Marty_d

And for all the Trump and Netanyahu fanbois... Tell me again what "the master of the deal" has done for America? https://www.abc.net.au/news/2026-04-08/donald-trump-cedes-ground-to-iran-before-negotiations-even-begin/106541368 After being fooled into this war by a war criminal, Trump has: - caused devastation to life and infrastructure in Iran - spent billions of US taxpayers money on a war they didn't want or need - depleted the US armory - caused mayhem around the middle east - raised prices around the world due to fuel and transportation costs, along with associated shrinking of tourism etc - trashed America's reputation even more - put money back in Putin's coffers enabling him to continue the Ukraine invasion. And in return for all this pain, felt worldwide, what has he accomplished? Nothing. If anything, the Iranian regime will come out of this with more than they started with. Not only will sanctions be removed, they will be making money, Mafia-style, from any ship using the Strait of Hormuz. No regime change. No democracy. No stopping of their nuclear program. And you think this pathetic creature is doing right for the US? Don't make me laugh.

Canavan is a nut job. Anyway isn't this a bit off topic? There's another thread about Australian politics.

Equity is equity. If you're sitting on a property worth $3m then you're not a "pensioner with the arse out of your pants", you could get a reverse mortgage and live like a king for the rest of your life. If you choose not to, that's fine, but you do have that option. On the other hand you have people who, often through no fault of their own, didn't end up owning a house. They don't have that option. Don't get me wrong, I think it's fantastic that you still live on the property you bought 38 years ago, I hope to do the same. (On my property, not yours 😄)

You weren't teaching at Hervey Bay in 1984, were you Nev? 😄

Yep you beat me to it... I was about to add just that - they don't think billionaires should dictate policy, they do stick up for the environment and their hearts are definitely in the right place. I don't think they could run the country, but they are a far better influence on whoever is in government than the crazies on the other end of the spectrum - the PHONeys, Clives, Nats and half (or more) of the Libs.

I remember the old Scottish woodwork teacher roaring "Ye have the manners of a barnyard!" Not at me. I was always too scared to invoke his ire.

I wouldn't go quite that far but I do agree they often let the perfect be the enemy of the good. The prime example is when they knocked back Labor on the emissions trading scheme. We could have had a working ETS for almost 20 years now if they'd given a little ground.

Hope you kick the flu soon Nev!

It was Willie that said far left, not Peter.

In terms of housing affordability, ask yourself why the Howard government didn't exclude residential properties from the Capital gains discount. Current problems have historical causes and the change in housing from being a home to being an investment is a major factor in the price blowout.

That's my thoughts too @rgmwa. Everything this administration says is a lie, why would they start telling the truth now.

Does your mate know he's in for all this work, or will it be a surprise? 😄

Actually I support centre left.

That's all well and good, Willie, but it misses the point. Making a protest vote may be a way of expressing frustration or disenchantment with the major parties. But that vote has an impact, and the impact is to potentially replace a major party with a party that has no costed, valid policies, is chock full of despicable people, led by a racist opportunist, and financially supported by people who have very illiberal beliefs who will expect a return on their investment. If people truly wanted to improve how parliament works, they would research the policy positions and backgrounds of independents, and support the campaign of a good one. Simply lashing out won't work. The object lesson from the US showed that. Are the people in the Rust Belt better off now? They voted to "drain the swamp" but elected the biggest alligator around. You can call me "small minded" for considering anyone who votes for ON an idiot, or at best ignorant. That's fine. But I will maintain that voting against your own interests is not the most intelligent thing to do.

I really hope he invented the persona, I'd hate to think there was someone who actually held those views. Good on you @octave and others for trying to explain the self-evident facts, but I think it's a lost cause.