Sunday 24th May 1998

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Today's Headlines
an Aussie's viewpoint on Australia's first daily Internet newspaper.
Since October 1995

Hanson's support blossoms in Queensland

Well, well, well just months ago we were informed by the "experts" that Pauline Hanson and One Nation was "dead"... and now the Labor and Coalition parties in Queensland are running scared.

Their little cashcow of political career making supported by outlandish superannuation and salary packages is now under threat as the people of Australia come back and tackle the establishment and their sick liaison with the forces of evil - the media barons who are worse than the Italian Mafia because they are able to manipulate elections and politicians through their polarised power to influence "what Australians think".

The denigration of Hanson, a threat to their cosy club, is hitting these Trojan Horses hard in the face with One Nation becoming the saving grace for more and more Australians.

Here is the Sunday Mail poll on nearly 1,000 Queensland voters which has got the establishment heading for the hills...
% of vote for parties - CM Research
Party Total % Metro Rural/Northern S.E.Qld Male Female
Labor Party 33 38 29 28 35 30
Liberal Party 20 23 14 25 17 23
Pauline Hanson's One Nation Party 15 10 22 14 17 13
National Party 11 7 14 15 12 11
An Independent 5 5 6 2 4 5
Informal 6 5 7 7 5 7
Don't Know 5 7 4 4 5 6
Australian Democrats 2 2 2 3 3 2
Green Party 2 3 2 2 2 3

Now we know who the people want to "keep the bastard's honest".

Even the unethical Sunday Mail reporter Sid Maher was forced to admit Hanson's power under the headline "One Nation alarms Nats":

Queenslanders could face a second state election if mounting support for Pauline Hanson's One Nation party resulted in a hung parliament.

Premier Rob Borbidge yesterday conceded it was possible neither side of politics could form government if One Nation won the balance of power.

A Sunday Mail-Seven Nightly News poll (above) has found National Party support has been stripped by One Nation.

The poll, the first Statewide gauge of the campaign, found support for One Nation stood at 14% while primary vote support for the Nationals had slumped to 11%.

But Labor was also struggling at 31% while backing for the Liberals was 19%.

One Nation's support increased to 15% when uncommitted voters were asked which party they were leaning towards.

Mr Borbidge said if the poll findings were repeated on June 13, Queensland faced a potential period of "unprecedented political instability", which could cripple the economy and cost jobs.

He said Queensland would lack the political security needed for companies to expand and employment and investment would "go somewhere else".

"At the end of the day someone has to be able to tell the Governor he can form a Government.

"Now if you had, for argument's sake.. a handful of people in there that said they would not support either side, then clearly neither Mr Beattie nor I could give the Governor the assurances... to give either of us a commission to form a government."

Opposition leader Peter Beattie said the Sunday Mail poll was encouraging to Labor, but the party was still the underdog.

He said One Nation support would eat into Labor's standing as well as the Coalition's.

"That's why I'm saying to Labor Party voters and swinging voters that if you vote for One Nation you are voting for Mrs Sheldon and Mr Borbidge."

 The poll of 914 voters by CM Research showed voter disillusionment with the major parties has continued with a third of the voters either undecided, intending to vote informal or for an independent or minor party. Voters intending to cast informal ballots stood at 6%.

A Sunday Mail poll in February found one third of voters intended to spurn major parties.

"Pauline Hanson and One nation hold the key to this election," said CM Research general manager Vivienne Croft.

She said One Nation support was highest among males over 40 who believe the biggest issue at this election was job security.

On a two-party preferred basis, the election result on June 13 remains a cliffhanger with support between the Coalition and Labor split 50%.

Mr Borbidge has drawn ahead of Mr Beattie in the preferred Premier stakes.

Mr Borbidge was preferred by 39% of voters compared with Mr Beattie's 32%.

The 7% margin compared with 4% between the leaders in February.

Mr Beattie's disapproval rating of 34% outstripped his approval rating of 33% while Mr Borbidge's approval rating was 38% compared to his disapproval rating of 29%.

Liberal leader Joan Sheldon remained the most unpopular of the leaders with a disapproval rating of 37%. 


Making the news" -
an indepth exposé of media and political collusion at the highest possible levels in Australia.


email the editor

You say:

Subject: Strachan's analysis

For today's article in his 'Economic Rationalist' series, Graham Strachan deserves accolades for pointing out the bleeding obvious: that for intelligent people there are, at the very least, two sides to any argument. Only ideologues believe that all truth is on their side.

Yet still our so-called opinion makers try to intimidate Australians by their 'ad hominem' attacks on the likes of Pauline Hanson ('Pauline Hanson is a racist'), instead of debating the substance of her concerns. In fact it is becoming increasingly obvious that they are doing little more than venting their spleen. They must be getting very frustrated by the obstinacy of ordinary Australians.

Last week I wrote to John Howard. Among other matters I wrote, "Secondly I object to your statement that Pauline Hanson's supporters are people who have been kicked around or whatever precise words you used. This PC analysis of Hanson's popularity - that One Nation supporters are fearful, anxious, worried, frightened of change, etc - has been repeated ad nauseam by every journalist and opinion-maker in the country. It is wrong. One Nation supporters are not fearful, anxious, worried, frightened of change, etc. They are angry. There is a big difference".

I'll let you all know his reply when I receive it.

Antonia Feitz

Subject: Comments on Australian News of the Day

Dear Sir

This is just a quick mail now that I have had the benefit of a closer look at the stories on your site. And, thank you again, it is very interesting indeed.

One thing. In your segment on 'Making the News' you refer to the media as 'fickle' and/or as just not being interested in positive stories about One Nation or negative ones about the ALP. You point to the huge influence of Packer and Murdoch. Yet, there have been occasions, and issues, on which their employees have defied that influence. I believe that has been because the collective individuals who work in the media are anything but fickle.

As a general rule, in both personal and professional dealings, people from all walks of life tend to be attracted to, and congregate with, other like minded people. Those who are similar to ourselves, in that they like what we like, do what we do, and, most importantly, share similar beliefs and interests.

The media is just another collective group of individuals who share not only a profession but a belief system. The only difference between them and any other group is that they are enabled to present their beliefs as the only right, good and correct ones. So, when the influence of Packer and/or Murdoch, is pushing in a direction diametrically opposed to those generally shared beliefs it will be resisted, or even defied.

And, it does not take Einsten to analyse that, with certain notable exceptions, the bulk of our mainstream media share strong socialist beliefs. Hence, while The Democrats, Greens and ALP can, in the main, count on positive every day coverage, in the case of Pauline, and One Nation, not only is the influence of the media moguls directed against her, but that direction will continue to be, enthusiastically supported, reinforced and magnified, by the vast majority of their employees!

Although support for Pauline and One Nation continues to grow, the negative effects of the constant stream of propaganda against her cannot be discounted. I am sure you must sense that, if she were to receive even relatively objective coverage, let alone a modicum of media support, there would be a revolution in Australia that would, in many (non violent) ways, surpass the one currently happening in Indonesia!

The media can be fooled into given Pauline positive coverage, as was the case when they were covering ugly demonstrators. Yes it was newsworthy but their mistakenly shared belief was that it would highlight, and increase, distaste for her. Once the penny dropped coverage became cursory and demonstrators waned. Because coverage is rarely live anything that is believed to show Pauline in a positive light is likely to hit the cutting room floor, and not from fickleness.

Carol Kavanagh

Subject: Packer's Pay

Sir,

Today I caught the tail end of an interview on TV about the 200 richest people in Australia. It was stated that Kerry Packer's earnings for last year was around $3 million a DAY!!! or $1.095 billion a year. I wonder how much tax he paid ??

Alan Esson

Spot on Alan... don't we all.... bloodsuckers, leaches and worse.

Editor

Subject: Dedicated Seats

23rd May, 1998

Dr. Jenny Knight,
Director,
Standing Committee on Social Issues,
Legislative Council,
Parliament of New South Wales,
Macquarie Street,
SYDNEY NSW 2000

Dear Doctor,

Whilst our Principals have not indicated how they came by information about the conduct, by your Committee (membership of which is limited to party faithfuls?) , of an Inquiry into Dedicated Seats for Aboriginal People in the NSW Parliament, or the community consultation aspect of it, to be held on Tuesday June 9, 1998 at the Lismore & District Workers Club between 9.30 am and 5.00 pm, they have asked us to submit some comments to the Committee.

Apparently their initial reaction to the proposal was negative as they had a preconceived idea that those who live in this State should have equal opportunity and that there should be no need to discriminate in favour of any ethnic group. This attitude was re-inforced by a patently erroneous belief that members of the Legislative Assembly and the Lergislative Council were only there because they had particularly worthy qualities, were dedicated to serve the interests of their electorates and had gained such benefit as reward for their competence. The reality, of course, is that most are there, regardless of their ability or otherwise, simply because the hierachies of the non-parliamentary political party machines in their parties "endorsed" them and, in some instances, obliged them to tithe their parliamentary salaries and allowances to the party machine. A few of them mayeven be there just for the ego trip, the perks of office and the substantial retirement benefits available after a relatively short period of membership.

So they considered other aspects of the matter and were assured that the way that members of the gentler sex had achieved initial representation in parliament was as a direct result of (tokenism?) the moves to dedicate a proportion of "seats" to them. Hasn't there been in recent times somewhere in this nation a move by, was it the Australian Labor Party, to compel their hierachy to make room in their system for the election of a fixed proportion of female members of parliament without taking into account whether they were more or less competent than their male contemporaries?

Given that the idea worked for the entry of female members into the parliamentary scene (and possibly a quite significant softening of the nature of the legislation and regulation as a consequence) it did seem logical to them that an, initially fixed, proportion of "seats" should be created for both Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islanders (and perhaps eventually for each and every one of the other multiplicity of ethnic groups which choose to insist on retaining their separate and incompatible cultures and/or religious beliefs and/or languages?). Naturally such a concept is premised on the continued existence of the arbitrary structure, an accident of history only, namely the State or Territory, when there are increasing pressures to discard the existing Constitutional Monarchy, which the parliament relies upon for its very existence, in favour of the Commonwealth of Australia as a republic with a central government and regional (impotent?) advisory councils.

Any option that denied the "tribal" Aboriginal (and, eventually. other ethnic groups) the right to VOTE would be struck down by already existing laws in this nation on Human Rights/Equal Opportunity/Anti-discrimination/Civil Liberties.

Proposals for yet another body such as an Aboriginal Assembly, in addition to the existing Land Councils and the, less than perfect empire-building, Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander Commission, are likely to be very fiercely resisted on the grounds that it would further moves to defeat the current attempts at creating an atmosphere of "reconcilliation".

Our Principals, in expressing these views, will have incurred the wrath of some readers, especially those with vested interests or enjoying privileges that are not shared with the wider community, but if your Committee can extract any useful thoughts from them please feel free to do so.

Sincerely,

J o n M. A x t e n s

Subject: How to vote information

Following the posting today which stated:

"Please inform us of candidates for the Redcliffe, Qld electorates, state and federal. Also, as the elections draw near please be sure to place on your web site the best way to vote so that One Nation gets the best advantage. You can count on our votes. Thank you for your efforts, Phil Packer"

It is not clear that Phil Packer linked to the **Election Sites** near the top of the NOTD page. Maybe you should include a line there that says 'How to vote', so that good people like Phil know where to find it quickly?

Furthermore, such information should be easy to print out to hand out to our friends. May I also say "please keep up the good work" and add my thanks to Graham Strachan for his superb contributions too? I must get around to documenting for NOTD how Economic Rationalism is destroying the quality of delivery of health services from someone who is at the coalface.

Regards,
Barry Mollenhauer

Subject: Death penalty in WA (fwd)

*** Forwarded message, originally written by P Nicholas on 21-May-98 ***

At last Western Australia has become the only state in this country to have the death penalty. But not for Murderers or drug pushers but for innocent children who are yet to be born. The crime is: being unwanted by their mother, being the wrong sex or interfering with their mother's career.

The nurses are fighting a losing battle for a wage rise of 16% which the government will not be able to pay, because it is gearing up to fund the flood of abortions which will result from the Davernport Bill, which was passed last night.

Can you imagine the entire population of Geraldton being wiped out. With unrestricted abortion, this will be the number of innocent children slaughtered every year.

Dr. Chan and his mate will be able to set up a chain of abortion clinics throughout the state and make millions out of the Abortion Industry. Will the Government allow him to have a monopoly or will we have to put up with two or more clinics per country towns?

Peter

Subject: How to vote cards

I am against the idea of One Nation being put last on how to Vote cards John Batty

Nanango Qld

Subject: Allocation of Position of Political Parties Mr. J. Howard. Prime Minister
Commonwealth of Australia.

Dear Sir,

I have been made aware that it is possible that One Nation will be placed last on the how to vote card for the next Commonwealth election.

Bias has already been shown by your political party in the recent carving up of Ipswich, the town that I live in, in the creation of the federal seats of Blair and Oxley.

You say that you are not racist but what idiot penned the name of the new seat Blair. It is inconceivable that this 'name' [that of an aboriginal] was not deliberately chosen to heighten the 'racial' tag given to the One Nation candidate Mrs. Pauline Hanson.

Do you people thing that only idiots live in Ipswich or are you just out to insult our the intelligence of the people who live in Kingaroy. If the candidate for Kingaroy wins this seat then for 30,000 people living in Ipswich their candidate will live 150 Km away in Kingaroy and vice verse. This is stupid and a derogatory insult to anyone who lives in either Ipswich or Kingaroy.

Now I hear that you intend to place One Nation last on the ballot paper as if the public's intelligence is related to their ability to fill out a form in a linear fashion.

Grant the electorate some measure of intelligence and when you decide where to place the political parties on the ballot paper show some fair handedness and restrain from placing the One Nation party last on the ballot paper.

Kindest regards.

Keith Harris

Subject: Last on how to vote form

I have only this to say, that if the liberal party puts an independant party like one nation further down the list on a how to vote card than the ALP, only confirm's my fear that political bi-partisanship between the tweedle dee and tweedle dum parties has growen so strong that democratic government in this nation is little more than a facade to keep the population from revolution.

If the major parties are so concerned to go to these lengths against a party that is "supposed" to represent a tiny part of Australias population, to my mind indicates their real fear of the massive grass-roots support One Nation, and their contempt for true democracy.

Bounder

Subject: election.

Hi from Tasmania...I'm a full blown LIBERAL..but I hope you stir them up at the elections.I really think they are fools [LIBERAL] for treating you as they are.

I...Like most aussie's go with your thoughts,I don't THINK I'm rascist, but if believing Australia should be predominately European, then I must be, where there are mixed colors,UK,USA,AFR,etc, there are problems.I won't be around in fifty years time...thank goodness!

Well anyway,my main reason for sending this message is to get in early...and congratulate you on your over- whelming win at the coming election.

With admirations...Ronald N Davis. L'ton.

Subject: One Nation

Thank u for your message. My only concern, as stated in the paper on Saturday, was Pauline's intention to modify the Queensland gun laws. This I strongly disagree with & hope the party will reconsider their stand on this. I support everything else Pauline stands for & look forward to success at the next election.

Mr. Terry George.

Personal trivia, from the global office:

Another perfect day in paradise. Great to be home...

Have a good one.


Recent stories exclusive to  (how to) subscribe/rs of the Australian National News of the Day:

Taking on News Limited at the Australian Press Council in Sydney.- 23rd May 1998
Launch of One Nation's Queensland leadership.- 22nd May 1998
Protest over closure of National Australia Bank branch in Ipswich - 21st May 1998
Pauline Hanson meets the people of Blair
- 20th May 1998
Unethical trifecta expose Courier Mail's intellectual prostitutes - 9th May 1998
MIGA - son of MAI exposed - 8th May
Just me and Pauline
- 5th May
One Nation breakfast - 4th May
Just who are the Mont Pelerin Society - 3rd May
The Internet and the DEATH of the MAI - 30th April  
Launch of Pauline Hanson's re-election campaign - 29th April  
Second One Nation protest surprises Bob McMullan - 28th April  
Sultan of Brunei buys up big tracks of Australia - then negotiates Indonesian "settlements" 25th April
Maritime Union of Australia win in the Federal Court 22nd April


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