QResear.ch

#20545557 at 2024-03-10 08:36:09 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #34: UNITED AGAINST THE INVISIBLE ENEMY OF ALL HUMANITY Edition

#34 - Part 16
Australian Politics and Society - Part 9
>>20365452 How Donald Trump's election victory in November could shatter Australia-US relations - "Australian ministers, public servants and diplomats are quietly assessing the implications of a Donald Trump presidential election victory in November. Trump's single presidential term was a disaster for the US but also for traditional alliance partners and the standing of the great republic around the world. Trump did not and does not have a coherent foreign policy, was irrational and unpredictable, prone to snap judgments and policy reversals. Even though I regard a Trump victory over Biden as unlikely, it cannot be ruled out. It makes sense for Australian government officials to prepare for this worst-case scenario." - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>20371195 Productivity Commission pushes for state Indigenous powers and Aboriginal watchdog - Governments across the country should relinquish powers on Aboriginal affairs policy to Indigenous communities and legislate watchdogs with more authority than the defeated voice would have had, to save failing efforts to close the gap, the Productivity Commission has declared.
>>20371298 While drama continues to develop at home, PNG prime minister touches down in Australia for historic speech - Papua New Guinea's Prime Minister James Marape has arrived in Canberra ahead of a historic address at Parliament House, but a political storm is continuing to brew at home in Port Moresby.

>>20371346 ABC cancels controversial drag queen story hour for kids after 'hateful response' - The ABC has backflipped on a controversial decision to organise a Drag Queen Story event for children as young as three in a Sydney suburban library after questions were raised about its "appropriateness" and "gender indoctrination". The national broadcaster had made the call-out on social media for children aged from three to five years to attend a four-hour event at Rockdale Library, in Sydney's south, on February 22 as part of Mardi Gras. However the ABC said it had a "hateful and offensive response" to its plans and it was "considering how we can safely host it".
>>20371367 'Dead wrong so many times': Former Donald Trump advisor Steve Bannon hits out at Kevin Rudd over position on China - A former advisor to Donald Trump has taken aim at Australia's Ambassador to the United States Kevin Rudd over his position on China during an exclusive interview with Sky News. Steve Bannon served as a chief White House strategist under the Trump administration after the former US president's election win in 2016. Speaking to Sky News host Sharri Markson on Wednesday, Mr Bannon warned Mr Rudd's attempts to stabilise the strained Australia-China relations were dangerous. "Ambassador Rudd should know we got his number," Mr Bannon told Markson. "For people in the United States, folks in Australia should know, Rudd puts himself out as the expert in the world on China and the Chinese Communist Party. "I think he's been dead wrong so many times."
>>20377050 Video: Albanese government set for 'tense relationship' with future Trump administration - Sky News host Sharri Markson warns the Albanese Government is set for a tense relationship with Donald Trump's administration should he return to the White House. Former strategist Steve Bannon revealed Australia's Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd has been trying to "worm his way" into the Trump inner circle. "Ambassador Rudd should know we got his number," Mr Bannon told Ms Markson. Mr Bannon served as a chief White House strategist under the Trump administration after the former US president's election win in 2016. "Bannon's comments indicate that the Albanese government has cause for concern should Trump win the election later this year," Ms Markson said. - Sky News Australia
>>20377059 Kevin Rudd attempting to 'worm his way back' into hardline Republicans' 'good graces' - Australia's Ambassador to the US Kevin Rudd has been warned his attempts to "worm his way back into the good graces" of hardline Republicans will be "quite difficult," according to former White House Trump advisor Steve Bannon. - Mr Bannon explained the former Australian prime minister had been very critical of Donald Trump while the former president was in office but had constantly had a different attitude towards the Chinese Communist Party. "I think Rudd's attitude about the Chinese Communist Party, at least, is so different than the hardliners," he said. "What we fought for in World War II together as allies is still on the table today and I would hope Ambassador Rudd took it as seriously as the hardline anti-CCP element in the United States." - Sky News Australia

#20545534 at 2024-03-10 08:23:05 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #34: UNITED AGAINST THE INVISIBLE ENEMY OF ALL HUMANITY Edition

#34 - Part 9
Australian Politics and Society - Part 2
>>20132098 Video: Please don't forget about Ukraine. This war is about Australia too - "Australia has been an absolutely loyal and active friend of Ukraine during its existential fight, which continues every day on battlefields if not in your headlines. We especially thank the government for most recently extending the training it is providing in the UK to Ukrainian troops. I have written to the Australian government to warn that Russia intends to make this a brutal northern winter for Ukrainians by again targeting their energy infrastructure. Ukraine has had to ask for Australia's further support regarding energy supply and energy equipment to keep the lights and the heat on. We need Australian coal for the winter." - Vasyl Myroshnychenko, Ukrainian ambassador - theage.com.au
>>20141992 Wieambilla shooting: lawyers for Donald Day Jr mount freedom-of-speech defence over alleged threats to police - A US conspiracy theorist linked to the Wieambilla shooters has argued he was not seriously expressing an intent for violence when he said "the devils come for us, they fucking die", and as such should be protected by the US constitution's first amendment.
>>20142018 Yakult Australia targeted in cyber attack, employee files published on dark web - Iconic probiotic company Yakult Australia has been hit by a significant cyber attack that has seen its company records and sensitive employee documents, such as passports, published on the dark web.
>>20147663 Red Sea attacks: Peter Dutton says Australian Navy should be sent for sake of economy - Opposition Leader Peter Dutton has claimed Labor's decision to focus on its Indo-Pacific strategy over a US-led mission in the Red Sea will hurt Australians at home, as the cost of international shipping delays compounds backlogs from industrial action at local terminals.

>>20147812 Donald Day Jr, US sovereign citizen linked to Wieambilla murders, was prepared for deadly 'last stand' with police, court hears - An American extremist linked to the Wieambilla killers claims he wished he had joined in on their massacre of Queensland police officers and threatened to kill the FBI agents who arrested him, a US court has heard.
>>20147954 John Howard would not back Donald Trump to be president again - "John Howard would not vote for Donald Trump if he had a vote in the US presidential election next year because the former president failed to accept the outcome of the 2020 election and fraudulently tried to overturn the result. He said Mr Trump was utterly "unfit" to return to the presidency." - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>20152545 Noel Pearson breaks silence on Indigenous voice referendum on stage with Stan Grant at Woodford Folk Festival - Ex-News Corp and AAP photographer, David Kapernick said on social media that Mr Pearson accused Anthony Albanese of "running away" from indigenous affairs. "Noel Pearson and Stan Grant at Woodford Folk festival discussing what to do now after referendum. Not impressed with Albanese ... says he's running away and will do nothing,"
>>20152674 Trump-Biden rematch bodes ill for US and world - "What a miserable year for American politics and democracy worldwide a Trump victory in 2024 would be. What message would it send to Russia and Ukraine? What would it do to the US relationship with China? Would it put nations such as Australia in an awkward position balancing relationships? Could US allies be even remotely certain Trump would have their back in a crisis? And what would the return of Trump say about the decline of US hegemony? The biggest risk of Trump returning to the presidency isn't the short-term chaos. It is the long-term cultural impact such a result would have - a profound shift in how the US did business, and what might come next. This is why Trump is a threat to democracy. He represents yet another erosion in support for its ideals because if he wins he'll do so legitimately." - Peter van Onselen, professor of politics and public policy at the University of Western Australia and Griffith University - theaustralian.com.au

#20365452 at 2024-02-06 09:08:12 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #34: UNITED AGAINST THE INVISIBLE ENEMY OF ALL HUMANITY Edition

>>20108573
How Donald Trump's election victory in November could shatter Australia-US relations

Troy Bramston - FEBRUARY 6, 2024

1/2

Australian ministers, public servants and diplomats are quietly assessing the implications of a Donald Trump presidential election victory in November.

While Trump's poll lead over Joe Biden in battleground states may not last, his return to the US presidency cannot be ruled out, and it has officials deeply concerned about what it would mean for the bilateral relationship.

Trump's single presidential term was a disaster for the US but also for traditional alliance partners and the standing of the great republic around the world. Trump did not and does not have a coherent foreign policy, was irrational and unpredictable, prone to snap judgments and policy reversals.

The future of the trilateral nuclear defence pact, AUKUS, is far from guaranteed despite what officials say. This is a Biden administration policy developed in partnership with Australia and the UK. Trump had no role in it and therefore has no fidelity to it. Some congressional Republicans remain lukewarm at best.

It is not certain Trump would stick with a US promise to sell to Australia Virginia-class nuclear-powered submarines, share technology and personnel, and design and construct a new submarine for Australia. While the US congress passed enabling provisions for AUKUS, Trump could seek to terminate the deal.

Australian diplomats are working overtime to develop relationships with congressional Republicans and those close to Trump in the hope they can influence his thinking. In reality, Republicans in congress and those in the MAGA wing matter little as they take their cues from Trump, not the other way round.

The Albanese government is worried not only about AUKUS but the future of ANZUS. With his "America First" mantra, Trump showed no respect for longstanding alliances. He withdrew from the Paris climate accords and the Trans-Pacific Partnership, cosied up to dictators and autocrats, and weakened US prestige around the world.

If he returns to power, Trump wants to end US support for NATO, which requires congressional backing. He told EU officials the US would never defend NATO countries if under attack. MAGA Republicans want to end US military support for Ukraine, while Trump says he would force Volodymyr Zelensky to "make a deal" with Vladimir Putin's Russia. This means ceding Ukrainian territory to Russia.

In our region, longstanding defence partners South Korea and Japan are also reportedly concerned about a Trump presidency, given he has questioned continued US security and defence guarantees. Trump repeatedly praises Xi Jinping and, unlike Biden, has publicly doubted whether he would defend Taiwan if China sought to reclaim it by force.

In his first term, Trump wanted to impose tariffs on Australian exports and refused to honour a refugee deal reached with Barack Obama. Some clever diplomatic work by Malcolm Turnbull and ambassador Joe Hockey changed his mind. But there is unlikely to be any carve-outs for Australia next time because Trump is friends with Greg Norman.

(continued)

#20147954 at 2023-12-29 15:32:35 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #34: UNITED AGAINST THE INVISIBLE ENEMY OF ALL HUMANITY Edition

>>20108573
John Howard would not back Donald Trump to be president again

Troy Bramston - DECEMBER 29, 2023

John Howard would not vote for Donald Trump if he had a vote in the US presidential election next year because the former president failed to accept the outcome of the 2020 election and fraudulently tried to overturn the result.

The former prime minister (1996-2007) told The Weekend Australian he would have "ever so reluctantly" voted for Mr Trump in 2020 because he identifies more with Republicans than Democrats, but could not do so in 2024.

"Once Trump refused to ?accept the outcome, I wrote him off," Mr Howard said. "If I had a vote, I couldn't vote for Trump at the next election. I just think somebody who refuses to accept the verdict of the public and runs around trying to get people to find votes is appalling.

"Nobody likes losing. Remember what he said on the night of the election? 'Nobody likes losing, particularly me.' Well, why particularly him? Do you think I liked losing to Rudd? No. Do you think Keating liked losing to me? Certainly not.

"I just thought that was a complete fraud on the American public and the democratic system."

Asked if he would vote for Joe Biden in 2024, Mr Howard said "it would be very hard" and thought in 2020 he was already showing signs of "losing the necessary cognitive ability to do the job".

But he did not rule it out, and would wait until the two major party candidates had been chosen before answering that.

Mr Howard spoke to The Weekend Australian to coincide with the release of his government's 2003 cabinet papers on Monday and discussed meeting several US presidents during his time in public life.

He recalled getting on well with Bill Clinton and especially George W. Bush, who both overlapped with his time as prime minister. He met George HW Bush and Barack Obama, and Mr Biden before he was president. He has not met Mr Trump and said he does not "feel deprived in not having met him".

Mr Howard previously told The Weekend Australian that Mr Trump's behaviour was "appalling", "disgraceful" and "terrible" following the 2020 election, and hoped the Republican Party would select a different candidate to run for president in 2024.

He said Mr Trump was utterly "unfit" to return to the presidency.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/john-howard-would-not-back-donald-trump-to-be-president-again/news-story/9c85c90f39d25f1cd8627de817b91f0b

https://qresear.ch/?q=Troy+Bramston


>You attack those who threaten you the most.

>What does FEAR look like?
>What does PANIC look like?

>These people are stupid.
>Enjoy the show!

#20092825 at 2023-12-18 09:53:07 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #34: UNITED AGAINST THE INVISIBLE ENEMY OF ALL HUMANITY Edition

#33 - Part 12
Australian Politics and Society - Part 5
>>19936588 Doctors step up calls for gender care re-examination - The battle over gender-affirmative medicine in Australia has intensified with a call to arms by two experienced psychiatrists for their fellow doctors to resist the pressure of activism that has triggered the widespread "subordination of clinical governance to social and political goals" in the rush to affirm distressed children's chosen gender. The psychiatrists used an academic paper in a top psychiatry journal to urge the medical profession to heed the "cautionary tale" posed by the healthcare scandal that unfolded at London's Tavistock clinic and in British compensation cases they say are directly relevant to Australia. Monash Medical Centre child and adolescent psychiatrist George Halasz and Andrew Amos, an academic psychiatrist who has previously held a training role with Queensland's health department, went as far as to remind doctors of their obligation to observe the Hippocratic oath in questioning the evidence base of affirmative medicine.
>>19941040 Voice fallout: support for treaty plunges after referendum - Only a third of voters believe the federal government should pursue a treaty-making process with Indigenous Australians or establish a "truth-telling" commission, with support for the remaining ambitions of the Uluru Statement languishing in the aftermath of the Voice referendum. Exclusive findings from the Resolve Political Monitor, conducted for The Sydney Morning Herald and The Age, show that support for treaty processes has nosedived following the Voice defeat, plunging from 58 per cent in October to 33 per cent this month.
>>19941089 Minnesota governor 'surprised' at Australia's slow pace on cannabis legalisation - Minnesota Governor Tim Walz was not shy with his advice for NSW Premier Chris Minns. "You don't get elected to get re-elected," he said, suggesting the path to success for the first-term Minns government was in aggressively pursuing reform.
>>19941169 What the Secret Service agent saw - "Secret Service agent Paul Landis was with John F. Kennedy in Dallas when he was assassinated 60 years ago, and is one of the few surviving witnesses. His account up-ends the findings of the official verdict." - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>19941182 Q Post #703 - "Rest in peace Mr. President (JFK), through your wisdom and strength, since your tragic death, Patriots have planned, installed, and by the grace of God, activated, the beam of LIGHT. We will forever remember your sacrifice. May you look down from above and continue to guide us as we ring the bell of FREEDOM and desTroy those who wish to sacrifice our children, our way of life, and our world. We, the PEOPLE." - Prayer said every single day in the OO. JFK - Secret Socities. Where we go one, we go all. Q - https://qanon.pub/#703
>>19946753 Optus CEO Kelly Bayer Rosmarin resigns, having presided over two high-profile telco disasters within 13 months

>>19946776 Thalidomide survivors to receive national apology for pharmaceutical 'disaster' - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has invited thalidomide survivors and their families to Canberra on November 29 to say sorry. The national apology will be followed by a dedication ceremony that will unveil a monument at Kings Park in Canberra to recognise thalidomide survivors and their families
>>19952057 'Very important signal': Zelensky welcomes Fox chief Lachlan Murdoch's visit to Kyiv - Lachlan Murdoch, the new chairman of News Corp, has met with Ukrainian President Volodymyr Zelensky in Kyiv in a sign his global media empire will continue to throw its weight behind the war-torn nation's struggle against Russia
>>19952193 John F. Kennedy's leadership legacy lives on, 60 years after Dallas - "The tragic and traumatic nature of Kennedy's death has shaped perceptions of his presidency. There also have been many attempts to sanitise his flaws and sentimentalise his achievements, not least the Camelot lore. We need to assess his legacy not through the prism of his death but by what he did in life. If we do so, his exalted place in history is earned." - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>19952195 Q Post #783 - Clown Agency>No Such Agency. RIP JFK - we will succeed. Pyramid will collapse. Think shell. Q - https://qanon.pub/#783
>>19952195 Q Post #2573 - "The times are too grave, the challenge too urgent, and the stakes too high - to permit the customary passions of political debate. We are not here to curse the darkness, but to light the candle that can guide us through that darkness to a safe and sane future." - JFK - Q - https://qanon.pub/#2573
>>19958277, >>19958280 JFK assassination 60th anniversary: How Australians heard the news about US president's murder

#19822138 at 2023-10-29 05:13:47 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

#32 - Part 64
Indigenous Voice To Parliament Referendum - Part 28
>>19706372 Liberals hit back at Anthony Albanese's Indigenous voice to parliament misinformation claims - Senior Liberal frontbenchers have hit back at Anthony Albanese's claim that misinformation was undermining the voice referendum amid dwindling support for the government's proposal. Mr Albanese has repeatedly blasted misinformation he said was being peddled by the No campaign to wreck the referendum and confuse voters. He said misinformation and disinformation were preventing voters from considering the "very simple" referendum question before them. He has pointed to misinformation, disinformation and conspiracy theories when asked why the voice was losing support, including among Labor voters. Five repeated claims by Mr Albanese include that it is "nonsense" that the voice would advise the RBA or on nuclear submarines, that the length of the Uluru Statement from the Heart was just one page, that the detail on the voice was simple, and that the voice referendum had nothing to do with treaty. Opposition legal affairs spokeswoman Michaelia Cash told The Australian there was "little in the PM's claims which is supported by the facts" and Mr Albanese was unable to rule out issues that the voice would advise on. "If anyone is dealing in misinformation, it is the Prime Minister himself," she said. "He certainly cannot rule out issues the voice will advise on and it is clear that the Uluru statement contained much more material than the single page he claims."
>>19706380 Voice holds promise of hope for our most vulnerable - "Australia faces a moment in history where the decision we make about whether to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution with an advisory body to parliament and government will have profound implications for this generation and the next. The constitutional referendum proposed is both an act of recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians as the first people of this continent with respect for their 60,000 years of continuing culture and also the establishment of a mechanism to improve policy outcomes. A Yes vote gives hope, opportunity and agency to the pressing need to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. A No vote gets us nowhere. The No camp has not put forward an agreed, coherent or compelling alternative plan to improve policy outcomes for Indigenous Australians that also fosters responsibility and accountability. It is confused and divided on questions of recognition, treaties and advisory bodies. There is a yearning deep within the Australian soul for reconciliation. There is, as Noel Pearson says, a whispering in our hearts about unfinished business. We have an opportunity, with the eyes of the world on us and our consciences telling us there is another way. These are the better angels of our nature and it is time we heed their call. In the final analysis, constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians through a voice to parliament is a sensible, logical and rational step for a mature nation. It is not radical or revolutionary. It is modest, simple and straightforward. If we vote Yes, it can make a real difference. If we vote No, nothing will change. We have two paths ahead of us. We must take the right one and vote Yes." - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au - https://qresear.ch/?q=Troy+Bramston
>>19720209 Australians to reject Indigenous Voice in referendum - final YouGov poll - Australians are set to overwhelmingly say 'No' to a proposal to constitutionally recognise the country's Indigenous people in a referendum on Saturday, one of the final opinion polls ahead of the vote showed. Australians have to vote 'Yes' or 'No' to a question asking whether they agree to alter the 122-year-old constitution to recognise Aboriginal and Torres Strait Island people, and create a body, called the Voice to Parliament, that can provide advice to the government. More than 4 million people have already cast their ballot after early voting began on Oct. 2. With less than two days to go before voting day on Oct. 14, those opposed to the proposal lead the 'Yes' camp by 56% to 38%, according to the final poll by YouGov published on Thursday. Some 6% of those polled were undecided. Yougov polled 1,519 voters for the survey. "Our final poll indicates a sweeping 'No' victory - with nearing six in 10 voters intending to cast a 'No' vote," said Amir Daftari, YouGov Director of Polling and Academic research. "Our detailed analysis indicates that it is very unlikely that 'Yes' will win anywhere apart from a number of inner metropolitan seats."

#19822118 at 2023-10-29 05:08:31 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

#32 - Part 55
Indigenous Voice To Parliament Referendum - Part 19
>>19656309 Prime Minister Anthony Albanese's Voice plea as he urges voters to drown out misinformation - Anthony Albanese has pleaded with the thousands of undecided voters to drown out the "absurd" conspiracy theories and vote Yes, as Australians begin to vote in the Voice to parliament referendum. The Prime Minister, insistent that a Yes vote will prevail on October 14 despite polls pointing towards a defeat, says he is confident Australians will look at the question before them and accept the "very modest request". It comes as early voting centres open across the country, with the Australian Electoral Commission confirming 124,000 people in Victoria, Tasmania, WA and the NT voted on the first day of operations. Mr Albanese said he was hopeful that undecided and "soft no" voters could tune out the "full sweep of misinformation", citing examples of claims made regarding the Reserve Bank, private land ownership, and the United Nations. "The idea that the Voice will have a say on the Reserve Bank determination of interest rates is quite frankly absurd, just absurd," he said on the hustings in Tasmania.
>>19664314 Indigenous voice to parliament Yes case can't escape its own fatal contradictions - "Whichever side wins the voice referendum - Yes or No - the tone leaders of both sides take on the night of the vote count and immediately after will be of great consequence for Australia. We don't have to come together on policy, for bipartisanism in support of bad policy is disastrous. But we should acknowledge that most people who participated in this debate, on both sides, did so with goodwill towards the nation and goodwill towards Indigenous Australians. This in fact is why the Yes campaign was so grievously misled by the early polling that showed overwhelming support for the voice. These polls didn't accurately measure support for changing the Constitution. They measured instead the pure goodwill to Indigenous Australians. It has been a fatal slander by the Yes case to argue goodwill to Indigenous Australians requires everyone to vote Yes, that people voting No can be motivated only by ignorance or malice - a typical identity politics false binary. The whole Yes construct that this is a campaign by the marginalised against the powerful is colossally absurd and a complete reversal of the truth. This is a campaign of massive institutional power – the government, the ABC, the richest corporations, trade unions - all attempting to browbeat and morally coerce the Australian people into voting Yes. A No vote will be a magnificent declaration of independence by voters." - Greg Sheridan - theaustralian.com.au
>>19664325 Close the Gap? No camp's lack of vision is staggering - "With voting on the referendum to establish a voice to parliament under way, now is the time for those who are planning to vote No to reconsider and vote Yes, ignoring the shrill calls to war and rage, and embrace this simple, modest, low-risk constitutional change that will enlarge and uplift our nation, and reconcile us with the past. The voice to parliament and government will be an Indigenous consultative body tasked with providing information, suggestions and feedback to policymakers about matters that affect Indigenous Australians so we can improve the health, employment, education, housing, justice and safety outcomes of Indigenous Australians. The No camp is led by populist reactionary conservatives, many of whom have been propagating lies and misinformation about the voice, and some have peddled unadulterated racism. It has been sickening to observe organisations such as CPAC Australia provide a platform for bigotry. And dangerous to see them attack the integrity of the Australian Electoral Commission. This referendum is about recognising Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians in the Constitution and establishing an advisory body to improve policy outcomes. It is about listening to and respecting them and their unique place in the story of this continent. It is an act of reconciliation. And it offers a chance for all of us to embrace change for a better future for all Australians." - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au

#19775596 at 2023-10-21 12:30:39 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

Bill Hayden, former governor-general and Labor leader, dead at 90

Troy Bramston - OCTOBER 21, 2023

Bill Hayden, who served as Australia's 21st Governor-General, Labor leader and senior minister in the Whitlam and Hawke governments, has died at age 90.

His health had been declining for the past decade and he was in and out of hospital for strokes, pneumonia, heat exhaustion and broken bones. His wife, Dallas, and three children cared for him at home until recently.

Mr Hayden was one of the few surviving members of a generation of leading politicians, his death coming after Gough Whitlam (2014), Malcolm Fraser (2015), Bob Hawke (2019) and Andrew Peacock (2021).

Prime Minister Anthony Albanese praised his lifetime of service to Australia. "In a time of forceful personalities, Bill Hayden was notable for his humility," he said in a statement. "Yet there was nothing modest about his ambition for Labor or Australia. This was the quiet strength of character he brought to the cause of progress."

Former Prime Minister Paul Keating, who served in two cabinets with Mr Hayden, said Australia is poorer for his passing. "Bill Hayden was a great servant of Australia," he said in a statement. "Very few Australians have made such a contribution over such a long period."

As Labor leader from 1977 to 1983, Mr Hayden almost led Labor to power but reluctantly made way for Hawke who went on to take the party into government when Fraser called a snap election. Mr Hayden said "a drover's dog" could lead Labor to victory - a final swipe at his nemesis as the axe fell.

Born in depression-era Brisbane to working class parents in 1933, Mr Hayden experienced poverty and a violent father. He was plagued by self-doubt, lacked the killer political instinct and never fully trusted his colleagues. He gave his life to public service and fighting injustices.

Elected to the federal seat of Oxley in Brisbane at the 1961 election, Mr Hayden was the youngest member of Parliament. He had previously worked in the public service as a clerk, finding it boring, and joined the police force. As a young constable, he saw the worst of humanity and the trauma of that experience remained.

He served as Minister for Social Security (1972-75) and Treasurer (1975) in the Whitlam government. In three short years, he was responsible for the introduction of Medibank, new welfare payments and presented the budget which restored a degree of economic credibility but became deadlocked in the Senate and led to the dismissal of the government by Governor-General Sir John Kerr in 1975.

Mr Hayden refused to be drafted into the Labor leadership or serve on the front bench after the electoral drubbing months later but eventually returned to the shadow ministry. He launched an ill-fated challenge against Whitlam in 1977. He became Labor leader later that year.

In his five years as opposition leader, Mr Hayden remade Labor's front bench, recruited new candidates, overhauled its policies and reformed its structures. He was the vital bridge between the Whitlam and Hawke-Keating governments.

As part of a deal for stepping aside for Hawke to become leader on the eve of the 1983 election, Mr Hayden secured a promise in writing to be made foreign minister in the next Labor government. Hawke kept the promise and Hayden served as Australia's emissary to the world during the Cold War from 1983 to 1988.

He raised the prospect of becoming Governor-General and Hawke immediately agreed. Then opposition leader, John Howard, refused to support the vice-regal appointment and accused Hawke of trying to assuage his guilt over the Labor leadership contest years earlier. Hayden served in the vice-regal post from 1989 to 1996.

In 2018, Mr Hayden was baptised into the Catholic Church, casting off his atheism. He had an affinity with the church's social justice teachings, had been a regular churchgoer in his youth, and was schooled in the Catholic system.

Married to Dallas Hayden (nee Broadfoot) for 63 years, Mr Hayden was father to four children: Michaela, Kirk, Georgina and Ingrid. Tragically, the eldest, Michaela, died at age five when struck down by a car outside Sunday School.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/bill-hayden-former-governorgeneral-and-labor-leader-dead-at-90/news-story/b21388bc034c8578970e860afbe2115b

#19706380 at 2023-10-10 08:43:52 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

>>19699247
Voice holds promise of hope for our most vulnerable

Troy Bramston - OCTOBER 10, 2023

1/2

Australia faces a moment in history where the decision we make about whether to recognise Indigenous Australians in the Constitution with an advisory body to parliament and government will have profound implications for this generation and the next.

The constitutional referendum proposed is both an act of recognition of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Australians as the first people of this continent with respect for their 60,000 years of continuing culture and also the establishment of a mechanism to improve policy outcomes.

This is a chance to forge a new partnership between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians. It was initiated in 2017 through the Uluru Statement from the Heart by the First Nations people, who seek only to be listened to about policy that holds the chance of higher living standards and equality of opportun?ity.

Nobody can deny that when you look at the life expectancy of Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians there is a significant gap. When you measure education, health, housing, employment, incarceration or safety outcomes, the need to alleviate entrenched disadvantage is evident. These statistics are written in human misery.

The failure to close this gap shames us all. It is time for a new way forward.

The genius of the proposed advisory body to policymakers - both the parliament and the executive government - is that it provides for innovation as well as responsibility.

What the advisory body to be called a voice will achieve is agency and accountability. It means we can bring Indigenous Australians, via their chosen representatives, to the table with the decision-makers. They can explain, based on consultation with their communities and their experiences, what works and what does not.

This will ensure that vast sums of money expended to programs for Indigenous communities are better spent. There will be greater transparency about the policymaking process concerning Indigenous Australians.

While policy decisions will rightly remain the duty of governments, they will make more informed decisions.

The voice would be made up of Indigenous Australians, chosen by their communities, with gender balance and across generations. It would be able only to "make representations" to - that is, advise - parliament and government on matters that relate to Indigenous Australians. The parliament and the government also may ask the voice for advice. Whether this advice is followed will depend, as ever, on the quality of it.

The High Court would not be overrun with legal challenges if the advice was not followed. As former chief justice Robert French has said, this risk is very low. The only issue is whether the advice was listened to, not whether it was followed.

French carries significant weight and makes a mockery of those who claim the voice would clog courts in litigation.

(continued)

#19699283 at 2023-10-09 08:30:34 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

>>19699279

2/2

The former prime minister delivered the landmark speech on reconciliation at Redfern Park in December 1992, calling for "recognition" of the history and plight of Indigenous Australians, an opening of "hearts" and a commitment to improving living standards as the "practical building blocks of change."

He initiated the inquiry into the forced separation of Indigenous children from their families - the Stolen Generations - led by former High Court judge Ronald Wilson, which reported in May 1997. His government also established the Indigenous Land Fund with $2bn to buy back pastoral leases to revive native title.

Mr Keating told The Australian that his negotiation of the Native Title Act with Indigenous leaders and also business and farming groups and state governments from April to November 1993 was the hardest thing he did in his time as prime minister.

"The consultation was the very first episode of an Indigenous 'voice' speaking directly to the executive government on a matter materially central to Indigenous people; namely, that the High Court had found Indigenous people possessed a private property right to their own soil - but a right immediately threatened with extinguishment by malevolent state governments," he recalled.

"The urgency of the task, given the complexity, was to be met by comprehensive engagement by the commonwealth - the Keating government - with representatives of the national Aboriginal Land Councils under the chair of the then ATSIC.

"The challenge was to meet and settle two fundamental objectives: justice for Aboriginal people along with the development of a workable, fair system of land management in Australia.

"The High Court decision was silent on the nature of the ancient title it said had survived the act of sovereignty by Britain. It was also silent as to where that title lay, who could enjoy it, as it was silent as to a method Indigenous people could employ to recover it.

"This was left for the executive government to do.

"This necessitated me, as prime minister, attending native title cabinet committee meetings for three days and evenings a week for seven months leading up to the passage of the Native Title Bill through both houses.

"And during those seven months, Indigenous representatives ... would intermittently attend cabinet committee dis?cussions."

The ultimate result, he said, was that after protracted negotiations, the policy outcome was superior to what it otherwise would have been. This process demonstrates the benefit of a voice to parliament and government.

Troy Bramston is the author of Paul Keating: The Big Picture Leader (Scribe)

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/indigenous/paul-keating-makes-case-for-voice-to-improve-indigenous-lives/news-story/7fa3d0d8b2a77378f881b23ba2c1be37

https://qresear.ch/?q=Troy+Bramston

#19699279 at 2023-10-09 08:29:29 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

>>19699247
Paul Keating makes case for voice to improve Indigenous lives

Troy Bramston - OCTOBER 9, 2023

1/2

Paul Keating has given his full support to the referendum to provide constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians through a voice to parliament and government, as the campaign enters its final week.

The former prime minister, who negotiated the Native Title Act in response to the High Court's Mabo judgement with Indigenous leaders, told The Australian that a constitutionally enshrined advisory body would lead to systematic improvement in policy results across the board.

Mr Keating said his seven-month negotiation with Indigenous leaders on the complex issues of native title through 1993 showed that a standing advisory body could significantly enhance the policymaking process and increase living standards for Indigenous Australians.

"A voice can dramatically improve outcomes," he said in a statement provided exclusively to The Australian. "The idea of a 'voice' has been tried and it worked. For this demonstration and a host of other reasons, I will be voting 'yes' on Saturday."

In his first public statement on the referendum since the enabling legislation passed the parliament and the question to be put to voters was settled, Mr Keating said his Indigenous advisory group on native title informed the government and the parliament in its deliberations.

"We have already had demonstration of a 'voice' in respect of deeply complex issues once before and the overall outcome was sharply enhanced," he said.

"The 'voice', on that occasion, was the concentrated consultation employed over a period of seven months between the commonwealth and Aboriginal and Islander people in respect of ?native title."

Mr Keating said a similar constitutionally enshrined advisory body, responsible for making representations on matters that ?affect Indigenous Australians, and which does not diminish the parliament's authority, would benefit policymaking across the spectrum.

"Without an Indigenous 'voice' to executive government, and with that, to the parliament, this historic opportunity would not have produced an optimum outcome of the kind that the ?Native Title Tribunal, in subject titles, was able to subsequently award," he explained.

"While the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet at the time possessed a first-rate ?Aboriginal policy unit, its authority and grasp of issues central to Indigenous people would not have comprehended the quality and poignancy of advice and experience that Indigenous people across the country were able to provide.

"The long and tortuous seven months extended consultation through the native title process was the first and, so far, the only example of a 'voice' in the full throat of its advisory mandate but as it turned out, a mandate that went a long way to settling perhaps the primary Indigenous grievance; the theft of their ?estate."

(continued)

#19664325 at 2023-10-04 09:44:54 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

>>19664314
Close the Gap? No camp's lack of vision is staggering

Troy Bramston - OCTOBER 3, 2023

1/2

With voting on the referendum to establish a voice to parliament under way, now is the time for those who are planning to vote No to reconsider and vote Yes, ignoring the shrill calls to war and rage, and embrace this simple, modest, low-risk constitutional change that will enlarge and uplift our nation, and reconcile us with the past.

The voice to parliament and government will be an Indigenous consultative body tasked with providing information, suggestions and feedback to policymakers about matters that affect Indigenous Australians so we can improve the health, employment, education, housing, justice and safety outcomes of Indigenous Australians.

If you are not an Indigenous Australian, then there is much to gain by supporting this straightforward constitutional change. It will mean the sums of money allocated to programs for Indigenous Australians is more effectively targeted, benefiting from ground-up advice about what works and what does not.

It will also mean, as Noel Pearson has long argued, there is a new layer of accountability and responsibility about the allocation of public resources towards initiatives that are meant to close the gap between Indigenous and non-Indigenous Australians on vital health, social and economic indicators.

The voice, made up of representatives from Indigenous communities around Australia, will be transparent in its advice tendered to government and parliament, and ultimately responsible with policymakers for improving outcomes over time. The annual Closing the Gap reports will become a report card for the work of the voice.

So, if you want public moneys to pay a greater dividend by seeing more Indigenous children educated, less substance abuse and welfare dependency, more women living in safe and secure homes, less unemployment and more Indigenous entrepreneurs, and fewer men and boys in detention, then vote Yes for the voice to parliament. Because here is the thing: if you vote No, you are voting for nothing to change. This proposal for an Indigenous advisory body is all there is on offer. There is no second referendum. There is no alternative proposal to help alleviate systematic entrenched disadvantage. This is it.

The constitutional referendum is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to turn the corner on these terrible statistics, written with human misery and government policy failure year after year and in report after report, and script a new chapter in the Australian story. It should be a moment of pride, of hope and about the past but focused on the future.

This referendum is a chance at symbolic reconciliation and practical reconciliation, joining the false divide that has often characterised debate towards Indigenous Australians. Recognising 60,000 years of continuous culture and tradition in the founding document of Australia is an act of both recognition and reconciliation.

(continued)

#19487586 at 2023-09-04 10:27:26 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

#31 - Part 70
Qanon / Conspiracy Theory Hit Pieces, Australia and Worldwide - Part 3
>>19417293 Liberal Party branch to host QAnon believers' favourite movie - "The NSW Liberals continue to behave like an outfit with their fingers squarely on the pulse. Next week, the party's Willoughby state electorate conference will hatch a bold new plan to win back teal voters by holding a movie night at the Hayden Orpheum in Cremorne. Forget Barbie, Oppenheimer or any such woke nonsense. The branch members will be watching Sound of Freedom, a brawny Christian action thriller about child sex trafficking, which nudges and winks at unhinged QAnon conspiracy theories just enough to become a sleeper box office hit among the American right. Former president Donald Trump even hosted a screening at his private club in New Jersey." - Kishor Napier-Raman and Liam Mannix - smh.com.au
>>19417298 Former agent who inspired QAnon-linked thriller says critics have agendas - "Tim Ballard has had it with being linked to QAnon conspiracies. The former US Department of Homeland Security agent, who estimates he has gone on "several dozen" missions to rescue sex-trafficked children since founding Operation Underground Railroad a decade ago, has become the public face of the surprise American box office hit Sound of Freedom. Ballard is played by Jim Caviezel from The Passion of the Christ in a dark low-budget thriller that has taken a stunning $US178 million - more than the latest Indiana Jones and Mission: Impossible movies - since faith-based distributor Angel Studios released it on Independence Day. While it dramatises a mission to rescue sex-trafficked children in Colombia without taking sides politically, the movie has been championed by the far right in America's fractious culture wars. Its supporters have included Steve Bannon, MyPillow proprietor Mike Lindell, QAnon followers online, Mel Gibson, who is one of the executive producers, and former president Donald Trump, who held a private screening at his Bedminster golf club a month ago. That leaves Ballard facing awkward questions, ahead of the movie's opening in Australian cinemas this week, like whether he believes in the QAnon conspiracy that liberal elites run paedophilia rings. "That gets into some conspiracy theories that I'm not a part of, even though I've been accused of being a part of this QAnon movement," Ballard says on a patchy Zoom call after a premiere in Buenos Aires. "I've disavowed it so many times. But I will say that the sex addiction that brings the demand for child sex is everywhere. "It's on every level of every economic order, every type of person. Professionals, educators, law enforcement and politicians. Jeffrey Epstein is an example. So I don't think it's more prominent in elite circles. I think it's really just everywhere."" - Garry Maddox - theage.com.au
>>19452924 US, world should fear new Donald Trump presidency - "The mugshot of the disgraced Donald Trump after being arrested at Georgia's Fulton County jail for attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election is one of the most iconic photos of our time. Not surprisingly, Trump has already monetised it, offering it for sale on shirts, cups and stickers, and earning $US7.1m ($11m) in 24 hours. A concerted and co-ordinated effort to undermine and sabotage an election is one of the gravest crimes anybody can commit in a democracy. If Trump had succeeded, the US would have slid towards an autocracy. There can be no gainsaying this. It is absurd to blame Democrats for Trump's indictments given that those most damning of Trump are his former Republican staff and officials. The 2024 election will be about the survival of US democracy. Trump is likely to win the Republican nomination for president but he is not certain to defeat Joe Biden. If Trump loses again, he will incite further unrest and violence. But if Trump wins, he will, as flagged, move to terminate democracy. The US, and the world, will pay a heavy price if Trump regains the presidency." - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au

#19487583 at 2023-09-04 10:25:55 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #32: YOU ARE NOT ALONE IN THIS FIGHT Edition

#31 - Part 69
Qanon / Conspiracy Theory Hit Pieces, Australia and Worldwide - Part 2
>>19321154 Donald Trump remains an existential threat to the survival of US democracy - "Donald Trump's orchestrated efforts to subvert the will of the voters and attempt to overturn the result of the 2020 US presidential election, to effectively instigate a coup d'?tat, is the most serious and egregious charge that can be made against anyone who believes in democracy, freedom and the rule of law. The prospect, though, of Trump being re-elected as president challenges the survival of this system. Trump has also shattered the norms and conventions of US politics; namely, the principle of the peaceful transfer of power embodied by George Washington, who retired after two terms. No previous US president, however upset at their defeat, sowed disinformation and discord like Trump. Trump remains a disgusting, disgraceful, dangerous individual. He is the first US president to be charged with a criminal offence. Trump's indictment for attempting to overturn the presidential election of 2020 will be one of the great trials of our time. It is imperative, for the survival of US democracy, that he is found guilty of these crimes and does not return to power." - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>19327086 Video: Senator says Uluru Statement 'confirmed' as 26 pages by NIAA, after Albo blasts claim as 'QAnon' conspiracy - Senator Jacinta Nampijinpa Price says the Uluru Statement from the Heart has been "confirmed" as being 26 pages long by the agency that produced the documents under freedom of information, as she called on Anthony Albanese to "come clean" after the Prime Minister derided the claim as a "QAnon" style conspiracy theory on Tuesday. Mr Albanese used Question Time on Tuesday to blast the claims as a "QAnon" style conspiracy theory. "That is a conspiracy in search of a theory, Mr Speaker," the PM said. "It is something that has been out there, like a whole lot of the QAnon theories, we have all sorts of conspiracy stuff out there, but this is a ripper. That is the Uluru Statement from the Heart on an A4 bit of paper. That is it. But what we have here is the conspiracy theories colliding with each other. They're struggling to get their scares straight. I mean, what role did Marcia Langton play in the faking of the moon landing, Mr Speaker? What was the role of the Uluru Statement from the Heart in that?" He stressed it was "absolutely nonsense".
>>19333351 Why PM's backtrack on the Uluru Statement from the Heart won't wash - "This week in parliament, Anthony Albanese doubled down on his claim that the Uluru Statement from the Heart is just a simple one-page statement -- almost an Australian version, he's said, of the Gettysburg Address. He's doing this because he needs the Uluru Statement to be a benign, uplifting document in order to get his voice referendum passed by voters, and because he needs to deny that the voice is just the first step in "Voice, Treaty, Truth" - a lengthy and complex process that will lead to multi-?billion dollar reparations payments (on top of the near $40bn a year that's currently spent on Indigenous Australians) and the rewriting of our history as a story of shame. He's so keen to bluff people out of referencing the full statement that he denounced the claim that it's actually a 26-page document as a "conspiracy" worthy of QAnon." - Peta Credlin - theaustralian.com.au
>>19387408 A tale of two conferences: a choice between hope and despair - "CPAC chairman Matt Schlapp, a wealthy political adviser and lobbyist, will appear at the Australian conference this weekend alongside Matthew Whitaker, who served briefly as acting attorney-general to Trump, despite nine legal challenges to his appointment. Australians love to think of themselves as larrikins who thumb their noses at suits and sophisticates. But not the CPAC Australia mob. Among the current and former Coalition MPs scrambling to share a stage with the grizzled men of the Grand Old Party are Tony Abbott, Barnaby Joyce, Bridget McKenzie, Keith Pitt, Alex Antic, Ted O'Brien and Bronwyn Bishop. And, of course, Mundine and Price. This pair love to present themselves as champions of "average" Australians, squaring off against the "elites" of Canberra. But it's hard to imagine a more elite look in politics than sharing a stage in a ballroom at The Star with two Trump loyalists. That's the No campaign. Full of doublespeak and hyperbole, happy to trade in misinformation and outright lies, and to demonise their opponents when called out. Just like Donald Trump." Marcus Stewart, Nira illim bulluk man of the Taungurung Nation and a member of the Uluru Dialogue - theaustralian.com.au

#19471483 at 2023-09-01 11:50:34 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

>>19222755
>>19458899
Kim Beazley wants Australians to vote Yes for an Indigenous voice to parliament to show respect

Troy Bramston - SEPTEMBER 1, 2023

Kim Beazley remembers Indigenous boys and girls forcibly separated from their parents coming to the family home in Perth for a meal in 1950s and 60s, and shaping his belief in the ?dignity, opportunities and rights that should be afforded to the First Australians.

His father, Kim Beazley Sr, had been an early advocate for land rights, for removing racially discriminatory provisions in the Constitution, and as education minister in the Whitlam government allowed for Indigenous children to be taught in their own language at school.

"We always had kids coming out to spend a bit of time with us," Mr Beazley told The Weekend Australian. "What those kids were actually experiencing, who had been through our house, it shocked me absolutely, and did very much affect my response to the Stolen Generation."

When the Bringing Them Home report on the separation of Indigenous children from their families was tabled in parliament in May 1997, Mr Beazley was opposition leader. His emotional response, calling for recognition of past wrongs and supporting reconciliation, had been evoked by reading the ?report coupled with his own memories of meeting survivors.

Beazley Sr, elected to federal parliament in 1945, was responsible for adding support for land rights to the Labor platform in 1951 and was the first to speak about it in the House of Representatives in 1952. He was involved in the Christian social justice movement, Moral Re-Armament.

Mr Beazley, who served as a senior minister in the Hawke-Keating government, as deputy prime minister, Labor leader, ambassador to the US and governor of Western Australia, said the voice referendum was about showing respect and courtesy for Indigenous Australians, and would elevate our international standing.

"It's not some product of a woke agenda in Canberra," he said. "It is a product of what Aboriginals actually asked for. And they weren't actually asking for this to be the vehicle for land rights or to intervene routinely in the ?affairs of the nation. It was simply asking that their views be heard."

The constitutional referendum to enshrine an Indigenous advisory body with limited remit and no legal or spending power posed no risk to parliamentary authority, does not require the government to follow its advice or risked litigation, Mr Beazley said.

"It is quite simply a recognition of the Aboriginals as a part of our community," he said. "It would mean that we have shown the rest of the world and, and shown ourselves, that we regard the views of the Aboriginals as important, not for those views to direct us, but an opportunity for those views to be heard."

Mr Beazley was Labor leader during the republic referendum in November 1999. He said the voice was very different to the that vote and monarchists should have no concern about this modest change to the Constitution.

"You could be a constitutional monarchist and take the view that this was fine, and you could be a republican and take the view that this was fine," he said.

"Vote for courtesy. Vote for a position that shows we are ?listening.

"We are lucky to be cohabitating a continent with the oldest civilisation on Earth. It's a good thing for us to let that play on our minds."

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/kim-beazley-wants-australians-to-vote-yes-for-an-indigenous-voice-to-parliament-to-show-respect/news-story/ceb18a4047e7aadfb17b764a5c700796

#19452930 at 2023-08-29 10:52:01 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

>>19452924

2/2

In the Republican presidential candidate debate last week, almost all of them pledged to pardon Trump if they won the presidency and he was convicted. Vivek Ramaswamy, the most vocal Trump supporter, has previously written that claims of 2020 electoral fraud "weren't grounded in fact" and "what he delivered in the end was another tale of grievance, a persecution complex that swallowed much of the Republican Party whole". But now he says he would pardon Trump "on day one".

What a second Trump presidency would mean for the US and Australia is examined in Bruce Wolpe's new book, Trump's Australia (Allen & Unwin). It makes for sober reading. Wolpe, who worked with US Democrats and for prime minister Julia Gillard, suggests US democracy will be under siege if Trump is re-elected. He also examines the impact of a Trump presidency on US allies such as Australia.

For a start, the $368bn trilateral defence pact with the US and UK to acquire eight nuclear-powered submarines by 2055 would be in jeopardy. The US was an unreliable ally during the Trump presidency as he trashed historic partnerships and abused world leaders. Congressional Republicans have repeatedly threatened to scuttle AUKUS.

In Christoffer Guldbrandsen's documentary, A Storm Foretold, a candid Roger Stone said Trump was "the greatest single mistake in American history". He is right about that. He began by debasing the political culture and repudiating established norms and conventions. He ended his single term with no regard for the rule of law or free and fair elections.

The 2024 election will be about the survival of US democracy. Trump is likely to win the Republican nomination for president but he is not certain to defeat Joe Biden. If Trump loses again, he will incite further unrest and violence. But if Trump wins, he will, as flagged, move to terminate democracy. The US, and the world, will pay a heavy price if Trump regains the presidency.

Troy Bramston is a senior writer and columnist with The Australian. He has interviewed politicians, presidents and prime ministers from multiple countries along with writers, actors, directors, producers and several pop-culture icons. He is an award-winning and best-selling author or editor of 11 books, including Bob Hawke: Demons and Destiny, Paul Keating: The Big-Picture Leader and Robert Menzies: The Art of Politics. He co-authored The Truth of the Palace Letters and The Dismissal with Paul Kelly.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/us-world-should-fear-new-donald-trump-presidency/news-story/7fff226ac4faec40223166f291977bca

https://nypost.com/2023/08/24/trump-already-selling-merch-featuring-his-mug-shot/

https://secure.winred.com/save-america-joint-fundraising-committee/storefront/

https://twitter.com/realDonaldTrump/status/1694886846050771321

https://qresear.ch/?q=Troy+Bramston


>You attack those who threaten you the most.

>What does FEAR look like?
>What does PANIC look like?

>These people are stupid.
>Enjoy the show!

#19452924 at 2023-08-29 10:50:02 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

>>19321154
>>19427525
US, world should fear new Donald Trump presidency

Troy Bramston - AUGUST 29, 2023

1/2

The mugshot of the disgraced Donald Trump after being arrested at Georgia's Fulton County jail for attempting to overturn the 2020 presidential election is one of the most iconic photos of our time. Not surprisingly, Trump has already monetised it, offering it for sale on shirts, cups and stickers, and earning $US7.1m ($11m) in 24 hours.

The only person to blame for Trump's multiple indictments is himself, and it would have been riskier not to have charged him given the threat he continues to pose to democracy. This is not a political witch hunt but about the survival of the great republic. This is what was at stake if Trump had succeeded in 2020 and is at stake if he reclaims the presidency in 2024. The criminal Trump has not been indicted for disputing an election result or challenging it in court, but for attempting to steal it. The former president tried to subvert the democratic process and then incited a destructive and deadly riot at the US Capitol aimed at overturning the certification of electoral college votes.

A concerted and co-ordinated effort to undermine and sabotage an election is one of the gravest crimes anybody can commit in a democracy. If Trump had succeeded, the US would have slid towards an autocracy. There can be no gainsaying this. It is absurd to blame Democrats for Trump's indictments given that those most damning of Trump are his former Republican staff and officials.

The evidence against Trump and 18 others named in the latest and most sweeping indictment is overwhelming. The charges include lying to state officials, harassing and intimidating election workers, forgery and attempting to cover up their crimes. All 19 have also been charged under Georgia's racketeering laws, designed to bring organised crime groups to justice.

It follows three other indictments. The previous federal grand jury indictment named four charges: conspiracy to defraud the US; conspiracy to obstruct congressional certification of the 2020 electoral college vote; obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and; conspiracy against rights. Trump has also been indicted over keeping boxes of highly classified documents and making hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels.

While all of this is unprecedented for a former US president, the Georgia indictment, after an investigation led by Fulton County District Attorney Fani Willis, is more serious because it is a state indictment. There can be no federal pardon by a re-elected president Trump (or his crony) to save himself from facing prison time if found guilty. Nobody is above the law, even presidents.

What was the alternative? Let Trump get away with serious felonies that violated state and federal law, and struck at the heart of US democracy? That would only serve to embolden Trump to commit even more federal and state crimes. He has, after all, called for the "termination" of the US constitution.

As special counsel Jack Smith noted, Trump is entitled to falsely claim he won the last election, but he is not entitled to overturn it. He was also entitled to seek legal avenues to challenge the election results, which he did, but he is not entitled to subvert the legal and democratic process with false claims, intimidation, forgery and conspiracy.

Yet for all of this, Trump has an effective lock on the Republican nomination for president in 2024. The Republican Party has long ceased to be. It is now a cult of personality around Trump. For evidence of this, look no further than a recent CBS poll of Trump voters who said they are more likely to believe he is telling the truth (71 per cent) compared to friends and family (63 per cent), conservative media figures (56 per cent) and religious leaders (42 per cent).

(continued)

#19355518 at 2023-08-14 09:57:41 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

>>19188991
>>19308139
Labor members eager for showdown on AUKUS at the party's national conference

Troy Bramston - AUGUST 14, 2023

Richard Marles will attempt to allay simmering concerns over AUKUS among Labor Party members and trade unions with a special briefing on Monday night, as a showdown over the nuclear defence pact at national conference is certain.

The briefing by the Deputy Prime Minister and Defence Minister is open to all party members and affiliated trade unions to be conducted via Zoom as local Labor branches and federal electorate councils continue to express opposition to the trilateral nuclear submarine pact.

The federal electorate council of Macquarie in NSW, covering the seat held by Susan Templeman, is the latest in a string of party units to call for an inquiry into AUKUS, failing to endorse it, and also urging the Albanese government to sign the Treaty on the Prohibition of Nuclear Weapons.

Federal Electorate Councils covering the Labor-held seats of Sydney, Parramatta and Boothby have passed resolutions opposing AUKUS, joining more than 40 local Labor branches who have opposed the defence pact outright or called for a formal review.

The Australian can reveal that several motions opposing AUKUS have been submitted for debate at Labor's national conference beginning on Thursday. But party activists say they have not yet been informed which motions, and in what form, they will be allowed for debate.

NSW Labor upper house MP Anthony D'Adam told The Australian that he is determined to see his motion, seconded by Shannen Potter, to be debated at the conference.

Mr D'Adam's motion notes the acquisition of nuclear-powered submarines "contributes to a regional arms race" and undermines provisions in the Nuclear Non-Proliferation Treaty. It says AUKUS aligns Australian defence policy with the US and "increases the likelihood of our involvement in a disastrous US-led war in Asia".

The motion calls for the stated support for AUKUS in the draft National Platform to be deleted given the debate within the party and union movement about the value and purpose of AUKUS.

"It is essential for the integrity of Labor's policymaking process that an issue as controversial as AUKUS is debated at the conference," Mr D'Adam said. "Issues of peace, disarmament and nuclear non-proliferation have been articles of faith for the Left of the party for generations. How AUKUS is dealt with at the conference will establish whether there remains a genuine left wing in the Labor Party."

It is understood the national AMWU and ETU remain opposed to AUKUS, as does the ACTU, which has a long-held commitment to opposing a nuclear defence industry, and are in talks to move motions at the conference.

This is expected to be similar to the motion submitted to the National Policy Forum which stated: "Labor will not allow submarines to be nuclear-powered or nuclear-enabled, nor permit their modification to enable future nuclear weapons to be installed."

Victorian federal Labor MP Daniel Mulino, who was secretary of the National Policy Forum, has an informal role in liaising with stakeholders on motions to be presented to conference and the nature of debate.

Marcus Strom, national convener of the party network Labor Against War, said the national conference was just the beginning of the fight against AUKUS.

"Rank-and-file members expect a Labor government to enact Labor values, not continue with a Scott Morrison war policy," he said. "Having AUKUS debated at conference will just be our first victory. Working with the broader trade union and peace movement we will continue to pressure this government to adopt an independent, non-nuclear foreign policy consistent with Labor values."

Most of Labor's rank-and-file membership and affiliated union members oppose AUKUS and there is no chance it will win unanimous support at the national conference. Senior Labor ministers and faction leaders have said they are supremely confident the policy will be endorsed while accepting there will be a debate over AUKUS and opposition will be expressed at the conference.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/labor-members-eager-for-showdown-on-aukus-at-the-partys-national-conference/news-story/471efa619c1afee4504a8be2188ff0ff

#19321168 at 2023-08-08 12:47:22 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

>>19321154

2/2

Trump can be entangled in multiple trials and still run for president. He could even be convicted and jailed for these or other crimes and still run for president. To be sure, Trump is using this indictment for political and financial gain. There is no doubt it has energised his already strong support among Republicans.

It has always been likely Trump would win the Republican nomination for president. His legal woes have done nothing to alter this. But these multiple indictments are likely to damage him in the election campaign. It is a turn-off for some Republican voters and especially for registered independent voters.

The legal strategy that Trump is following is also inexorably linked with his political strategy. He will struggle to defeat each of these indictments. But, if convicted and elected president, he can perhaps use the untrammelled presidential pardon power to quash any sentence.

This remains untested and would be subject to Supreme Court challenge, where conservatives are in the majority. That is why, in the final analysis, only a defeat of Trump at the 2024 presidential election will ensure the future of the republic.

The US founders, through the Constitutional Convention, deliberated and devised a constitution and a set of legal institutions that had as one of its aims preventing anti-democrats and demagogues like Trump from undermining the electoral process. We are now seeing this system, designed principally by James Madison and Alexander Hamilton, work.

The prospect, though, of Trump being re-elected as president challenges the survival of this system. Trump has also shattered the norms and conventions of US politics; namely, the principle of the peaceful transfer of power embodied by George Washington, who retired after two terms. No previous US president, however upset at their defeat, sowed disinformation and discord like Trump.

Trump remains a disgusting, disgraceful, dangerous individual. He is the first US president to be charged with a criminal offence. Trump's indictment for attempting to overturn the presidential election of 2020 will be one of the great trials of our time. It is imperative, for the survival of US democracy, that he is found guilty of these crimes and does not return to power.

Troy Bramston is a senior writer and columnist with The Australian. He has interviewed politicians, presidents and prime ministers from multiple countries along with writers, actors, directors, producers and several pop-culture icons. He is an award-winning and best-selling author or editor of 11 books, including Bob Hawke: Demons and Destiny, Paul Keating: The Big-Picture Leader and Robert Menzies: The Art of Politics. He co-authored The Truth of the Palace Letters and The Dismissal with Paul Kelly.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/donald-trump-remains-an-existential-threat-to-the-survival-of-us-democracy/news-story/428da2df8ee481076c6e0913a9b423af

https://qresear.ch/?q=Troy+Bramston


>You attack those who threaten you the most.

>What does FEAR look like?
>What does PANIC look like?

>These people are stupid.
>Enjoy the show!

#19321154 at 2023-08-08 12:45:15 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

>>19105135 (pb)
Donald Trump remains an existential threat to the survival of US democracy

Troy Bramston - AUGUST 8, 2023

1/2

Donald Trump's orchestrated efforts to subvert the will of the voters and attempt to overturn the result of the 2020 US presidential election, to effectively instigate a coup d'?tat, is the most serious and egregious charge that can be made against anyone who believes in democracy, freedom and the rule of law.

Trump's long overdue indictment for a series of crimes relating to the last presidential election follows indictments for keeping boxes of classified documents at his Mar-a-Lago home in Florida and falsifying business records to cover up hush-money payments to porn star Stormy Daniels before the 2016 presidential election.

While not discounting the others, this latest indictment is the most significant because if the defeated president had succeeded, the US would have slid towards autocracy led by a demagogue. And there is still more to come, with Trump likely to face charges in Georgia after he was recorded pressuring officials to find him thousands of votes in the days after the 2020 presidential election.

Nobody, not even a president or former president, is above the law. This is a cornerstone of all liberal democracies.

Yet in December, Trump called for the "termination" of the US constitution as he again claimed Joe Biden was fraudulently elected President and urged his return to the White House.

Mike Pence, Trump's former vice-president, said the indictment "serves as an important reminder" that "anyone who puts himself over the constitution should never be president". Trump tried to force Pence not to certify the results of the electoral college on January 6, 2021 and overturn the election.

The indictment by a federal grand jury lists four counts: conspiracy to defraud the US; conspiracy to obstruct an official proceeding (the US congress's certification of Biden's electoral victory); obstruction of and attempt to obstruct an official proceeding, and; conspiracy against rights.

In previous columns on this page, I argued that Trump deserved to be indicted and would likely be guilty of violating at least two federal criminal statutes: conspiracy to defraud the US and obstruction of an official proceeding. ("Second Trump presidency a threat to US democracy", July 27, 2022).

The weight of evidence against Trump is overwhelming. He was repeatedly told by advisers and officials in his administration that his claims of electoral fraud could not be substantiated and that Biden had won the election. Some have even testified that Trump conceded this to be true.

Special Counsel Jack Smith makes it clear Trump was entitled to exercise his right to freedom of speech and claim, however falsely, there had been fraud and he had actually won the election. He was entitled to legally challenge the results, which he did. But he was not entitled to "pursue unlawful means" of discounting votes and subverting the results.

Accordingly, the indictment does not charge Trump with responsibility for the attack on the US Capitol but does say he exploited it. Nevertheless, remember what then Republican majority leader Mitch McConnell told the Senate about Trump's culpability in the deadly and destructive riot at the US Capitol, following the then president's second impeachment trial?

"There is no question that President Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of that day," McConnell said. "The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president. And their having that belief was a foreseeable consequence of the growing crescendo of false statements, conspiracy theories, and reckless hyperbole which the defeated president kept shouting into the largest megaphone on planet Earth."

(continued)

#19308139 at 2023-08-06 10:37:35 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

>>19188991
>>19231918
Labor faces growing grassroots party revolt over AUKUS pact

Troy Bramston - AUGUST 6, 2023

The Albanese government is facing a rank-and-file party revolt over the AUKUS defence pact, with about 40 local branches opposing it outright or calling for a review, and activists determined to have it debated at the party's national conference despite attempts to dampen dissent.

Federal electorate councils covering the Labor seats of Sydney, held by Tanya Plibersek, Parramatta and Boothby, plus the seat of Mayo held by independent MP Rebekha Sharkie, have also passed resolutions opposing the trilateral AUKUS defence pact to acquire nuclear-powered submarines.

The grassroots campaign is being organised by the internal party network Labor Against War, which is incensed that senior figures from the Left and Right factions are trying to muzzle debate to avoid embarrassment for the Albanese government at the national conference.

A recent Left faction meeting decided against raising AUKUS for debate at the national conference and union leaders have been warned not to speak out against the defence agreement, with ministers eager to find a compromise resolution that emphasises job creation and industry capacity building.

Marcus Strom, spokesman for LAW, said it would be "a travesty of democracy" if the "monstrous" AUKUS defence agreement was not discussed at the national conference next week, especially given rising opposition from party members and unionists.

"AUKUS and its values are clearly at odds with Labor values and risk dragging us into a US-led war with China," Mr Strom said. "This conference is just the start of the rank and file pushing back against AUKUS. We are working closely with affiliated unions that oppose the nuclear submarines."

Hamish McPherson, president of Labor's Benalla-Euroa Branch in Victoria, seconded a motion at the recent Victorian Labor Conference calling for a "rethink" on AUKUS that was referred to the National Policy Forum.

"There's widespread opposition to the AUKUS pact among rank-and-file party members," Mr McPherson told The Australian. "People know that signing up to nuclear-powered submarines and US war fighting capabilities based on Australian soil is unprecedented and dangerous.

"A lot of pressure is being applied to limit debate or opposition. Given that, if AUKUS is publicly debated on the floor of the conference it will be a real win for the rank and file and the wider movement against the pact."

A spokesman for the ACTU confirmed it has not changed its policy opposing a nuclear defence industry. While the Right-aligned AWU supports AUKUS, the ETU and AMWU are expected to express opposition at the conference. However, the West Australian and South Australian branches of the AMWU could support AUKUS given promises over jobs and industry.

There is a push to have a variation of the AMWU/ETU motion that was taken to party's National Policy Forum moved at the national conference, which ensures "Labor will not allow submarines to be nuclear-powered or nuclear enabled, nor permit their modification to enable future nuclear weapons to be installed."

This is unlikely.

The party's draft national platform says Labor's "self-reliant defence policy will be enhanced by strong bilateral and multilateral defence relationships, including AUKUS".

Ministers say they will not stifle debate at the conference from August 17-19 but are determined not to have the government embarrassed and do have the support to ensure AUKUS will be endorsed.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/labor-faces-growing-grassroots-party-revolt-over-aukus-pact/news-story/0b1b68c68b57d060a664ed3bc511b36d

#19188908 at 2023-07-16 09:36:59 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

#30 - Part 51
Indigenous Voice To Parliament Referendum - Part 11
>>19031624 Indigenous voice to parliament Yes campaigner Thomas Mayo's radical vision - Prominent Yes campaigner for the Indigenous voice to parliament Thomas Mayo has described former prime minister John Howard as a "bastard" and threatened that politicians would be "punished" if they ignored the voice advisory body. The militant unionist and outspoken figure on the government's First Nations referendum working group has also raised the prospect of a voice to parliament being the first step towards "reparations and compensation" for Indigenous Australians. Videos unearthed by No campaign strategists feature Mr Mayo appearing in online forums run by the Search Foundation - established in 1990 as a "successor organisation of the Communist Party of Australia" to preserve the socialist movement. The Maritime Union of Australia national Indigenous officer also delivered provocative statements in videos filmed at Invasion Day, Black Lives Matters and May Day rallies held between 2021 and 2023.
>>19036915 Indigenous voice to parliament campaigns prepare to launch across the country - Major events promoting the Indigenous voice to parliament will be held in every capital city within weeks of the bill needed to set up the referendum passing parliament, while the group known as the Liberals for Yes prepares to meet with high-powered conservatives who can lend their voices to the pro-voice campaign. Indigenous Australians Minister Linda Burney will also visit WA -- one of the key states of concern for the yes camp - next month as part of her push to convince Australians to support the referendum expected to be held in the middle of October.
>>19036958 Liberal party facing AEC complaint from constitutional lawyer Greg Craven - Conservative constitutional lawyer Greg Craven is considering an Australian Electoral Commission complaint against the Liberal Party for using his quotes as part of its No campaign, when he favours the ?Indigenous voice to parliament. Despite throwing his support behind the voice passing at the referendum, Professor Craven's comments on potential risks posed by the body retaining the power to advise executive government are prominent on the Liberal website. "The voice can comment on everything from submarines to parking tickets ... we will have regular judicial interventions," his quote reads. Professor Craven's comment is featured with those of prominent voice critics who are against the body being enshrined in the Constitution, including Coalition members Jacinta Nampijinpa Price and Kerrynne Liddle. "The quotes themselves are accurate. But the whole point of these pieces is to give the idea that I am actually opposed to the voice because of these quotes. (It) is completely untrue and misleading, and the Liberals know it," he said. "I have repeatedly written publicly that I totally support and will campaign for the voice."
>>19036983 Now it's up to the people to decide this referendum on the Indigenous voice to parliament - "The referendum campaign carries a heavy responsibility for all Australians. It is now up to every citizen to command this debate from the politicians and to discuss and deliberate it with goodwill, to call out the fearmongering and misinformation by those opposing it, and to urge those supporting it to explain how it will deliver practical change. The voice, to my mind, is an opportunity that must be seized to turn Australia in a new direction, with reconciliation and responsibility, and to improve the lives of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people. Those who argue the voice is backed only by "elites" are misguided. This is a tactic to turn voters against constitutional change by fostering resentment. While referendums can be proposed only by politicians, the people will make the final judgment. That is where this debate now rests: with the citizens. The eyes of the world are upon us. History is calling on us. It is a test for all Australians. We must not fail." - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au

#19188869 at 2023-07-16 09:26:55 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

#30 - Part 16
Australian Politics and Society - Part 16
>>19132058 Donald Trump jnr cancels anti-cancel culture tour amid visa doubts - "Donald Trump's eldest son has cancelled a planned speaking tour of Australia just days before he was due to arrive in the country amid doubts over whether the Albanese government would grant him a visa. Donald Trump jnr was scheduled to make appearances in Sydney, Brisbane and Melbourne between July 9 and July 11, but organisers abruptly announced on Wednesday afternoon that the "landmark" tour had been postponed "due to unforeseen circumstances". "Ticket holders are urged to hold on to their tickets, with details of the rescheduled date to be confirmed in the coming days," event organiser Turning Point Australia said in a statement posted to the tour website. Some commentators, including former Labor speechwriter and The Australian columnist Troy Bramston, had called for Trump jnr's visa to be cancelled on character grounds because of his role in promoting misinformation about voter fraud in the 2020 US presidential election and the COVID-19 pandemic. A change.org petition calling for Trump jnr to be denied a visa to Australia had attracted 21,725 signatures." - Matthew Knott - theage.com.au
>>19132063 Clare O'Neil forced to delete tweet calling Donald Trump Jr 'big baby' - Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil has been forced to delete a tweet in which she attacked the son of former US President Donald Trump as a "sore loser" and "just a big baby, who isn't very popular" after the Prime Minister's Office intervened and directed her to take it down. Turning Point Australia, the organisers for the tour, announced on Wednesday that the speaking engagements in Sydney, Melbourne and Brisbane would be postponed due to unforeseen circumstances. The touring company released a statement detailing the postponement was due to a "the delay in the arrival of a visa for Donald Trump Jr to enter Australia." Ms O'Neil on Thursday took to Twitter to respond to the claims and remained firm that the eldest son of former US president Donald Trump was granted a visa. "Geez, Donald Trump Jr is a bit of a sore loser. His dad lost an election fair and square - but he says it was stolen," she wrote. "Now he's trying to blame the Australian Government for his poor ticket sales and cancelled tour. Donald Trump Jr has been given a visa to come to Australia. "He didn't get cancelled. He's just a big baby, who isn't very popular." Immigration Minister Andrew Giles backed the comments, suggesting the tour was cancelled due to ticket sales.
>>19132069 Clare O'Neil calls Donald Trump Jr a 'big baby' in deleted tweets - Home Affairs Minister Clare O'Neil has been accused of childishness for calling Donald Trump's eldest son a "sore loser" and a "big baby, who isn't very popular" in a since-deleted series of posts on Twitter. In two tweets sent on Thursday morning, O'Neil said: "Geez, Donald Trump Jr is a bit of a sore loser. "His dad lost an election fair and square - but he says it was stolen. "Now he's trying to blame the Australian government for his poor ticket sales and cancelled tour." O'Neil, who has cabinet responsibility for immigration, continued: "Donald Trump Jr has been given a visa to come to Australia. He didn't get cancelled. He's just a big baby, who isn't very popular." She later deleted the tweets. Opposition home affairs spokesman James Paterson reposted the deleted tweets and said: "It's good to see these childish tweets have now been deleted. "The minister should leave the woke tweets to Labor backbenchers and get back to focusing on the serious national security challenges facing Australia."

#19188867 at 2023-07-16 09:26:20 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #31: MAGIC SWORD - IN THE FACE OF EVIL Edition

#30 - Part 14
Australian Politics and Society - Part 14
>>19103648 Nazi salute banned in Tasmania in an Australian first - Tasmania has become the first state to ban the Nazi salute, with six months jail for repeat offenders, in a move hailed by Jewish leaders but criticised by some free speech advocates. The landmark legislation, similar to that foreshadowed in Victoria amid a national debate on how to tackle Neo-Nazism, was passed by Tasmania's upper house on Thursday night. "Nazis will not have a refuge here in Tasmania, and this sends a very clear message that Nazi symbols and salutes are not welcome in Tasmania," said Attorney-General Elise Archer.
>>19104379 Labor Left to push Anthony Albanese on free abortions and to close Nauru - Anthony Albanese will be urged to provide free abortions across Australia, end offshore processing and close Nauru at Labor's upcoming national conference, as the party membership pushes to government to adopt a more left-wing agenda. The Australian can reveal the motions that will be put up by Labor for Refugees and the influential women's group Emily's List, which is co-convened by NSW Left faction MP Sharon Claydon. With the Prime Minister reluctant to pursue abortion reform after the issue hurt Labor with faith communities in the 2019 election, Emily's List will call for the ACT model of free abortions to be implemented nationally.
>>19104403 Video: Is she or isn't she a spy? The mother accused of working for Russia - The murky business of espionage usually exists in the shadows. But not this week on 60 MINUTES. In an intriguing and at times robust encounter, Tara Brown interviews a woman our spy agency, ASIO, claims is an agent tasked by Russia to gather sensitive information. Her name is Marina Sologub, and up until earlier this year she'd been living and working in Adelaide for three years. Now she's in immigration detention waiting to be kicked out of the country. As Brown reports, cases like this would normally be kept top secret, but quite remarkably a very bold Sologub is refusing to go quietly, denying accusations she's a spy, and vowing to fight her deportation to the bitter end.
>>19104595 Talisman Sabre Facebook Post - TS23 - Message from Exercise Directors - "An important part of a significant military exercise like Talisman Sabre are the planning events that are required to train together in dynamic situations across an area as large as northern Australia." Hear from the Director of Exercise Talisman Sabre, Brigadier Damian Hill, as he shares more about the deep planning that goes into #TalismanSabre2023. This year, more than a dozen nations personnel are set to take part in the Australia-United States-led bilateral exercise. Partner Nations Fiji, France, Indonesia, Japan, South Korea, New Zealand, Papua New Guinea, Tonga, United Kingdom, Canada, Germany and Indonesia will work together to enhance interoperability and strengthen key strategic partnerships.
>>19105135 OPINION: Anti-democrat Donald Trump Jr should not be allowed into Australia - "Donald Trump Jr, the eldest son of disgraced former US president Don?ald Trump and executive vice-president of The Trump Organisation, will be in Australia for a promotional tour speaking at events in Sydney on July 8 and continuing to Brisbane and Melbourne. But Trump should not be granted a visa to enter Australia because he fails multiple character test requirements under the Migration Act. Trump is an anti-democrat who encouraged the overturning of an election. He is a conspiracy theorist who spread misinformation about the Covid-19 pandemic. And he leads an organisation found guilty of tax fraud and document falsification. It is completely unacceptable to allow Trump Jr to come to Australia to give voice to the undermining of democratic elections, disrespecting the rule of law, denigrating people based on their race, religion or sexuality, and provoking political unrest. He has done all of these things and will do so in Australia, in search of a willing antipodean MAGA audience. The Migration Act is clear that if there is a risk the person entering Australia would vilify segments of the Australian community, harass or intimidate people, or "incite discord" with their views, then they should be denied entry on character grounds. There is plenty of evidence that this is what Trump Jr plans to do in Australia." - Troy Bramston, senior writer and columnist with The Australian - theaustralian.com.au

#18402268 at 2023-02-24 10:52:00 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #27: THEY ARE IN FULL BLOWN PANIC MODE Edition

>>18108782
Sinodinos calls critical AUKUS role test for Australia

Troy Bramston - FEBRUARY 24, 2023

AUKUS will play a critical role in upholding the rules-based order in the Asia-Pacific and strengthen Australia's capability to "project power" in the region to maintain stability, but it will be a "test" for the nation, Australia's ambassador to the US says.

Arthur Sinodinos emphasised AUKUS is about more than submarines and will involve co-operation, interoperability and information sharing in many areas. He said the decision on which model submarine to procure will reflect the "trilateral" focus of AUKUS.

"What's foremost about AUKUS is developing those habits of co-operation between those countries," Mr Sinodinos, 65, said.

"It's a capability pact but it's more than that. It's about how ?industrial bases work together. It's about how interoperable (and) ?interchangeable our armed forces can be with each other. The extent to which we share information, the extent to which we share ?science and technology.

"Failure is not an option. What we have said to the Americans and to the British is that, for us, this is a moon shot, right? In other words, it's a whole-of-government, whole-of-nation, effort to bring together all the resources we need to get this done.

"We've got the Americans to sign-off on giving us access to the crown jewels of their nuclear technology. And they're prepared to trust us based on verification - trust but verify - on our capacity for nuclear stewardship. So, it's a very big effort we've embarked on. It will test us as a nation."

The ambassador pushed back against critics, such as former prime ministers Paul Keating and Malcolm Turnbull, that the decision to acquire at least eight ?nuclear-powered submarines from the US or UK would risk Australian sovereignty.

"If we become more capable at doing things in Australia, even if it involves overseas technology, that is an increase in our sovereign capability in itself, and it means we are a more capable member of the alliance," Mr Sinodinos said.

"The reality is the Americans are giving up part of their sovereignty, their nuclear technology, they're sharing it with us, and we are using that to build a capability in Australia which will be an addition to our capacity to project power in the region on behalf of our alliances and partnerships."

Mr Sinodinos was critical of former president Donald Trump for abrogating the US global leadership role and weakening alliances. He praised Joe Biden for strengthening alliances and uniting the West to helping Ukraine resist Russia's invasion.

"One of the things that was a massive difference when the Biden administration came in is the way they immediately focused on shoring up alliances and partnerships," Mr Sinodinos said. "And the way he has led the West in response to the Russian ?invasion of Ukraine shows the benefits of having a leader in charge who had that capacity."

Looking ahead to the 2024 presidential election, the ambassador predicted Mr Biden would run again and if he faced Mr Trump would be re-elected for a second term. Mr Sinodinos also said that the President showed no sign of cognitive decline.

"He stays on top of his game. Often, he's the last to leave functions because he likes talking to people. I've been quite impressed with him," he said.

Mr Sinodinos will complete his more than three years as ambassador in mid-March, and will be succeeded by former prime minister Kevin Rudd. The outgoing ambassador said he left the job more optimistic about the US and said relations with Australia have never been better.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/sinodinos-calls-critical-aukus-role-test-for-australia/news-story/2ff374dcd0d9e5e9e5c7094b8cdaf5c5

#17453574 at 2022-08-28 08:15:13 (UTC+1)
Q Research Australia #25: My Koala Hates Spam Too Edition

#25 - Part 28
Qanon / Conspiracy Theory Hit Pieces, Australia and Worldwide
>>16773179 Anthony Albanese slams former prime minister's sermon where he pedalled 'conspiracy theories' about the United Nations - Prime Minister Anthony Albanese has shot down "astonishing" claims made by the nation's former leader in a church sermon
>>16787671 PRGuy Tweet: TRAITOR Donald Trump "betrayed his oath" and tried to "desTroy democratic institutions", the Jan 6 Committee has heard. Trump allegedly froze when his supporters attacked America, despite pleas from his own staff and family to call off his hoards of rabid traitors.
>>16787671 PRGuy Tweet: Donald Trump's legacy is a divided and weakened US. Ironically, people who genuinely believed themselves to be patriots, have brought their country to its knees, making way for the rise of China and Russia. Russia hand-picked and groomed Trump for years to destabilise the US.
>>16787671 Q Post #1822 - Psychological Projection. Define Conspiracy….Fake News 'KNOWINGLY FALSE' narrative pushes. 1. POTUS colluded w/ Russia to win the 2016 Presidential election - 2. POTUS is puppet to PUTIN…This movement challenges their 'forced' narrative. This movement challenges people to not simply trust what is being reported. Research for yourself. Think for yourself. Trust yourself….Attacks will only intensify. Logical thinking. Ask yourself a simple question - WHY????
>>16794222 Donald Trump hits back at congressional committee - "It's a made-up story, total fiction," he said in a speech that once again described the 2020 election as "rigged and stolen", after earlier teasing "we may have to do it again"
>>16840530 OPINION: Trump 2.0 poses a grave risk to the US, and Australia - "When Australia looks to America for help, there may be none forthcoming. That's what America First is all about….Trump would be prepared to sell out Australia's interests in a heartbeat." - Peter Hartcher - smh.com.au
>>16840534 Q Post #1867 - They are in full blown panic mode. Enjoy the show. Each FAKE NEWS article written or attack is a badge of honor - military grade. Q

>>16931247 Jan. 6 hearings may wound Donald Trump but his self-delusion will do him in - "Trump's political influence is waning. Certainly, the House select committee's investigations have exposed the 45th POTUS's desperation to cling to power. But it is small beans compared to his own delusions. Trump can't let the Big Lie go while everyone else, including the Republican Party, is desperate to move on." - Jack The Insider (Peter Hoysted) - theaustralian.com.au
>>16936448 Fans still love him but Trump hasn't a hope in 2024 - "Incriminated by his own family and closest advisers, Trump behaved atrociously on that fateful day, turning a blind eye to violent protests intent on overturning the election result and tarnishing what had been a successful presidency." - Adam Creighton - theaustralian.com.au
>>17386628 Video: 'No Dumb Questions': What is QAnon? - Anya Van Wagtendonk, who covers misinformation for Grid, said that at its heart, QAnon is "an umbrella conspiracy theory" built on the idea that "an elite cabal of sex traffickers and Satan worshippers is in control of the world, and needs to be taken down by force." - Anya van Wagtendonk and Tom Nagorski - grid.news
>>17386677 Has Ron Watkins, who many believe is behind QAnon, moved to Australia? One of the world's most influential conspiracy theorists has been spotted in Australia and some believe he may be planning on staying - Cam Wilson - crikey.com.au
>>17386696 Conspiracy theorist suspected to be behind QAnon movement that believes Satan-worshipping, cannibalistic child molesters are controlling the world moves to Australia - Jesse Hyland and Janon Fisher - dailymail.co.uk
>>17396724 Donald Trump is not fit for office: John Howard - "John Howard has described ?Donald Trump's behaviour as "appalling" and "atrocious" for not accepting the outcome of the 2020 US presidential election and seeking to overturn the result, and declared him utterly "unfit" to return to the White House." Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>17396734 COVID-19 lab-leak theory debunked by Australian professor Eddie Holmes who has been dubbed 'the virus hunter' - "Professor Holmes said the lab-leak theory had been ruled out by science, he did not expect that to stop the conspiracy theories. "We will never stop hearing from people like Donald Trump about this," he said."
>>17435343 Trump is a confirmed unhinged traitor. And Murdoch is his unindicted co-conspirator - New evidence to the January 6 committee shows just how treacherous Donald Trump was, but will it prise loose his grip on the Republicans? - Bernard Keane - crikey.com.au

#17396727 at 2022-08-15 07:27:19 (UTC+1)
Q Research Australia #25: My Koala Hates Spam Too Edition

>>17396724

2/2

Writing before the declaration by the Chinese ambassador to Australia, Xiao Qian, that using force to seize control of Taiwan was an option and China's escalating intimidation of the embattled island, Mr Howard argues it is ?unlikely that China will directly attack Taiwan.

"I regard it as highly unlikely that China will launch a conventional attack on Taiwan, largely because it fears a retaliatory response from the US that could well prove embarrassing," he writes.

"Military or other action short of a frontal strike is far more likely, particularly if it causes the US to agonise over how to respond."

He insists that Australia does not have to choose between its security relationship with the US and its economic relationship with China. The former prime minister advocates a "self-respecting pragmatism" to guide Australia's approach to China, given the trade partnership is vital. And he doubts China will surpass the US as the world's superpower.

Mr Howard also writes about the foreign policy decisions of his own government, especially the "most difficult" decision to commit forces to the wars in Afghanistan and Iraq following the September 11, 2001, terrorist ?attacks in the US.

He is critical of the hasty withdrawal from Afghanistan, first announced by Mr Trump and implemented by Joe Biden, and notes that it was unwise for Barack Obama to nominate an earlier exit date when he was president.

"Trump made a big mistake in declaring that the US was leaving before he had struck a bargain with the Taliban," Mr Howard writes. "Biden oversaw a clumsy end by not making the withdrawal conditional upon the extraction of locals whom America and its allies wanted to assist. A satisfactory evacuation of all of those deemed at risk should have governed the withdrawal date, not the reverse."

John Howard's A Sense of Balance (HarperCollins) is published on August 17.

Troy Bramston is a senior writer and columnist with The Australian. He has interviewed politicians, presidents and prime ministers from multiple countries along with writers, actors, directors, producers and several pop-culture icons. He is an award-winning and best-selling author or editor of 11 books, including Bob Hawke: Demons and Destiny, Paul Keating: The Big-Picture Leader and Robert Menzies: The Art of Politics. He co-authored The Truth of the Palace Letters and The Dismissal with Paul Kelly.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/donald-trump-isnot-fit-foroffice-john-howard/news-story/9b56bd8bc17fbc0924f8f9606eba1535

#17396724 at 2022-08-15 07:25:53 (UTC+1)
Q Research Australia #25: My Koala Hates Spam Too Edition

Donald Trump is not fit for office: John Howard

Troy Bramston - AUGUST 12, 2022

1/2

John Howard has described ?Donald Trump's behaviour as "appalling" and "atrocious" for not accepting the outcome of the 2020 US presidential election and seeking to overturn the result, and declared him utterly "unfit" to return to the White House.

Writing in a new book A Sense of Balance, the former prime minister savages the former president for not respecting democratic traditions and his ?serial trashing of political norms and conventions, and says the Republican Party should have repudiated him.

"Trump's atrocious behaviour after losing the 2020 election ... has surely made him unfit to return to the White House," Mr Howard writes. "It was dumbfounding to me, and I am sure to many others, that the party should have chosen him as its candidate in 2016.

"He lacked public grace, a huge deficiency for an American president, who is both head of state and head of government.

"He had little respect for his party organisation, despite the support it gave him during the presidential campaign."

Mr Howard expanded on his sharp criticisms of Mr Trump in an exclusive interview with The Australian, saying he hoped the Republican Party selected a different candidate to contest the 2024 presidential election.

"I am not any fan of Trump," Mr Howard said. "His behaviour since losing the election has been disgraceful and I just hope, pray, that the Republicans will find somebody else to get behind because he has behaved terribly."

While Mr Howard said he had "mixed feelings" about Mr Trump's 2016 presidential bid, which he found as "uninspiring" as Hillary Clinton's, he rebukes the "condescending view of the metropolitan elites" who believed somehow the voters had "got it wrong" by electing him.

These comments were made before the FBI raided Mr Trump's palatial Mar-a-Lago residence this week, which was reportedly linked to classified national security documents that were illegally removed from the White House rather than handed over to the National Archives and Records Administration.

A Sense of Balance includes observations on a range of domestic and foreign policy issues, reflections on his time in politics and his long prime ministership (1996-2007), and offers thoughts on the recent federal election and the future of the ?Liberal Party.

Mr Howard writes that Boris Johnson is "a colourful and effective communicator" who was the driving force behind Brexit, which he personally supported, but is critical of his probity failures and told The Australian that he was not surprised by the cabinet revolt that forced his resignation.

"He failed to understand the feelings of ordinary people who voted strongly for him," Mr Howard writes.

"Were he and his close coterie of advisers so out of touch that they imagined they could hold parties in Downing Street when, according to the rules they had imposed, parties were banned for the ordinary person in their homes or workplaces?"

(continued)

#16701842 at 2022-07-10 01:29:10 (UTC+1)
Q Research Australia #25: My Koala Hates Spam Too Edition

#23 and #24 - Part 34
Qanon / Conspiracy Theory Hit Pieces, Australia and Worldwide
>>16443877 Trump a clear and present danger to the great republic - "The risk for the US is that Trump or his surrogate runs for president in 2024 and we see a more sophisticated attempt to over?turn democracy that succeeds. The Republican Party, like the US, is best served by moving on from Trump. Those who defend him share his dishonour." - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>16509777 QAnon Creator 'Q' Returns After Nearly Two-Year Hiatus - In a surprise move, Q returns to tease a new "game" in cryptic posts - Will Sommer - thedailybeast.com
>>16512087 After two years, QAnon's creator Q returns in the wake of Roe v Wade decision - Harry Fletcher - indy100.com
>>16512958 Shayan Sardarizadeh Tweet: Q's return has forced me to properly read 8kun for the first time in over a year. I'd almost forgotten the feeling of having to read through 8kun several times a day. That website really is a snapshot of the absolute worst of humanity.
>>16525042 Suddenly 'Q' of the QAnon conspiracy theory has returned after a years-long hiatus. But, something isn't quite right... - Matt Binder - mashable.com
>>16525103 'QAnon' conspiracy poster sending messages again, says Cullen Hoback, "Q: Into the Storm" filmmaker - Jesse Brooks - fox8live.com

>>16543785 Video: CNN reporter on Q's return: 'As dumb as it is dangerous' - CNN's Donie O'Sullivan and John Avlon report that the "Q" persona at the center of the QAnon conspiracy theory movement, has posted online for the first time since December 2020, after former President Donald Trump lost the election
>>16573365 Video: QAnon returns and targets Cassidy Hutchinson in new post - In a new post, online conspiracy theorist QAnon targets former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson. CNN's Donie O'Sullivan explains what it means now that the account is back active
>>16573455 Q is back. What happens to QAnon now? - Sarah Manavis - inews.co.uk
>>16573504 Q Is Back and It's Tearing the QAnon World Apart - "Q drops" have resumed, but believers are divided over whether they're real - David Gilbert - vice.com
>>16601708 Holding Trump accountable critical to U.S. global leadership - "Trump's poor character, his contempt for laws and norms, and his autocratic tendencies are all well-known. These latest revelations are and should be jaw-dropping, evidence of a further descent into malignancy by Trump." - Dave Sharma, former Liberal Party member of Australia's House of Representatives and Australia's ambassador to Israel from 2013 to 2017 - asia.nikkei.com
>>16656293 Video: Mysterious Georgia Guidestones monument suddenly explodes - Explosion at mysterious US monument dubbed the "American Stonehenge" reignites conspiracy theorists online

#16655255 at 2022-07-07 09:02:29 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #24: TRUMP CARD COMING Edition

#23 - Part 33
Qanon / Conspiracy Theory Hit Pieces, Australia and Worldwide
>>16443877 Trump a clear and present danger to the great republic - The risk for the US is that Trump or his surrogate runs for president in 2024 and we see a more sophisticated attempt to over?turn democracy that succeeds. The Republican Party, like the US, is best served by moving on from Trump. Those who defend him share his dishonour. - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>16509777 QAnon Creator 'Q' Returns After Nearly Two-Year Hiatus - In a surprise move, Q returns to tease a new "game" in cryptic posts - Will Sommer - thedailybeast.com
>>16512087 After two years, QAnon's creator Q returns in the wake of Roe v Wade decision - Harry Fletcher - indy100.com
>>16512958 Shayan Sardarizadeh Tweet: Q's return has forced me to properly read 8kun for the first time in over a year. I'd almost forgotten the feeling of having to read through 8kun several times a day. That website really is a snapshot of the absolute worst of humanity.
>>16525042 Suddenly 'Q' of the QAnon conspiracy theory has returned after a years-long hiatus. But, something isn't quite right... - Matt Binder - mashable.com
>>16525103 'QAnon' conspiracy poster sending messages again, says Cullen Hoback, "Q: Into the Storm" filmmaker - Jesse Brooks - fox8live.com

>>16543785 Video: CNN reporter on Q's return: 'As dumb as it is dangerous' - CNN's Donie O'Sullivan and John Avlon report that the "Q" persona at the center of the QAnon conspiracy theory movement, has posted online for the first time since December 2020, after former President Donald Trump lost the election
>>16573365 Video: QAnon returns and targets Cassidy Hutchinson in new post - In a new post, online conspiracy theorist QAnon targets former White House aide Cassidy Hutchinson. CNN's Donie O'Sullivan explains what it means now that the account is back active
>>16573455 Q is back. What happens to QAnon now? - Sarah Manavis - inews.co.uk
>>16573504 Q Is Back and It's Tearing the QAnon World Apart - "Q drops" have resumed, but believers are divided over whether they're real - David Gilbert - vice.com
>>16601708 Holding Trump accountable critical to U.S. global leadership - "Trump's poor character, his contempt for laws and norms, and his autocratic tendencies are all well-known. These latest revelations are and should be jaw-dropping, evidence of a further descent into malignancy by Trump." - Dave Sharma, former Liberal Party member of Australia's House of Representatives and Australia's ambassador to Israel from 2013 to 2017 - asia.nikkei.com

#16443898 at 2022-06-14 10:55:24 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #23: HOUSE OF CARDS Edition

>>16443877

2/2

The January 6th committee has interviewed 1000 witnesses and collected 140,000 documents as part of its investigation. The most damning evidence that shows Trump committed crimes against the US constitution comes from Republicans, including those once in his inner circle, not partisan Democrats.

The house committee's task is not just to probe the events at the Capitol, which were organised rather than spontaneous, but to demonstrate how it was the culmination of a systematic attempt to sabotage a democratic election led by Trump. The evidence presented so far has been compelling.

House committee Republican vice-chair Liz Cheney has been relentless in seeking to hold those accountable for the attack on the Capitol and the attempted coup. She has lashed fellow Republicans for defending the indefensible. "There will come a day when Donald Trump is gone, but your dishonour will remain," she said.

Some house committee members believe they have already made a case for the Justice Department to consider a criminal indictment of Trump. Trump has likely violated at least two federal criminal statutes: obstruction of an official proceeding and conspiracy to defraud the US.

A federal judge in California found in a civil case in March it was "more likely than not" that Trump committed federal crimes. A prosecution of Trump, following his second impeachment by the house last year, would be fitting but would unleash even more divisions in the US.

However, Trump's attempt to replace democracy with dictatorship by seeking to remain in office despite the will of the voters is not a threat that has passed. It is ongoing because Trump has refused to accept he lost the election, take responsibility for the riot and the attempted coup, and has millions of Americans who believe his lies.

Trump maintains the 2020 election was "rigged and stolen". He has attacked those who testified, including his daughter. "January 6th was not simply a protest, it represented the greatest movement in the history of our Country to Make America Great Again," he wrote on his social media site last week. This is utterly delusional and dangerous.

The risk for the US is that Trump or his surrogate runs for president in 2024 and we see a more sophisticated attempt to over?turn democracy that succeeds. The Republican Party, like the US, is best served by moving on from Trump. Those who defend him share his dishonour.

Troy Bramston is a senior writer and columnist with The Australian. He has interviewed politicians, presidents and prime ministers from multiple countries along with writers, actors, directors, producers and several pop-culture icons. He is an award-winning and best-selling author or editor of 11 books, including Bob Hawke: Demons and Destiny, Paul Keating: The Big-Picture Leader and Robert Menzies: The Art of Politics. He co-authored The Truth of the Palace Letters and The Dismissal with Paul Kelly.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/trump-a-clear-and-present-danger-to-the-great-republic/news-story/fbe8abb180e5385e77f200997b99ab11

https://qresear.ch/?q=Troy+Bramston

#16443877 at 2022-06-14 10:50:09 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #23: HOUSE OF CARDS Edition

Trump a clear and present danger to the great republic

Troy Bramston - JUNE 14, 2022

1/2

The US House of Representatives select committee investigating the attack on the Capitol and Don?ald Trump's attempt to overturn the 2020 presidential election should serve as a sobering reminder of the fragility of demo?c?racy everywhere and the threat posed by populist demagogues.

The extraordinary evidence revealed by the January 6th committee demonstrates that Trump was at the centre of the attempt to subvert the democratic process, encouraged and incited the deadly riot at the Capitol, and remains a clear and present danger to the great republic.

The committee, with Democrat and Republican members, is undertaking the most important congressional investiga?tion since the Watergate hearings that probed Richard Nixon's cover-up of the "third-rate burglary" at Democratic National Committee headquarters 50 years ago.

Nixon had many domestic and foreign policy achievements but was a criminal president. He differs from Trump in two critical respects. Nixon resigned and expressed regret over what he did, whereas Trump has no shame and no remorse. And Nixon's crimes are dwarfed by Trump's attempted coup d'etat.

Ahead of the inauguration of Joe Biden as the legitimately elected president, Trump examined ways to remain in power. The certification of the electoral college vote by vice-president Mike Pence on January 6 - a routine rubberstamping exercise - was seized on as the opportunity to overturn the election.

Former US attorney-general Bill Barr told Trump his claims of vote fraud and a stolen election were "bullshit". Trump looked to those who reassured him that his unproven and erroneous claims were true. But even his daughter, Ivanka Trump, said she accepted Barr's judgment.

Undeterred, Trump encouraged supporters to come to Washington for the certification. His incendiary speech that day incited the storming of the Capitol. There is no doubt the rioters wanted to sabotage the election. They did so in Trump's name, with his authorisation and encouragement. The Capitol insurrection resulted in five people losing their lives, hundreds injured and 140 police officers assaulted. As the rioters rampaged through the Capitol building, it is a miracle Pence, Democrat leaders Nancy Pelosi and Chuck Schumer, and others were not captured or killed.

It is chilling and frightening to hear the testimony of those who witnessed the insurgency. Yet Trump ignored pleas to initiate a defence of the Capitol. It was Pence, with his life threatened, who urged Joint Chiefs of Staff chairman Mark Milley to send the National Guard to restore order.

More than 800 pro-Trump protesters have been charged. The most troubling is Proud Boys leader Enrique Tarrio and Oath Keepers leader Stewart Rhodes, and dozens of their supporters, who have been indicted for their role in the attack, including conspiracy to commit sedition. During the election, Trump told the Proud Boys to "stand back and stand by".

(continued)

#16343581 at 2022-05-26 08:29:31 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #23: HOUSE OF CARDS Edition

#22 - Part 5
Australian Politics and Society - Part 5
>>16097927 Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Facebook Post: Happy Easter to family and friends of MRF-D! What a week it was for us here in Darwin.
>>16104690 No deal: Morrison and Albanese rule out minority government with independents
>>16104696 Stay calm but think beyond the leader's gaffes - no panic yet, but there is real worry over Albanese's campaign preparation and readiness - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>16104749 Hume Greens candidate Karen Stewart can't walk past climate change as major election battleground - "In 2021 her family spoke out openly about her brother Tim Stewart's involvement with QAnon and his close proximity to prime minister Scott Morrison."
>>16104784 Greens' defence policy 'insane': Australian Strategic Policy Institute executive director Peter Jennings
>>16111287 Change of government would present 'great opportunity' in fight to free Julian Assange, his father says - John Shipton, father of the WikiLeaks founder, says 'of course things would change' if Labor were elected in May
>>16111343 Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Facebook Post: It was an honor to host the Commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps here in Darwin, alongside our Australian allies.
>>16111343 MRF-D and the Australian 1st Brigade Welcomes the Commandant of the Marine Corps - Capt. Joseph DiPietro - dvidshub.net
>>16119176 Scott Morrison apologises for 'blessed' comment in leaders debate - PM says he had "no intention" of causing offence after he made comments about being "blessed" with two healthy children, apologising for the offence caused and that he was simply seeking to respect the challenges faced by people with disabilities
>>16119182 Anthony Albanese tests positive to Covid during federal election campaign, throwing his federal election campaign into chaos

>>16121649 Prime Minister Scott Morrison Tweet: I wish Anthony Albanese all the best for his recovery after testing positive to COVID. Everyone's experience with COVID is different and as Labor's campaign continues, I hope he does not experience any serious symptoms.
>>16128273 Dozens of Australian RAAF pilots are operating drone strikes from the United Kingdom, Defence Department confirms for the first time
>>16128318 Australian Department of Defence Tweet: Guardians of the Spirit! A @usairforce B-2 Spirit, the world's first stealth strategic bomber, last month became the first of its kind to touch down at RAAF Base Amberley.
>>16128318 Guardians of the Spirit - A United States Air Force (USAF) B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flew from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to RAAF Base Amberley. The combat aircraft, from the 509th Bomber Wing, became the first B-2 Spirit to land at Amberley - Flight Lieutenant Robert Hodgson - news.defence.gov.au
>>16142974 Anzac Day 2022: health authorities urge Covid-19 precautions at gatherings
>>16143025 Australian Department of Defence Tweet: Video: Hear from #YourADF as they reflect on the significance of #AnzacDay, and what it means to them. On #Anzac Day, as we honour the service and sacrifice of others in days past, we draw inspiration and confidence for the days to come.
>>16143043 Video: Shrine Melbourne Anzac Day Dawn Service 2022 - ShrineMelbourne
>>16143049 Video: Gallipoli Dawn Service - Anzac Day 2022 - ABC Australia
>>16143054 Video: ANZAC Day Dawn Service live from Currumbin - Sunrise - 7NEWS Australia
>>16143060 Video: Commemorative Dawn Services - Anzac Day 2022 - ABC Australia
>>16143064 Video: Melbourne March - Anzac Day 2022 - ABC Australia

#16343501 at 2022-05-26 07:57:50 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition

#22 - Part 5
Australian Politics and Society - Part 5
>>16097927 Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Facebook Post: Happy Easter to family and friends of MRF-D! What a week it was for us here in Darwin.
>>16104690 No deal: Morrison and Albanese rule out minority government with independents
>>16104696 Stay calm but think beyond the leader's gaffes - no panic yet, but there is real worry over Albanese's campaign preparation and readiness - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>16104749 Hume Greens candidate Karen Stewart can't walk past climate change as major election battleground - "In 2021 her family spoke out openly about her brother Tim Stewart's involvement with QAnon and his close proximity to prime minister Scott Morrison."
>>16104784 Greens' defence policy 'insane': Australian Strategic Policy Institute executive director Peter Jennings
>>16111287 Change of government would present 'great opportunity' in fight to free Julian Assange, his father says - John Shipton, father of the WikiLeaks founder, says 'of course things would change' if Labor were elected in May
>>16111343 Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Facebook Post: It was an honor to host the Commandant and Sergeant Major of the Marine Corps here in Darwin, alongside our Australian allies.
>>16111343 MRF-D and the Australian 1st Brigade Welcomes the Commandant of the Marine Corps - Capt. Joseph DiPietro - dvidshub.net
>>16119176 Scott Morrison apologises for 'blessed' comment in leaders debate - PM says he had "no intention" of causing offence after he made comments about being "blessed" with two healthy children, apologising for the offence caused and that he was simply seeking to respect the challenges faced by people with disabilities
>>16119182 Anthony Albanese tests positive to Covid during federal election campaign, throwing his federal election campaign into chaos

>>16121649 Prime Minister Scott Morrison Tweet: I wish Anthony Albanese all the best for his recovery after testing positive to COVID. Everyone's experience with COVID is different and as Labor's campaign continues, I hope he does not experience any serious symptoms.
>>16128273 Dozens of Australian RAAF pilots are operating drone strikes from the United Kingdom, Defence Department confirms for the first time
>>16128318 Australian Department of Defence Tweet: Guardians of the Spirit! A @usairforce B-2 Spirit, the world's first stealth strategic bomber, last month became the first of its kind to touch down at RAAF Base Amberley.
>>16128318 Guardians of the Spirit - A United States Air Force (USAF) B-2 Spirit stealth bomber flew from Whiteman Air Force Base in Missouri to RAAF Base Amberley. The combat aircraft, from the 509th Bomber Wing, became the first B-2 Spirit to land at Amberley - Flight Lieutenant Robert Hodgson - news.defence.gov.au
>>16142974 Anzac Day 2022: health authorities urge Covid-19 precautions at gatherings
>>16143025 Australian Department of Defence Tweet: Video: Hear from #YourADF as they reflect on the significance of #AnzacDay, and what it means to them. On #Anzac Day, as we honour the service and sacrifice of others in days past, we draw inspiration and confidence for the days to come.
>>16143043 Video: Shrine Melbourne Anzac Day Dawn Service 2022 - ShrineMelbourne
>>16143049 Video: Gallipoli Dawn Service - Anzac Day 2022 - ABC Australia
>>16143054 Video: ANZAC Day Dawn Service live from Currumbin - Sunrise - 7NEWS Australia
>>16143060 Video: Commemorative Dawn Services - Anzac Day 2022 - ABC Australia
>>16143064 Video: Melbourne March - Anzac Day 2022 - ABC Australia

#16292769 at 2022-05-17 18:44:16 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition

>>16047076
>>16290080
I'll take reins immediately: Anthony Albanese

Troy Bramston - MAY 17, 2022

Anthony Albanese will have ?himself sworn in as prime minister and Penny Wong as foreign ?minister as soon as Sunday or Monday in order to attend the Quadrilateral meeting in Tokyo on Tuesday, if Labor wins the ?election.

In an exclusive final-week ?interview, the Labor leader ?accepted there would be no time for the Labor caucus to meet in Canberra to elect ministers, as is required under party rules, ahead of the Quad meeting with leaders from the US, Japan and India.

"We are not pre-empting the outcome (of the election) but, clearly, we have been asked by Australian officials what our ?intention would be and we have indicated that if we are successful, the intention would be to go," Mr Albanese said.

"I will visit the Quad and renew my acquaintance with (US) President (Joe) Biden but also meet, very importantly, with (Japanese) Prime Minister (Fumio) Kishida and (Indian Prime Minister) Narendra Modi who are important friends of Australia ... The Quad is an important organisation."

"If we are successful on Saturday, it is my intention to go to the Quad leaders meeting to represent Australia (as prime minister)," Mr Albanese said. "If it is unclear, we would seek advice."

If the election result is not ?decisive, Scott Morrison would ?remain Prime Minister until a new leader who can command majority support in the House of Representatives is sworn in by the Governor-General.

Mr Albanese said he would seek further advice from the Department of Prime Minister and Cabinet about sending a Labor representative with Mr Morrison if the election result was not certain. This could be Senator Wong.

Only Mr Albanese and Senator Wong are expected to be sworn in quickly to attend the Quad. Labor's deputy leader, Richard Marles, who is eager to become ?defence minister is expected to be sworn in later with the full cabinet and outer ministry. He will not ?attend the Quad meeting.

The plan to have Mr Albanese sworn in as soon as possible after the election to attend the meeting with Mr Biden, Mr Kishida and Mr Modi evokes memories of Gough Whitlam's duumvirate government with Lance Barnard. Together they held all 27 portfolios of ?government for 14 days in 1972.

Mr Whitlam was in a rush to implement Labor's agenda after 23 years in the political wilderness and made some of the most far-reaching policy decisions in ?Australian history over a two-week period. The election was held on December 2, 1972, and the ?duumvirate was sworn in three days later.

Mr Albanese, should his party win the election, is not in such a rush but the Quad meeting ?demands an early swearing-in. To enable the Labor leader to attend the meeting as prime minister, he would need to be sworn in on ?Sunday or Monday because he would need to travel to Japan on Monday.

The Quad meeting comes at a critical time for the Indo-Pacific given China's assertiveness, its ?security pact with the Solomon ?Islands and a state-sanctioned campaign of espionage, cyber warfare and disinformation.

Mr Albanese said he would affirm with Quad leaders his strong support for the dialogue and discuss his priorities for the Indo-Pacific in the years ahead.

The Labor leader revealed that he would also meet separately for bilateral discussions with Mr Biden, Mr Kishida and Mr Modi while in Tokyo. It would also be an opportunity to share with the Quad partners, Labor's policy agenda for southeast Asia which includes $470m in foreign aid over the forward estimates, the establishment of a special office for the region within the Department of Foreign Affairs and Trade and the appointment of a special envoy.

Mr Albanese said his key message to the Quad leaders would be "that you have a strong partner in Australia, that we want to work with our friends, consistent with what I see as the three pillars of foreign policy: our alliance with the US, our engagement with the region and our support for multilateral forums".

"We will re-join the effort and work on climate change, particularly closely with the Biden administration," Mr Albanese said.

"There is a lot of work to be done in the Indo-Pacific. We will work very closely with them in particular and I would be having a bilateral meeting with President Biden about those issues."

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/ill-take-reins-immediately-anthony-albanese/news-story/756fe7f885c560393839fc4cbf13c414

#16104696 at 2022-04-19 09:07:40 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition

>>16047076
Stay calm but think beyond the leader's gaffes

Troy Bramston - APRIL 19, 2022

1/2

As Anthony Albanese has joined his 6.15am daily phone hook-up with senior Labor shadow ministers, party officials and staff, it has been somewhat awkward as they review the media coverage, assess the state of the campaign and confirm their strategy, key lines and program for the day ahead.

Labor frontbenchers, backbenchers, candidates, staff and campaigners spoken to for this column have expressed deep concern and alarm about the Opposition Leader's campaign per?form?ance. It has been disastrous and some fear it is going to get only worse as they scale back expectations for seats they can win.

There is no panic yet, but there is real worry over Albanese's campaign preparation and readiness, the capacities of his personal staff and the experience of Labor's campaign team in Sydney. Some Labor figures say they are not surprised while others have been shocked at the series of blunders.

The anxiety level in Labor was elevated on day zero, the day Scott Morrison announced the election date, when Albanese appeared at an afternoon press conference. He did not have a clear message or theme and rambled his way through an opening statement as if it was not rehearsed, and he did not have sharp responses to questions.

Labor has had "on your side", "build back better" and now "a better future". Not exactly consistent, coherent or cut-through.

The gaffes began on day one of the campaign: not being able to name the unemployment rate or Reserve Bank cash rate; repeated mistakes over asylum-seeker policy; saying Labor's urgent care clinics were costed by the Parliamentary Budget Office, then clarifying they were not; promising to answer media questions, then cutting short press conferences. There was the claim Albanese had been an economic policy adviser to the Hawke government. He was an electorate officer to junior minister Tom Uren, who did not hold an economic portfolio. If Albanese did offer economic advice, it was ignored because he was a persistent critic of the economic reforms of the Hawke-Keating government.

The Coalition should be on the mat and down for the count. The past nine years have been marked by a revolving-door Liberal and Nationals party leadership, internal division, policy backflips and broken promises, and a chaotic parliament. The Prime Minister is unpopular. Deputy Prime Minister Barnaby Joyce is a national joke. But, with the economy booming, they just may pull off another miracle election victory.

Albanese's stumbles have reinforced to many in Labor that his office and the party's national secretariat have been running the wrong strategy for the past three years. Albanese is still not well known and his small-target policy approach means voters are struggling to find reasons to vote Labor. The opposition does not have a bold, animating, compelling agenda that speaks to its values and presents as a clear and convincing alternative to the government.

(continued)

#16086236 at 2022-04-16 10:04:38 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition

>>16086235

2/2

Former Labor leader Mark Latham, now leader of One ?Nation in NSW, said Mr Albanese's "main activity wasn't working as a policy adviser in Canberra, it was a young Labor organiser".

"Albanese worked in his (Uren's) electorate office, he was an electorate staffer," he said.

"Albanese spent most of his time in Sydney organising Young Labor numbers in the inner city."

During the 80s, Mr Latham worked for Gough Whitlam, the Labor Party head office and later for Bob Carr.

"I was making speeches on the other side of the debate from Albanese," he said. "He was the standard bread-and-butter leftie opposing Keating's reforms at every turn. The stereotypical leftie from central casting."

A senior Labor figure, who declined to speak publicly, recalled Mr Albanese's work at the time was heavily factional for the Left.

"Albo was one of the leaders in their hardline activities on policy and in stacking the branches and use of the union movement to ?attack the government that then became the modus operandi federally," he said.

"Albanese was a very minor figure and worked out of the Granville office for a lot of the time, organising. I always thought he was an electorate officer."

The Labor figure said that at the time Uren "was a very minor figure of no consequence in Canberra and that was reflected in his frustrations and ongoing attacks on the Hawke-Keating governments."

During his time working for Uren, Mr Albanese engaged in factional Labor Party activities and also conducted research for the minister on economic policies.

The Labor Left regarded itself equally opposed to the Hawke government's policies as the conservative opposition parties.

Uren was not in cabinet and was one of the strongest opponents to the Hawke-Keating economic reforms of the period. His policy views were regarded as entirely irrelevant and a cause for ?annoyance by the senior figures in the Hawke government, particularly treasurer Paul Keating.

Mr Keating was reportedly furious when Hawke ruled that he needed to win support from the full ministry, not just the cabinet, for tax reform in September 1985.

"He had to endure opposition from left-wing ministers Tom Uren and Arthur Gietzelt, amid a marathon debate," author Troy Bramston wrote in the biography Paul Keating: The Big Picture Leader.

Mr Keating, Bramston wrote, "was turning away from redistributive economics, class warfare and an 'us and them' mentality".

Mr Keating voiced his frustration with the Left faction's views in an attack at state conference.

"The Balmain Lefties ... were all in good restaurants quaffing wine till 3.30 in the afternoon. That's what aways galled me," Mr Keating said in his speech.

Mr Albanese did not respond to repeated requests for comment.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/albanese-was-electorate-officer-not-ministerial-adviser-to-hardleft-mp-tom-uren/news-story/86301b36c8f982d665b6baeacfdf5efd

#16065891 at 2022-04-13 08:45:29 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition

>>16047076
Election 2022: Don't underestimate Scott Morrison, says Bill Shorten

Troy Bramston - APRIL 13, 2022

Bill Shorten says Labor must learn the lessons of the last election not to underestimate Scott Morrison as a campaigner or take the result for granted, as he put aside past disagreements and ?declared he and Anthony Albanese shared a mutual respect as leaders past and present.

"The key lesson for Labor is: don't underestimate Scott Morrison and don't count your chickens until they are hatched," Mr Shorten told The Australian in an exclusive interview.

"We enter this election, according to the polls, ahead of (the Coalition) and I would just keep doing what we are doing."

The former Labor leader said he had left his differences with Mr Albanese in the past, there was now "mutual respect" ?between the two, he welcomed being asked for advice and he was eager to again be a minister in a Labor ?government.

"I'm on Team Labor and I want Anthony Albanese to be the next prime minister of Australia. Our core message is a good message for Australia: a better future, not leaving anyone behind, more ?secure jobs. I think our fundamental economic formula is ?pretty sound, so just stick at it."

Since Mr Albanese succeeded Mr Shorten as Labor leader after the 2019 election, the two have met a few times for one-on-one talks about policy and strategy. They recently had a more relaxed discussion over dinner on Valentine's Day and talked about their families and fitness regimes.

"They have been good meetings," Mr Shorten said. "He ?occasionally has been good enough to ask about my experience as a former leader and any insights. We have a very strong topic in common that is the ?failings of Scott Morrison so they have been very constructive discussions."

As a former leader, Mr Shorten hopes to be a sounding board in government like Jim Scullin was for John Curtin in the 1940s and play a key role in government like Bill Hayden played for Bob Hawke in the 1980s. Simon Crean, another former opposition leader, served as a minister in the Rudd and Gillard governments.

"John Curtin lent upon Jim Scullin and I think Scullin stayed another 16 years after he was prime minister," he said.

"(Alexander) Downer served (John) Howard as foreign minister. And Bill Hayden is a perfect example. The point about former leader roles is that constructively they can add a level of experience to a government."

Mr Shorten served as Labor's leader from 2013 to 2019 and has been the party's spokesman for the NDIS and government ser?vices since the last election. He is keen to hold the portfolio in government and ensure Australians living with a disability are ?involved in the "co-design" of any changes to the scheme.

"I would love to continue the work from opposition into government about getting the NDIS back on track," he said. "I'm very committed. We are going to unveil our disability policy soon. It is now a $23bn scheme with 503,000 people receiving pack?ages. It is one of the few areas where the commonwealth is in ?direct service delivery."

The comments from Mr Shorten come after the death of his close friend and colleague Kimberley Kitching, and concern about how she was treated within Labor's Victorian branch, which had not re-endorsed her pre?selection, and by Labor's Senate leadership.

"I know if she were here with us still, all her energy and activism and enthusiasm and the powerful force of her personality would have been dedicated to a Labor victory in May," Mr Shorten said at her funeral. "Kimberley would want everyone in her Labor family to channel their grief, gather their strength and move onwards from here together."

The eulogy was widely interpreted within Labor as drawing a line under party division.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/election-2022-dont-underestimate-scott-morrison-says-bill-shorten/news-story/88b39cf1fef49818361735bfa48ffb9d

#16065880 at 2022-04-13 08:40:23 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition

>>16047076
Election 2022: Anthony Albanese rewrites his own economic history

SHARRI MARKSON - APRIL 13, 2022

1/2

Anthony Albanese has tried to ?inflate his status as an "economics adviser" to the legendary reformist centre-right Hawke government in a bid to pump up his damaged economic credentials but was in fact a "research officer" to a hard-left out-of-cabinet minister and was ?strongly opposed to the major ?reforms of the time, including ?privatisation, HECS and financial deregulation.

Mr Albanese sought to re-?establish his economic credentials on Tuesday after being caught not knowing the cash rate or the ?unemployment rate a day earlier.

In doing so, he claimed during a press conference he "became an economic policy adviser to the Hawke government" after spending four years at Sydney Univer?sity. However, the only position Mr Albanese held in the Hawke government, which was in office from 1983 to 1991, was working for Tom Uren, who was minister for territories and local government and then administrative services.

The late Uren was also minister assisting the prime minister for community development and ?regional affairs. Uren was not in cabinet and had no role in economic policy with the Hawke ?administration.

And in a biography on Mr Albanese written by journalist Karen Middleton, for which he participated, she also describes him as a "certain research officer working for Tom Uren" and a "protesting activist" during the Hawke government.

Uren's memoir, Straight Left, does not mention Mr Albanese as an economics adviser.

There is only one passage referring to Mr Albanese in the entire book. Mr Uren says that for the first year or two that Mr Albanese worked for him they spoke only occasionally.

"Anthony was an activist in Young Labor and was one of the main organisers of the Left in NSW," Uren wrote. "When I first put him on my staff some of my comrades on the Left said, 'Oh, you're putting a young Trot on your staff'."

A spokesman for Mr Albanese said - despite Uren not having an economic portfolio in government - that he was employed in the ?office as an economist.

"Anthony Albanese was ?employed as an economist by Tom Uren, who served as minister for local government, territories and administrative services between 1985 and 1989. He gave Mr Uren advice on issues including taxation and economic matters," he said.

Not only did Mr Albanese not advise the Hawke government on economics policy, but he opposed the major economic reforms of the Hawke government - as did Uren.

It's a point author Troy Bramston makes in his new book, Bob Hawke: Demons and Destiny.

"Anthony Albanese, a delegate to the national conference, was among those in the Left who voted to return to a regulated ?exchange rate," Bramston writes.

"Albanese opposed many of the major reforms of the period, from fiscal consolidation and privatisation to cutting tariffs, ?exporting uranium and introducing HECS."

Mr Albanese gave an interview to the Sydney Morning Herald in 1987 to complain that the Hawke government had lost touch with voters over its economics policy. "When they talk about wages, budget deficits and cuts, they talk about it like it is out of a textbook," he said.

"Someone like Keating can put himself up as a possible Labor PM but he is more comfortable mixing with millionaires and business executives than he is with working-class people."

(continued)

#16040648 at 2022-04-09 05:18:28 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #22: THIS IS NOT ANOTHER 3-YEAR ELECTION Edition

#21 - Part 6
Australian Politics and Society - Part 6
>>15903295 ALP leader Anthony Albanese defers to party process amid call for probe into party bullying
>>15903298 Video: Morrison deflects Liberals' defeat in SA away from federal election
>>15909930 Video: Labor senator Kimberley Kitching remembered at funeral service after 'great shock and sadness' of her death aged 52 - abc.net.au
>>15909932 Video: Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching remembered at funeral service - 9 News Australia
>>15909934 Video: Kimberley Kitching's husband delivers touching tribute at emotional funeral service - Sky News Australia
>>15909936 Kitching's husband takes aim at Labor's 'cantankerous cabal' at funeral
>>15911774 Creation of an Australian Space Force opens up a new frontier, says Peter Dutton
>>15911815 Defence Minister Peter Dutton flags future US-style Space Force for Australia
>>15916612 Chinese, Russian space capabilities 'scare' new Australian space commander
>>15916631 Australia's media regulator will be able to force Big Tech companies to share data about how they have handled misinformation and disinformation under new laws

>>15916652 Video: 'Chattering classes': Australian government dismisses UN secretary general Ant?nio Guterres' climate criticism - "A handful of holdouts, such as Australia"
>>15916705 Alleged sex 'cult' leader James-Robert Davis' slavery charges withdrawn, a slew of alternate charges laid
>>15916711 NSW MP Gareth Ward charged with sexual violence; Premier Dominic Perrottet seeks his resignation from parliament
>>15916734 Kimberley Kitching stood apart from the 'useful idiots' - Angelica Snowden and Damon Johnston - theaustralian.com.au
>>15916742 There are many questions, and Kimberley Kitching deserves answers - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>15916756 Video: PM slams Albanese as 'gutless' over Kitching bullying claim ahead of Labor preselection bloodbath
>>15916764 Video: Anthony Albanese 'gutless' on Labor's toxic culture - Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Labor can't hide from the allegations of a "toxic culture" within the party's ranks
>>15924369 Barefaced hypocrisy: Feckless reporting by female media clique - Janet Albrechtsen - theaustralian.com.au
>>15924382 Kimberley Kitching inquiry calls leave ALP split - Former union leader and Labor MP Jennie George has joined calls for an independent inquiry into allegations the late Kimberley Kitching was bullied by the party's Senate leadership team
>>15924407 Video: Albanese holds firm on decision not to call inquiry into Kimberley Kitching's bullying allegations

#16040556 at 2022-04-09 05:01:27 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition

#21 - Part 6
Australian Politics and Society - Part 6
>>15903295 ALP leader Anthony Albanese defers to party process amid call for probe into party bullying
>>15903298 Video: Morrison deflects Liberals' defeat in SA away from federal election
>>15909930 Video: Labor senator Kimberley Kitching remembered at funeral service after 'great shock and sadness' of her death aged 52 - abc.net.au
>>15909932 Video: Labor Senator Kimberley Kitching remembered at funeral service - 9 News Australia
>>15909934 Video: Kimberley Kitching's husband delivers touching tribute at emotional funeral service - Sky News Australia
>>15909936 Kitching's husband takes aim at Labor's 'cantankerous cabal' at funeral
>>15911774 Creation of an Australian Space Force opens up a new frontier, says Peter Dutton
>>15911815 Defence Minister Peter Dutton flags future US-style Space Force for Australia
>>15916612 Chinese, Russian space capabilities 'scare' new Australian space commander
>>15916631 Australia's media regulator will be able to force Big Tech companies to share data about how they have handled misinformation and disinformation under new laws

>>15916652 Video: 'Chattering classes': Australian government dismisses UN secretary general Ant?nio Guterres' climate criticism - "A handful of holdouts, such as Australia"
>>15916705 Alleged sex 'cult' leader James-Robert Davis' slavery charges withdrawn, a slew of alternate charges laid
>>15916711 NSW MP Gareth Ward charged with sexual violence; Premier Dominic Perrottet seeks his resignation from parliament
>>15916734 Kimberley Kitching stood apart from the 'useful idiots' - Angelica Snowden and Damon Johnston - theaustralian.com.au
>>15916742 There are many questions, and Kimberley Kitching deserves answers - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>15916756 Video: PM slams Albanese as 'gutless' over Kitching bullying claim ahead of Labor preselection bloodbath
>>15916764 Video: Anthony Albanese 'gutless' on Labor's toxic culture - Prime Minister Scott Morrison says Labor can't hide from the allegations of a "toxic culture" within the party's ranks
>>15924369 Barefaced hypocrisy: Feckless reporting by female media clique - Janet Albrechtsen - theaustralian.com.au
>>15924382 Kimberley Kitching inquiry calls leave ALP split - Former union leader and Labor MP Jennie George has joined calls for an independent inquiry into allegations the late Kimberley Kitching was bullied by the party's Senate leadership team
>>15924407 Video: Albanese holds firm on decision not to call inquiry into Kimberley Kitching's bullying allegations

#15916742 at 2022-03-22 08:26:43 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #21: MIL-CIV ALLIANCE Edition

>>15873706
There are many questions, and Kimberley Kitching deserves answers

Troy Bramston - MARCH 21, 2022

1/2

Now that Kimberley Kitching has been laid to rest, the Labor Party owes it to her memory, and to her family, friends and colleagues, to be truthful about the bullying she endured from the party's Senate leadership team and the factional game-playing that caused her enormous stress at the time of her death.

The funeral at St Patrick's Cathedral in Melbourne on Monday was a heartfelt and poignant tribute to Kitching, who died on March 10 of a suspected heart attack.

The eulogies, including those by Bill Shorten, father William Kitching and husband Andrew Landeryou, recalled a remarkable woman whose life was cut short at age 52.

For many of those who knew and worked with Kitching and earned her confidence, the tragedy of her death has been compounded by the way Labor has failed to recognise the pressure she felt with her Senate preselection not guaranteed and the way she had been treated by her Senate colleagues.

It has been sickening to watch Labor figures deny that Kitching was bullied or frozen out. In truth, Kitching was treated terribly.

Her husband, Landeryou, referred yesterday to "a cantankerous cabal" inside and outside the party who made her life unpleasant, and her friends and staff being "angry" about how she was treated. "She deserved so very much better," he told mourners.

Penny Wong and Kristina Keneally have repudiated multiple media reports, including my column last Tuesday ("Kitching didn't deserve to be treated so poorly", 15/3), that chronicled the systematic isolation and exclusion of Kitching in the Senate.

Are Wong and Keneally implying that these articles have been made up?

Wong told Chris Uhlmann on Nine's Weekend Today on Sunday that Kitching was not bullied or isolated by her Senate colleagues and, moreover, those saying she was lacked "common decency".

Keneally, interviewed by Kieran Gilbert on Sky News' Afternoon Agenda last Tuesday, said that my "assertions" were "not true".

The journalists who have raised how Kitching felt based on conversations they had with her or with others span the media spectrum and include Andrew Probyn (ABC), Rob Harris (The Sydney Morning Herald/The Age), Samantha Maiden (news.com.au) and Sharri Markson (The Australian/Sky News).

Last Friday Wong, Keneally and Katy Gallagher issued an extraordinary statement saying "the allegations of bullying are untrue" and "other assertions" are also "similarly inaccurate". The statement says their priority has been concern for Kitching's family and loved ones, and they have not responded "out of respect for them".

The problem with this statement, apart from being so coldly calculating, is that Kitching's closest friends and her parliamentary and party colleagues have been raising how she felt and the stress she was under.

They are in no doubt - absolutely no doubt - that this pressure worsened any underlying health issues she had.

Kitching told me herself about how she was being treated by Labor's Senate leadership team, as she did other journalists. We know it to be true because we heard it from her.

There has been no pushback from Kitching's friends, family or colleagues about this reporting.

It only adds to their grief to hear it said that it is not true or now is not the time to mention these matters.

(continued)

#15210832 at 2021-12-18 01:37:02 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #20 - INSURGENCY Edition

>>15210826

3/3

It would have been far better, Keating argues, to build the relationship with Indonesia rather than seek refuge in great and powerful friends and follow the US into Iraq and Afghanistan half a world away.

"The ANZUS-worded security agreement I put together with Indonesia was a golden asset for Australia, but John Howard lost it over East Timor," he says. "We could have spent the last 25 years building a security and military relationship with Indonesia, a country that is centrally important to us strategically. How much more productive than the commitments to Iraq and Afghanistan by Howard. And how much safer would we be."

This is an ex-prime minister still in the arena. This year, effectively solo, Keating waged a campaign to ensure the legislated increase in the superannuation guarantee to 10 per cent, and 12 per cent by 2025, was not jettisoned. It was a victory due to Keating's relentless advocacy - nobody within Labor, the unions or industry packs a bigger punch.

In 1993, Keating led Labor to a fifth term, winning endorsement for his "big picture" program. He demolished John Hewson's Fightback! package in an election that was also a judgment on the Coalition. Labor's primary vote and parliamentary majority increased. No government has won a fifth term since.

Although he never scaled the heights of personal popularity, and could be polarising and divisive, Newspoll showed Australians respected Keating for his strength and vision. After 13 years in power, longer than any government since 1972, Labor was heavily defeated at the 1996 election.

Had he won in 1996, Keating argues, Australia would be a republic with a new flag. He would have taken control of the Murray-Darling Basin and restructured water pricing. Superannuation would have increased to 15 per cent, substantially lifting retirement incomes. He would have apologised to the stolen generations. He favours a treaty, which has "uprightness and power", as the principal instrument for reconciliation.

"We would have been a radically different country," he imagines. "With the economic changes and the competitive, open economy Labor created, we would have been a cosmopolitan republic finding our way in the Asian construct."

Labor's true believers remain spellbound by Keating's approach to politics. But the parliamentary party has been more circumspect. While the 20th and 30th anniversaries of Gough Whitlam and Bob Hawke's governments were celebrated with gala events and commemorative dinners, no approach was made by the party to Keating for his anniversaries.

The party has, since 1996, never fully embraced the Hawke-Keating model. "Philosophically, Labor is moving towards the Hawke-Keating model," Keating judges. "Anthony Albanese's views about aspiration record a shift in sentiment inside Labor whereas the Bill Shorten model was essentially redistributive, taking economic resources from higher-income groups and distributing them to lower-income groups.

"Bob and I wanted to make the place wealthier, richer and do things to improve the creation and distribution of wealth, and at least provide a level playing field for everybody. We always had the sunny uplands in the policy. The sunny uplands, the notion where everybody found a place, disappeared at the last election and is reappearing somewhat now."

Keating is the most respected of Labor's living former leaders. His appeal transcends generations, as voters look for leadership and find both major parties wanting. Keating has admirers on the other side of politics, who regularly seek his counsel. Thirty years on, "the big picture" still resonates with many Australians.

"Politics today works within a narrow political spectrum of thoughts and policies," Keating says. "There is no radical conception of policy now, partly because there is an absence of imagination. Imagination carries no premium, including in those most likely to profit from its power.

"What has happened with public life today is that the political professionals have taken over and now it is about playing a game within a bubble. Both the Coalition and the Labor Party have played into that bubble in a way, of course, that I absolutely shunned."

Troy Bramston is the author of Paul Keating: The Big-Picture Leader (Scribe)

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/inquirer/labors-leading-man-lays-out-the-big-picture/news-story/8e3cccd15b73e405f812ed0c50c4f9e5

#15210819 at 2021-12-18 01:34:36 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #20 - INSURGENCY Edition

'Australia has lost its way': Keating flays both leaders

In a no-holds-barred interview, Paul Keating has savaged Scott Morrison for wilfully surrendering our sovereignty and lashed Anthony Albanese for his complicity.

Troy Bramston - December 17, 2021

1/3

When Paul Keating wrested the prime ministership from Bob Hawke 30 years ago, he came to the nation's top job with an audacious philosophy of political leadership and an ambitious agenda to turn Australia in a new direction.

He viewed the prime ministership as an agency for action, saw leadership as the combination of courage and imagination, and understood how to gain and use power. He dreamed big dreams, challenged Australians to reconsider their country's past and future, and coupled elevated oratory with slashing attacks on his opponents to achieve his aims.

In his only interview to mark three decades since he became Australia's 24th prime minister, sworn in on December 20, 1991, Keating discusses leadership, "the big picture" and contemporary policy issues. At age 77, he remains visionary, unbowed and, as ever, indignant.

"I saw the prime ministership as a chance to move away from the economic reconstruction of Australia to Australia's geo-strategic repositioning in the region," Keating tells Inquirer. "I had thought about these issues all my political life. When I became prime minister, I knew exactly what I was doing, what I wanted to do and how to achieve it."

On December 19, 1991, Keating defeated Hawke in a Labor leadership ballot by 56 votes to 51. The great political duo had terminated six months earlier, when Keating first challenged Hawke after reneging on a secret agreement to hand over the leadership made at Kirribilli House in 1988.

He had long coveted the prime ministership - not to preside but to lead. His two decades in parliament had been a study in power. Now, having seized it, he reshaped the government. Hawke's profound belief in consensus politics gave way to Keating's crazy-brave, thrilling, highwire conviction politics.

"While the modalities of the process of government between the Hawke government and mine were pretty much the same, I knew any government that I would lead would have a wholly different set of objectives," Keating explains.

"We had to have a new approach to leadership, one where there was a political premium for good policy and one which was able to convince the public that good policy brought its own reward. If you look at my approach to public life, it has always been about instructing the public - about educating them to the problems; to bring them with me."

He communicated bold ideas with intensity and passion. He viewed parliament like a gladiator viewed the coliseum: blood sport. His verbal assaults were legendary. But so was his oratory, such as that honouring the unknown Australian soldier in 1993. That speech is engraved on the Australian War Memorial.

Although recognised as the architect of Australia's modern economy as treasurer (1983-91), Keating's achievements as prime minister have often been overlooked. His "big picture" framework encompassed economic, social and foreign policy between 1991 and 1996.

"The big picture is shorthand for talking about the large geo-strategic and geo-economic forces," Keating explains. "Those forces are now virulent and therefore command the thinking of a national government about how one pilots a society through and in the face of those forces. The big picture does change nations but there are relatively few artisans in the craft of nation building."

(continued)

#15121171 at 2021-12-02 16:54:24 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #19 - THE ONLY WAY IS THE MILITARY Edition

US President Joe Biden chose AUKUS pact over greenhouse policy

Troy Bramston - DECEMBER 2, 2021

Joe Biden has not pressed Scott Morrison over Australia's "dismal" record on climate change because he is prioritising building a new security architecture in the Asia-Pacific, including confronting China, over international ?action on reducing emissions.

Influential US Democrats John Podesta and Todd Stern, who are close to the White House, have revealed that the US President made a calculated decision to work with Australia and Britain to establish AUKUS, and not let this be derailed by public disagreements on climate change.

"The Biden administration has not pressed Australian Prime Minister Scott Morrison to improve his country's dismal record on reducing emissions," they say in a new essay.

"Morrison, of course, recently committed to partnering with the UK and the US to form a pact known as AUKUS that allows Australia to acquire nuclear-powered submarines."

Mr Podesta is a former chief of staff to president Bill Clinton and senior adviser to president Barack Obama on climate and energy policy. Mr Stern was special envoy for climate change under Mr Obama.

"When the climate agenda comes into conflict with traditional national security concerns, particularly issues in?vol?ving great-power competition, the administration's commitment has wavered," they say.

"The administration's decision to confront China across a range of security, economic, and human rights issues is understandable, but that priority has had unfortunate consequences for safeguarding the environment."

Writing in the journal Foreign Affairs, they say the "glaring example" of Mr Biden prioritising international security concerns, including the rise of a more assertive China, over international action on climate change is how the White House ignored Australia's record as possibly the "worst-?performing advanced economy" on emissions reduction.

"Strengthening US security architecture in the Asia-Pacific may make sense but there was no excuse to look the other way as Morrison leads perhaps the worst-performing advanced economy on climate change," Mr Podesta and Mr Stern write.

"If climate is going to be a central priority, the US needs to demonstrate that commitment. The Biden administration has done an excellent overall job on climate change but needs to hold firm on making (it) a top-tier concern and not let it fade in the face of other national security priorities."

Mr Podesta, who chaired Hillary Clinton's presidential campaign in 2016, is close to Mr Biden. In an interview with The Australian in March 2019, he predicted Mr Biden would win the Democratic Party nomination and defeat Donald Trump.

The essay is being interpreted in foreign policy circles in Australia and the US as reflecting the views of the White House, which is critical of the Morrison government's climate change policies but chose not to expose this publicly as it prioritises the alliance ?relationship.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/defence/us-president-joe-biden-chose-aukus-pact-over-greenhouse-policy/news-story/088c5a652bf4c9920468eabd66b4d2fa

#14994995 at 2021-11-14 05:31:11 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #19 - THE ONLY WAY IS THE MILITARY Edition

>>14988949
'Heavy attack' threat to Australia as Taiwan tensions escalate

MERRYN JOHNS and AMANDA SHEPPEARD - NOVEMBER 14, 2021

1/2

Australia has been warned it will bear the brunt of a "heavy attack" if it joins a US-led defence of Taiwan from Chinese attacks.

Hu Xijin. editor-in-chief of China's Global Times newspaper issued the threat in a tweet that referenced comments made by Defence Minister Peter Dutton in an interview in The Australian on Friday.

The Global Times is a state-affiliated tabloid, is published by the Chinese Communist Party's mouthpiece, The People's Daily.

"If Australian troops come to fight in the Taiwan Straits, it is unimaginable that China won't carry out a heavy attack on them and the Australian military facilities that support them," he tweeted.

"So Australia (had) better be prepared to sacrifice for Taiwan island and the US."

In his interview with The Australian's senior writer Troy Bramston, Mr Dutton said China had been "very clear" about its intent "to go into Taiwan".

And while he did not openly declare an Australian commitment to defend Taiwan from a Chinese attack, but strongly implied support would be given to the United States should it mount a defence.

"We need to make sure that there is a high level of preparedness, a greater sense of deterrence by our capability, and that is how we put our country in a position of strength," he said.

"China is an economic and military superpower. They spend 10 times a year more than what we spend on our defence budget, and every 18 months they produce, on a tonnage rate, more by way of military assets than the whole Royal Navy has in her fleet.

"So the thought that we could compete with China is of course a nonsense. That's not the question before us. The question is, would we join with the US?

"It would be inconceivable that we wouldn't support the US in an action if the US chose to take that action. And again, I think we should be very frank and honest about that, look at all of the facts and circumstances without pre-committing, and maybe there are circumstances where we wouldn't take up that option. I can't conceive of those circumstances."

(continued)

#14988949 at 2021-11-13 07:15:18 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #19 - THE ONLY WAY IS THE MILITARY Edition

>>14988946
No regrets: a hard man with the right stuff

As he celebrates two decades in politics, Peter Dutton shows he has soft side too.

Troy Bramston - November 12, 2021

1/3

When Peter Dutton was elected to parliament 20 years ago, on ?November 10, 2001, it coincided with John Howard leading the ?Coalition to a third election victory. The Howard government was at its midpoint, and Dutton would join the ministry three years later.

Dutton's interest in politics began at high school. His father, Bruce, had a building company that was impacted by the Hawke-Keating government's high interest rates.

At age 19, he unsuccessfully contested the state seat of Lytton as the Bjelke-Petersen era came to an end. But it was his time as a ?policeman that most prepared him for a career in politics.

"The prime motivator was driven by events in the police force and the frustration when I had come across a few cases where I thought there was no justice done or a very poor outcome achieved," Dutton, 50, tells Inquirer.

It might come as a surprise for some to learn that Dutton was a very shy child growing up the son of Bruce and Ailsa Dutton and the eldest with four siblings in the suburbs of Brisbane.

It was not until he worked at a butcher's shop, while at high school and university, that he was able to be fully at ease with people.

"My confidence with people probably started across that counter in the butcher shop," he recalls. "In the police, as they say, you see the best and worst on good days and bad. I had some pretty terrible situations and some pretty exhilarating ones, so I think that prepares you for the diversity of interactions you have in politics and gives you a grounding."

While Dutton has legions of critics on the left of politics, and is routinely attacked on social media for his conservatism, he is liked and respected by his parliamentary colleagues. It makes him a contender for the Liberal leadership, and ?perhaps also the prime ministership, whenever Scott Morrison steps down.

Holding the immigration, border protection and home affairs ministries (2014-21) did little to burnish his image. He was tough, uncompromising and unremitting. He has no regrets about hard-line immigration policies, but does think he could have better handled the attacks that came his way.

"I came to this game not wanting to sign up for touch but was happy to play tackle," Dutton says. "I believe in certain values, and prosecute those. I'm a very patriotic person and believe in fighting for what I think is in our country's best interests. Sometimes you come off second best as a result of that, and equally there are times in which I could have stepped forward and refuted some of it."

There is a price to be paid for being in politics, and this has intensified with the rise of social media. Most politicians have a thick skin, but being regularly defamed with impunity takes a toll on families. Dutton relishes a political fight, but he is still a husband to Kirilly and father to three teenagers: daughter Rebecca and sons Tom and Harry.

"I have to remind myself that sometimes the public has no idea who a public figure is and that is ?either the fault of the public figure because he or she has allowed themselves to be defined that way and not pushed back or hasn't had any regard to that," Dutton acknowledges. "I have conversations with my mum where she is more irate than I am."

(continued)

#14461788 at 2021-08-26 06:29:10 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #18 - Talisman Sabre: MAGIC SWORD Edition

Barack Obama asked Malcolm Turnbull for help with Donald Trump

Troy Bramston - AUGUST 26, 2021

Barack Obama recruited Malcolm Turnbull to persuade Donald Trump to respect traditional alliances and adhere to international agreements that maintained America's pre-eminent global leadership position during a secret meeting in Sydney after he left the White House.

In March 2018, Mr Obama met with Mr Turnbull, then prime minister, in a suite on the 29th floor of the InterContinental Hotel in Sydney. Mr Obama was visiting Australia for several well-paid speaking engagements.

Mr Obama expressed his deep concern about Mr Trump's chaotic presidency and the battering of America's prestige and influence around the world. He said it was like watching "a good friend drink himself to death and being powerless to do anything about it."

Weathering the US president was proving harder than he had expected, Mr Turnbull replied. He said China was "asserting itself" and "playing into" domestic Australian politics at a time when the US seemed adrift from global affairs and reverting to isolationism, nativism and protectionism.

Mr Turnbull, then in the final months of his prime ministership, echoed Mr Obama's fears and said he did not know how long the world could "hold the line" and where "the international order" would be after Mr Trump's presidency.

The private conversation is revealed in a new book, Battle for the Soul: Inside the Democrats' Campaigns to Defeat Trump, by journalist Edward-Isaac Dovere. It is published in Australia by Penguin Random House this month.

"Obama and I were absolutely of the same mind that the international system could not stand eight years of Trump," Mr Turnbull recalled, "the damage would be irretrievable." The former president and the then prime minister feared the cost of Mr Trump's presidency.

Mr Obama was rounding up world leaders, especially from the centre-right, who could stand up to Mr Trump and influence his policies. The former president said German chancellor Angela Merkel would need to "stay in power as long as possible to be bulwark against Trump and the forces of protectionism."

When Mr Turnbull asked who could defeat Mr Trump at the next election, in November 2020, he replied that he was not optimistic that he could be ejected from the White House. Mr Obama said there was no "obvious candidate" who could challenge Mr Trump. He did not mention Joe Biden.

Speaking to the Rekindling Hope podcast, hosted by Labor frontbencher Chris Bowen and former McKell Institute CEO, Sam Crosby, Mr Dovere revealed the meeting had a big impact.

When Mr Obama returned to the US, he began repeating Mr Turnbull's assessment that America could withstand four years of Trump, but not eight.

"That meeting was an important moment," Mr Dovere said. "After that trip and after that conversation with Turnbull, Obama starts saying something which then becomes part of the larger political conversation. Biden starts talking about it too."

Mr Obama first appealed to Mr Turnbull to stand up to Mr Trump at the APEC meeting in Peru, held in November 2016. He argued that because Mr Turnbull was "an Australian conservative" this would have some weight with Mr Trump.

"(Obama) says, 'Look, you can appeal to him because Trump thinks in these very black and white terms," Mr Dovere says in the podcast. "When he hears the word conservative, he thinks you are like a hard-line conservative by American standards."

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/barack-obama-asked-malcolm-turnbull-for-help-with-donald-trump/news-story/c58179aa3fa355b74cc4fcfe62b7471f

#13164459 at 2021-03-06 21:20:10 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #14 - THE ART OF WAR Edition

Notables
are not endorsements

#13 - Part 1
2020 US Presidential Election - Australian Perspectives
>>12817106 Joe Biden set to invite Scott Morrison to White House climate summit - Richard Ferguson - theaustralian.com.au
>>12817159 Biden keen to visit Australia, spoke to Morrison about emissions reduction - Rob Harris - smh.com.au
>>12817176 Video: PM holds 'warm and engaging call' with Biden - Sky News Australia
>>12817699 Readout of President Joseph R. Biden, Jr. Call with Prime Minister Scott Morrison of Australia - whitehouse.gov
>>12817823 Prime Minister Scott Morrison Tweet: Great to speak to US President Joe Biden again today
>>12856518 Video: Murdoch Watch Episode 2 - Murdoch and his role in the Trump Presidency - Kevin Rudd

>>12886917 Video: Trump loyalist Sebastian Gorka launches tirade on Australian Sky News TV - Finn McHugh - news.com.au
>>12908752 Christiane Amanpour Tweet: The world is watching the impeachment trial, and fmr. Australian Prime Minister @JuliaGillard says it's crucial to "consider what they would be saying if this had happened in another nation... What would they be saying about accountability?"
>>12908752 Christiane Amanpour Tweet: Former Australian PM @JuliaGillard points out that "an ultra-macho style of leadership, a blustering style of leadership, not looking at the facts, pretending that somehow you can out-swagger a virus - that has been the style that has *least* worked this time."
>>13005466 GOP cowards keep US in dark shadow of Donald Trump - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>13020499 Video: Trump may establish social media company - Sky News Australia
>>13050614 Trump created an anti-American 'cult' of followers says Hillary Clinton
>>13100728 Video: PM holds phone call with US Vice President Kamala Harris - Sky News Australia

#13005474 at 2021-02-20 03:03:08 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #13 - THE WAR IS REAL Edition

>>13005466

2/2

The tragedy for Republicans is they fail to comprehend that Trump lost them the House in 2018, the presidency in 2020 and the Senate in 2021. This is Trump's legacy: handing the White House and Congress over to the Democrats. The Republican Party remains in Trump's grip yet he has been brutally bad for them and the country.

It is no longer the party of great presidents like Dwight D Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan or George HW Bush. There is little room for moderates like Thomas Dewey or Nelson Rockefeller, nor for genuine conservatives like Barry Goldwater or George W Bush. Trumpism is not a coherent ideology but rather a mix of populist nativism, protectionism and grievance coupled with deranged conspiratorial beliefs.

A Senate conviction would have been a clean break with Trump. But Republicans have ensured he remains a force within their party. There is the risk that if Trump runs for president in 2024 it could cause a split in the party. If Trump won the nomination, it could lead to a breakaway party being formed. Or if Trump failed to win the nomination, he could run as a third-party candidate.

It is a pity the Senate did not enforce the 14th amendment to the constitution, which can prohibit a former president from running for office again if they have "engaged in insurrection" or given "aid or comfort" to those who have.

It was not expected Trump would be convicted by the necessary two-thirds majority vote in the Senate. But nor was it expected that Republicans like McConnell would condemn Trump in the harshest terms, making it clear he was responsible for the Capitol insurrection, but then be too gutless and cowardly to vote for his conviction. The upshot is that Trump continues to cast a dark shadow over his party and the country.

Troy Bramston is a senior writer and columnist with The Australian. He has interviewed politicians, presidents and prime ministers from multiple countries along with writers, historians, actors, filmmakers and several notable pop-culture icons. He is an award-winning and best-selling author or editor of 10 books, including Robert Menzies: The Art of Politics and Paul Keating: The Big-Picture Leader. He co-authored The Truth of the Palace Letters and The Dismissal with Paul Kelly. He is currently writing a biography of Bob Hawke.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/commentary/gop-cowards-keep-us-in-dark-shadow-of-donald-trump/news-story/5b568006dae72c358ce0cb703400c569s

#13005466 at 2021-02-20 03:01:49 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #13 - THE WAR IS REAL Edition

GOP cowards keep US in dark shadow of Donald Trump

Troy Bramston - FEBRUARY 16, 2021

1/2

In failing to convict Donald Trump for inciting the storming of the US Capitol in an attempt to overturn the presidential election, Republicans will continue to pay a heavy price for their fealty to the disgraced former president. The Grand Old Party has lost its way and remains hostage to the Trump cult of personality.

Even though Republicans acknowledge Trump was responsible for the insurrection, and the resulting death and destruction, they let him off scot-free. Not holding Trump accountable for his treasonous actions is reprehensible. When called to defend the US constitution, Republicans failed their sworn duty.

It is not insignificant that Trump was impeached by the House of Representatives with 10 Republicans voting to make it bipartisan. Nor is it insignificant that seven Republicans voted to convict Trump in the Senate. The 57-43 vote is a black mark against Trump's presidency. Those Republicans in the majority acted with integrity and responsibility to their country.

But Senate Republican leader Mitch McConnell personified the deluded reality that the other Republicans find themselves in: repudiating Trump but unwilling to make him responsible for his actions. In a bizarre speech, McConnell excoriated Trump and then exonerated him.

"There's no question, none, that president Trump is practically and morally responsible for provoking the events of the day," McConnell said. "No question about it. The people who stormed this building believed they were acting on the wishes and instructions of their president.

"And having that belief was a foreseeable consequence of the growing crescendo of false statements, conspiracy theories and reckless hyperbole which the defeated president kept shouting into the largest megaphone on planet Earth."

McConnell said Trump was guilty of a "disgraceful dereliction of duty". He said Trump's "intensifying crescendo of conspiracy theories" was "orchestrated" by him to "either overturn the voters' decision or else torch our institutions on the way out".

Despite this, McConnell voted to acquit Trump. He claimed it was unconstitutional to convict a former president, even though the Senate voted that it was constitutional. Moreover, McConnell refused to reconvene the Senate after the House impeached Trump on January 13, even though he remained president until January 20.

The case for impeachment and conviction was overwhelming. Trump refused to accept the outcome of the election, tried to intimidate state officials into changing votes, pressured his vice-president, Mike Pence, not to certify the electoral college vote and then encouraged his supporters to ransack the Capitol.

The rioters were directed by Trump and acted on his behalf. His name was emblazoned on their clothing and flags. The rioters believed they were acting with his authority and support. They have said as much. Some now feel betrayed by Trump. The evidence in the Senate trial showed the insurrection was more dangerous than previously thought.

The rioters came close to being face to face with members of congress. Video and audio confirmed several rioters were hunting Pence and Speaker Nancy Pelosi; some wanted to kill them. When Trump was phoned by Republicans pleading for him to intervene, he failed to see the urgency. Even when his vice-president's life was in danger, he did nothing.

If a president cannot be convicted for sedition, then what on earth can they be convicted for?

(continued)

#12772862 at 2021-01-31 01:32:20 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #13 - THE WAR IS REAL Edition

#12 - Part 3
2020 US Presidential Election - Australian Perspectives - Part 3
>>12459794 Arnold Schwarzenegger Tweet: My message to my fellow Americans and friends around the world following this week's attack on the Capitol
>>12459879 Acting PM Michael McCormack pans Big Tech for banning Trump - Daniel McCulloch - thewest.com.au
>>12477018 'QAnon Shaman' demanding organic food in jail after US Capitol arrest - 9News Staff - 9news.com.au
>>12477449 OPINION: Sydney MP Craig Kelly's job is to represent Hughes but he's pushing manic fringe craziness instead - Jenna Price - smh.com.au
>>12477533 Murdoch cannot whitewash his role in the most destructive presidency in US history - Kevin Rudd - crikey.com.au
>>12477633 Opinion: Australian conservatives go to extraordinary lengths to deny the reality of rightwing extremism - Jeff Sparrow - theguardian.com
>>12477873 Alexander Downer Tweet: It seems very unwise for US Democrats to fuel divisions already exacerbated by president Trump. @JoeBiden is right not to endorse impeachment. Time for healing
>>12477893 Opinion: For the real threat to democracy look to China, not the US - Alexander Downer - afr.com
>>12478312 Rupert Murdoch's Fox News pushed and extolled the presidency of Donald Trump. It must now be brought to account - Malcolm Turnbull - crikey.com.au
>>12478538 Bill Shorten Tweet: The Trump v. Twitter stoush is a good reminder that not everything you read on the internet is true - 'QAnon conspiracy rubbish'

>>12512347 Second impeachment may be least of Trump's problems post-presidency - Peter van Onselen - theaustralian.com.au
>>12512436 Opinion: Acting Prime Minister Michael McCormack has started limply echoing racists by saying 'all lives matter' - Tory Shepherd - adelaidenow.com.au
>>12513009 Video: Pompeo is laying 'landmines' in U.S.-China relations before Biden takes office: former Australian Prime Minister Kevin Rudd
>>12517142 Video: Google 'experiment', where it buried selected news articles, was 'clearly a threat' to Australian media - Sky News Australia
>>12521162 Google 'Experiment' Hid Some News Sources from Consumers - breitbart.com
>>12530158 US Capitol rioter Jacob Chansley asks for presidential pardon, saying he was 'answering the call' of Donald Trump - abc.net.au
>>12530507 Generations will discuss Trump's descent into madness - Cameron Stewart - theaustralian.com.au
>>12544304 Trump and his legacy 'diminished' among Australian conservatives - David Crowe - theage.com.au
>>12545789 New president Joe Biden will be a true-blue mate in the White House - Adam Creighton - theaustralian.com.au
>>12546017 Trump deserves 'maximum constitutional condemnation' as the republic's future is at stake - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>12546025 Q Post #22 - Who controls the NG? What former President used the military to save the republic and what occurred exactly?

>>12558907 US Capitol rioter Jacob Chansley detained pending trial as prosecutors back away from 'kill-capture' plot claim - Reuters/ABC - abc.net.au
>>12560099 Video: Trump's Twitter ban 'won't necessarily last forever' - Sky News Australia
>>12560442 Is Morrison ready for a Biden administration? - Anthony Galloway - brisbanetimes.com.au
>>12578795 Video: Trump 'not mortally wounded' from election defeat - Sky News Australia
>>12579024 Joe Biden's inauguration explained : What time it will be on in Australia and how to watch - Stuart Marsh - 9news.com.au
>>12599336 Prime Minister Scott Morrison talks with Pence, Pompeo but not Trump - Anthony Galloway - smh.com.au
>>12607310 Labor leader Anthony Albanese accuses PM Scott Morrison of sucking up to Donald Trump along with "fringe dwellers" and "Trumpists" in his ranks
>>12622687 'Battle-hardened' Trump supporters may pose continued threat as Australia warned to be vigilant - Charis Chang - news.com.au
>>12623985 Inauguration Day livestreams - PBS NewsHour, NBC News, Washington Post, ABC News (USA) and ABC News Channel (Australia)
>>12645550 Prime Minister Scott Morrison Tweet: Congratulations to President @JoeBiden and Vice President @KamalaHarris on your inauguration.
>>12645550 Foreign Minister Marise Payne Tweet: Congratulations President @JoeBiden & Vice President @KamalaHarris on an historic day.
>>12645587 Scott Morrison welcomes new leadership of President Joe Biden, as Opposition figures condemn outgoing president Donald Trump - David Adams - businessinsider.com.au

#12772845 at 2021-01-31 01:30:59 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #13 - THE WAR IS REAL Edition

Notables
are not endorsements

#12 - Part 1
2020 US Presidential Election - Australian Perspectives - Part 1
>>12098003 The damage Donald Trump is doing may never be undone - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>12264082 2021 can be a year of recovery for US now Trump is gone - Peter van Onselen - theaustralian.com.au
>>12273003 The burger bromance between Donald Trump and 'Australian tabloid wizard' Col Allan, former editor of the New York Post
>>12303833 Christopher Pyne: Vital US ambassador must be bold - 'one of the most crucial roles Joe Biden will appoint for Australia'
>>12305407 Ugliest spectacle of Trump era looms - Cameron Stewart - theaustralian.com.au
>>12305994 Ten former Pentagon chiefs warn Donald Trump against involving military in pursuing election fraud claims - abc.net.au
>>12306000 All 10 living former defense secretaries: Involving the military in election disputes would cross into dangerous territory - washingtonpost.com
>>12340388 Video: US President Donald Trump hopeful Vice President Mike Pence will overturn election result - Sky News Australia
>>12362727 Twitter locks Trump, Facebook pulls video - Elizabeth Culliford - thewest.com.au
>>12363833 Video: Fox News Senior Political Analyst Brit Hume: Republicans have 'deserted the President' en masse - Sky News Australia

>>12363862 Video: World leaders respond to violent scenes at the US Capitol - Sky News Australia
>>12363958 Prime Minister Scott Morrison Tweet: Very distressing scenes at the US Congress. We condemn these acts of violence and look forward to a peaceful transfer of Government to the newly elected administration in the great American democratic tradition.
>>12363958 Malcolm Turnbull Tweet: Today's mob violence at the Capitol is the culmination of Trump's sustained assault on American democracy. The President should call on the mob he incited to disperse and go home. And Trump's supporters in the GOP and the media should reflect on what they have enabled.
>>12363958 Kevin Rudd Tweet: This is a physical attack on the institutions of democracy by a far right mob.All because of extremist statements by political leaders attacking the legal results of a democratic election,echoed faithfully by a cancerous far right media.This affects us all
>>12364272 Alexander Downer Tweet: @realDonaldTrump behaviour since the election cost the Republicans control of the Senate as I predicted.
>>12365577 Video: Scott Morrison - 'I'm not here to offer a running commentary on what should be happening in the United States.' - 'Australia's a free country.' - 'There's such a thing as freedom of speech in this country. And that will continue.'
>>12366319 Foreign Minister Marise Payne Tweet: Very concerned by scenes at the US Congress. I condemn any violence to interfere with democratic processes
>>12366319 Secretary of State Michael Pompeo Tweet: Let us swiftly bring justice to the criminals who engaged in this rioting.
>>12370152 Australian national flag spotted among the crowd of Trump protesters that stormed the US Capitol - Alana Mazzoni - dailymail.co.uk
>>12370400 Why The Australian Flag Was Flown By Pro-Trump Rioters Who Stormed The US Capitol - Carly Williams - huffingtonpost.com.au

>>12370833 Mehreen Faruqi Tweet: Why is a violent far-right mob flying the Australian flag in front of the U.S. Capitol?
>>12370888 How Australia Helped Pave The Way For The US Insurrection - Cam Wilson - gizmodo.com.au
>>12371401 Australian Labor Tweet: It's the company you keep. (Donald Trump and Scott Morrison photo)
>>12371401 Joel Fitzgibbon Tweet: I'm a proud member of the Labor Party and remain committed to its ideals and objectives but I do not want to be associated with this tweet
>>12393689 Bizarre moment crowd of protesters waving American flags march down a street in MELBOURNE chanting 'Donald Trump, four more years' as chaos breaks out in Washington DC - Charlotte Karp - dailymail.co.uk
>>12393716 Why were the Capitol rioters so angry? Because they're scared of losing grip on their perverse idea of democracy - Jordan McSwiney - theconversation.com
>>12393756 'We want blood': How warnings of the Washington riot had been circulating online for weeks - Rashida Yosufzai - sbs.com.au
>>12393910 Victorian Liberal MP Bernie Finn posts Trump election conspiracy theories to Facebook - Elias Clure - abc.net.au
>>12393996 Video: Victorian Liberals condemn pro-Trump conspiracy theories posted by colleague Bernie Finn
>>12394209 Video: Joe Biden certified by Congress as next United States president after deadly riot in Capitol

#12076270 at 2020-12-18 07:24:10 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #11 - THE SILENT WAR CONTINUES Edition

Notables
are not endorsements

#11 - Part 1
2020 US Presidential Election - Australian Perspectives - Part 1
>>11415138 Donald Trump's path to victory narrow, not impossible - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>11421409 Q Post #4948 - https://twitter.com/TimMurtaugh/status/1323313186259480577
>>11421409 Tim Murtaugh Tweet: Dems plan to call @realDonaldTrump's Election Day surge a "Red Mirage" to delegitimize his wave of support
>>11421593 How Trump could push button on 'red mirage' strategy and send US election to Supreme Court - Mark Saunokonoko - 9news.com.au
>>11422013 If there's a disputed US election result, Australia must take action: Rudd, Turnbull
>>11444864 Video: ABC News (Australia) live: 2020 US Election Coverage
>>11444907 Video: 7NEWS Australia - America Decides 2020: US Election LIVE results
>>11447433 President Donald Trump Tweet: We are up BIG, but they are trying to STEAL the Election. We will never let them do it. Votes cannot be cast after the Polls are closed!
>>11447533 Republican Marjorie Taylor Greene, who endorsed QAnon, wins uncontested seat of Georgia in US election - "Wires" - abc.net.au
>>11448871 Video: Live: Trump speaks from the White House on election night - Fox Business

>>11450331 Video: Donald Trump claims 'major fraud' on American public, flags Supreme Court challenge - ABC News Australia
>>11459503 Australian politicians react as votes continue to be counted - Malcolm Turnbull, Penny Wong, Chris Bowen, Mehreen Faruqi, Janet Rice
>>11473349 Scott Morrison says Australia will 'respect the decisions' of the American people as other government members call for all votes to be counted
>>11474232 US electoral counting system is a 'complete dog's breakfast': Joe Hockey - Sky News Australia
>>11474294 US election 2020: Joe Hockey's voter fraud comments are dangerous - Caroline Overington - theaustralian.com.au
>>11494320 Biden will be more nuanced on China: Former foreign ministers Bob Carr and Julie Bishop
>>11494378 Australian politicians watching US count - Anthony Albanese, Peter Dutton, Richard Marles, Simon Birmingham
>>11494538 Video: Greens Leader Adam Bandt calls on Morrison to condemn "lying" and "deflated" President Trump - Sky News Australia
>>11504726 US election: Idiot genius Donald Trump's forces will continue their wrecking - Bob Carr - theaustralian.com.a
>>11508936 US election 2020: Voter suppression rife in deeply flawed system - Joe Hockey - theaustralian.com.au

>>11512005 Prime Minister Scott Morrison says he won't be calling Trump over poll
>>11529203 Q Post 3387 - You were told what was going to happen. You were told what battles we face. Strategic. Pre_planned. Patriots in control.
>>11529230 Video: This Video Will Get Donald Trump Elected - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=G2qIXXafxCQ
>>11529687 Australian leaders past and present congratulate Joe Biden on historic US election win - Malcolm Turnbull, Anthony Albanese, Tanya Plibersek
>>11531906 US election 2020: Trump supporters need to accept defeat - Troy Bramson - theaustralian.com.au - ("Biden's victory is one for the ages." - NOVEMBER 6, 2020)
>>11532579 Video: Scott Morrison congratulates President-elect Joe Biden - 9 News Australia
>>11532635 Video: Albanese reacts to Joe Biden US election win - 9 News Australia
>>11534583 Scott Morrison says he has 'great confidence' in US democracy as Trump refuses to concede
>>11534975 Video: Scott Morrison thanks Donald Trump, congratulates Joe Biden on US election victory
>>11535052 Video: Former Prime Minister Malcolm Turnbull - "If Trump wants to go to the courts in the United States, well that's a matter for him."

>>11536055 'G, what a memory: The day Joe Biden became an AFL footy fan
>>11536070 (2011) When Prime Minister Julia Gillard instructed Barack Obama on the finer points of AFL football
>>11537585 Anthony Albanese calls on Scott Morrison to 'dissociate' himself from colleagues spreading Trump fraud claims
>>11550773 Aussie Artist Scottie Marsh Unveils Savage Donald Trump Graffiti In Sydney
>>11551365, >>11551396 How the world has reacted to Donald Trump's tantrums over US election result - newspaper front pages
>>11551701 Opinion: President Biden has no option but to govern from the centre - Alexander Downer - afr.com
>>11552852 Americans need a hug to get through the months ahead - Joe Hockey - theaustralian.com.au
>>11552885 Video: President-elect Biden 'had a convincing victory' - Bondi Partners CEO Alex Tureman - Sky News Australia
>>11553435 Video: Albanese probed over US election comment, "democratic processes must be respected" - Sky News Australia
>>11553702 Foreign Minister Marise Payne Tweet and video: Statement on the enduring Australia-US Alliance

#11531967 at 2020-11-08 00:54:07 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #11 - THE SILENT WAR CONTINUES Edition

>>11531906

2/2

In February, before the pandemic, I argued Trump was vulnerable and his re-election far from assured. Trump had historically low approval ratings and most Americans thought the country was on the wrong track. He deserved impeachment. But it was Trump's catastrophic response to COVID-19 that sealed his fate.

Above all, Trump failed the presidential character test. Former cabinet and staff members concluded he was not up to the job. He demonstrated poor judgment, was a narcissist on steroids and had near-zero empathy for others. The dishonesty, malice, bullying, chaos and dysfunction fatigued voters. He had no respect for presidential norms or conventions, his predecessors or opponents, or the electoral process.

Trump's autocratic instincts are beyond the pale. The founders who won a revolution and created a republic would be appalled. Calling for votes not to be counted and declaring the election "rigged" and "stolen" is anathema to the ideal of the US as a beacon for democracy.

The challenge for Democrats was to select an experienced and moderate candidate who could ­expand the party's support. Biden was this candidate. Moreover, he is a man of integrity, dignity and compassion - the anti-Trump.

Biden's immense challenge will be to heal the wounds of the Trump years and try to bring Americans together. It is a difficult task. But at least Americans will now have a president who respects the office and other institutions, and respects them.

I have never been a Trump supporter. His character defects and policy failures are manifest. His style of governing is a repudiation of great Republicans such as Dwight Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and the Bushes. Trump betrayed their legacy and diminished the office of the president.

I had little doubt Biden would win. Other Australian commentators were certain Trump would win and prematurely said he had won. My criticisms of Trump were evidently shared by a majority of US voters. I also put my money where my mouth is and made a sizeable wager with Sportsbet months ago. It paid very well.

Biden's election means the US can return to a more normal presidency. Trump's defeat shows most Americans are still striving, in the words of Abraham Lincoln, to live up to "the better angels" of their nature. It is the first step on the path towards redemption.

Troy Bramston is a senior writer and columnist with The Australian and a contributor to Sky News. He is the author or editor of nine books, including Robert Menzies: The Art of Politics, Paul Keating: The Big-Picture Leader and Rudd, Gillard and Beyond. He co-authored the award-winning The Dismissal: In The Queen's Name with Paul Kelly. He is currently writing a biography of Bob Hawke.

https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/politics/us-election-2020-trump-supporters-need-to-accept-defeat/news-story/4f72ed0e0432f7b7b7b64c225006777d


>Biden's victory is one for the ages.

>NOVEMBER 6

#11531906 at 2020-11-08 00:50:34 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #11 - THE SILENT WAR CONTINUES Edition

US election 2020: Trump supporters need to accept defeat

Troy Bramston - NOVEMBER 6, 2020

>NOVEMBER 6

1/2

Donald Trump's disastrous, degraded and divisive presidency has been dispatched to history. This is the voters' verdict which has delivered Joe Biden a large popular vote margin and a likely clear electoral college majority.

Biden's victory is one for the ages. Trump's defeat, after just one term, makes him what he fears most: a loser. He is only the third president to serve a full term and not win re-election since 1932. In the US, the expression "one-term president" is a catchphrase for a failed presidency.

Biden has played the role of president-elect with grace and dignity. He asked for all votes to be counted, urged his supporters to be patient and called for calm. He has been strong but not boastful. He is ready to be president and begin healing a divided nation.

Trump has been flailing like a dying king, desperately making false accusations of ballot fraud and unable to face up to the reality of losing. However, Trumpism will survive. But it is time for Trump supporters to accept the result: their man lost.

Biden won the popular vote by a whopping four million margin and perhaps as much as six million or seven million. It reflects the will of a majority of voters across the nation - mainstream Americans who decide elections. Biden has won more votes than any other presidential candidate in history.

An anti-Trump vote helps explain Biden's win. Yet he built a broad coalition of support in states from east to west and north to south, coast-to-coast and from the rust belt to the sun belt. Biden will win Michigan and Wisconsin, and almost certainly Pennsylvania, by bigger margins than Trump did four years ago.

While Biden made inroads into Trump's support, a partisan divide remains on age, class, gender and race. Democratic strongholds in cities and suburbs strengthened, as did the Republican dominance in rural America. There was no blue wave. But as the US becomes more diverse, thereby altering demographics, several red states are ­becoming more blue.

Biden winning Arizona and possibly Georgia, holding Nevada, and being competitive in Florida, North Carolina and Texas, could represent a new Democratic pathway to the presidency. If Trump had not trashed John McCain and John Lewis - two genuine American heroes - he may have done better in Arizona and Georgia.

The US is deeply divided. What form Trumpism now takes is uncertain. Will Trump remain the head of his movement and run again for president in 2024? Will he inaugurate a dynasty of Trump politicians? Or will Republicans wrest back control and purge the populist nativism, protectionism and xenophobia from its ranks?

(continued)


>NOVEMBER 6

#11415138 at 2020-11-02 23:38:59 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #11 - THE SILENT WAR CONTINUES Edition

Donald Trump's path to victory narrow, not impossible

Troy Bramston- NOVEMBER 2, 2020

1/2

In the final days of the US election campaign, Joe Biden has a clear advantage in national and state polling and therefore many paths to achieving the necessary 270 votes in the electoral college. Donald Trump is well behind in the polling and has only a narrow, though not impossible, path to victory.

In assessing the various ways both candidates can win the presidency, it is important to note that Trump won a very narrow election victory in 2016. He lost the popular vote by 2.8 million to Hillary Clinton. It is very unlikely Trump will win the popular vote this year.

So, Trump's task is to thread the needle of the Electoral College. Trump won the electoral college by demolishing the Democrats' so-called "blue wall": Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. But he won these three states by a small margin - a combined 77,744 votes.

Trump's campaigning and advertising spend is almost exclusively focused on states he won last time. He is not looking to expand the electoral map. Many presidents have made gains when seeking re-election: Dwight D. Eisenhower (1956), Richard Nixon (1972), Ronald Reagan (1984), Bill Clinton (1996) and George W. Bush (2004).

There is one state that Trump hopes to pick up: Minnesota. Clinton won the state in 2016. The last Republican to win the mid-western state of Minnesota was Nixon in 1972. It is unlikely Trump can pick up this state.

Trump won 304 electoral college votes four years ago. The magic number is 270 to clinch victory. So, if he loses 35 votes, he's toast. That could come by losing just Florida (29) and Wisconsin (10). Or he could lose just Pennsylvania (20) and Michigan (16). Two states stand between Trump's re-election and defeat.

So Trump's pathway to victory is to replicate what he achieved four years ago. It is possible that there could be another polling error in his favour. But we are past the point where this would be a normal polling error. But if the polling averages in 2020 are as wrong as they were in 2016, Trump would still lose.

(continued)

#11414831 at 2020-11-02 23:23:23 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #11 - THE SILENT WAR CONTINUES Edition

#10 - Part 2
Australian Politics and Society - Part 2
>>10941290 Miranda Devine is a conservative Australian columnist and writer…As of early 2020, her columns appear in the New York Post
>>10941290 Coronavirus battle shows the bravery of President Trump: Devine - Miranda Devine - nypost.com
>>10941326 "Those who know Cardinal George Pell, the pope's honest former finance minister, always suspected he had been set up" - Miranda Devine
>>10960152 2020 race: Donald Trump on track to lose by a landslide - Cameron Stewart - theaustralian.com.au
>>10976399 US Embassy Canberra Twitter Thread: Ambassador Culvahouse will be sharing his outlook on the future of the #USwithAUS
>>10976399 "As long as the United States and Australia continue to work together, I am confidently optimistic about the future." - Ambassador Culvahouse
>>10976399 Transcript: Ambassador Culvahouse Speech - ASPI Indo-Pacific Leaders Dialogue - October 7, 2020
>>10976426 Video: Indo-Pacific Leaders Dialogue: The future of US-Australia relations - US Ambassador to Australia, Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr. - ASPICanberra
>>10977747 Secretary of State Michael Pompeo Tweet: Great to meet again with Australian Foreign Minister @MarisePayne…to discuss Quad cooperation
>>10977747 Foreign Minister Marise Payne Tweet: The #Quad is a diplomatic network with a positive agenda: a region governed by rules, not power

>>10979128 Awkward moment Scott Morrison confronts Leigh Sales over her 'irresponsible question' when she grills him about the US presidential election
>>10994627 National Australia Bank didn't maintain records of human traffickers until 2019
>>10994640 PDF: Parliament of Australia - Review Of The Four Major Banks - National Australia Bank - Anti-money laundering
>>11007426 SAS at war: Internal military investigation finds Ben Roberts-Smith may have threatened to shoot a fellow soldier in the back of the head
>>11008088 Freemasons NSW & ACT recruitment add in a local paper
>>11008922 ADF personnel warned about social media use after offensive Instagram account uncovered
>>11020501 US elections were changed for better (and worse) by the secret 'Australian ballot'
>>11034788 Trump needs to take fight up to Biden and land some punches - Joe Hockey - theaustralian.com.au
>>11035007, >>11035014 Democrat Barbara Bollier's praise of strict Australian gun laws roils Kansas Senate race
>>11048335 US election: Joe Biden in the White House would be good for us - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au

>>11048472 Defence Minister Linda Reynolds Tweet: They operate in the shadows, but shed light that helps keep Australia safe - Defence Intelligence Organisation
>>11048507 Alarm as neo-Nazi group National Socialist Network expands to Adelaide
>>11063585 'An apocalyptic list': Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo says climate change, pandemics warrant security rethink
>>11063601 Video: Securing Australia: In conversation with Michael Pezzullo - national security in an increasingly complex and interconnected world
>>11079845 Bruce Springsteen: 'If Trump wins I'm moving to Australia' - Poppy Reid - tonedeaf.thebrag.com - tonedeaf logo symbolism
>>11080248 Pacific Marines Tweet: The ninth iteration of @mrfdarwin has wrapped up in the Northern Territory of #Australia
>>11080248 Video: Colonel David Banning, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Commanding Officer
>>11080293 Police won't charge ABC journalist over 'Afghan Files' stories
>>11098507 NBC Moderator Savannah Guthrie (born in Melbourne, Australia) hailed for keeping Trump in check at town hall
>>11098719 Video: Savannah Guthrie: Australian-born town hall moderator who held Trump to task, married to former Al Gore political operative Michael Feldman

>>11098850 Australian-born billionaire Rupert Murdoch Predicts a Landslide Win for Biden - THE GREAT OZ HAS SPOKEN
>>11099297 Video: Lowy Institute Live: In conversation with General James Mattis and Sir Angus Houston - https://qanon.pub/?q=mattis
>>11099672 Australian Defence Force orders ban on destruction of evidence from Afghanistan war, as inquiry into alleged war crimes nears end
>>11100195 ASIO warns foreign spies are secretly 'cultivating politicians' across Australia
>>11100315 PDF: ASIO Annual Report 2019-20 "Parliament grants ASIO extraordinary powers, but those powers must always be exercised legally and ethically"
>>11100891 'Without peer': Top spy Nick Warner, Director-General of the Office of National Intelligence to retire this year
>>11112388 US election 2020: Voters are tired of Trump's catastrophic presidency - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>11125093 Murder and abduction claims have Rwandan Government accused of intimidating critics in Australia
>>11125850 Video: Australia One - Riccardo Bosi Talks To Sacha Stone
>>11134109 PDF: Bit-chute replacements for YouTube patriot accounts

#11413969 at 2020-11-02 22:41:21 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #10 - INFORMATION WARFARE Edition

#10 - Part 2
Australian Politics and Society - Part 2
>>10941290 Miranda Devine is a conservative Australian columnist and writer…As of early 2020, her columns appear in the New York Post
>>10941290 Coronavirus battle shows the bravery of President Trump: Devine - Miranda Devine - nypost.com
>>10941326 "Those who know Cardinal George Pell, the pope's honest former finance minister, always suspected he had been set up" - Miranda Devine
>>10960152 2020 race: Donald Trump on track to lose by a landslide - Cameron Stewart - theaustralian.com.au
>>10976399 US Embassy Canberra Twitter Thread: Ambassador Culvahouse will be sharing his outlook on the future of the #USwithAUS
>>10976399 "As long as the United States and Australia continue to work together, I am confidently optimistic about the future." - Ambassador Culvahouse
>>10976399 Transcript: Ambassador Culvahouse Speech - ASPI Indo-Pacific Leaders Dialogue - October 7, 2020
>>10976426 Video: Indo-Pacific Leaders Dialogue: The future of US-Australia relations - US Ambassador to Australia, Arthur B. Culvahouse Jr. - ASPICanberra
>>10977747 Secretary of State Michael Pompeo Tweet: Great to meet again with Australian Foreign Minister @MarisePayne…to discuss Quad cooperation
>>10977747 Foreign Minister Marise Payne Tweet: The #Quad is a diplomatic network with a positive agenda: a region governed by rules, not power

>>10979128 Awkward moment Scott Morrison confronts Leigh Sales over her 'irresponsible question' when she grills him about the US presidential election
>>10994627 National Australia Bank didn't maintain records of human traffickers until 2019
>>10994640 PDF: Parliament of Australia - Review Of The Four Major Banks - National Australia Bank - Anti-money laundering
>>11007426 SAS at war: Internal military investigation finds Ben Roberts-Smith may have threatened to shoot a fellow soldier in the back of the head
>>11008088 Freemasons NSW & ACT recruitment add in a local paper
>>11008922 ADF personnel warned about social media use after offensive Instagram account uncovered
>>11020501 US elections were changed for better (and worse) by the secret 'Australian ballot'
>>11034788 Trump needs to take fight up to Biden and land some punches - Joe Hockey - theaustralian.com.au
>>11035007, >>11035014 Democrat Barbara Bollier's praise of strict Australian gun laws roils Kansas Senate race
>>11048335 US election: Joe Biden in the White House would be good for us - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au

>>11048472 Defence Minister Linda Reynolds Tweet: They operate in the shadows, but shed light that helps keep Australia safe - Defence Intelligence Organisation
>>11048507 Alarm as neo-Nazi group National Socialist Network expands to Adelaide
>>11063585 'An apocalyptic list': Home Affairs secretary Michael Pezzullo says climate change, pandemics warrant security rethink
>>11063601 Video: Securing Australia: In conversation with Michael Pezzullo - national security in an increasingly complex and interconnected world
>>11079845 Bruce Springsteen: 'If Trump wins I'm moving to Australia' - Poppy Reid - tonedeaf.thebrag.com - tonedeaf logo symbolism
>>11080248 Pacific Marines Tweet: The ninth iteration of @mrfdarwin has wrapped up in the Northern Territory of #Australia
>>11080248 Video: Colonel David Banning, Marine Rotational Force - Darwin Commanding Officer
>>11080293 Police won't charge ABC journalist over 'Afghan Files' stories
>>11098507 NBC Moderator Savannah Guthrie (born in Melbourne, Australia) hailed for keeping Trump in check at town hall
>>11098719 Video: Savannah Guthrie: Australian-born town hall moderator who held Trump to task, married to former Al Gore political operative Michael Feldman

>>11098850 Australian-born billionaire Rupert Murdoch Predicts a Landslide Win for Biden - THE GREAT OZ HAS SPOKEN
>>11099297 Video: Lowy Institute Live: In conversation with General James Mattis and Sir Angus Houston - https://qanon.pub/?q=mattis
>>11099672 Australian Defence Force orders ban on destruction of evidence from Afghanistan war, as inquiry into alleged war crimes nears end
>>11100195 ASIO warns foreign spies are secretly 'cultivating politicians' across Australia
>>11100315 PDF: ASIO Annual Report 2019-20 "Parliament grants ASIO extraordinary powers, but those powers must always be exercised legally and ethically"
>>11100891 'Without peer': Top spy Nick Warner, Director-General of the Office of National Intelligence to retire this year
>>11112388 US election 2020: Voters are tired of Trump's catastrophic presidency - Troy Bramston - theaustralian.com.au
>>11125093 Murder and abduction claims have Rwandan Government accused of intimidating critics in Australia
>>11125850 Video: Australia One - Riccardo Bosi Talks To Sacha Stone
>>11134109 PDF: Bit-chute replacements for YouTube patriot accounts

#11112388 at 2020-10-17 03:23:46 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #10 - INFORMATION WARFARE Edition

>>11048335
US election 2020: Voters are tired of Trump's catastrophic presidency

Troy Bramston - OCTOBER 16, 2020

1/2

Donald Trump can still win the US election. But he would need the greatest comeback in presidential history. The reality is that Trump is on track to lose by a landslide. This has been evident all year. Why? Not because the election is rigged, the political system is corrupt or the media is biased, but because Trump has been a catastrophic president.

It is not surprising that Trump is trailing Joe Biden by an average of nine to 10 points in national polls. Biden is reaching into the early 50s while Trump struggles in the low 40s. Biden's national lead is far greater than Hillary Clinton ever achieved. It is the biggest lead any challenger has had since 1936. This is an important electoral sign but it is not necessarily predictive. Trump lost the popular vote four years ago.

More worrying for Trump is the battleground states. Trump is well behind in the three midwestern states he won unexpectedly, although narrowly, in 2016: Michigan, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin. Trump trails Biden by six to eight points in these states. If the same margin of error four years ago is repeated, Trump will still lose all of them. It is difficult to see a pathway to victory for Trump without winning these states. Moreover, Biden has stable polling leads in Arizona, Florida and North Carolina. Biden also is leading in the average of polls taken in Georgia, Iowa and Ohio.

Trump won all of these states in 2016. If Trump loses Florida, it is probably all over.

The polling is concerning Republicans so much that they fear down-ballot losses. Some Republican Senate and house candidates are distancing themselves from Trump. There is a good chance that Democrats could win control of the Senate. A 50-50 Senate would give Kamala Harris the casting vote as vice-president.

Where candidates campaign is indicative of how they see the contest. Trump is on the defensive, spending time mostly in states he won in 2016. Biden is on the offensive, eyeing Democratic gains in multiple states. This mirrors the advertising spend and allocation of campaign resources.

Trump needs to expand his base to win re-election. But all the data shows him losing voters since 2016. His approval rating is 44 per cent according to Gallup. This is below the first-term average for every president since Harry Truman. Trump has not achieved 50 per cent approval in a Gallup poll this year. A month from their re-election, Barack Obama's approval was 50 per cent, George W. Bush's was 49 per cent and Bill Clinton's was 56 per cent.

Another important measure of the mood of voters is to ask about the direction of the country. Just 31 per cent of voters think the US is on the right track and 62 per cent say it is on the wrong track. This reflects poorly on Trump as the incumbent president. It is often forgotten that voters have already judged Trump's presidency in the 2018 midterm elections. The result? Republicans lost the House of Representatives.

(continued)

#11048335 at 2020-10-13 06:48:10 (UTC+1)
Q Research AUSTRALIA #10 - INFORMATION WARFARE Edition

US election: Joe Biden in the White House would be good for us

Troy Bramston - OCTOBER 12, 2020

1/2

In assessing the consequences of the US presidential election, senior ministers, public servants and staff members in the Morrison government are entirely relaxed about, and even welcoming of, a victory by Joe Biden. Indeed, several Coalition MPs contacted for this column are secretly hoping there is a Democrat in the White House in January.

After almost four years of Donald Trump's disastrous presidency, treating alliance partners with contempt and undermining the post-war liberal order, there is an understandable wish for a more normal, conventional and predictable presidency. Biden, for Australian policymakers, is seen as a safe, reliable choice.

Australia's foreign policy establishment knows Biden as a former US vice-president, senator and chairman of the Senate foreign relations committee. It understands his world view and believes he will be easier to deal with. It trusts his experience. Biden presents no challenge to any significant foreign policy stance taken by a post-war Australian government.

Michael Fullilove is the executive director of Australia's leading foreign policy think tank, the Lowy Institute. In an interview for this column, Fullilove said a Biden election victory next month presented little risk for Australia's international interests or its defence and security relationship with the US.

"It is in Australia's interest that the US be well governed and be led by a president who can bring the US together rather than divide it, a president who believes in a leadership role for the US, a president who is attracted to rather than repelled by alliances," Fullilove said. "So in many ways a Biden presidency would represent a return to normality for Australia and other allies.

"We would have less of a monopoly on Biden's attention and access to his presidency than we do under Trump. (Trump) has only hosted two state dinners in his first term and Australia was given one of them. If Biden wins, it will be a more of a contest for access to US policymakers. That is OK, we can compete against other countries and allies, and I would back our ability to do that."

Many Coalition MPs dislike Trump's style. As Malcolm Turnbull has argued, Trump is not a conservative. The trashing of political norms and shattering of presidential conventions grates with many in the Morrison government.

The Trump show is an anathema to those who were inspired by Dwight D. Eisenhower, Ronald Reagan and George HW Bush to devote their lives to politics. Trump's attempt to delegitimise the election with attacks on voting, claims the outcome will be "rigged" and threatening not to leave office with a peaceful transfer of power if he is defeated is unpalatable for many in the Morrison government.

These authoritarian instincts, like Trump's claim that the media is an enemy of the state, and his praise for strongmen such as Vladimir Putin and Kim Jong-un are unconscionable.

(continued)