Put aside the rubber band and icy pole stick jokes. Australia is going into space. Soon. well, soon-ish. Weather permitting.
In typical Australian fashion, the government has decided a space agency sounds like it might be a good idea and have immediately announced a committee to see if it really is a good idea and after that committee reports, the government will review it immediately or in the fullness of time, whichever comes first and move straight to establishing a working party to announce the formation of a commission to get cracking on creating a new committee to conduct a feasibility study. When that’s done, the sky’s the limit or it might be if a bunch of government consultants decide it is.
“This is really a way to bring the whole issue to a head,” Industry Minister Arthur Sinodinos says in a statement announcing the review.
At this pace we should have a space agency around the time Burkina Faso sends its first manned mission to Pluto.
Full column here.
btw it looks like Nancy Pelosi has had a cracker of an idea!!
It’s got about the same chance as the fast train from Melbourne to Brisvegas.
Anywho it’s a good thing the Germans aren’t yet up to speed or the planets will be covered in beach towels.
Cor blimey, stone the crows – the Greens are in meltdown. Puts the Libs problems in the shade. Off again, on again Rhiannon. And now Ludlum who has been drawing an illegal salary for 10 yrs.
Is he going to pay it back?
He bloody well better Boadicea, FGS how can you “forget” where you were born, he came to Australia when he was 9yo! Bill the mongrel I say! Cheers
fk the salary …..wotstheguts with the legislation??anything invalidated? Or open to challenge?
wotevs…taxpayers wi.ll cover it
No, nothing could the Libs problems in the shade mate & for that matter, has Abbott ever come clean on his British citizenship? No.
Abetz was another one who had German citizenship & renounced it whilst remaining in office. All good for some but not if you’re Greens, which leads me to thinking maybe ‘someone’ had it in for him over his work especially on data retention. Stinks of the Fibs hands.
I’m absolutely devastated. He was my one hope for Australia’s future & he was one of only a few politicians that held his integrity & a quiet voice of reason in an immensely dirty Parliament.
This is a very dark day in Australian politics but Scott Ludlam will long be remembered for his ‘welcoming’ Tony Abbott speech.
https://www.google.com.au/search?site=webhp&source=hp&ei=o7JoWY7ZPIOk0AStqIOgDA&q=scott+ludlam+tony+abbott+speech&oq=scott+ludlam+tony&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.1.0.0.1811.9310.0.10742.18.18.0.9.9.0.448.5995.2-6j9j3.18.0….0…1.1j4.64.mobile-gws-hp..0.18.3212.3..41j0i131k1j0i131i46k1j0i3k1j0i22i30k1.xWsSRcx5IEo
Abbott released a document yesterday confirming he had renounced his UK citizenship.
Surely the AEC has a duty to ensure all members are eligible once they have received votes. then again so should the parties.
It’s the nominator’s responsibility.
Well I’m guessing he had to, considering.
Abbott, of all people, wouldn’t need any extra heat right now.
That ‘someone’ is WA Lawyer John Cameron.
So he’s got a beef with the WA Greens it appears but he’s not taking calls. In the course of his digging for discredit was the information obtained illegally? I wonder where his political allegiance lies or what his vested interests are?
No, don’t tell me.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/senator-scott-ludlams-whistleblower-revealed-as-wa-barrister/news-story/d830a47dfbec5e2caf0469fa97e32404
The rules are the rules, Bella. No matter what party.
I can’t believe that someone could be unaware of their citizenship status.
Nice bloke maybe – but a fraud.
I must say that I enjoyed that speech (pretty good for a Kiwi!)
If they can’t get the very fast train up and running what chance they can get a space agency active?
can’t get a very slow country up n running….
All sounds a bit Fifth Elephant to me…….multipass anyone?
One doesn’t know if one should laugh or just smile, Mr Insider. I am a real fan of NASA and their conquests to date, the Moon Landings late 60’s/70’s their crowning glory so far, however do wonder if Australia with a wee population of 24.5 Million and a Welfare Budget touching $200 Billion a year is that “well placed” to be venturing into space? On the surface, metaphorically speaking, it seems a “Barry Crocker” of an idea, but as you say it does fit PM Turnbull’s plan for us to be “innovative”. With a few more Jim Beam’s under the belt I may email said PM and put my name forward to be an Astronaut, how hard can it be!
I can see the headlines now: “Aussies put first Merino in space!”
On the subject of space cadet’s I am interested as to whether Green Ludlam is pursued for his ill gotten gains. There was a keen interest in that other WA chap to repay his coin.
Shocker dear Milton, a couple of ‘space cadets” these two coves indeed. A “Barry Crocker”! Cheers P.S. I wonder if dear Mr Baptiste would be interested in Space Travel, he seems well “versed” in the Science of it mmmm or possibly waiting for Big Kimmie to “send one up”
Ol’ JB is our very own space cadet!
In your opinion Milton.
I think JB has smarts in spades & I for one look forward to reading his often brilliantly humorous posts here.
As do I, Bella.
This Ludlum matter has put you in somewhat of a sour mood.
However, if it was that git Abbott who had not renounced his UK citizenship you would have been all over him like white on rice.
Agree. He’s good value Bella! We’d miss him on a one-way ticket to Mars. Besides which he’s probably too old to even live to get there!!
JB is a frustrating old socialist from a bygone era. I find him ignorant beyond measure. Stubborn beyond belief and an absolute disgrace! But by god I love his humour, passion and prose! To borrow a little from Dr Spock…..May the old bastard live long and prosper. 😀
Typo there supposed to be Mr Spock……
Has JB left this blog?
I hope not.
TO, JB got a slap from the moderator over one dodgy link too many. It seems he, his bat and ball have gone missing.
Socialist? Like Barnaby, Canavan etc?? You were calling for the government to fund a private business s and to fund the building of power generation. You are not in the position to call anyone a socialist. I see another report today showing how damaging to the coal industry in Australia the adani scam will be. But the true socialist’s like you still want the taxpayer to pay for it. Any position will do for you if it enables you to take another weak swing at someone.
You still renting that vacuum between your ears to those scientists DISMAL?
Nicely put Razor.
I’d have thought we would’ve seen Jean B posting heaps on the blog about a ‘space station’.
Like The Outsider, I hope he’s not left us.
More Greens bashing Milton?
Scott Ludlam has more intelligence, compassion & morals than your precious git Abbott & Co would have in their empty ambitious heads.
Australian politics will be that much poorer without a politician of Ludlam’s calibre.
Not sure I was Green bashing, Bella but am certain the tax payer, if not politics, is a lot poorer for having to pay money to an intelligent person who has received coin that he wasn’t entitled to. Thankfully he has the compassion and morals you mention and will pay it back. If I wasn’t such a nice person, and precious git admirer, i’d label Ludlum a welfare cheat!
Anywho, here’s an assessment from the SMH:
http://www.smh.com.au/federal-politics/political-opinion/hey-scott-ludlam-the-law-is-a-thing-its-funny-like-that-20170714-gxbjve.html
He’s indicated he will petition the parliament should he be required the money back. Both Culleton and Day were allowed to walk away without repaying their money.
Yes, I wonder if those baying for Scott Ludlam’s blood here had the same concern for public money when Bob Day was forced to resign.
Scott Ludlum has more moral fibre in his little finger than Culleton or Day ever had.
According to the Atele he’s looking at bill north of $1.5 mil. Ouch. I’m sure an accomodation will be made. What it does say is the Greens’ preselection processes aren’t any better than PHON & FF.
Hear hear Bella!
You do surprise me Razor but I like it.
Some years back there was a move to establish a space base at Cape York. Still waiting for that one. We did fire a rocket or two from Woomera some time in the 60’s. The guidance system was so good it was sold to America. That seemed to be the end of our national space adventure. I think Abbott would be happier on the Mars tiny moon Phobos. It sounds like the place to work on your phobias.
they got Centrelink on Pluto?
ludlam was askin’
Spot on dear smoke, what a shocker! Goodness me Ludlam knew he was born in New Zealand FGS! Cheers
He became an Australian citizen a very long time ago FGS but then so did Abbott, so did Abetz & very possibly there are others. Unlike the latter two, Ludlam has done the honourable thing by resigning. I wonder if those baying for blood will do the same if Abbott EVER stops ignoring repeated requests on his probable dual citizenship.
No, it won’t happen, he’d have it covered or should we say covered up.
I’ve been very proud of Scott Ludlam & that won’t change no matter where his future takes him.
You have to renounce your citizenship Bella. Abbott and Co did Ludlum didn’t pretty simple really even for people with green eyes. I wonder if his depression is not all good and he simply had enough and this was a way out. I wish Scott Ludlum all the best his politics aren’t mine but he,seems to be a decent man. Another ambassador for ‘Beyond Blue’ maybe? I reckon Kennett and he would be great together. A terrible disease that unites all.
Some countries do not permit or make it very difficult to renounce but the rule here is you have to have gone through the process. I agree Ludlam is a decent fellow. This was a mistake but a bloody big and wholly avoidable one.
Well said Razor. Re your comment from two, three (?) blogs ago yes I would love to catch up for a coffee with you and Dwight in Cairns or Townsville. JTI can send me your email address or he can send you mine. We’ll be there late August/early September
Bring out the calculator. Falsely paid salary – and those pesky expenses – which could add up to more than the salary