Seems the 'real' Tony Abbott doesn't travel anywhere without his makeup these days

Australian Opposition Leader Tony Abbott preparing for one of his staged outdoor appearances for the media's benefit on 27 June 2013:

*Photograph from Google Images

Little Georgie Brandis can't so his sums

This was Libs Senator George Brandis on ABC TV Q&A Monday 24th June 2013:

“As everybody - as Graham Richardson and Judith Sloane have pointed out, abortion has not been in issue in this country for more than a decade.” 

More than a decade? No, no, no, Georgie!

Abortion was still a big issue in 2006 when the then Health Minister Tony Abbott fought to keep the drug RU486 from Australian women.

On 9th February that year Georgie told the Senate that he was voting in defence of Abbott's move.

Even using his fingers to count Brandis must be able to reach the number 7 for the years since then.

Photograph from Granny Herald

Antony Green runs Australian Federal Election numbers based on Morgan Poll of 1 July 2013

Roy Morgan Research 1 July 2013:

• Finding No. 5010 
• Topic: Federal Poll

Finding No. 5010 - This multi-mode Morgan Poll on Federal voting intention was conducted over the last few days via Face-to-Face, Internet and SMS interviewing, June 28-30, 2013 with an Australia-wide cross-section of 3,438 Australian electors aged 18+, of all electors surveyed 1.5% (down 0.5%) did not name a party.

This week’s Morgan Poll, the second since Kevin Rudd became Prime Minister, shows another swing to the ALP. The ALP 51.5% (up 2% since last Wednesday’s special snap SMS Morgan Poll) is now ahead of the L-NP 48.5% (down 2%) on a two-party preferred basis.

The L-NP primary vote is 40.5% (down 2.5%) slightly ahead of the ALP 39.5% (up 1.5%). Among the minor parties Greens support is 8.5% (unchanged) and support for Independents/ Others is 11.5% (up 1%) – including within that support for Katter’s Australian Party of 1.5% and support for the Palmer United Party of 1.5%.

If a Federal Election were held today the result would be a close ALP win according to this weekend’s multi-mode Morgan Poll on Federal voting intention with an Australia-wide cross-section of 3,438 Australian electors aged 18+.

The Roy Morgan Government Confidence Rating has improved strongly after Rudd’s return – up 12.5pts to 106 – the highest since mid March 2013. Now 43.5% (up 5%) say Australia is ‘heading in the right direction’ and 37.5% (down 7.5%) say Australia is ‘heading in the wrong direction’....

Antony Green's Election Calculator 1 July 2013:

Calculations based on 1 July 2013 Morgan Poll

Metgasco continues to lose support on the NSW North Coast

Richmond Valley Council is no longer enamoured with coal seam gas mining or Metgasco Limited.....

The Northern Star 27 June 2013 

Investors do not appear to be eagerly chasing Metgasco shares either......

ASX snapshot 28 June 2013

NSW Farmers withdraws support for mining template access agreement

Heads up for strong winds, heavy rain and damaging surf in the Northern Rivers area - 1 July 2013

Click on image to enlarge

Sack the letters editor at The Australian

Today's edition of The Australian carries a letter to the editor that should never have been printed.

The letter writer is wrong. The writer's understanding of geography is abysmal.

The letters editor should have seen the error in the letter, but perhaps the editor knows no  better. Then again, the letter suits the agenda of this rabid right wing rag that pretends to be a national newspaper.

Here's the letter:

Last Post, July

Kevin Rudd, a former diplomat, less than 48 hours into his new/old job, is talking up conflict with our nearest neighbour. Is this a record?

Roseanne Schneider, Yeronga, Qld


For the record, Indonesia is not Australia's nearest neighbour.

Source: The Australian, July 1, 2013