Essential Report opinion poll on politcal leaders shows Rudd still outshines Abbott in the personality stakes

The Essential Report pollsters asked 1,816 people for their opinion of various personality traits in relation to the Australian Prime Minister and Leader of the Opposition, with 1009 responding to this 23-28 February online poll conducted at Your Source.

Kevin Rudd as incumbent Labor prime minister still wipes the floor with his Coalition counterpart across all positive categories - intelligent, hard-working, visionary, down-to-earth, capable leader, good in crisis, trustworthy, understands problems facing Australia, more honest than most politicians etc.
In relation to what might be seen as negative characteristics both men are considered equally demanding, with Rudd viewed as more superficial and complacent than Abbott who is seen as more out of touch, inflexible, narrow-minded and arrogant by most respondents.

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Possum over at Pollytics breaks down the Essential Report data into easy to read tables.

The latest Newspoll shows similar two-party preferred percentages to those which occurred at the 2007 federal election, which seems to give Labor the winner's crown if an election had been held in the last fortnight. In this poll Rudd led Abbott as preferred prime minister by 25 percentage points.

The beautiful young faces of Boneless Pony

The Clarence Valley holds a wealth of young talent and the music trio Boneless Pony (pictured above) formed by three final year music students from Maclean High School are a delight.

The trio will be performing next at the Yamba International Women's Day Brunch on Saturday 6 March 2010. Details here.

Hair today gone tomorrow as 2010 unofficial election campaign rolls on

Maud up the Street has a big grin on her face because she's just noticed that Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's discreet baby frontal comb-over has been turned into a close crop which he obviously hopes will play better to the camera.

Maud thinks it must be hard when a pollie finds that even sporting poses for the media just can't hide a distinct tonsorial fail creeping from back to front. While standing up during Question Time must be a real trial for a man trying to project a 'young' image.

Pic from Crikey

Glenda MacPhail from the Clarence Valley named as a finalist in NSW Woman of the Year Award 2010

Glenda MacPhail of Townsend [see insert] a tireless worker on behalf of the Clarence Valley indigenous community has received some well-deserved recognition.
She was named a finalist in the NSW Woman of the Year Award 2010.
Winner to be announced on Monday 8 March.

From Bigpond News:

Three Aboriginal women are in the running to become NSW Woman of the Year thanks to their work in health and community development.
The award, for which there are 10 finalists, is part of International Women's Day celebrations on March 8. The winner will be announced at a reception hosted by Premier Kristina Keneally on the day.

Finalist Sister Alison Bush, the first Aboriginal midwife to be based at a major maternity hospital inNSW, has been recognised for her forty years working with Aboriginal mothers and babies.

Elder Millie Ingram is also in contention for the award for her ongoing work in community leadership through Redfern and Waterloo land council organisations as well as women's community groups.

Glenda MacPhail, a Yaegl woman, has also been honoured as a finalist for her efforts helping to set up the Lower Clarence Aboriginal Women's Resource Centre at Maclean, near Grafton on the state's north coast.

Full list of finalists from a field of 90 nominations:

• Sister Alison Bush from Leichardt,
• Ms Wendy Fogarty from Tarrawanna,
• Councillor Colleen Fuller from Gunnedah,
• Ms Millie Ingram from Glebe,
• Ms Susan Lee from Strathfield,
• Mrs Glenda MacPhail from Townsend,
• Mrs Johanne Provins from Granville,
• Professor Janice Reid AM from Penrith,
• Pastor Julie Virtue from Forbes; and
• Mrs. Christine Weston from Cumnock.

Far stranger than fiction: there's a price on Aussie PM's head

Where do some nongs keep their brains - in a box down in the garden shed?
Somehow I'd always thought offering a reward for political assassination was just a trifle over the top, even if you're young and stupid enough to say it on a Facebook page displaying your own mug shot for any potential complaint laid with the Australian Federal Police about advertising a willingness to fund murder.

Google's search engine indexes 2,870 items which have this word sequence "kill kevin rudd" and the item with top ranking is a free game called, you guessed it, Kill Kevin Rudd by Pictogame
There are only 4 items for "kevin rudd must die".
But there are 182 mentions of "assassinate kevin rudd" and the top ranker is the one offering "to pay someone $50000 if they assassinate Kevin Rudd":

kevin rudd is a fuckng douche bag Facebook

Todd Brees Riley i am prepared to pay someone $50000 if they assassinate Kevin Rudd. July 13, 2009 at 11:04pm · Report ...
www.facebook.com/group.php?v=wall&gid=6818997201 - Cached

Australian Federal Election 2010: So who thinks neither rule nor law applies to him?

What's wrong with the pictured letter and attachments?
These three documents (letter, flyer and petition sheet) came in the same envelope - as part of a bulk mailout by the Nationals Federal Member for Cowper sent to voters in the neighbouring seat of Page which held by a member of the Rudd Government.
Worked it out yet?
I'm sure many of you are already starting to count the (ahem) breaches.....

Small hint; The entitlement must only be used for parliamentary or electorate purposes, and must not be used for: (a) party business and As of 1 October 2009, Senators and Members have had the option to submit a print ready copy of material proposed to be printed using their printing and communications entitlement for vetting by the Department of Finance and Deregulation. As part of the vetting process, Finance will assess the print ready copy against the parameters of the printing and communications entitlement, and Senators and Members will receive written advice on whether or not the item is within entitlement. and The AEC takes the view that the election period for these purposes will - at minimum - be the period from the announcement of the election or the issue of the writs (whichever is the earlier) to the close of polling on election day. However, in circumstances where there is considerable speculation surrounding a possible election, the AEC may consider that the election period has commenced, notwithstanding that there has been no announcement or issuing of the writs.

Seems Luke Hartsuyker MP didn't bother to consider his actions against current policy, rules or law and that's not his only problem, even if his spokesperson 'appears' not to understand when questioned by the media.

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Name and address of recipient redacted from letter

International Women's Day 2010 events in the Clarence Valley

PROGRAM OF EVENTS

There is a range of activities during the week before and after 8th March, the official International Women’s Day. Council and the NSW Office for Women’s Policy are supporting the following events.

Saturday 6 March
Brunch organized by Lower Clarence Women’s Group at Yamba Community Centre, Treelands Drive, Yamba.
Guest speaker from Love Bites Program.
Entertainment: Youth trio Boneless Pony.
Time: 10 am - 11.30 am. $10 per person or $5 concession. Purchase tickets by Thursday 4 March at Yamba Community Centre: 6646 1478. Contact: susan.howland@clarence.nsw.gov.au

Saturday 6 March
Drumming workshop for women from 3- 5 pm at Scout Hall, Iluka. Cool drinks and nibblies provided. Bookings essential by Thursday 4 March to Susan Howland 0427 975 131 susan.howland@clarence.nsw.gov.au

Monday 8 March
Breakfast organized by Clarence Valley Women Inc with guest speaker, Judy Lewis, General Manager Daily Examiner. Victoria’s Restaurant, Fitzroy St. Grafton. 7.00 am – 9 am. $15.50 per person or $10 concession. RSVP by Thursday 4 March to Vicki on 6644 8450 or
victoria@stlawrenceconsulting.com.au

Friday 12 March
Clarence Valley View Clubs invite you to morning tea, light lunch,entertainment, guest speakers, lucky door prizes & raffles. Venue: Yamba Bowling Club, Wooli St. Yamba. 9.30 am for 10 am morning tea. $10 per person. Bookings must be made by Friday 5 March to Joy Lauder 6646 1124.

Saturday 13 March

Lower Clarence Aboriginal Women’s Group invites everyone to join them for an exhibition of arts and crafts by local Aboriginal women at Annie’s Place, Hillcrest Maclean from 3 pm – 5 pm. Afternoon tea provided. Contact: Nakeeta McLeay 6645 3468/0418 425 637.