http://www.daniellecronin.com en-gb daniellecronin.com 2012-4-22T00:00:00Z daniellecronin.com http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113315 The ACTs longestserving chief minister has condemned the selfcentred attitude of Canberrans who complain about paying a carbon tax when they can clearly afford it.Jon Stanhope has long been concerned about the selfish edge to debates over policies which has been highlighted in responses to the Federal Governments plans to tackle climate change.Critics complain that only 78 per cent of Canberra households will be compensated to cope with the costofliving effects of the tax compared with 90 per cent nationally.Oh shock horror less Canberra families will receive full compensation that anywhere else in Australia because were all so wealthy Mr Stanhope said.Retirement has restored the former chief ministers emotional balance. Carbon tax complaints a bit rich exchief minister saysIt stuns me that we dont ... say well isnt that remarkable that we Canberrans on average have household disposable incomes 60 per cent above the national average and therefore less of us will receive full compensati... 2011-7-18 08:00:16 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113316 Canberra is the foodpoisoning capital of Australia a review of official records collected over two decades suggests.In that time the ACT has also experienced sharp increases in whooping cough chlamydia and gonorrhea cases.One of Australias top specialists in the field is mostly concerned about the spread of sexually transmitted diseases warning this could be a precursor to a spate of HIV infections.And a leading public health official fears weve let the game down because the focus has been elsewhere namely on tackling obesity alcohol abuse and smoking.Although the Federal Government set up a new agency to help reduce the burden of chronic disease it has cut off funding for a 1.9 million program that provides training in infection control disease surveillance and responding to outbreaks.The postgraduate course run at the Australian National University is described as the only one of its type in the country. It is likely to shut down as a result.Public health and physicians groups are ca... 2011-6-4 08:15:21 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113219 An ipod from Bono cosmetics from the First Lady of Korea a 300 scarf and a 1000 porcelain bowl are among the loot scored by the Prime Minister in past six months.The catch is Julia Gillard has surrendered most of the booty to her department.She decided to forkout 300 to keep the Salvatore Ferragamo scarf and 320.91 to retain the ipod headphones and a CD from Bono.The U2 frontman also gave ipods to Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan and Deputy Opposition Leader Julia Bishop.It seems Opposition Leader was overlooked by the rockstaractivist But Tony Abbott did score a bottle of Penfolds St Henri Shiraz as a gift and a lycra ensemble from Cycling Australia.Ms Gillard left one of her gifts in Vietnam to avoid causing conniptions among quarantine officers.It was a 50 bag of exotic coffee produced by feeding coffee berries to a weasellike creature called a palm civet and collecting the beans when these pass through the animals body.Ms Gillard declared gifts including a 1000 porcelain bowl a 720... 2011-6-2 12:46:10 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113218 Some people live with a hidden shame that resurfaces when watching RocKwiz on SBS.Host Julia Zemiro asks contestants about the first album they bought and the first concert they went to see. Mine was the Village People when the cowboy Indian construction worker police officer and soldier performed at the Seagulls Club Tweed Heads.Before readers rush to condemn me as a musical philistine I was really young and was dragged along by adults who should have done more to protect my eardrums. Even Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard is fond of a macho macho man Opposition frontbencher Tony Abbott.The former boxer was passed over in a ministerial reshuffle which saw Christopher Pyne elevated to Manager of Opposition Business in the House of Representatives a key tactical role.In a choice between macho and mincing I would have gone for macho myself Gillard told Parliament.And obviously the Leader of the Opposition faced with the choice of a Dobermann or poodle has gone for the poodle. Presumabl... 2011-6-2 12:42:56 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113317 A blacksmith who will soon take a seat in the Senate calls for the construction of new dams and condemns free trade for slaughtering Australian farmers and manufacturers. Democratic Labor Partys John Madigan is one of 12 senators who start their term in about a month.A revival of this conservative party could prove a challenge for Opposition Leader Tony Abbott according to Australian National University Professor John Uhr.The rise of the Greens was a mixed blessing for Prime Minister Julia Gillard fuelling public perceptions that the tail was wagging the dog if she failed to carefully manage the situation.And the Greens could hit the same rough water as the Democrats if internal disputes over policy decisions spilled into the public arena former Democrats leader Meg Lees warned.Twelve senators will start their term on July 1 taking part in a swearingin ceremony held nearly 11 months after they won their seats. The newcomers are busy preparing for their role hiring staff meeting constit... 2011-5-28 08:21:12 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113320 The number of lobbying firms registered in Canberra has nearly tripled in three years resulting in a ratio of four lobbyists for every federal MP.Their successes may feature in the federal budget handed down next week but in most instances voters will be none the wiser.The industry estimated to be worth 1billion a year prizes secrecy above all else.And after the success of the mining industry in swaying public opinion against former prime minister Kevin Rudd many lobbyists learned how much it costs to destablise a government and oust a leader.Uniting Care Australia director Lin Hatfield Dodds who describes herself as an advocate rather than lobbyist said Lobbyists have said that to me The price tag on a prime minister now to bag a prime minister is 16 17 18 million dollars.As a citizen I find that terrifying. A partial picture of their secretive industry began to emerge three years ago when the Federal Government introduced a code of conduct and a register that required lobbyists to re... 2011-5-7 08:35:25 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113318 One of Peter Sekulesss favourite stories from the glory days involves sneaking through the back door of a Canberra hotel and distributing beer to Labor conference delegates.He had been hired by brewers. His brief was to push for a wine tax.Year after year the beermakers had lodged prebudget submissions and made no headway with the government.Mr Sekuless suspected the major impediment was the number of cabinet ministers who hailed from South Australia.The brewers association enlisted help from the Canberra Liaison established in 1978 by Mr Sekuless and Jon Gaul who had been press secretary to Liberal prime minister William McMahon and opposition leader Billy Snedden.They saw their chance to push for change with the arrival of the Hawke government in 1983 which was talking about tax reform.From their tiny Manuka office they devised a slogan A shared tax is a fair tax put nine different tinnies in a pack and went off to the Labor conference held in a Canberra hotel.Somehow we got in the b... 2011-5-7 08:31:47 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113211 Australias Disability Discrimination Commissioner has been stranded in Parliament House because barriers designed to thwart terrorists are also presenting obstacles for the disabled.Graeme Innes who is blind said he could devote all his time to exposing design shortcomings that restrict or deny access to buildings for visitors with a disability.He has honed in on Parliament House after recently spending up to 25 minutes stuck in the underground public car park. It was not the first time.His complaint has prompted an apology from the Department of Parliamentary Services and calls for a comprehensive audit of Canberras national institutions.The situation at Parliament House was a very symbolic comment towards Australians with disabilities according to Mr Innes who has been a human rights advocate for about 30 years.If you put up barriers to ... our Parliament the message youre sending is its okay for Australians without disabilities to come ... but were not welcoming Australians with dis... 2011-3-26 12:29:48 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113213 A legend of scientific community Professor Frank Fenner passed away today aged 95. I had the privilege of interviewing the professor and writing this profile five years ago. EMERITUS Professor Frank Fenner has a shock of white hair says he is slightly deaf and moves with a shuffle. But he rivals a person half his age with his an uncanny ability to recall facts. He has one book at the publishers and another in the pipeline. He comes to work five days a week at the Australian National University although he retired in 1979. The awardwinning scientist is slight of build but not stature. He uses wit to deflect colleagues declarations that he is a national treasure and one of the greatest living Australians. Its good publicity for the school says Fenner who is visiting fellow at ANUs John Curtin School of Medical Research. He celebrates his 91st birthday on Wednesday. His long career has been punctuated by many significant achievements such as the eradication of smallpox and efforts to cont... 2011-3-10 12:34:29 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113214 Treasurer Wayne Swan is keen to explore an emerging branch of HockeyNomics. The original is billed as the laymans guide to hockey statistical analysis. The new one is described as a lunaticfringe type idea authored by Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey.The Government needs to step up to the plate and do something to put pressure on the banks to make sure they do not go beyond the cash rate according to Hockey who argued there were a few levers available without providing any specifics.Its an unexpected tangent for a political party that believes in free markets and less regulation. In fact Liberal backbencher Don Randall rubbished the idea in the mistaken belief that it came from the Greens. This is one of their lunatic fringetype ideas but thats the problem that the Gillard Governments got now Randall said. In Question Time today Swan seized on the comments to ridicule Hockey for wanting to reregulate interest rates and take punitive action against banks. Although it was painful to confess S... 2010-10-22 12:36:31 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113220 When in the groove Prime Minister Julia Gillards jibes are blistering. She zeros in on the target and applies the blowtorch gently at first before gradually turning up the heat. Former Prime Minister Paul Keating was a master of this technique. In Question Time today Gillard tapped into her inner Keating to take to task Liberal Member for Josh Frydenberg and Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop.Frydenberg queried whether Gillard would take disciplinary action against Victorian Trades Hall Council president Kevin Bracken who believe the official story of the terrorist attack on the World Trade Centre on September 11 2001 is a conspiracy theory that does not stand up to scientific scrutiny.Gillard thanked the MP for the question his first since he was elected and pointed out he followed in the distinguished shoes of Petro Georgiou. The tone indicated that she believed the shoes would be too big for Frydenberg if he continued posing these types of questions.She stressed Brackens comme... 2010-10-21 12:49:35 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113221 The course of true bromance never did run smooth.The proof House of Representatives Speaker Harry Jenkins and Manager of Opposition Business Christopher Pyne.When Jenkins was reelected speaker Pyne appealed for a little sugar.Mr Speaker I think it is fair to say and honest to say that you and I have had something of a lovehate relationship over the last few years. As Manager of Opposition Business I need you to love me but I have not always felt that love he complained before suggesting taking the relationship to the next level.I am very much looking forward in the 43rd parliament to us being able to change that relationship so that there is a lot more love flowing between us.Pyne tested rather than nurtured that fledgling relationship a few hours later by speaking out of turn and raising dubious points of order. As a result Jenkins was in no mood for wooing. Yet again in the 43rd Parliament the Manager of Opposition Business who wants to be loved makes it very hard. If he wants me ... 2010-10-19 12:51:26 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113222 Popular cultural references are akin to carbon dating using them usually helps others to guess your age. In Question Time today Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey complained that the Federal Government was a real Howdy Doody Show.Hockey was born five years after the original show was cancelled but was a child when the New Howdy Doody Show was launched.The decision was made after the popularity of an episode of Happy Days that featured Buffalo Bob Smith and Clarabell the Clown who came to town looking for Howdy Doody lookalikes. Despite having brown rather than red hair Opposition Leader Tony Abbott bears a resemblance to the frecklefaced marionette with considerable ears and would be a shooin to win if Buffalo Bob and Clarabell conducted the same search in the House of Representatives.Nevertheless Speaker Harry Jenkins was unimpressed with Hockeys contribution and issued a warning Ill give you howdy doody Member for North Sydney. It is a vague threat but doesnt sound pleasant.Jenkins was equa... 2010-10-18 12:55:03 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113223 Prime Minister Julia Gillards honeymoon is definitely over.It lasted about as long as the postnuptial glow experienced by a star who heads to Las Vegas for a wild weekend and winds up saying I do before a preacher wearing a white jumpsuit given the BeDazzler treatment.The honeymoon period ends once the hangover hits.Gillard is fortunate that her rival for voters affections Opposition Leader Tony Abbott is making a hash of things after some spectacular wooing in the leadup to the election. Abbott claims he is the victim of Machiavellian bastardry by his political foes after it emerged that he declined an invitation to join Gillard on a trip to Afghanistan. Abbott is largely responsible for the resulting kerfuffle after declaring he turned down the offer so he wasnt jetlagged when he arrived in Britain for a Tory conference. If Abbott had revealed he was already planning to visit the troops in Afghanistan without specifying the date this would have been a oneday story rather than a weekl... 2010-10-16 12:57:20 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113225 Excited and nervous in equal measure new Labor MPs Gai Brodtmann and Andrew Leigh walked into the House of Representatives for their first sitting week. In the leadup the duo received advice from veterans and were schooled on the inner workings of Parliament during a twoday crash course for the 32 new MPs. But no amount of swotting wise counsel or experience could completely prepare Brodtmann and Leigh for their official debut in the Lower House chamber. Leigh 38 was a professor of economics at the Australian National University immediately before he was elected Member for Fraser. He has also worked as a lawyer for Minter Ellison in Sydney and London associate to High Court Justice Michael Kirby a trade adviser to Labor senator Peter Cook principal adviser to Treasury and research fellow at the Progressive Policy Institute in Washington DC.I dont think anything quite prepares you for walking on to the floor of the House of Representatives ... and seeing people who Ive respected since I... 2010-10-9 13:02:32 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113226 Luminaries of the womens movement could be forgiven for needing a Bex and a good lie down.Last week girls were encouraged to bask in the significance of Australias first female governor general and first female prime minister taking a central role in the opening of our 43rd Parliament.This week two reports have reinforced one skirmish is far from over and another has been revived in the field of gender politics. Battlescarred feminists must be exhausted after waging the same campaigns for decades.The first case involves the dearth of women on company boards. The second centres on a debate about rape which highlights it is better to remain silent and be thought a fool rather than to tweet and remove all doubt.Former AFL player Peter Spida Everitt took to Twitter to rant about a sexual assault allegation made against two Collingwood players who deny any wrongdoing.Yet another alleged girl making alleged allegations after she awoke with an alleged hangover and I take it an alleged guilty ... 2010-10-8 13:07:38 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113227 In seven days voters will run the gauntlet of volunteers distributing howtovote cards head into the polling booth and fill out their ballot papers.Opinion polls show Prime Minister Julia Gillard and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott are neckandneck in the contest and the Greens are on the brink of securing the balanceofpower in the Senate in their own right. In the leadup to polling day the contenders will set up camp in marginal seats and make their lastditch pitches to swinging voters.The Canberra Times has asked members of the Y X and Baby Boomer generations to share their thoughts on the looming election. Australian National University students Tully Fletcher 24 SueLin Wong 21 and Sebastien Willis 22 are bright and articulate members of Generation Y with firm ideas about the election.They arent impressed. Fletcher describes the campaign as uninspiring. Wong yearns for more robust debate. Willis is extremely disappointed with the major parties lack of focus on policy.Fletcher is most co... 2010-8-14 13:10:47 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113229 A rare trip to the pictures to see Me and Orson Welles provided inspiration for Senator Bob Brown who launched the Australian Greens official election campaign.We were sitting there in the theatre and the film stuck halfway through the Greens leader told the audience packed in the Menzies Theatrette at the National Convention Centre in Canberra.Its a great picture and I hope I get to see the end. The theatre offered us tickets for next Monday night. Well Ill be in Perth. Never mind.Senator Brown used the snafu to try to draw a distinction between the Greens and the major political parties.In the projection room of Labor and the projection room of the Coalition their footage their film is stuck he said.And its no good after the election wanting your tickets back or your money back on Monday night.Ladies and gentlemen we Greens have a vision which is not stuck which is clear about the future of this country which is about Denticare highspeed rail saving the Barrier Reef from climate chan... 2010-8-1 13:15:39 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113230 It was difficult to work out whether Opposition Leader Tony Abbott was running for prime minister or shooting vision for a beer commercial when he visited Mackay.The central Queensland towns economic survival hinges on mining fishing and sugar cane. While Abbott didnt swing a cane knife he did dabble in the other pursuits.A picture of concentration with his tongue jutting out Abbott tried to operator miniexcavators. It took four attempts to pick up a basketball but only one to dig up a bucket load of sand. Abbott let out a loud argh when the miniexcavator was turned off before focusing his attention on a big red piece of machinery dubbed the jaw crusher. The ultrafit opposition leader made short work of clambering over the beast and posing for pictures.Retiring Liberal Senator Nick Minchin looked on. The powerbroker dubbed the Godfather by some colleagues is acting as a consigliere on the campaign trail but quips that he is charge of making cuppas and ironing shirts.It prompted one r... 2010-7-31 13:17:18 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113231 Musician Sheryl Harper has triumphed in a maledominated field drumming.She met a politician eager to ensure another woman Australias first female Prime Minister Julia Gillard doesnt dominate when Australians head to the polls on August 21.The unlikely encounter between Harper who is on tour with American rapper TPain and Opposition Leader Tony Abbott occurred on a Sydney ferry.As commuters rushed to catch the boat Abbott attempted to distribute a bundle of booklets to people who slowed down long enough to accept the documents.One man loudly complained about Abbotts approach to health and education calling out were you coming from man and you dont know shit.Another man retorted labelling the man a moron and defending the local MP who was also approached by a trio of schoolboys seeking autographs.With the street walk in his electorate done Abbott got on the ferry and chatted with reporters.He remarked it was easy to get caught up in an artificial world when on the campaign trail whi... 2010-7-28 13:22:35 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113232 Remember mystery flights. You pay the fare and receive advance warning whether to pack swimming togs or thermal underwear. After seatbelts are fastened low and tight across your hips tray tables are stowed away seats are in the upright position and the doors are secured for takeoff the flight attendant announces the mystery destination.For the media pack the election campaign trail is remarkably similar. As reporters photographers and camera operators prepare for the next day on the hustings Labor HQ sends out a text message.The early evening missive usually provides details on whether to check out of the hotel whether to dress for warm or cool climates and when the bus leaves. The final destination is usually only revealed once you are on the bus or strapped into the seat on the airplane.The secrecy is designed to control leaving little time for political rivals protesters and pranksters to mobilise to spoil the leaders photo opportunity.It doesnt stop the media throng trying to guess... 2010-7-24 13:24:26 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113234 A peddler of venetian masks and retired reverend got carried away when Prime Minister Julia Gillard made an unexpected detour to Sydneys Little Italy.Her security detail may have suffered palpitations but there were no obvious outward signs.The Prime Minister had left the car dealership in Blacktown and was enroute to Randwick to speak at the NSW Nurses Association annual conference when she stopped off at the Italian Forum in Leichhardt. Perhaps she just needed a cup of coffee. Perhaps she decided to mingle with unvetted members of the public to counter criticisms that her appearances have been too carefully stage managed so far.She downed a cup of coffee chatted with the media and posed for pictures with the caf233s staff before heading back to the car parked on the street outside the mall.Store owner Maria Saraceno appeared unexpectedly linked arms with the Prime Minister and ushered Ms Gillard into her shop Merchant of Venice.Security officers rushed in after Ms Gillard as the bra... 2010-7-21 13:26:56 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113235 Welcome to the North Shore a Townsville housing development more like Franklin in Canberra than its namesake in Sydney.Street after street are lined with new homes distinguishable by the different shades of render on the walls.Prime Minister Julia Gillard used the location as a backdrop for her sustainable Australia sales pitch to voters.She called on the Goriss family dad Brent mum Lyndsey and their 19monthold daughter Willow who put on chocolate biscuits cupcakes and the kettle for the prime ministerial visit.They invited over neighbour Jodie Machin who brought along her children threeyearold Chloe and sixmonthold Jackson.These are the type of voters that Gillard and for that matter Opposition Leader Tony Abbott are trying to lure onside in their bid to secure the keys to the Lodge on August 21.Herbert is a key marginal seat. Liberal MP Peter Lindsay is retiring. Former Townsville mayor Tony Mooney is Labors candidate and auctioneer Ewen Jones is standing under the Liberal Nati... 2010-7-19 13:28:29 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113237 A prominent Queenslander was clobbered by police and women rioted at the venue chosen for Prime Minister Julia Gillards first major speech of the federal election campaign.She didnt mind a bit.Gillard and Deputy Prime Minister Wayne Swan hit the campaign trail in a Brisbane park where parents willingly offered up their little ones for a prime ministerial hug and kiss.It started with fivemonthold Charlotte McColl whose mother Darlene is a child care worker and selfdescribed undecided voter.Hopefully the whole child care industry will change. Im sure it will go forward according to Mrs McColl who had echoed with a twist the Prime Ministers election pitch.Gillard wants to move forward. She was pressed yesterday to look back as she campaigned in the hometown of former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who was ousted three weeks ago.Would Rudd play a role in the national campaign I anticipate Kevin will be predominately working in his local electorate Gillard responded.Would she visit Rudds elect... 2010-7-18 13:32:52 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113236 Over a cup of tea at The Lodge a couple of years ago Therese Rein offered some advice to Tim Mathieson before he became Australias first bloke.I was talking to Therese Rein wife of then prime minister Kevin Rudd who does a lot of work with childrens charities and she suggested I might do some charity work he said.I mentioned it to Julia who said that mens health would be a good way to go. This Julia is Julia Gillard. The couple are breaking new ground as Australias first female Prime Minister and the countrys first bloke or first dude two titles bestowed on Mr Mathieson by the media.People who have worked with the hairdresserturnedreal estate salesman reckon he will be brilliant in his new role.Mr Mathieson who bears a striking resemblance to Australian actor and singer Frankie J. Holden was born and raised in Shepparton Victoria.His grandfather was a barber and his father tried out the profession before switching to motor mechanics.Hairdressing was in my genes he said in an intervie... 2010-7-18 13:29:42 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113238 Opposition frontbencher Christopher Pyne has earned a dubious distinction racking up the most number of suspensions from the Lower House in this parliamentary term.With the prospect that Prime Minister Julia Gillard will call an election before parliament returns I have put together the political equivalent of a rogues gallery based on information collected by the Parliamentary Library.Mr Pyne has an uncanny knack for attracting the ire of Speaker Harry Jenkins who has suspended the Opposition frontbencher on 15 occasions for disorderly conduct.The topfive are rounded out by Opposition health spokesman Peter Dutton on 13 Liberal backbencher Wilson Tuckey on 12 Shadow Treasurer Joe Hockey on 11 and Liberal backbencher Andrew Laming on nine.The longest suspension was meted out to Mr Tuckey the maverick West Australian MP who comes armed with a rule book and frequently raises points of order in question time.During question time on November 21 2008 Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner said th... 2010-7-7 13:34:21 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113239 Several hours before Kevin Rudds prime ministership was plunged into crisis retiring Chief Government Whip Roger Price delivered his valedictory speech.He stressed it was important for politicians to listen to the views of their constituents.I have always tried to do that Price said in the House of Representatives.Some time ago I was a recipient of some unexpected advice from an environmentalist in a letter dropped in my letter box Mr Price What are you doing with the manure Its good for your plants but bad for the people around the area to inhale the rotten smell amp also polluting the environment dont you know that it is damaging the ozone layer you should know that. You are a politician with no brains. Why dont you get the manure and stick it right up your fat arse you stupid politician.Price objected to the crack about the size of his posterior and believed the constituents suggestion was somewhat impractical. Price described himself as an early adopter of the Member for Griffith R... 2010-7-1 13:35:59 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113240 Former Prime Minister Kevin Rudd packed off the dog cat and chooks handed over keys to the Lodge and left Canberra yesterday amid escalating speculation the election will be held in August.As his successor Julia Gillard held an almost fourhour cabinet meeting to hammer out a compromise on the mining tax Mr Rudd wife Therese and daughter Jessica made preparations to leave the Lodge. This has been our home for the better part of last three years our family home. It is the peoples house and we return it gratefully to the people said Mr Rudd who lost the leadership last week in a dramatic coup.For our family this has been a good place and weve also I believe done some good things here.He nominated the first Welcome to Country ceremony by Aboriginal Australians and his wifes work to support indigenous literacy and people with disabilities.On a more practical level weve done a few things here too. The vegie garden has started down the back there but theres more work to be done thats because... 2010-6-30 13:43:37 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113241 Amid the drizzle before sunrise in the national capital Julia Gillard received a greeting that she is probably still adjusting to good morning prime minister.After she spectacularly toppled Kevin Rudd Ms Gillard emerged from her Canberra flat before 7am yesterday to start her first full day in the new job.She spoke with world leaders including a 20minute chat with US President Barack Obama about the strong friendship between our two nations and her determination to continue Australias deployment in Afghanistan.I assured President Obama that any time he chooses to travel to Australia he will be very very welcome indeed she said during a press conference in the Prime Ministers courtyard.Ms Gillard convened her first cabinet meeting to discuss the changes we will make to get the Government back on track.My priority as we look through the issues of the Government is to make sure that in every area we are working hard for Australian families she said.High on her agenda was dealing with the... 2010-6-26 13:45:11 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113242 Distractions can be good and bad.The glossy cigarette packets are the bad variety according to a paper titled the case for plain packaging of tobacco products that was published in the Addiction journal.All those logos colours images and promotional text reportedly serve to distract smokers and reduce the impact of health warnings on the packets.The good variety is using an important health initiative to distract voters from the Federal Governments troubles after it made a uturn and putoff plans for an emissions trading scheme.From the health perspective Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has made major commitments to tackle smoking. Cigarettes will be more expensive and tobacco companies will lose one of the few remaining means to market their products under the reforms widely recommended in the health sector.From a political perspective Rudd cannot lose. He has picked a fight with big tobacco which must rank lower on the trust scale than politicians. He is maintaining the focus on health whic... 2010-4-30 13:46:42 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113244 Not so very long ago COAG was a lovein. Premiers and chief ministers would gather in Parliament House and deliver an entertaining performance before the Prime Minister John Howard hurled quite a few bucks into their hats. Howard should have been a hostile audience given his political differences with the Labor premiers and chief ministers.But as the end of the Howard era approached the state and territory leaders embraced the Prime Minister and he reciprocated at the Council of Australian Governments meetings. Where has that love gone The states and territories have long pushed for health reform but the Howard government was reluctant to make major changes in the system. Kevin Rudd is willing but wants in return onethird of the GST revenue that currently streams into state and territory treasuries.This is the root cause of the complaints from some premiers threatening to scuttle the reforms. Former Labor Prime Minister Paul Keating remarked that the most dangerous place in politics was... 2010-4-16 13:50:15 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113245 Liberals who opposed and supported Tony Abbott in the leadership spill late last year have been surprised by one development since that tumultuous period.He only beat Malcolm Turnbull by one vote.But there has been astoundingly little overt undermining of Abbotts leadership. He copped a verbal whack for failing to consult members before he unveiled plans to tax big business to fund a sixmonth paid parental leave scheme. He is reportedly attracting similar ire over the lack of consultation over the Oppositions position on immigration. There is nothing like a looming election and improving fortunes in the polls to discourage public displays of disunity in the interests of selfpreservation.In what has become a rite of passage for federal political leaders Abbott made a solo appearance on QampA this week. It was an adequate but hardly stellar performance. The audience posed a series of questions that exposed Abbotts underbelly. One asked how can you reconcile your strong faith with your ha... 2010-4-9 13:53:05 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113246 Ousted Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull has buried his parliamentary career.But his successor Tony Abbott should pause before putting on the tap shoes and dancing on his political grave.Abbott has outlasted a leadership rival with Turnbull revealing he will retire from politics at the federal election later this year. Obviously leaders are more likely to survive those periods of bad polling and party infighting if there is a smaller field of viable candidates for the role. But Turnbulls departure does have downsides for the Liberal Party. There are at least three.The party will lose one its most intelligent articulate and highprofile members who joins the long list of Liberals with cabinet experience who have quit politics since the 2007 election. The ongoing loss of experience and corporate wisdom is a problem for the Liberals.Secondly Turnbull is seen as one of leading wets in the party so his resignation could stoke existing concerns that the socalled broad church has fewer seats ... 2010-4-7 13:55:58 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113247 Imagine trying to organise an event when 35 people have been invited but 60 people could front up.The similar dilemma confronts politicians and bureaucrats as they try to plan health services for the ACT which is in an unusual position.About 350000 people live in the ACT but the citys two public hospitals must cater for a population of 600000. One in four people who use hospital services are from across the border.It is one of the historical and special issues facing the Territory which ACT Chief Minister Jon Stanhope and Treasurer Katy Gallagher have highlighted in a meeting with Prime Minister Kevin Rudd.Mr Rudd wants premiers and chief ministers to accept his plan to overhaul the health system and vows to hold a referendum on the issue if they refuse.The major reform involves the Commonwealth becoming the dominant funder of primary health care and public hospitals.Small clusters of hospitals will be run by Local Hospital Networks separate state statutory authorities responsible for... 2010-3-28 13:57:42 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113248 Federal Government ministers fixation with Opposition Leader Tony Abbotts body was taken a step too far for Liberal stalwart Bronwyn Bishop.In question time today Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner offered unsolicited advice to Abbott.If he spent more time focusing on patients and less time buffing up his pecs for the cameras we might treat him seriously Tanner said.Families Minister Jenny Macklin continued the theme when she criticised Abbotts comments about women which he espoused about 30 years ago.This is what he said ... it would be folly to expect that women will ever approach equal representation in a large number of areas simply because their aptitudes abilities and interests are different for physiological reasons Macklin said.It is absolutely mindboggling that this Leader of the Opposition is still living in the Dark Ages. This Leader of the Opposition spends more time on thinking about how he is going to get his shirt off than on serious policy work.But Treasurer Wayne Swan we... 2010-3-16 14:02:14 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113249 A stint in hospital can transform politicians into champions of health reform.Five years ago then Health Minister Tony Abbott recalled waking up in a cold sweat after undergoing surgery to remove a kidney stone.He was taken to Lismore Base Hospital after suffering severe abdominal pains while on the campaign trail. He was transferred to St Vincents Hospital.After Id been investigated diagnosed and filled with morphine I had to decide whether to be a public or private patient Abbott said at the time.A few days later I woke up in a cold sweat wondering whether my fund had a contract with the hospital whether my doctors had a gap agreement with my fund and what my outofpocket expenses might be.It was 500. The bill turned Abbott who had seemed unenthusiastic about major health reform into an avid campaigner of informed financial consent whereby patients are forewarned about the outofpocket costs.Prime Minister Kevin Rudds interest in health reform was nurtured over a longer period starti... 2010-3-6 14:04:09 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113250 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd explained his reform agenda by asking Australians to tap into the imagination.He cited the circumstances of a 67yearold man who is retired lives in the outskirts of a major city and needs a hip replacement. He will live with pain poor mobility and having to rely on his wife to get around as he spends 12 months on the waiting list for surgery.He compared this mans predicament with the plight of a 45yearold woman in another capital city who needs the same operation but will only wait five weeks.Two different people both in capital cities but very different standards of care Mr Rudd said in address to the National Press Club as he shared plans for the most significant reform to the health and hospital system since the introduction of Medicare about 30 years ago.It is a bold plan involving the Commonwealth shouldering most of the financial responsibility for public hospitals that will be run by Local Hospital Networks code for boards. States and territories wi... 2010-3-4 14:13:33 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113251 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd would be a prime candidate for detention if he were pupil at Garran Primary School.He used a naughty word and defaced a library book during his visit to the school yesterday.In the first instance Mr Rudds defence was that he was only repeating a word used by someone else.In the last six months ... Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has had about five different positions on this question. Weve been constant ... because we believe climate change is real. He says that climate change is absolute crap to use his own words not mine Mr Rudd said out of the earshot of any children.In the second instance he signed a copy of Jasper and Abby and the Great Australia Day Kerfuffle a childrens book that he cowrote with actor Rhys Muldoon.One pupil volunteered that they liked a book about a rubbisheating goat while another favoured are we there yetVoters may pose the same question after Mr Rudd and Mr Abbott staged yesterday a preview of the election campaign trail. 2010-2-4 14:16:55 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113252 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has been part professor and part author this week.He launched Jasper and Abby and the Great Australia Day Kerfuffle a childrens book coauthored with Rhys Muldoon who is a regular on Play School. A writer director and actor Muldoon reportedly made his stage debut at Scullin Primary School playing the Prime Minister in The Monster That Ate Canberra.The real one prime minister not monster has spent the rest of the week doing a nearperfect impersonation of a professor. Rudd has been criticised on both fronts but only really deserves flak on one count.It is ridiculous to suggest that Kevin 247 has been shirking his day job to help write the childrens book. The story features the Rudds sinisterlooking cat Jasper whose ability to root out troublemakers might impress Labors factional heavyweights and the familys hapless dog Abby who is wrongly accused of causing the kerfuffle in the leadup to Australia Day celebrations at the Lodge. The book has all the important el... 2010-1-22 14:18:30 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113253 The Kevin and Tony show will premiere soon and the prospect is enough to make wouldbe viewers salivate.With the Federal Government enjoying a considerable lead in the opinion polls and an election expected later this year Prime Minister Kevin Rudd starts in a commanding position.Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has plenty of work to do after he secured the shock promotion when his predecessor Malcolm Turnbull was toppled by colleagues vehemently opposed to the emissions trading scheme. Abbott and Rudd have engaged in a bit of shadow boxing during the ChristmasNew Year period. The main event will start in a few weeks when the men face off at the dispatch box. How will they match up in terms of policy and performance The diplomatturnedpolitician Rudd has clearly maintained an avid interest in policy on the international front. The jetsetter has gathered quite a collection of gaudy shirts distributed at international summits but has also attracted criticism for not spending enough time at ho... 2010-1-15 14:21:06 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113254 Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce has no hope of victory in one arena. Every vote I lose five to one and if I cross the floor its six nil Joyce tells The Canberra Times. Joyce shares his St George home with wife Melanie and their four daughters Bridgette Julia Caroline and Odette who use their numbers to block Dad from using the stereo.Theres only so much of Lady Gaga that one man can listen to before they go insane according to Joyce who is equally adverse to Lily Allen but will tolerate the Black Eyed Peas.With the numbers stacked against him Joyce has little chance of hearing his favourites including Lou Reed Jimi Hendrix or Radiohead. My Radiohead has disappeared. My Lou Reed has I think turned into a beer coaster says Joyce whose musical tastes seem leftfield for a conservative politician born and raised in Australias country music capital.When asked if there are other things that people will be surprised to learn about him Joyce jokes theres lots of things which theyd find startlin... 2009-12-12 14:23:29 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113255 Opposition Leader Tony Abbott has powered up the DeLorean and has headed Back to the Future in yesterdays frontbench reshuffle.Veterans MPs Kevin Andrews Bronwyn Bishop and Philip Ruddock are along for the ride packing heavy baggage for the trip from the backbench.In the Howard government Andrews made major stumbles as immigration minister particularly in the case of Gold Coast Dr Mohamed Haneef who was cleared of terrorismrelated charges. Bishop was the ministerincharge when nursing home residents received kerosene baths. Ruddock was the focus for critics of officialdoms treatment of asylumseekers.Abbott wants to draw on Ruddocks extraordinary corporate knowledge who will serve as secretary to shadow cabinet. Andrews is a kindred spirit in an ideological sense and will bring that mindset to Abbotts former portfolios of families and housing. Bishop will bring more energy to the seniors portfolio because she is one of them according to Abbott.But the trios promotion does undercut the cl... 2009-12-9 14:27:24 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113256 When describing Opposition Leader Tony Abbott it is tempting to resort to caricatures.He is the Mad Monk a rightwing churchgoer. He is the Macho Man an ultrafit former boxer who does annual arduous bicycle rides for charity. He is the Bovver Boy former Prime Minister John Howards designated headkicker.Abbott can be all of these things but also is articulate intelligent and has a certain charm wielded with great effect on Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard.At private dinners with journalists Abbott has been prepared to remove the politicians mask and share interesting anecdotes that are strictly off the record.He is also a polarising character whose wellknown views on some issues such as abortion are outofstep with mainstream opinion. He can have a potty mouth and isnt hesitant to use it in public unlike his opponent Prime Minister Kevin Rudd who saves his colourful language for private.An inordinate amount of time has been devoted this week to discussing Abbotts swimming attire and an... 2009-12-4 14:28:29 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113257 Christmas parties can be perilous for opposition leaders but not for the reasons that immediately come to mind. Most modern leaders are far too disciplined to behave badly after a few shandies when surrounded by the press pack.But in recent times opposition leaders are prone to losing their jobs or finding their positions in jeopardy in the same week as Christmas drinks with the media. It happened to Labor stalwarts Kim Beazley and Simon Crean who were ousted as leaders.This week Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull couldnt even make his party as he was otherwise occupied dealing with an internal revolt that turned into a coup last night.In contrast Prime Minister Kevin Rudd hosted a relaxed soiree at the Lodge and displayed his skills in a game of backyard cricket. In Parliament House angry Liberals were bowling bouncers at Turnbull who was desperately trying to protect his wicket. A string of shadow ministers including Tony Abbott have resigned.The leaders different circumstances are p... 2009-11-27 14:30:37 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113258 Pity the girl growing up in Kambah with dreams of becoming the world champion in bog snorkelling. There are few places in Australia where she can hone her skills to complete two lengths of a 55m waterfilled trench in the fastest time without using conventional swimming strokes. Sure she can pick up a pair of flippers and head to the Woden pool in midwinter to practise but it hardly mirrors the conditions in a peat bog.How do her dreams fit with the vision espoused in the Crawford Review to prioritise sports which capture the countrys imagination and represent its spirit and culture Bog snorkelling passes one of the tests capturing the imagination. The national championships are also staged at the Dirt and Dust Festival in Julia Creek a remote town in Queensland. The bush is the spiritual and cultural mecca for many Australians.Some take the competition seriously while others treat bog snorkelling as a lark. It is a safe bet that there will be a public outcry if taxpayers funds are use... 2009-11-20 14:36:56 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113259 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has a knack for needlework.Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull doesnt like spiders even dead ones.And Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner hears the sound of duelling banjos when he thinks about Opposition Senate Leader Nick Minchin.Lessons learned in Question Time yesterday.It started as a rerun. Rudd again denies that a special deal was offered to lure asylum seekers off the Oceanic Viking. The Opposition went on to make a doomedtofail attempt to censure Rudd over the issue with Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop describing the Prime Minister as a mythomaniac with the compulsion to embroider.Earlier Rudd displayed another aptitude sympathy as he took to task the climatechange deniers within the Opposition ranks.It is as if we are back into the trial of Galileo or something and they are simply arguing somehow that the science is fiction and that they alone in their own prejudiced universe occupy fact Rudd said.No wonder the Leader of the Opposition has such a... 2009-11-19 14:39:15 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113260 Those reds are crafty turning up in the most unexpected places. Luckily the socalled climate change deniers and the countrys most powerful redhead are on the case.Treasurer Wayne Swan highlighted the efforts of the hard core of extremists in the conservative parties in this country who do not understand the importance of the economics or the science of climate change.They had discovered reds in one international organisation.They are not known radicals they are not communist members of the G20 but they do understand the risk and the cost of dangerous climate change Swan quipped in question time yesterday.It is that radical organisation the International Energy Agency a very radical body stacked with communists and other radicals from around the world who understand the cost of climate change.But the conservatives should look within their own ranks according to Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard who outed Nationals backbencher Mark Coulton as a Maoist in moleskin trousers.He is a cons... 2009-11-15 14:41:33 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113263 Rove McManus offers a little something special for the birds that visit his backyard. The television host reports that he places a bucket in the shower and collects grey water to fill up the birth bath.They really love it Rove said yesterday at Parliament House when he launched Earth a book by Australian Greens Leader Bob Brown.They get a bit of shampoo in their eyes from time to time but their feathers have never looked so shiny and full of bounce.Rove was bit apprehensive when asked to launch the book fearing he would be required to read it. The comedian came on board when Senator Brown advised Earth was a picture book filled with personal snapshots taken in Tasmania and accompanied by a few poetic words.He noted the audience was probably wondering why he was involved with the launch of Senator Browns book. Is it because I feel sorry for him because hes from Tasmania No theres more to it than that Rove said. Its because I too much like Bob am very passionate about conservation and k... 2009-11-11 14:46:15 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113264 Former Australian Democrats leader Andrew Bartlett has officially severed ties with the party joining the Greens as he prepares to vie for a lower house seat at the next federal election.The former senator will nominate for Brisbane a seat currently held by Labor backbencher Arch Bevis.Mr Bartlett dismisses comparisons between him joining the Greens and Cheryl Kernot defecting to Labor in October 1997 when she was Australian Democrats leader.The key difference is Ive been out of the Parliament he said. I didnt jump across to a different party in the middle of a parliamentary term.I did everything possible to help keep the Democrats in the Senate which I think I had a responsibility to do.Mr Bartlett was a senator for more than a decade representing Queensland. He was Democrats leader from 2002 to 2004 and deputy from 2004 to 2008 when the party lost all representatives in the upper house. Thenleader Lyn Allison was defeated at the ballot box but Natasha Stott Despoja and Andrew Murray ... 2009-11-9 14:48:26 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113265 Singer Tex Perkins seems to relish the end of newlywed bliss. This just aint fun no more. Dont know what to say. The honeymoon is over baby. Its never gonna be that way again. Are votes sending the same message to the Rudd Government There has been a dramatic change in the latest Newspoll. Voter support for the Government has slumped seven points to 52 per cent on a two partypreferred basis. The Opposition is on 48 per cent up seven points. The major parties had similar levels of support at the federal election held almost two years ago. Almost 60 per cent of voters are satisfied with Prime Minister Kevin Rudds performance compared with 63 per cent two weeks ago. About one in three are disappointed with his performance up four points.Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbulls rating remained stable with only 32 per cent of voters satisfied with his performance. About half of the voters surveyed are dissatisfied with Turnbull compared with 54 per cent two weeks ago. A range of theories have ... 2009-11-8 14:50:19 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113266 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has experienced a bit of a tough week.The Government suffered its first major hit in the opinion polls and attracted fervent criticism from its own side for appointing former treasurer Peter Costello to the Future Fund. Interest rates are on the way up and the Government is winding back economic stimulus spending after months of rejecting their opponents calls to do just that.Rudd did back a winner in the Melbourne Cup Shocking. He celebrated with some tentative air punches before throwing both arms up in the air Richard Nixon style sans the victory gesture. Rudd celebrated in the same fashion two years ago when he bet on Efficient which won the cup in the leadup to the federal election when the Coalition lost office.At that point about 53 per cent of voters backed Labor compared with 47 per cent for the Coalition on a twoparty preferred basis.Now the major parties have similar levels of popularity after a dramatic change in the latest opinion poll. Support f... 2009-11-6 14:53:36 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113268 Peter Garrett thinks this is the critical time to staveoff the extinction of things treasured by many Australians.About 145 indigenous languages are still spoken in Australia but 110 are at risk of disappearing. These languages are only used by small groups of people who are mostly older than 40 years.When we look at Australias culture I think the starting point is to recognise the unique and extraordinary position that Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander culture occupies for the nation and clearly a really strong thread for that is languages the Minister for the Environment Heritage and Arts tells The Canberra Times. So its very challenging and it will a terrible thing for us to see future loss of language. To be frank Im very aware that the work were doing now comes at an urgent time. Garrett says spending time in remote communities triggered his interest in indigenous languages. He recalls sitting down with people and listening to them speak in their mother tongue that is richly d... 2009-10-31 14:57:44 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113271 It started with Opposition frontbencher Steven Ciobos cryptic tweet. Just found out I have a stalker with a mobile phone makes you wonder Ciobo posted on Twitter on Wednesday night. He followed up yesterday in breaking news I had a beer Isnt the real story the sad Labor sap who stalks me with their mobileThe Queensland MP helpfully posted a link to a story published in a Gold Coast newspaper titled Ciobo busted drinking in Ocsober. Ocsober is a Life Education campaign where adults stop drinking for a month to set a positive example for bingedrinking youth.The Oppositions spokesman on small business Ciobo was recruited. But he was snapped downing a beer during barbecue at Parliament House this week explaining he bought four day leave passes that cost 50 each and allowed him to hop off the wagon.Ciobos tipple tickled Emmo Small Business Minister Dr Craig Emerson who is building a reputation for his theatrics during question time. It is my melancholy duty to advise the House that it i... 2009-10-30 15:07:04 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113269 The community received a massive wakeup call this week.About 1.6 million Australians will be living with Type 2 diabetes by 2050 which is almost double the current number. They will rack up 14 billion annually in direct health costs and will need more than 270000 coronary bypass grafting procedures suffer more than 250000 strokes and experience more than 750000 renal complications.The University of Canberras National Centre and Social and Economic Modelling prepared the landmark study as part of a project funded by Eli Lilly Australia which makes drugs to treat diabetes. The researchers conclude that the number of complications and medical bills will be cut by increasing exercise levels enhancing primary health care providing patient counselling improving the use of medications and introducing new ones.Australians can also reduce their risk of developing the chronic disease in the first place. People who are obese inactive and have high blood pressure and cholesterol are more susceptib... 2009-10-30 15:00:14 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113278 Malcolm Turnbull was once described as a cross between Winston Churchill and Napoleon. His reply was Short and fat Clearly not. The comparison was all about Turnbulls demeanour. Yesterday he called together the Coalition divided over Labors emissions trading scheme for peace talks. It was billed as a showdown after he staked his leadership on winning partyroom support for his proposals to amend the carbon trading legislation. Turnbull emerged with a tactical victory after a minor skirmish. However to cite Churchill this is not the end. It is not even the beginning of the end. But it is perhaps the end of the beginning. The Opposition remains deeply divided over how to deal with the emissions trading system. Some refuse to support any scheme while others are ready to negotiate. Many argue the Senate should not vote on the legislation before global climate talks in Copenhagen in December. So Turnbulls Waterloo still looms. If the Government accepts his amendments and brings on a vote bef... 2009-10-19 15:30:30 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113283 Had your fill of politics after a long sixweek campaign We might know the winners and losers today but before we file into history the 07 election campaign that was lets take a look back at the best and worst it had to offer. Given it was so full of drama it seems appropriate that the selfappointed joint directors of the Academy of Motion Pictures Arts and Political Sciences Danielle Cronin and Emma Macdonald hand out some Oscars of their own.Best Motion Picture A Tale of Two Economic Conservatives starring John Howard and Kevin Rudd. Selfdescribed school nerd Rudd plans an unsophisticated heist to steal invaluable mortgage belts from Howard. Howards sidekick Peter Costello threatens to foil the plot eleven months in the making when he sees through the Rudd teams diversion tactics and comes across their lair. Theyd like you to believe there never were reds under the bed just economic conservatives Costello says. Best Performance by an Actor in a Leading Role John Howards star turn in... 2009-10-15 15:37:28 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113284 The Liberal Partys leadership succession plan seems to rely heavily on a bus. If he was hit by one then prime minister John Howard rated treasurer Peter Costello as the obvious replacement.The bus never arrived and Costello leaves politics in a couple of weeks without serving in the top job. The same formula seems to apply in the case of Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull and his shadow treasurer Joe Hockey.It is understood that Hockey is prepared to take over if Turnbull is hit by a bus but has no plans to challenge for the leadership. Why would Hockey want to The Coalition is languishing in the polls and plagued by infighting a situation common among oppositions regardless of their political bent.Turnbull faces two byelections after one of his former rivals Costello and his predecessor Brendan Nelson opted for early retirement. Higgins and Bradfield are blueribbon Liberal seats but a swing against the party will reflect poorly on Turnbull.Opposition health spokesman Peter Dutton a ma... 2009-10-8 15:39:58 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113287 Petrol prices grocery bills and salaries for corporate fat cats are often called barbecuestopper issues.When we get together we relish the opportunity to moan about rising prices at the bowser and checkout as well as bosses lining their pockets when companies are performing badly and workers are struggling to make ends meet. The topics are a bit of gristle something we can chew on for hours without being satiated.Prime Minister Kevin Rudd has exploited community concerns about these barbecuestoppers to great effect. He has handed the tongs and apron to Chris Bowen Minister for Human Services and Minister for Financial Services Superannuation and Corporate Affairs.Has Bowen cremated the proverbial steak or been handed a dodgy cut of meat Does he deserve criticism or pity A bit of both. In some respects he has become the minister responsible for navigating blind alleys.The Governments response to community concerns about spiralling petrol prices was FuelWatch. The scheme would help moto... 2009-10-2 15:45:33 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113285 Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull is extremely distinguished based on the formula devised by Herbert Hoover a Quaker blacksmiths son who became US President.You are honoured by your friends distinguished by your enemies Hoover said. I have been very distinguished. Turnbull has become so distinguished in the past week there is speculation that his leadership is almost extinguished.In a week when the Reserve Bank raised the official interest rate by 25 basis points and the political spotlight should have shone on the condition of the economy the debate cantered on Turnbull. He probably needs a cup of tea a Bex and a good lie down right about now.Turnbull tried yesterday to shift the focus back on to economic management issuing the Oppositions debtreduction strategy. If elected to office the Coalition promises to cut red tape for business reduce government spending to less than 25 per cent of GDP and setup a Commission for Sustainable Finances and Parliamentary Budget Office. The strateg... 2009-10-2 15:42:18 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113272 Finance Minister Lindsay Tanner has the creeps in the leadup to Halloween. It isnt caused by the prospect of the Government preparing a horror budget or the Opposition rising from the dead in the opinion polls. He has dug up a relic from the political graveyard and been left with an uneasy feeling. Tanner brought creepy article along to question time yesterday.It is called a selective political analysis of the federal electorate of Ballarat and was prepared by Liberal adviser Edmund Carew. In the dossier there is a fourpage profile of Labor candidate Jenny Beacham who ran in 1996 election against Liberal MP Michael Ronaldson who is now a senator.Tanner said the document contained very interesting material including the names and occupations of Beachams children and details on a recent death of a loved one. It also has some rather interesting statements. For example it quoted a statement from a newspaper in 1984 more 10 years earlier from Ms Beacham supporting the concept of redistrib... 2009-9-29 15:14:05 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113274 Chances are the Liberal Partys top strategist Brian Loughnane shared some uncomfortable intelligence with MPs and Senators behind closed doors yesterday. In the party room he delivered a presentation on the political circumstances with a view to the period between now and the federal election. It is understood Loughnane warned Liberal MPs and Senators to prepare for an election early next year an alarming prospect for a party languishing in the opinion polls.With this in the back of their minds Opposition MPs turned up to question time and some were particularly surly when goaded by the Governments frontbenchers.One Liberal backbencher called out thanks spinner swears it wasnt thanks spinster as Deputy Prime Minister Julia Gillard complained about her Liberal predecessors failure to ask for a list of the countrys most disadvantaged schools. The Canberra Times asked Gillards office for their list and was directed to the webpage on Assistance for Low SES School Communities no list as... 2009-9-28 15:19:16 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113275 Prime Minister Kevin Rudd put on a display of faux defiance in Question Time yesterday. He made no apology for taking a regional approach to tackle people smuggling. His regime was also unapologetically tough when it comes to people smugglers and unapologetically humane when it comes to dealing with asylum seekers. In case anyone nodded off Rudd repeatedly stressed the point that has apparently overtaken were not out of the economic woods yet as the catchphrase of choice. But who are these unnamed people demanding acts of contrition from the Prime Minister over his humane approach to asylumseekers and tough stance on people smugglingIt isnt Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull whose main attack is that the Governments changes to immigration laws has provided people smugglers with a powerful marketing tool to induce more and more asylum seekers to risk their lives coming to Australia.Regardless Rudd wont apologise for being a selfdescribed cross between a humanitarian and tough guy. No on... 2009-9-27 15:24:16 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113289 Fiftyfive celebrities are recycling something treasured by many Australians in a bid to pressure world leaders to take steps to tackle climate change.Duran Duran Boomtown Rats former frontman Bob Geldof Nobel laureate Archbishop Desmond Tutu French actress Marion Cotillard and heavy metal band Scorpions are among the disparate group who will release their remake of Beds Are Burning on October 1.It is hoped the Dry River Bed version will do for climate change what We Are the World and Do They Know Its Christmas did to raise worldwide awareness of the desperate situation in Africa.But what makes an enduring and effective political tuneI put up a post on Twitter asking users to nominate the best political songs and was inundated with responses. Midnight Oil U2 and Sting figured strongly. But there were also nods for Peter Gabriels ode to murdered South African activist Steve Biko Peter Toshs plea to Legalise It Pinks questions to Dear Mr President Billie Holidays haunting Strange Fruit an... 2009-9-24 15:48:48 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113276 It will be a notable day when one of Tanya Pliberseks ministerial responsibilities is rendered obsolete. When this country doesnt need a Minister for the Status of Women it will mean that women are no longer seen or treated as a niche.But a new survey shows the sisterhood has a considerable way to go highlighting that the Federal Government must lift its efforts to tackle workplace discrimination and that simply ordering more reviews wont cut it.On a day when Opposition MPs and senators went to a special meeting to discuss the Governments proposal for an emissions trading scheme lobby group 2020women issued results from its online survey. It paints a gloomy picture for anyone concerned about gender equity.The organisation received nearly 100 responses almost all from women whose ages range from 16 to 55plus. About half work in the public service and a quarter in the private sector. The rest are selfemployed business owners or work with notforprofit groups. The Australian Bureau of Sta... 2009-9-23 15:26:08 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113277 A slow roast was served in the political remake of Julie amp Julia screened yesterday in the House of Representatives. Deputy Opposition Leader Julie Bishop served up the ingredients. She asked about the influence union official Paul Howes who argues Australia should put out a red carpet for boat people exerts over border protection policy.Acting Prime Minister Julia Gillard reacted like a cook presented with an exquisite cut of meat red wine garlic beef bouillon broth and a large bay leaf. I genuinely thank the Deputy Leader of the Opposition for her question. The answer is none said Gillard before she slowly turned up the heat.She outlined the Governments approach tough on border protection but to deal with people in a humane way. Then Gillard started to rattle off United Nations statistics on refugees and internally displaced people.Bishop attempted to interrupt the question has been answered and I would ask that she sit down and was scalded by Gillard.It will take finer minds ... 2009-9-21 15:28:48 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113282 Debates about border protection bring out the ugly side of Australias character. Asylumseekers are likened to natural disasters with warnings Australia faces a flood of boatpeople. Erroneous terms such as genuine refugees are used.Asylumseekers are either refugees or theyre not. Compassion and understanding are in a short supply when politicians bring out the dog whistle and compete to see who can blow the hardest.Don Watson featured the term border protection in his tome Watsons Dictionary of Weasel Words. The former adviser and speechwriter to Paul Keating offered this definition xenophobia wedge politics scare campaign to incite fear and loathing.At the centre of this controversy are small groups of men women and children who board boats of varying levels of seaworthiness and attempt to make the oftenperilous journey from Indonesia to Australia.Authorities have intercepted 32 boats carrying 1711 people in Australian waters so far this year.The borderprotection debate has intensifi... 2009-9-16 15:34:15 http://www.daniellecronin.com/page2.htm#113262 Strap yourself in folks. Parliament will produce some twists and turns during its final sitting fortnight for this year barring an 11th bid for an extension. Here are five reasons why it will make for unmissable viewing for anyone with even a passing interest in the goingson inside the big house on Capital Hill.First Prime Minister Kevin Rudd will deliver in a longoverdue apology to the children who were sexually physically and mentally abused while in institutions. Those who suffered are among the forgotten Australians more than 500000 children placed in institutions in the past century and the lost innocents more than 7000 child migrants who came to Australia and often ended up in orphanages. The apology will be the culmination of a decadelong Senate campaign to acknowledge these past wrongs and help the healing process setting the scene for a ceremony tinged with anguish and relief. Rudd will say sorry on behalf of the nation and Opposition Leader Malcolm Turnbull will second the s... 2009-9-13 14:44:16