WA Senate election: Tony Abbott accuses Clive Palmer of trying to 'buy seats'



Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused Clive Palmer of trying to "buy seats"  in the Senate in this Saturday's re-run election in Western Australia.

The Palmer United Party (PUP) has spent a substantial amount of money on advertising in the lead-up to the vote, with some reports it has spent up to 10 times more than the major parties.

PUP is hoping to win a third Senate spot, in addition to the seats it already holds - one each in Queensland and Tasmania.

But Mr Abbott says Mr Palmer cannot be taken seriously.

"I don't believe that the people of Western Australia are going to put seats in the national Parliament up for sale, which is effectively what someone is trying to do," he said.

"He's out there trying to buy seats in the Parliament and that's something I don't think the people of Western Australia will fall for."

Before establishing his own party, Mr Palmer was one of the biggest donors to the federal Liberal Party and the Liberal National Party in Queensland.

PUP's spending spree has prompted calls from the Labor Party and the Greens to rein in election spending.

"I support much greater controls on spending, greater controls on donations," Labor frontbencher Anthony Albanese said.

"We attempted to make changes last year and indeed, Tony Abbott signed off on those electoral reforms and then walked away from them."

Greens leader Senator Christine Milne has also renewed calls for restrictions on campaign spending.

"That is a concern about whether democracy is for sale and that's something I think that the Parliament needs to look at and consider how you might do that into the future and especially when you see that there is such a conflict of interest in relation to some of the major policy," she told the National Press Club in Canberra.

Mr Palmer, who won the federal seat of Fairfax at the September election, is already set to wield considerable power after the Senate changeover on July 1.

His two PUP Senators - in coalition with Motoring Enthusiasts Party Senator Ricky Muir - will hold crucial balance of power seats in the new Senate.

When Labor and the Greens oppose legislation, the Coalition will be forced to navigate its way through a micro-party crossbench of eight Senators, of which it will need six votes.

Mr Palmer's party won three Senate seats in the initial count of the Upper House results.

But the botched WA recount, ordered because of the knife-edge result in that state, reduced the PUP to two Senators.

The recount of the WA Senate vote was declared invalid after the Electoral Commission discovered that it had lost 1,375 ballot papers.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-04-01/abbott-accuses-palmer-of-trying-to-buy-wa-seats/5360182

Yeas, the hypocrisy is just mind blowing.  The LNP were quite happy to take his money when he was helping them buy votes with his money....but they whine like the ethically challenged that they are when Clive uses the same money of his against them.

One of life's great ironies of my time interested in politics.

Palmer has pointed a very clear laser light on absurd and blatant hypocrisy.

Palmer is after the Conservative vote which is why the Liberals are spewing.....Another right wing party to challenge King Tony!!!

;) ;) ;)

Aussie wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 6:32pm:

Yeas, the hypocrisy is just mind blowing.  The LNP were quite happy to take his money when he was helping them buy votes with his money....but they whine like the ethically challenged that they are when Clive uses the same money of his against them. One of life's great ironies of my time interested in politics. Palmer has pointed a very clear laser light on absurd and blatant hypocrisy.

The question is one of amount.  Palmer isn't just spending. He is spending ten times that of the other parties.  What if a far left racist sexist billionaire were to flood the tv and print with his bile to this extent and was a parliamentary candidate?  would you complain?  Of course you would.

There has to be some boundaries on spending which most people would accept. And as you well know, this is not PUP advertising. This is Palmer advertising using the PUP name as cover.

But still his polls are poor so there is hope votes cant be so easily bought.

WA is not Queensland....These types of self serving "personalities" would only ever succeed in Queensland....Clive is on a hiding to no where here in the West!!!

:) :) :)

____ wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 6:16pm:

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused Clive Palmer of trying to "buy seats"  in the Senate in this Saturday's re-run election in Western Australia.The Palmer United Party (PUP) has spent a substantial amount of money on advertising in the lead-up to the vote, with some reports it has spent up to 10 times more than the major parties.

Is Abbott only concerned when they spend 10x more than the 'major' parties or does he show the same level of concern when the major parties spend 10x or in some cases 100x more than some of the minor parties?

Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 6:45pm:

Aussie wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:32pm: Yeas, the hypocrisy is just mind blowing.  The LNP were quite happy to take his money when he was helping them buy votes with his money....but they whine like the ethically challenged that they are when Clive uses the same money of his against them. One of life's great ironies of my time interested in politics. Palmer has pointed a very clear laser light on absurd and blatant hypocrisy. The question is one of amount.  Palmer isn't just spending. He is spending ten times that of the other parties.  What if a far left racist sexist billionaire were to flood the tv and print with his bile to this extent and was a parliamentary candidate?  would you complain?  Of course you would. There has to be some boundaries on spending which most people would accept. And as you well know, this is not PUP advertising. This is Palmer advertising using the PUP name as cover. But still his polls are poor so there is hope votes cant be so easily bought.

Ha.  More hypocrisy.  So....when Clive gave whatever amount to the LNP....that was okay.  Yes?  And he was not the only bloke who gave them money to 'buy votes.'  That was okay too, wasn't it.

Are you seriously trying to tell me that if Rothchild gave the LNP (or the Greens or the LNP or PUP or whatever) a billion to use as a campaign slush fund that they would reject it.

Turn it up.

____ wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 6:16pm:

Quote: Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused Clive Palmer of trying to "buy seats"  in the Senate in this Saturday's re-run election in Western Australia.

I cannot believe this simpleton is Prime Minister.

It's why political parties accept donations. So they can spend them buying votes in campaigns.

Abbott's only getting narky because another party has outspent the Liberals.  ::)

Crying poor? He announced a $10 million plan to target WA's bikie gangs coupled with more than $50 million for regional health funding across the state. Then there's the strike and rally by teachers. Bill Shorten as education minister cut $1.2 billion out of school funding just before the election, so he risks looking like a bit of hypocrite by addressing that rally.

Bam wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 8:23pm:

____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:16pm: Quote: Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused Clive Palmer of trying to "buy seats"  in the Senate in this Saturday's re-run election in Western Australia. I cannot believe this simpleton is Prime Minister. It's why political parties accept donations. So they can spend them buying votes in campaigns. Abbott's only getting narky because another party has outspent the Liberals.  ::)

he has outspent EVERYONE by a factor of ten.  Suddenly it is seen just how blanket coverage by someone with more money than sense can be a concern.  And your beloved Labor party is suffering more than anyone with a primary vote at 29% and dropping.

It is not fact that he has outspent everyone by a factor of ten.  The opening post only goes as far as to say:


Quote:

... with some reports it has spent up to 10 times more than the major parties.

Un-named, mysterious 'reports.'

Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 8:56am:

Bam wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 8:23pm: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:16pm: Quote: Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused Clive Palmer of trying to "buy seats"  in the Senate in this Saturday's re-run election in Western Australia. I cannot believe this simpleton is Prime Minister. It's why political parties accept donations. So they can spend them buying votes in campaigns. Abbott's only getting narky because another party has outspent the Liberals.  ::) he has outspent EVERYONE by a factor of ten.  Suddenly it is seen just how blanket coverage by someone with more money than sense can be a concern.  And your beloved Labor party is suffering more than anyone with a primary vote at 29% and dropping.

Antony Green is usually regarded as a credible commentator.

Click here.

Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 7:12am:

Crying poor? He announced a $10 million plan to target WA's bikie gangs coupled with more than $50 million for regional health funding across the state. Then there's the strike and rally by teachers. Bill Shorten as education minister cut $1.2 billion out of school funding just before the election, so he risks looking like a bit of hypocrite by addressing that rally.

I thought he looked and sounded like the union thug he really is to be honest...

I couldnt believe this was someone people would vote in to be a PM....he completely forgot himself and showed his true colours..

you are not allowed to mention the cuts to gonski AP.. shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

____ wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 6:16pm:

Mr Abbott says Mr Palmer cannot be taken seriously.

For the first time I find myself agreeing with something Tony Abbott has said....

cods wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 9:12am:

Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 7:12am: Crying poor? He announced a $10 million plan to target WA's bikie gangs coupled with more than $50 million for regional health funding across the state. Then there's the strike and rally by teachers. Bill Shorten as education minister cut $1.2 billion out of school funding just before the election, so he risks looking like a bit of hypocrite by addressing that rally. I thought he looked and sounded like the union thug he really is to be honest... I couldnt believe this was someone people would vote in to be a PM....he completely forgot himself and showed his true colours.. you are not allowed to mention the cuts to gonski AP.. shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh

Turn it up, and be honest.  That $1.2B was taken out because there were States who had not signed up, and you ought to know it.  It was still there, and was put back in when those States did sign up.

philperth2010 wrote on Apr 1^st, 2014 at 6:53pm:

WA is not Queensland....These types of self serving "personalities" would only ever succeed in Queensland....Clive is on a hiding to no where here in the West!!! :) :) :)

gosh I hope your right....I read today where he  now  may pay his Carbon Tax.. what a hypocrite..

in yesterday paper some sign writers were busting to get money out of PUP..they were doing everything in their power not to pay these tradespeople..what sort of a person does that????????????????

not someone I would want working for me in parliament thats for sure.

Frances wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 9:14am:

____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:16pm: Mr Abbott says Mr Palmer cannot be taken seriously. For the first time I find myself agreeing with something Tony Abbott has said....

You and Abbott will find out exactly how seriously you'll each have to take Palmer after July 1.

:)

Aussie wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 9:16am:

cods wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:12am: Armchair_Politician wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 7:12am: Crying poor? He announced a $10 million plan to target WA's bikie gangs coupled with more than $50 million for regional health funding across the state. Then there's the strike and rally by teachers. Bill Shorten as education minister cut $1.2 billion out of school funding just before the election, so he risks looking like a bit of hypocrite by addressing that rally. I thought he looked and sounded like the union thug he really is to be honest... I couldnt believe this was someone people would vote in to be a PM....he completely forgot himself and showed his true colours.. you are not allowed to mention the cuts to gonski AP.. shhhhhhhhhhhhhhhh Turn it up, and be honest.  That $1.2B was taken out because there were States who had not signed up, and you ought to know it.  It was still there, and was put back in when those States did sign up.

lol... what was still there??????... not those imagined dollars krudd and gillard were playing with..




Then, in a fit of pique, the $1.2 billion that was originally allotted to those that didn't sign was brought back into consolidated revenue by Labor to improve its budget position, leaving two States and the NT without any funding at all via Gonski.
Now Christopher Pyne has to renegotiate schools funding for the next 4 years with all States and Territories due to Labor's initial funding mish-mash.
Of course those States who fell for Gillard's web of bribery are now crying foul.


its all on paper as we know now.

wish I could run my budget like labor did

Aussie wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 9:17am:

Frances wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:14am: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:16pm: Mr Abbott says Mr Palmer cannot be taken seriously. For the first time I find myself agreeing with something Tony Abbott has said.... You and Abbott will find out exactly how seriously you'll each have to take Palmer after July 1. :)

you wish....palmer doesn t like losing.. it will be interesting to watch him, bet he cries foul.. and looks to sue someone... ;D ;D ;D

cods wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 9:26am:

Aussie wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:17am: Frances wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:14am: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:16pm: Mr Abbott says Mr Palmer cannot be taken seriously. For the first time I find myself agreeing with something Tony Abbott has said.... You and Abbott will find out exactly how seriously you'll each have to take Palmer after July 1. :) you wish....palmer doesn t like losing.. it will be interesting to watch him, bet he cries foul.. and looks to sue someone... ;D ;D ;D

Clearly, you do not understand that PUP (with the Motoring bloke) already has the balance of power in the Senate after July 1, and will have, irrespective of this weekend's WA Senate re-run.

Aussie wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 9:30am:

cods wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:26am: Aussie wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:17am: Frances wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:14am: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:16pm: Mr Abbott says Mr Palmer cannot be taken seriously. For the first time I find myself agreeing with something Tony Abbott has said.... You and Abbott will find out exactly how seriously you'll each have to take Palmer after July 1. :) you wish....palmer doesn t like losing.. it will be interesting to watch him, bet he cries foul.. and looks to sue someone... ;D ;D ;D Clearly, you do not understand that PUP (with the Motoring bloke) already has the balance of power in the Senate after July 1, and will have, irrespective of this weekend's WA Senate re-run.

oh I understand alright...but whats that got to do with him losing in WA.????... this guy thinks hes is unstoppable...me thinks the people of W.A. might just make a fool of him..


what a luverly thought.

cods wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 9:26am:

Aussie wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:17am: Frances wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:14am: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:16pm: Mr Abbott says Mr Palmer cannot be taken seriously. For the first time I find myself agreeing with something Tony Abbott has said.... You and Abbott will find out exactly how seriously you'll each have to take Palmer after July 1. :) you wish....palmer doesn t like losing.. it will be interesting to watch him, bet he cries foul.. and looks to sue someone... ;D ;D ;D

If you understood, why did you post the words....you wish in response to my comment.....You and Abbott will find out exactly how seriously you'll each have to take Palmer after July 1?

Abbott will regret Palmer attack: Labor

    AAP
    April 02, 2014
    The Australian

PRIME Minister Tony Abbott's attack on Clive Palmer's big spend to secure a Senate seat at Saturday's WA poll re-run will come back to bite him, Labor believes.   :)

The coalition and Labor are concerned about the mining magnate's big advertising spend ahead of the election re-run on April 5, the outcome of which will affect their ability to pass or block key bills.

Mr Abbott has accused Mr Palmer of "spending money like a drunken sailor" on a massive advertising blitz in an attempt to buy seats in parliament.

The prime minister said the minor party could not be trusted to repeal the carbon tax.

But Labor warns the decision to "unleash the dogs" on Mr Palmer could backfire if his Palmer United Party is successful in securing a third Senate seat.      :)

"I suspect they will rue the day they did that because come July 1, they will be in bed with Clive Palmer," Labor MP Jason Clare told Sky News on Wednesday.

"I think Tony Abbott's judgment in attacking Clive Palmer is probably a bad mistake on his part and he will live to regret that."      :)

Parliamentary secretary Josh Frydenberg says at least the major parties stood for something, unlike Mr Palmer's party.

"We're not exactly sure what Clive Palmer stands for," the coalition MP told Sky News.

"Both the coalition and Labor Party have been around a long time ... you can't compare the status of major parties to that of Clive Palmer's."

Mr Palmer said he had only spent a third of what the Liberal Party did at the federal election.

The Palmer United Party leader said Mr Abbott shouldn't be complaining since his party had previously benefited from his political donations.

"No matter how much money you spend on advertising, if you have a bad idea people won't vote for you," he told Network Ten.

Asked what his party stood for, Mr Palmer pointed to "extensive" policies listed on his party's website including reforming the GST so West Australians got more in the commonwealth carve-up.

Mr Palmer rejected claims his delay in paying an almost $7 million carbon tax bill owed by his firm Queensland Nickel was because he was in debt.

"You're accusing me of spending too much money and then running out of money - get your act together."

He also rejected claims he was trying to win a seat in order to disrupt the government.

"Tony Abbott around the cabinet table is called 'WTF' at the moment," he said.

"That means Worse Than (Malcolm) Fraser."

It just goes to show how far we have fallen as a society.

Apparently ideas & policy no longer matter it's how much you spend.

Palmer according to Tony will win because his mugs on telly twice every 15 minutes & jug ears is on only once.

Nothing to do with policy that is being implement or touted, nothing to do with ideological stand points of parties, nothing to do with plans for the future.

It's a popularity contest & 1's bitching the other has more money.

F#@K YOU TONY
F@#K YOU CLIVE
F@#K YOU AUSTRALIA
I'M DONE

Please continue to sh!t in your own nest until you choke on ammonium fumes & don't forget to blame them on someone else. >:(

Did anyone see this Glenn Druery the other night on 7.30 Report? How easy is it to rort the electoral system if you've got enough cash and you're good at maths. This bloke is raking it in.

It's no surprise we've got all these fringe parties winning seats. He probably has a branch manager in WA, unless he's hopped over there also.

Palmer would get his preferences for a price. No doubt the major parties benefit more. The system is corrupt.

Now we know why parties with only .5% of the vote win seats.


Quote:

For more than a decade the self-proclaimed "preference whisperer" of Australian politics, Glenn Druery, has been peddling influence among a group of fringe political parties. But Mr Druery's game may soon be over. Last year's controversial election results – in which candidates were elected to the Senate on primary votes of less than half of a per cent – prompted the Federal Government to launch an inquiry that may see significant changes to electoral law. A controversial figure in Australian politics, Mr Druery was thrust into the spotlight last year due to his role as the organising force behind the Minor Party Alliance – a group of two dozen disparate fringe parties including the Australian Christians Party, the Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) Party, One Nation and the Sex Party. Three parties from the alliance – Family First, the Motoring Enthusiasts Party and the Sports Party – saw candidates win Senate seats on primary votes as low as 0.23 per cent. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-31/senate-electoral-inquiry-could-put-end-to-preference-trading/5357558

Aussie wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 9:08am:

Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 8:56am: Bam wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 8:23pm: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:16pm: Quote: Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused Clive Palmer of trying to "buy seats"  in the Senate in this Saturday's re-run election in Western Australia. I cannot believe this simpleton is Prime Minister. It's why political parties accept donations. So they can spend them buying votes in campaigns. Abbott's only getting narky because another party has outspent the Liberals.  ::) he has outspent EVERYONE by a factor of ten.  Suddenly it is seen just how blanket coverage by someone with more money than sense can be a concern.  And your beloved Labor party is suffering more than anyone with a primary vote at 29% and dropping. Antony Green is usually regarded as a credible commentator. Click here.

Credible commentator but not a pollster and the article you refer to is 2 weeks old while the poll I refer to is a couple days old.

Aussie wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 9:52am:

cods wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:26am: Aussie wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:17am: Frances wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:14am: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:16pm: Mr Abbott says Mr Palmer cannot be taken seriously. For the first time I find myself agreeing with something Tony Abbott has said.... You and Abbott will find out exactly how seriously you'll each have to take Palmer after July 1. :) you wish....palmer doesn t like losing.. it will be interesting to watch him, bet he cries foul.. and looks to sue someone... ;D ;D ;D If you understood, why did you post the words....you wish in response to my comment.....You and Abbott will find out exactly how seriously you'll each have to take Palmer after July 1?

Why do you think it is right for a party that has 5% of the vote to block the wishes of a government elected on 54% of the vote?  I can predict your response already.

Quote:

I can predict your response already.

Go ahead.  Post it.

Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 12:37pm:

Aussie wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:08am: Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 8:56am: Bam wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 8:23pm: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:16pm: Quote: Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused Clive Palmer of trying to "buy seats"  in the Senate in this Saturday's re-run election in Western Australia. I cannot believe this simpleton is Prime Minister. It's why political parties accept donations. So they can spend them buying votes in campaigns. Abbott's only getting narky because another party has outspent the Liberals.  ::) he has outspent EVERYONE by a factor of ten.  Suddenly it is seen just how blanket coverage by someone with more money than sense can be a concern.  And your beloved Labor party is suffering more than anyone with a primary vote at 29% and dropping. Antony Green is usually regarded as a credible commentator. Click here. Credible commentator but not a pollster and the article you refer to is 2 weeks old while the poll I refer to is a couple days old.

This Poll makes that comment of yours look pretty stupid.

Click here.

wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 10:37am:

come July 1, they will be in bed with Clive Palmer," Labor MP Jason Clare told Sky News on Wednesday

What a thought - if he rolled over on top of you, you would be squashed.....

Quote:

Labor is bleeding support in the west to both the Greens and the Liberals, according to the latest Newspoll published in The Australian. Primary support for the Coalition has risen to 46 per cent up from 41 per cent three months ago but is still down on the September election result of 51.2 per cent. Labor's support in WA has dropped from 36 per cent three months ago to 29 per cent, in line with its result in September.The Greens have received a five per cent jump in support up to 15 per cent. after earning 9.7 per cent of the primary vote in WA at the September poll. The Australian reports support for “others’’ — including the Palmer United Party — has fallen in the first three months of the year, leaving the West Australian Senate re-election even more complicated ahead of Saturday’s poll. Prime Minister Tony Abbott and Opposition Leader Bill Shorten are blitzing Western Australia ahead of the state's Senate election re-run on Saturday. The Liberals are widely expected to win at least two seats and possibly a third out of the six up for grabs in the poll, which was ordered by the High Court after the electoral commission lost 1370 ballots during the 2013 election count. Mr Abbott will convene a cabinet meeting in Perth tomorrow. The coalition are campaigning on what it says is damage caused to the WA economy by Labor's carbon and mining taxes, while Labor is raising fears the May federal budget will impose harmful cuts on vital public services and undermine job security. Treasurer Joe Hockey said Labor was telling voters in Perth the opposition supported scrapping the carbon tax, but back in Canberra the opposition voted to keep the tax. "That is ridiculous. West Australians are very fair dinkum, straight-talking people," Mr Hockey told reporters at Sydney airport on Monday before heading to Perth. "They will see through Labor's duplicitous message." Mr Shorten said the WA state coalition government had been cutting school funding and Mr Abbott was planning more at a federal level. "(Mr Abbott) changed the rules so Mr Barnett could take federal money in the front door and cut out the backdoor," Mr Shorten said in a statement. Mr Hockey also defended the need for the government to find savings in the budget, saying immediate remedial action was needed to address Labor's legacy of debt and deficits. "The challenge is everyone in Australia has to help to do the heavy lifting ... to undertake the budget repair work," the treasurer said.Political analysts say Labor is on track to win one WA Senate seat and possibly two, while the Greens, Palmer United Party and micro-parties will battle it out for the final one or two seats.

http://www.businessspectator.com.au/news/2014/3/31/coalition-rallies-wa-newspoll

Aussie wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 9:52am:

cods wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:26am: Aussie wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:17am: Frances wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:14am: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:16pm: Mr Abbott says Mr Palmer cannot be taken seriously. For the first time I find myself agreeing with something Tony Abbott has said.... You and Abbott will find out exactly how seriously you'll each have to take Palmer after July 1. :) you wish....palmer doesn t like losing.. it will be interesting to watch him, bet he cries foul.. and looks to sue someone... ;D ;D ;D If you understood, why did you post the words....you wish in response to my comment.....You and Abbott will find out exactly how seriously you'll each have to take Palmer after July 1?

LOLOLOL... now when that doesnt happen... dont get all cranky when someone reminds you what you claimed way back in April...

Aussie wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 12:48pm:

Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 12:37pm: Aussie wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:08am: Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 8:56am: Bam wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 8:23pm: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:16pm: Quote: Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused Clive Palmer of trying to "buy seats"  in the Senate in this Saturday's re-run election in Western Australia. I cannot believe this simpleton is Prime Minister. It's why political parties accept donations. So they can spend them buying votes in campaigns. Abbott's only getting narky because another party has outspent the Liberals.  ::) he has outspent EVERYONE by a factor of ten.  Suddenly it is seen just how blanket coverage by someone with more money than sense can be a concern.  And your beloved Labor party is suffering more than anyone with a primary vote at 29% and dropping. Antony Green is usually regarded as a credible commentator. Click here. Credible commentator but not a pollster and the article you refer to is 2 weeks old while the poll I refer to is a couple days old. This Poll makes that comment of yours look pretty stupid. Click here.

didnt CRIKEY claim THOMO was innocent.and a target for the Libs.. ::)

Quote:

didnt CRIKEY claim THOMO was innocent.and a target for the Libs..

I don't know.  Did they cods?

mantra wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 11:13am:

Did anyone see this Glenn Druery the other night on 7.30 Report? How easy is it to rort the electoral system if you've got enough cash and you're good at maths. This bloke is raking it in. It's no surprise we've got all these fringe parties winning seats. He probably has a branch manager in WA, unless he's hopped over there also. Palmer would get his preferences for a price. No doubt the major parties benefit more. The system is corrupt. Now we know why parties with only .5% of the vote win seats. Quote: For more than a decade the self-proclaimed "preference whisperer" of Australian politics, Glenn Druery, has been peddling influence among a group of fringe political parties. But Mr Druery's game may soon be over. Last year's controversial election results – in which candidates were elected to the Senate on primary votes of less than half of a per cent – prompted the Federal Government to launch an inquiry that may see significant changes to electoral law. A controversial figure in Australian politics, Mr Druery was thrust into the spotlight last year due to his role as the organising force behind the Minor Party Alliance – a group of two dozen disparate fringe parties including the Australian Christians Party, the Help End Marijuana Prohibition (HEMP) Party, One Nation and the Sex Party. Three parties from the alliance – Family First, the Motoring Enthusiasts Party and the Sports Party – saw candidates win Senate seats on primary votes as low as 0.23 per cent. http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-03-31/senate-electoral-inquiry-could-put-end-to-preference-trading/5357558

After the last election, the general consensus on the Forum among left and right alike was that Senate group voting has become a farce. I expect that Liberal and Labor will work together to abolish group voting tickets.

Aussie wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 12:48pm:

Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 12:37pm: Aussie wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 9:08am: Bread and Butter wrote on Apr 2nd, 2014 at 8:56am: Bam wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 8:23pm: ____ wrote on Apr 1st, 2014 at 6:16pm: Quote: Prime Minister Tony Abbott has accused Clive Palmer of trying to "buy seats"  in the Senate in this Saturday's re-run election in Western Australia. I cannot believe this simpleton is Prime Minister. It's why political parties accept donations. So they can spend them buying votes in campaigns. Abbott's only getting narky because another party has outspent the Liberals.  ::) he has outspent EVERYONE by a factor of ten.  Suddenly it is seen just how blanket coverage by someone with more money than sense can be a concern.  And your beloved Labor party is suffering more than anyone with a primary vote at 29% and dropping. Antony Green is usually regarded as a credible commentator. Click here. Credible commentator but not a pollster and the article you refer to is 2 weeks old while the poll I refer to is a couple days old. This Poll makes that comment of yours look pretty stupid. Click here.

What poll?  I see no numbers there at all, nevermind anything that seeks to be significantly different form the NewsPoll of some days ago.

If there is actual data hidden somewhere there then please tell me because all I saw was unsubstantiated opinion.

You missed the graphs?

Aussie wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 4:34pm:

You missed the graphs?

No graphs.  Perhaps you have to be a subscriber. So why not tell us the figures and from whom. Ive already told you the Newspoll ones.

The graphs are there.  Down the right hand side of your screen.....when you access the link.

According to today’s West Australian, advertising monitoring firm Ebiquity estimates the Palmer United Party has spent “10 times more than Labor and 20 times more than the Liberals on television advertisements”. The substance of the advertising is that Palmer United will reduce the flow of Western Australian money to the eastern states, which may have proved counter-productive to its endeavours in the recent Tasmanian election, at which a similarly intensive advertising blitz failed to yield any dividends.


people are not stupid... and this guy thinks they are.. how rude..

you have to scroll down the link B&B..

not sure what a bludgertracker is...but I presume they believe everything people tell them.. ;D ;D

I wonder if palmer is paying his bills in WA...  ::) ::).. some people are still waiting 6 months later to be paid for work they did for him..

just saying... :D :D

Aussie wrote on Apr 2^nd, 2014 at 5:16pm:

The graphs are there.  Down the right hand side of your screen.....when you access the link.

They are national polls.  We are talking WA so I assumed you would be refuting my WA poll results with a... WA poll result.