Thread: Australian Federal Election 2022

Awlrighty. So we're away, on a six-week election campaign during which Scott Morrison — Australia's 30th prime minister — will beseech the nation to give him another go-round rather than handing the joint over to Labor leader Anthony Albanese.

They've hit the ground running — and so have we. I'll be bringing you the highlights at 6pm weekdays, along with my colleagues Brett Worthington and Patricia Karvelas.
Morrison vs Morrison

First of all, congratulations to the PM for becoming today — on the formal dissolution of the 46th Parliament — the first prime minister in 15 years to survive a full parliamentary term without being whacked by his colleagues.

These are baby steps, but important ones, and the PM today embarked upon day one of an election campaign lasting six weeks, which is a hell of a long time to spend up the Congo — especially when you're essentially campaigning against yourself.

And that's the weirdest thing about this looming democratic event. It's not a competition between two entities bearing different cheese platters, between which we can take our pick. It's a competition, essentially, between two versions of one man.

Scott Morrison smiles while holding a beer can towards the camera. The beer label is blue and reads "ScoMo's strong economy".

This election will see a competition between two versions of Scott Morrison. (ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

Is Scott Morrison a nasty, incompetent, gaslighting pretender? Or is he a flawed but essentially decent bloke who's done his best in a tough three years?

If the nation turns out to associate itself predominantly with the latter sentiment, then we get another three years. If the former, then we get anything from a majority Albanese government to some sort of intricate red-and-teal combo (poo-brown, I'm afraid, in case you were wondering).

Over the next six weeks, the ABC will be throwing a lot of coverage your way, giving you every opportunity to find out what the parties and candidates stand for.

But first it might help to go on your own voyage of self-discovery with Vote Compass, the fiendishly popular self-analysis tool that helps you to work out where you stand. Answer 30 simple questions and unleash your inner ideologue! Discover that you have more in common with Mad Uncle Bertie than you thought! All these and more thrills available right here, check it out.

And in recognition of this democratic event, the politics newsletter will be abandoning its sedate once-a-week format and hitting your inboxes on Monday, Wednesday and Friday evenings. You can sign up here.
Who is the election really about?

"This election is about you," the Prime Minister declared yesterday as he got the show moving. Hmm ... is it, though?

This is the first PM I can remember whose personality issues have their own budgetary line item.

Why did the recent federal budget spank $3 billion on fuel excise? Because the government needed specifically to address the perception that the Prime Minister doesn't care that you're struggling.

Anthony Albanese wasted no time in getting to the electorate of Bass in Tasmania — the government's most marginal seat. (ABC News: Matt Roberts)

Why has the government been obliged to devote up to $5 billion to women's security, health and workplace participation programs in the last year? I mean, don't get me wrong, it's welcome — but does anyone think it would be happening if the PM had a cheaper way of getting women to like him?

Why is there $20 billion in infrastructure spending that Barnaby Joyce wants? Because Morrison needed a political settlement of the Coalition climate wars, and the easiest way was to throw a little of your money at the situation. And so on.

The election certainly doesn't seem, at this stage, to be about Albanese. If it were, surely there'd be a little more interest in the fact that this former socialist left firebrand is going into this election backing in $19 billion a year worth of tax cuts to the wealthy, which are due to commence within two years and about which Labor proposes to do nothing at all?
Off and running

Right. To the campaign!

Today, both leaders chose to kick things off in marginal seats. Morrison returned boldly to the 2020 bushfire hot zone of Nowra, where former state NSW Liberal MP Andrew Constance is contesting the narrowly held Labor seat of Gilmore.
Scott Morrison wearing a blue suit and red tie walks alongside Andrew Constance outside.
Morrison kicked off the election campaign with a visit to Nowra, where former state NSW Liberal MP Andrew Constance is running. (ABC News: Nick Haggarty)

Constance's street appeal, ironically, is built partially on his status as The Guy Who Socked It To ScoMo During The Bushfires.

Albanese, meanwhile, headed for Launceston in Tasmania and the seat of Bass. At 0.4 per cent, it's the government's most marginal seat, held by Bridget Arthur — ironically another Liberal MP with a reputation for yanking the PM's chain.

Good day

Well I'm not sure he'll really enjoy this, but how good is Alan Tudge's job? He stepped aside from his education ministry after a suite of allegations from his former staffer with whom he had a workplace affair.

The woman will receive a settlement of more than half a million dollars, although an investigation found Tudge had not breached ministerial standards and he's strenuously denied all allegations against him.

His job is being done by Stuart Robert. But the Prime Minister says Tudge is still a cabinet minister, despite the fact that he does not sits in cabinet, collect a ministerial wage nor exercises ministerial powers.

Bad day

Oh boy. Not much debate about this one.



Albanese — on day one of a campaign in which he is attempting to convince Australians that he knows his way around an economy — couldn't name neither the unemployment rate nor the cash rate when asked by a reporter today.
Space to play or pause, M to mute, left and right arrows to seek, up and down arrows for volume.
Play Video. Duration: 13 seconds
The Opposition Leader could not list the unemployment and cash rates.

It was awful, nearly unwatchable stuff. Clearly, Albanese knows this area is a weakness for him. Why else would he be making pointed references to his economics degree in campaign material?

This was a real howler. The unemployment rate is hardly an obscure detail on which an opposition leader might be expected to stumble. Here's Matt Doran with the story.

Political editor Andrew Probyn wrote this morning that Morrison's choice of a long campaign was to maximise his chances of sanding away Labor's polling lead. Which would be even easier in the event of unforced Albanese errors, which probably even in his most optimistic moments Morrison didn't expect to come so early.
What to watch out for tomorrow

Albanese will be staying in northern Tasmania, a key sign he is hoping to snag the electorates of Braddon and Bass.

Morrison will also be staying put in NSW, a state where he needs to find inroads if he is to remain in power.

https://www.abc. net.au/news/2022-04-11/federal-election-2022-morrison-albanese-start-campaign/100982516

Yep ... Albo fucked up BIG time today!

I think more a case of showing his true colours than fuckin up.

Originally Posted by David48atTD

Yep ... Albo fucked up BIG time today!

why ?

the only reason the unemployment is low is because of the lack of migration over the last 2 years , so it really is irrelevant

with a bit of luck labour will be able to form government and a large group of independents in parliament there to bring back democratic representation for the people and the senate will have 12 green representatives to champion the high level initiatives that are needed for the future of the country - and the holy trinity will be murdoch dropping off his mortal coil

and a proper federal ICAC will initiate jail sentences for a host of LNP scum for the corruption of the last 10 years

the nationals are a relic of the past and they and the liberals have been handing out government money to their corporate masters - I would like to see them both go down in flames

what is relevant is that people with full time jobs are really struggling because of high rental prices , high fuel prices and rising inflation

with a bit of luck labour will be able to form government and a large group of independents in parliament there to bring back democratic representation for the people and the senate will have 12 green representatives to champion the high level initiatives that are needed for the future of the country

You are fucking joking??? While I don’t agree with most of Labor policies, (and don’t forget Albo is a card carrying socialist) putting greens anywhere into the government while drive

Originally Posted by baldrick

what is relevant is that people with full time jobs are really struggling because of high rental prices , high fuel prices and rising inflation

to the shit.

Originally Posted by DrWilly

and don’t forget Albo is a card carrying socialist

what does Socialist mean to you willy ?

to me Socialism is using the wealth of everybody to provide services for everybody

Originally Posted by DrWilly

putting greens anywhere into the government

"The Greens will push for a freeze on new coal and gas projects so that we can tackle the climate crisis, but also to tackle the cost of living," Mr Bandt said.

"We want to get dental and mental health into Medicare, wipe student debt and fix the housing affordability crisis."

Their forthright demands have been criticised by many, but Mr Bandt said they are just being honest.

"What we are doing is being up-front with people about what would happen if there is a power share in parliament."

No posts from Sab yet. Surely he will vote labour.

It's damning with faint praise norts, but my vote is "anything but scomo".

Originally Posted by sabang

It's damning with faint praise norts, but my vote is "anything but scomo".

Sabang talking about voting.

I think you are more excited about these elections than I will ever be 'arry.

Originally Posted by harrybarracuda

Sabang talking about voting.

Harsh!

Originally Posted by sabang

my vote

. . . and isn't it great that you can actually vote . . .


With Albanese up against him and Jacinda perpetually upset with him I'll pass my vote to ScMo.

Originally Posted by baldrick

what is relevant is that people with full time jobs are really struggling because of high rental prices , high fuel prices and rising inflation

Look across the ditch to NZ . . . ridiculously high rental prices, massive fuel prices and inflation as it hasn't been for a very long time.

It's not a matter of left or right, baldrick, as Jacinda and her motley crew are as left-brown-nosing as anyone . . . it's simply a sign of the times we are living in. You can blame ScoMo and his policies for some things, but not the three issues you mention.

Originally Posted by baldrick

to me Socialism is using the wealth of everybody to provide services for everybody

In an ideal world, mate . . . bit in reality it is never the case

Originally Posted by sabang

my vote is "anything but scomo".

He was behind in the Polls last time (3 years ago), but pulled the rabbit out of the hat.

He's behind in these Polls also and, even though Easter is around the corner, I think all the rabbits are busy this year.

Could be wrong ... often are

Originally Posted by panama hat

You can blame ScoMo and his policies for some things, but not the three issues you mention.

scotty who was sacked from his marketing jobs was the man fronting the war on the weekend jibes to discredit electric vehicles and not forgetting the death taxes dog whistle - the path to affordable housing is not a straightforward one and like fcuk I would trust the liberal nationals to address the problem - it was johnny fcukwit howard who started this first home owners grant twaddle and none of the rent seeking cnuts have every made any move to sort out negative gearing.

Originally Posted by panama hat

In an ideal world, mate . . . bit in reality it is never the case

oh ok - may as well not - what else do you think is a better ideal ?

Originally Posted by Switch

In the UK socialist means making public services so awful,

when did the idea of privatisation begin ?

After that pointless interlude, back on topic.

Originally Posted by baldrick

the only reason the unemployment is low is because of the lack of migration over the last 2 years , so it really is irrelevant

Not really. The banks are all forecasting further drops and migration is open again.

Australia'''s unemployment rate of 4 per cent is good news that should get even better by polling day - ABC News

Here in SA we are-

• the HQ of the Australian wine industry
• ditto oyster industry, and tuna
• big in lobster
• significant in barley
• we also build the subs. Or did.

All of which have been severely affected by the blowhards in the scomo admin. We recently turfed out the State Liberal government convincingly.
I suspect it will be the same at the Federal level. But that's just us- we're a big state with a small population. We hardly determine the decisive east coast vote.

I'm getting older- I think I prefers me nanny state over feeling like a discarded commodity.

Indeed so, with the possibility of a worse evil- Clive Palmer and the United Australia Party holding the balance of power. You should see what they are spending on advertising!

If the polls can be believed there will be a big shift in Parlimentary seats.

The winner in the Australian election will make very little difference to the general populace.

One party is slightly left of centre and the other slightly right.

Australia has more paid politicians per head than any country in the free world.

Professional politicians all of them. No interest other than gaining power and the perks that go along with it.

Australia is the only democratic country which has a forced franchise. You are fined if you don’t vote. If this were not the case I doubt 50% would even bother.
Funnily enough this is one thing all parties agree on - maintaining a forced vote.
Take your pick Hitler or Stalin

Australia has more Overpaid politicians per head than any country in the free world.

Slight edit, but totally agree.

How do I vote if I'm interstate or overseas?

If you're going to be interstate on May 21, you can go to an interstate voting centre. The AEC will publish a list of those places before election day.
If you live overseas, you can register as an overseas voter. The AEC has a list of places around the world where postal votes will be accepted.
If you'll be overseas and don't think you'll be able to vote, you can fill out an overseas notification form.
And if you happen to be working in, or in transit to or from, Antarctica on election day, there will be a telephone voting service you can use.

Originally Posted by Iceman123

One party is slightly left of center and the other slightly right.

Agreed ... the Red and Yellow Shirts snipe at the edges, but are essentially the same.


I was listening to the Greens Leader, Adam Bandt and he was making EVERYTHING free, plus doubling the Unemployed benefit from $40 a day to $80 a day.

Well Adam ... who da fuck is going to pay for that?

Banning/limiting coal and gas exports.

Well Adam ... who da fuck is going to pay for that?
Aussie coal is amongst the 'cleanest' in the world, due to it's calorific value, far higher than the more polluting brown coal being burnt.
Pond for pound, Aussie coal and gas exports is actually DECREASING the green house gasses being released.
Coal and Gas will naturally decline as the world switch to more environmentally sustainable energy sources.
Don't get me wrong, I have solar on the roof ... bring on the environmentally sustainable energy sources ASAP

Fucking green lefties, burn them ... leave coal alone