Sir Prince Philip

[Mark L]

Is that what us Aussies call him now??
Good one Tony.

[ricktas]

The calibre of politician in this country has gone down hill so badly. Where have all the great people gone that want to see Australia move forward? Where are the politicians who have the interest of Australians as the core of why they are in parliament? The fact he did this without even discussing it with cabinet. Are we in a dictatorship?

[ameerat42]

Is that what us Aussies call him now??
Good one Tony.

I'd say even he would be quite bemused, and HM may well be amused!

Maybe this is what is meant by "shirtfronting". Next we can expect Sir V Putting

[bcys1961]

Tony Abbott is a sleeper secretly planted inside the Liberal Party many ago by Labor , and activated by the code words "You have won the Election!" . How else can you explain it ?

[bobt]

The calibre of politician in this country has gone down hill so badly. Where have all the great people gone that want to see Australia move forward? Where are the politicians who have the interest of Australians as the core of why they are in parliament? The fact he did this without even discussing it with cabinet. Are we in a dictatorship?

I find it ironic that on the day we're supposed to feel proud of our country, we find ourselves governed by a collection of amoral nitwits who haven't got a clue how to run a country, lead by a complete and utter moron who is making us a laughing stock around the world! It's just plain embarrassing.

As for the great politicians, we have a couple (such as Scott Ludlam) but mostly the good ones are muzzled in some way or dead and buried.

I used to be proud to be Australian, but ever since I become more aware of what actually happens in Canberra I have found little to be proud of - especially as half of us voted for the government we have!! That's one inescapable fact that simply boggles me.

[ameerat42]

Woe betide us is already betiding us!!!

[pixy]

The calibre of politicians is not to blame, it is the voters that put some of the senators in a job (that is all they worry about) until that is sorted out we will be in trouble.

Tony might be giving the captain`s call,but the Australian honours is recommended by a committee, so it might be the same with knight hoods and I cannot see any problem with them,
it was a big part of Australian culture.

Jack.

[Analog6]

Agree Rick, We're almost a dictatorship, IMHO, and we definitely meet most of the 14 pointers to fascism. And we used to be a great country

The calibre of politician in this country has gone down hill so badly. Where have all the great people gone that want to see Australia move forward? Where are the politicians who have the interest of Australians as the core of why they are in parliament? The fact he did this without even discussing it with cabinet. Are we in a dictatorship?

[Ionica]

Maybe it calls for a John McEnroe quote.
" You cannot be serious ".

[MissionMan]

Rumour has it next year he is planning on knighting the Queen as well. Maybe after that he can knight Prince William. I'm sure they must be sitting there thinking "wow, why be a prince when I can be a Sir"

In all honesty, I have to say I'm extremely disappointed by all the political candidates at the moment. It's like choosing between castration and a root canal. They all seem to be the same, very little charisma, very little intelligence and very little ethics. It's like they go to the same school. Given the quality of Australian leadership as a whole (very highly sought after from a global perspective), it seems our politicians are scraping the bottom of the barrel.

What gets me is how many of these politicians don't actually care about what the public want. As an example, the independent polls conducted show that the majority of the public are at least in support of a referendum on gay marriage and the politicians won't even do that. The problem is they are forgetting they work for us, not the other way around.

If Tony Abbott (or many of the other politicians) worked in private sector, they would have been fired. Government needs to implement an employment contract for this band of misfits (on all sides, not just libs) and make sure that they have to deliver on their promises or lose their jobs like anyone in the private sector would. Perhaps that would ensure that they are a little more truthful when making their election promises.

[ameerat42]

Do you mean making her a Dame (not a Knight)

[MissionMan]

Nope, this is Tony Abbott we are talking about. He suffers from foot in mouth disease. He would try knight her into a Sir and worry about the political fallout afterwards or just call it internet graffiti

[tduell]

... It's like they go to the same school.

I think many do, and it's called "Clown School".

[MissionMan]

I find that insulting to clowns. At least we know they are being humorous. Our government is being serious when they make these mistakes

[ameerat42]

No joke! Sir Ronald MacDonald might actually make more sense.
Imagine the benefits. We could go to Macca's and ask for a Big Sir!
Then they'd ask if you'd want any earldoms with that, and... so on and so sauce!!!

[MissionMan]

I think I'd be an awesome PM if I ever got into power.

My first action would be a piece of legislation to subsidise photography gear to 10% of the current price along with mandatory photography as a subject in school and free photographic training for all adults. Photographers may lose their jobs in the industry but the employment opportunities in schools would jump due to every school needing a photographer so they would be able to get employment and still be able to afford the latest gear. As much as teachers aren't paid well, they are probably still paid more than the average photographer

The payback would come from having only awesome photos of Australia on the web because everyone would have awesome gear and awesome training. People would assume these photos exist because Australia is simply awesome and this would result in a massive 300% jump in tourism which would create sufficient income to cover the photography subsidy along with a massive increase in the job market which would help reduce unemployment considerably. This reduction in unemployment would result in reduced taxes for all, more disposable income, which in turn would cause the economy to improve.

I'm a genius I tell you!

[ameerat42]

I think I'd be an awesome PM if I ever got into power.

My first action would be a piece of legislation to subsidise photography gear to 10% of the current price along with mandatory photography as a subject in school and free photographic training for all adults. Photographers may lose their jobs in the industry but the employment opportunities in schools would jump due to every school needing a photographer so they would be able to get employment and still be able to afford the latest gear. As much as teachers aren't paid well, they are probably still paid more than the average photographer

The payback would come from having only awesome photos of Australia on the web because everyone would have awesome gear and awesome training. People would assume these photos exist because Australia is simply awesome and this would result in a massive 300% jump in tourism which would create sufficient income to cover the photography subsidy along with a massive increase in the job market which would help reduce unemployment considerably. This reduction in unemployment would result in reduced taxes for all, more disposable income, which in turn would cause the economy to improve.

I'm a genius I tell you!

Ch 2. Arise, Sir MissionMan.

Epilog: Mass exodus from Oz

[peterv]

The problem with politics is that ANYONE can become a politician.No formal training required.Fish and chip shop owners can "qualify". (No disrespect to any fish and chip shop owners meant).

Every other profession or trade requires years of training and study.Not politics.This is why we have the yahoos running the country. Treasurers that don't have to study finance?

[MissionMan]

The problem with politics is that ANYONE can become a politician.No formal training required.Fish and chip shop owners can "qualify". (No disrespect to any fish and chip shop owners meant).

Every other profession or trade requires years of training and study.Not politics.This is why we have the yahoos running the country. Treasurers that don't have to study finance?

I think that's exactly the problem. If the government was a company and you were going to hire someone to run your finance division, one would assume you would hire a person who is extremely well qualified. Same goes for the rest of the portfolios including transport, etc. Instead we have people whose only skill is standing up and going "These guys are idiots, they don't know what they are doing and we'll do better" when they are the opposition. None of them seem to bother to do a reality check to see the long term impacts of any policies created or how they would impact on the country in 5, 10 or 20 years time.

There is no accountability for promises. Where in the world would you be able to run a company for 4 years with no accountability and then walk away with a massive pension for your troubles.

There also seems to be a culture of entitlement from politicians instead of doing what is right. First class flights when the economy is doing badly (which wouldn't happen in private sector), increases and bonuses when they are doing a poor job, travel without good reason simply because they are entitled to x number of trips per year, etc.

[ricktas]

perhaps he thinks Lizzie and co will return the favour and we shall have to bow to Sir Tony...soon