitter | sydneymorningherald on Facebook


So what Penny is saying here is that pollies can make a decision and it's OK, the people - you and me - can make the decision and it's not OK.

 

Not sure where Penny's political attitude fits on the less democratic - more democratic scale!! ports:

 

Penny seems to be unable to grasp that the electorate is the boss and that the electorate must be respected by their "Public Servants"

 

If we had more plebiscites we would have more respect for our pollies and each other. :dance:

 

Decisions that emanate from political backrooms taken by faceless men and women are less democratic than a plebiscite - by definition

 


de·mos
  (dē′mŏs′)

<i>n.</i>
<div style="margin-left:1cm;"><b>1. </b>The common people; the populace.
<b>2. </b>The common people of an ancient Greek state.
 
the root of the word democracy is demos
 


pleb·i·scite
  (plĕb′ĭ-sīt′, -sĭt)
<i>n.</i>
<div style="margin-left:1cm;"><b>1. </b>A direct vote in which the entire electorate is invited to accept or refuse a proposal: <span>The new constitution was ratified in a plebiscite.</span>
<b>2. </b>A vote in which a population exercises the right of national self-determination.


plebs
  (plĕbz)
<i>n.</i> <i>pl.</i> <b>ple·bes</b> (plē′bēz)
<div style="margin-left:1cm;"><b>1. </b>The common people of ancient Rome: <span>the plebs and the patricians.</span>
<b>2. </b>The common people; the populace.
</div>
</div>
</div>

[POWERZONE]

Bargain homes for under $100,000 > http://www.news.com.au/finance/real-esta...1e8d46920f

Worth a lazy look. Love the boathouse

[POWERZONE]

It's an eye catching headline as per the topic. Nothing to do with plebiscites

[Aloysius]

Aah PZ respects staying on topic!!!!!

 

Ah Aloy...

As a fully paid up plebian I welcome the plebiscite.

Obviously Penny Wrong considers herself not a mere plebian.

 

 

 

Ah Peter - Penny clearly sees herself as a patrician!

 

patrician

<div style="font-size:large;">pəˈtrɪʃ(ə)n/

<div><i>noun</i>
 
<ol class="">[*]

<div>1.

<div>
<div>an aristocrat or nobleman.


synonyms:

aristocrat, grandee, noble, nobleman, noblewoman, lord, lady, peer, peeress, peer of the realm, titled man/woman/person, landowner; <span style="color:rgb(26,13,171);">More</span>
<div>
<div>
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• <li>
  <div style="font-size:xx-small;margin-left:25px;">
  <div style="font-sizemall;">
  <div> 
   
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• <div style="font-sizemall;">
  <div> 
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</div>
</div>
</div>
</li>
</ol></div>

<div><i>adjective</i>
 
<ol class="">[*]

<div>1.

<div>
<div>belonging to or characteristic of the aristocracy.
"a proud, patrician face"


synonyms:

aristocratic, noble, noble-born, of noble birth, titled, blue-blooded, high-born, well born,upper-class, elite, landowning, landed, born with a silver spoon in one's mouth; <span style="color:rgb(26,13,171);">More</span>
<div>
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IMO the more people that get to vote, the more moderate the result.

</div>
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</ol></div>
</div>

[POWERZONE]

Why cheeky pictures on ballot papers are giving our politicians a message...



  p.jpg (Size: 2.35 KB / Downloads: 77)

IT’S juvenile, but there’s no denying people love doodling penises on their ballot papers.


And while it’s immature, it’s been happening for years so maybe these d*** pics should be taken more seriously because they may be sending a message to our politicians.


Senior lecturer at the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne, Dr Lauren Rosewarne, said we could be making a bit of a political statement with our doodles.


Those who draw them, and Dr Rosewarne predicts it’s mostly men, fall into two categories.


“People are simply having a joke and are thinking it’s funny and a bit subversive,” she said.


“Usually it’s people who are not particularly interested in politics and feel they are forced to vote so have a bit of fun with it.”

 

More here > http://www.news.com.au/national/federal-...95b5c9baba

 

Apparently doodle drawings are preferenced to the incumbent PM which is probably why Tony Abbott won so easily in 2013

 

This time we might get a hung parliament?

[Aloysius]

http://www.businessinsider.com.au/people...ted-2016-7

 

 

All the adverse comments about Pauline Hansen may, or may not, be true.

 

That's irrelevant really, what is going on here is the apparent belief that only those folks who vote other than Hansen deserve a vote.

 

I have never, and would never, vote for her - but the folks who do have that right and it reflects poorly on those who begrudge it.

[Aloysius]

Why cheeky pictures on ballot papers are giving our politicians a message...

p.jpg

IT’S juvenile, but there’s no denying people love doodling penises on their ballot papers.


And while it’s immature, it’s been happening for years so maybe these d*** pics should be taken more seriously because they may be sending a message to our politicians.


Senior lecturer at the School of Social and Political Sciences at the University of Melbourne, Dr Lauren Rosewarne, said we could be making a bit of a political statement with our doodles.


Those who draw them, and Dr Rosewarne predicts it’s mostly men, fall into two categories.


“People are simply having a joke and are thinking it’s funny and a bit subversive,” she said.


“Usually it’s people who are not particularly interested in politics and feel they are forced to vote so have a bit of fun with it.”

 

More here > http://www.news.com.au/national/federal-...95b5c9baba

 

Apparently doodle drawings are preferenced to the incumbent PM which is probably why Tony Abbott won so easily in 2013

 

This time we might get a hung parliament?

 

 

 

 

Oh, very droll PZ :notworthy: