• Quick note - the problem with Youtube videos not embedding on the forum appears to have been fixed, thanks to ZiprHead. If you do still see problems let me know.

Merged Australian Politics / Australian election

Changing tack. Interesting developments in Tasmania. Surrounding AFL football no less.

Now for those unfamiliar with our island state, Tasmania has a population of about 500,000. About the same as some Sydney suburbs. It has no major industries and a declining population as young people head to the mainland. The Eastern Europe of Australia.

But it has produced some great AFL footballers and has long desired its own team. The AFL Commission caved in and said okay. Provided you build a huge stadium on probably the best site in Hobart or no team.

Anyway the verdict is out. The stadium will cost $1b + and it doesn’t get the tick of the planning authority.

www.abc.net.au

The three big reasons the planning commission rejected the stadium

The Tasmanian Planning Commission described the Hobart stadium as a "singular, large, bulky monolith" with "optimism bias" in the government's cost-benefit figures. What does this mean for the stadium?
www.abc.net.au www.abc.net.au

The Tasmanian premier wants it to go ahead. I doubt it will get through the Upper House.

So we will soon have a footy stadium election I’m certain.
 
arthwollipot said:
The stadium thing is one of the weirder bits of state politics right now.
Click to expand...
Oh, agreed. Only in Tasmania.

The interesting thing is that the majority of Tasmanians don’t want the stadium, but want the team. They think the AFL will blink. They won’t.
 
lionking said:
Oh, agreed. Only in Tasmania.

The interesting thing is that the majority of Tasmanians don’t want the stadium, but want the team. They think the AFL will blink. They won’t.
Click to expand...
The AFL will probably get a new stadium, just not a monstrous eyesore slap on the top of Hobart Botanical Gardens. It will be out of town, perhaps up near Launceston.
 
arthwollipot said:
When I was there last, the display had a note saying that allegations of war crimes were unproven. Now I guess they just don't exist.
Click to expand...
Update: The Australian War Memorial display now has this information.

"Accounts of alleged misconduct by a small number of Australian Special Forces soldiers in Afghanistan began appearing in the media from late 2016.

"Claims were later heard in a civil defamation case brought by Roberts-Smith against media outlets and journalists.

"In June 2023, a Federal Court Judge determined that there was substantial truth to the allegations that Roberts-Smith had been involved and complicit in unlawful killings in Afghanistan.

"In May 2025, a Full Court of the Federal Court dismissed his appeal.

"In September 2025, the High Court of Australia refused Roberts-Smith's application to challenge the Federal Court's decision.

"This was his final legal bid to overturn the defamation ruling.

"Roberts-Smith has not been charged with any offence under criminal law."

www.abc.net.au

Australian War Memorial updates Ben Roberts-Smith display a third time

The war memorial's revised display now mentions Ben Roberts-Smith's failed bid to the High Court.
www.abc.net.au www.abc.net.au
 
Four conservative rightwing MPs have just crawled under a rock they can’t extradite themselves from.

www.theage.com.au

Hastie, Joyce ignite late-term abortion fight over paid leave for stillbirth law

Four Coalition MPs have renewed a debate over “late-term abortions” in federal parliament, raising concern that laws guaranteeing paid leave for parents of stillborn children will be used by mothers whose pregnancies are terminated.
www.theage.com.au www.theage.com.au

The government is planning to extend paid maternity leave to women who have a still born child or one that dies very soon after birth. This would be a good amendment. It would take a pretty callous employer to tell the woman concerned “ oh, pity about that, but leave cancelled, so back to work” but they are out there.

Anyway anti-abortion zealots like Joyce and Hastie are opposing this because it might apply to very late abortions as well. Without rehashing the abortion debate, very late term abortions are rare and usually involve complications with the pregnancy.

But never mind that. Zealots will not pass up an opportunity to demonise women who have abortions. The “now you are just doing this for money” rationale is not somewhere I thought the Tories would go. But here we are. Scum.

ETA, good on Tim Wilson for finally doing something positive by supporting the Bill.
 
Last edited:
Meanwhile Sussan Lay is losing her ◊◊◊◊ over Albanese looking cool as ◊◊◊◊ in a Joy Division t-shirt.

www.abc.net.au

Liberal MPs question Sussan Ley's attack on Albanese's Joy Division shirt

Sussan Ley stands by her criticism of the prime minister for wearing a Joy Division T-shirt while stepping off a plane last week. Privately, some of her Liberal colleagues are questioning the attack.
www.abc.net.au www.abc.net.au
 
arthwollipot said:
Meanwhile Sussan Lay is losing her ◊◊◊◊ over Albanese looking cool as ◊◊◊◊ in a Joy Division t-shirt.

www.abc.net.au

Liberal MPs question Sussan Ley's attack on Albanese's Joy Division shirt

Sussan Ley stands by her criticism of the prime minister for wearing a Joy Division T-shirt while stepping off a plane last week. Privately, some of her Liberal colleagues are questioning the attack.
www.abc.net.au www.abc.net.au
Click to expand...
I seriously doubt she'll be around long (remember when the libs mocked Labor for their 'revolving door leadership'???)

From Arth's link...
Mr Taylor ruled out the prospect of any leadership challenge this year, adding he was "sure" Ms Ley would see out the term as leader.
Click to expand...
Oh well- thats her gone next week then.....

(anytime any Lib party member says 'they will see out their term as leader' thats a 110% guarantee that the backroom antics are already well underway....)
She's gone....
 
Dabop said:
I seriously doubt she'll be around long (remember when the libs mocked Labor for their 'revolving door leadership'???)

From Arth's link...

Oh well- thats her gone next week then.....

(anytime any Lib party member says 'they will see out their term as leader' thats a 110% guarantee that the backroom antics are already well underway....)
She's gone....
Click to expand...
"see out their term as leader" means that "term" is measured in weeks if not days.
 
Dabop said:
I seriously doubt she'll be around long (remember when the libs mocked Labor for their 'revolving door leadership'???)

From Arth's link...

Oh well- thats her gone next week then.....

(anytime any Lib party member says 'they will see out their term as leader' thats a 110% guarantee that the backroom antics are already well underway....)
She's gone....
Click to expand...

The usual clue is when the challenger says: "The Leader has my full support."
 
www.betootaadvocate.com

"I Knew I Should Have Worn My Other Band Shirt" Mutters Albo After Reading The News

EFFIE BATEMAN | Lifestyle | Contact Prime minister Anthony Albanese is now sorely regretting popping on one of his old band to shirts when he disembarked at Sydney airport last week, admitting that he had a much more appropriate one in the back of his wardrobe he could have brought instead...
www.betootaadvocate.com www.betootaadvocate.com

www.betootaadvocate.com

Sussan Ley Doubles Down By Criticising PM For His Love Of Cold Beer And Tim Tams

MONTY BENFICA | Amusements | CONTACT Opposition leader Sussan Ley has continued her attacks on the Prime Minister after spotting him enjoying a cold beer and going to a local music gig. “This simply isn’t what Australians want in a leader, drinking on the job is absolutely irresponsible and...
www.betootaadvocate.com www.betootaadvocate.com
 
The Nats have now officially dropped net zero by 2050. The Libs will force Ley’s hand and follow.

I’d really like to hear a Coalition strategist (if any remain) explain how they will win power with no more than 6 or 7 metropolitan seats.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.

Back
Top Bottom