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There is the tired old Tory tactic of a commission of audit which was botched by Costello (our worst federal treasurer since John Howard). This then trumpeted a budget emergency (which didn't exist) and comparisons to the economy of Spain (which were completely ridiculous), and then the faux-consultation in the Strong Choices snow job. We are now paying for the privilege of paying for adds which are interupting world Cup football coverage in the vain attempt to sell another LNP lie... that Queenslanders want asset sales.
Even the ACCC has voiced concerns about state asset sales.
Labelled by many as Wrong Choices, it is important to note it includes - an $11m advertising campaign to sell off public assets and get Campbell Newman re-elected; it leaves Health care looking sick; contains asset sales which will hurt regional economies; and will lead to increased prices and less public revenue to fund services.
If, as we're told repeatedly, the age of entitlement is over, it seems there is a great deal more scope to end business and wealthy individual's entitlement in a way that won't damage industry or manufacturing, and won't hurt lower income earners. By addressing superannuation tax relief, private health insurance rebates, negative gearing and fuel tax credits, there are savings of $150 billion to be made by 2016-17.
But that would target the wrong demographic - those more likely to donate to the LNP and vote for them.
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If the LNP government was interested in balancing the books, they might take a look at the kind of subsidies they offer to the highly profitable mining industry. This has amounted to $9.6B over the last 6 budgets and is the highest across all Australian states.
Added to that we have the on-going program spearheaded by Jarrod Bleijie of turning our state back into the Queensland of Joh Bjelke Petersen. By nobbling the corruption watchdog. By appointing the seemingly politically tainted and underqualified Judge Tim Carmody to the post of Chief Justice. It appears to have been a captain's call by 'Trainer Wheels' Bleijie who did consult with senior legal representatives, but completely ignored all their advice.
Carmody's appointment has been labelled a throwback to the corrupt era of Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen by Civil libertarians. The Australian Bar Association has warned the independence of the judiciary is “under threat” in Queensland. Carmody's appointment prompted the resignation of the head of the Qld Bar association. It has attracted criticism from senior legal figures such as Tony Fitzgerald and former justice George Fryberg. Queensland Court of Appeal judge John Muir called on Tim Carmody to withdraw from the position.
And Carmody's response - He went onto radio 4BC to publicly defend his own appointment, as it seems no one else will. He is also quoted as saying of Tony Ftizgerald's criticisms - "What does [Mr Fitzgerald] think - I'm still a law clerk and he's still the big boss? He's retired now. Everyone has their term. And can I just say - cometh the hour, cometh the man."
He seems to have the ego for the job. Time will tell if he has the capacity.
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After two meetings with the head of the company in question, it seems the best thing to do is to change the pesky legislation. In a case that was recently aired on ABC's 7.30 program, it seems legal trouble with the Department of Natural Resources and Mines is easy to head off... by passing a legislative amendment by sneaking past the opposition to ensure the retrospective changes protect Karreman quarries, coincidentally a good friend of the LNP. This unusual action has nothing to do with the fact that the company have donated $75,000 to the LNP in recent years. And even though Karreman was the only quarry which was facing prosecution for mining without a licence, the changes were put in place to protect numerous others who Seeney hasn't named and and equally hasn't indicated whether or not they are also LNP donors.
Pull the other one Jeff, it plays the Last Post... for your government!
And to further underline the incompetence and the stupidity of this LNP government we have both Campbell Newman and Jeff Seeney being sued for defamation for saying that Clive Palmer had tried to act corruptly following the LNP's 2012 election win. This claim is being used to defend the outrageous and seemingly corrupt lengths Seeney went to protect the interests of a large LNP donor.
It seems it's time to kick another corrupt conservative government out in Queensland in order to allow the state to get back on track.