The PRODOS blog

Archive for the ‘Liberal Party of Australia’ Category

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Alexandra Mary Mirabella with Prodos (that’s me on the left)

Just got back from welcoming Greg and Sophie Mirabella‘s brand new, darling baby girl to the Universe.

Mother and child are doing very well. Healthy and happy.

Congratulations Greg and Sophie!

Love and Best Wishes to you from Barboo and me.

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John Pasquarelli with his fiance

Watch John Pasquarelli on Channel Nine’s Sunday program:

CLICK HERE

Listen to my interview (from 2006) with John Pasquarelli:

CLICK HERE

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My interview with Australian free market politician, Sophie (Panopoulos) Mirabella (Liberal Party of Australia) is now online HERE.

Sophie has been presented with the Celebrate Capitalism™ campaign’s Annual International Capitalism Award, Melbourne 2008.

Past recipients of this Award have been:

• Gerard Jackson (BrookesNews.com)
• Ray Evans (H R Nicholls Society & Lavoisier Group)
• Dr Alan Moran (Institute of Public Affairs)
• Frank Penhalluriack (The “Rebel Sunday Trader”)
• Reverend Dr John Williams (Pro free market speaker and activist)
• Pastor Danny Nalliah (Catch The Fire Ministry)
• Timothy Warner (Access Card NO WAY)

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“Without property rights there can be no freedom.”

These are the words of Bob Day, whom I had the pleasure of hearing at a recent Australian Adam Smith Club meeting in Melbourne.

A copy of his talk is available HERE.

Bob Day’s talk centered on private land ownership and housing affordability.

As well as presenting many sound economic principles explaining the causes of rising housing prices in Australia, the United States, and elsewhere, Bob Day also made clear the foundational political/philosophical principles underlying the role of private property, and its indispensable role in the development of liberty and democracy.

He quoted the splendid British Historian, Paul Johnson, explaining that:

The connection between political liberty and the individual ownership of property is one of the great certitudes of human society. It is carved in granite where the words “freedom” and “freehold” come from the same root and have interrelated with each other through many centuries.

And here’s another quote from that talk.

This one by William Pitt, The Elder:

The poorest man may in his cottage bid defiance to all the force of the Crown. His cottage may be frail; its roof may shake; the wind may blow through it; the storms may enter, the rain may enter—but the King of England cannot enter. All his forces dare not cross the threshold of the ruined tenement.

Last week Bob Day spoke on Australia’s ABC Radio National with Alan Saunders.

Here’s the mp3 audio file of that interview: CLICK HERE

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Heartland Institute: “CO2 does not drive temperature”

Following Heartland Institute’s 2008 International Conference on Climate Change, Viv Forbes of the Australian Carbon Sense Coalition recommended …

… ceasing to mandate market shares for any particular energy source, and abolishing all discriminatory energy taxes and subsidies and all limits, caps and taxes on harmless emissions of CO2.

Australian free market analyst, Gerard Jackson, a harsh critic of Carbon Tax (which he claims is “a direct tax on capital”) had been invited to attend the conference but couldn’t make it due to health problems.

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A worthy man for a worthy award.

Press release from the AEI

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Barboo and Prodos grabbing a dance at the Hearts of Oak
(Freemasons) Christmas Party (Photo by Tim Warner)

No sooner had we arrived at the Hearts of Oak (Freemasons) Christmas Party this evening, than a fellow Freemason walked by, pressed me on the shoulder, and said with a smile and some emphasis, “Take the money!”

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Notwithstanding the views of Peter Coleman, Greg Sheridan today presented a devastating criticism of Peter Costello – the former Federal Treasurer and close collaborator of Michael Kroger:

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Yesterday, we looked at what “power broker” Michael Kroger was offering the Liberal Party: The gift of more power for himself and his friends.

Well, his is not the only view.

There are other Liberals with other views. At least two of them, anyway.

One isthat ofPeter Coleman. The other, of Peter Dutton.

Let’s have a quick look at the offerings of these two Peters and then conclude with a rhyme.

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Following the decisive defeat of the Liberal Party at last Saturday’s Australian federal election, Liberal Party “power broker” (whatever that means),Michael Kroger, was quoted in today’s The Australian offering his “solution” to the problems of the Liberal Party.

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Congratulations to the Labor Party on its impressive win in the Australian Federal election.

I saw firsthand what powerful campaigners the Labor Party were when I ran as an independent in the Albert Park by-election a few months ago. Labor womped it in back then with Martin Foley and his team.

And Kevin Rudd had done it for Federal Labor tonight.

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Photos by Tim Warner of anti-nuclear “protesters” defacing, splattering paint, vandalising, picketing and … relaxing … yesterday afternoon (Monday 19th of November 2007) outside the headquarters of the Liberal Party, 104 Exhibition Street, Melbourne, Australia.

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Peaceful protesters exercising their right to block access to 104 Exhibition Street – The Liberal Party’s head office – in the last few days before the Federal election.

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Dreaming of a better world. One where people’s property is respected. Where rational thinking reigns supreme. Where nuclear energy is clean, safe, and cheap. But even if it were so … who would believe it? Aye! There’s the rub!

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A born leader. A prophet. The next Al Gore. Known simply as “The Straddler” – it was he who masterminded this whole extraordinary event. A man whose ability to sit astride cylindrical objects will one day become the stuff of legends. But for now he bides his time. Waiting, thinking, plotting.

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A classic love triangle.
She loves him. But he loves that other bitch.

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The other bitch.

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Armed and ready to photograph anyone who breaches her goddamn right to vandalise and intimidate people!!

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The Liberal Party is the enemy!!

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… Yes … the enemy … that’s right … crush the enemy …

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Just an ordinary guy lying on the street, splattered with fluro paint, with his arm inside a drum. Melbourne is full of them. You get used to them after a while. And frankly, the tourists just adore them!

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Click here to listen or download this interview
(4.5 MB mp3 )

PRODOS interviews thecontroversial PastorDanny Nalliah of Catch The Fire Ministries.

Topics covered include:

• Why, in October 2005,Danny Nalliahacceptedan invitationto address the holocaust-denying Australian League of Rights
• He sets the record straight about what did and did not happen at that meeting -including with regards toa questionput to him about theHolocaust,from the founder of the anti-Semitic Adelaide Institute
• Why he’d be happy toattend such a meetingagain even though he believes 100% in the Holocaust, supports Israel, and even has an Israel flag in his office.
• The Christian missionary tradition of the last 2,000 years and how his actions are consistent with the teachings of Jesus
• About his meeting with Prime Minister John Howard
• Why he supports John Howard and Peter Costello, and is critical of Labor Party leader, Kevin Rudd
• Why hediffers with Colin Rubenstein and possibly other Jews regarding dealing with the likes of the League of Rights.
• And much more!

I didn’t ask Danny Nalliah this question, butI wonder what he’d reply: What would Jesus have done?

If Jesus Christ had been invited to address a group such as the League of Rights, would he have accepted or declined?

If he accepted, on what basis would he do so?

If he refused, on what basis would he do so?

Christianity isn’t new. It’s been around for 2,000 years. Unlike Judaism, one ofthe key features of Christianity – supported by passages from The Bible -has always been an emphasis on proselytism.

Evangelical Christians such as Danny Nalliah are especially active and energetic in this regard.

It’s somewhere between amusing and pathetic that ignorant, dumbassed lefties like Jeff Sparrow of Crikey and Misha Schubert of The Age act sooutraged that Danny Nalliah, a well-known Evangelical Christian would speak at any gathering of the dubious or undesirable.

And it’s bad logic – at the very least – to declare that John Howard and Peter Costello should cut ties with Danny Nalliah because he has basicallybeen doing his job as an EvangelicalChristian Pastor.

Double guilt by association: The League of Rights are baddies. Danny is guilty for “associating” with the League of Rights. Howard and Costello are guilty for “associating” with Nalliah. Of course the Prime Minister and the Treasurer are the key targets here.

Recently, writing for slag-rag, Crikey.com.au, Jeff Sparrow wrote: “Catch the Fire [Ministries, run by Danny Nalliah,] is a bigoted group, and it is shameful that mainstream politicians associate with it.”

And with staggering ignorance, Jeff Sparrow refers to the accusations made by the Islamic Council of Victoria*, later upheld by VCAT, and then later DISCREDITED by the Supreme Court of Victoria, Court of Appeals, that Catch The Fire “had described Muslims as drug-dealing demons training to make Australia an Islamic state.”

He then dares the Australia Israel Jewish Affairs Council (who, by the way, do great work) to join his chorus of viciousness and ignorance.

* By the way, the supposedly “moderate”Islamic Council of Victoria’s website recommends IslamOnline.net – which advocates the murder of apostates. Justthought, Jeff Sparrows and Misha Schubert might be interested.

Click here to listen or download this interview
(4.5 MB mp3 )

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Julia Gillard and Kevin Rudd (Australian Labor Party)

Paul Kelly’s article in the latest Weekend Australian Magazine (Kevin Rudd Up Close and Personal, Oct 27/28 2007 – not currently available online) presents a sympathetic personal portrayal of Australian Labor Party Opposition Leader, Kevin Rudd.

In its closing paragraphs, however, we come to the issue of Rudd’s approach to policies:

On policy Rudd is careful, elusive and contradictory.

He likes to purchase policy options across the spectrum – so he is both pro-business and pro-unions, he is for government intervention and for free markets, he is for quitting Iraq and staying in Iraq, he is for abolishing WorkChoices but wants workplace flexibility.

A policy wonk and populist, Rudd rejects Howard as yesterday’s man but keeps most of Howard’s policy.

Who is the real Kevin Rudd? [ ... ]

Paul Kelly goes into all sorts of detail about the things that show how nice and likeable and trustworthyKevin Rudd is as an individual.

But what would cause such a supposedly sterling fellow to be so “elusive and contradictory” when it comes to his profession – his profession asa politician -a politicianwho is askingAustralians to make him the next Prime Minister?

What sort of “elusive and contradictory” … ehm … “New Leadership” … is Rudd offering?

I wonder!

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Hat tip to Ron Manners for this YouTube video – a spoof of Kevin Rudd (leader of the Australian Labor Party) and his rise to power through the philosophy of Variable Absolutes.

Click here to enjoy

Note: Includes English subtitles, translated from Chinese.

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Information on the Albert Park by-election (which was held last Saturday, September 15, 2007) along with the official results, and some notes on my policies is available at prodos.com.au

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The second of my 2 songs for the Albert Park campaign is now online at:

prodos.com.au

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Thefirst of my two songs for the Albert Park campaign is now online at:

prodos.com.au

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Today I began my campaign to run as an independent for Albert Park.

The official campaign site will be at:

http://prodos.com.au

More details soon.

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No sooner had I published my previous post regarding the perplexing suspension of Michael Darby from the Liberal Party of Australia than a Party colleague inVictoria forwarded me an explosive 16 page document he said was leaked to him by a member of the New South Wales (NSW) State Executive.

He claimed that this document isa 16 pageletter by Michael Darby dated 25 June 2007sentto and received by”members of the State Executive” Liberal Party NSW.

If this letter is the real McCoy it raises many troubling issues regarding the treatment not only of Michael Darby, but ofthe whole Darby family by some members of the Party.

Here are somelarge portionsfrom this leaked document with some informationallinks and extra pics added by me …

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Michael Darby, Liberal Party of Australia

I’m in the USA at present and just received an email from a Liberal Party colleague that my good friend, fellow Liberal Party of Australia member, and SOLID VOX presenter, Michael Darby has just been suspended from the Party for two years!

Presumably for appearing on ABC TV show Four Corners.

It’s been alleged by the Party that this was somehow in breach of the Party’s Constitution. How?

I don’t have more details yet but, other than the fact that Four Corners put a lot of work into trying to portray Michael as some sort of shady behind-the-scenes power-broker, I found nothing in that interview which could be considered a breach of the Party’s Constitution.

I’ve known and worked with Michael on several projects over theyears.

He’s been a guest speaker at the Melbourne-based DISCOVER CAPITALISM meetings which I organise.

He has supported the worldwide Celebrate Capitalism campaign since it began in 2001.

He recently joined my SOLID VOX internet radio network.

He has stood by me through difficult times. He has never hesitated to join or support any cause that might advance liberty in Australia.

Sure there are areas on which we disagree.

But I consider Michael Darbya True Friend and a True Blue Aussie.

And one of this country’s most serious defenders of Liberty.

I stand by Michael Darby.

Click here to email me.

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Why does this guy look so darned happy?!

It’s Mario Panopoulos! CPL (Creative Project Leader) for Celebrate Capitalism Melbourne 2007.

On Sunday June 03, Mariopresented Tim Warner with the Capitalism Award Melbourne 2007 for his work on exposing and opposing the Australian Access Card.

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Tim Warner of “Access Card NO WAY”

Two days later he learnedthat the Access Card had suffered a big setback. It’s the stuff of which joy is made of.

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Official website: http://celebratecapitalism.org/

Join the worldwide festivities!

This year I’m in Cincinnati, Ohio, USA for Capitalism Day™. We’ve got a fun day of festivities and promotions planned under the leadership of Sydney Kendall. The Capitalism Award™ Cincinnati 2007 will be presented to local activist, Everett DeJager, for his lifelong dedication to fighting against governmentexcess and putting forward the case for the proper role of government.I’ll be giving a brief talk on the

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Melbourneblogger, Strider,reflectson theInstitute of Public Affairs’s highly flawed article, Islam’s Free Market Heritage.

(My previous posts on that article can be found here and here.)

Strider raises many excellent points.Some excerpts …

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My SOLID VOX interview with Gerard Jackson examining some of the claims made by Chris Berg and Andrew Kemp (Institute of Public Affairs, Australia) in their article, Islam’s Free Market Heritage is NOW ONLINEat PRODOS Worldwide.

Previous PRODOS Blog items on this issue are here and here.

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Reporting that, regrettably, for personal reasons,I’ve withdrawn my nomination to stand for preselection (Liberal Party of Australia) for the District of Melbourne in the forthcoming federal election.

I remain dedicated to working with the Party and wish the candidate who gets chosen great success.

Thanks to the many wonderful people who supported my application.

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I just found out that controversial Australian blogger and mega-stirrer, Andrew Landeryou, already knows that I’ve just nominated for Liberal Party Pre-selection for Melbourne for the forthcoming Federal election!

I’m impressed.

Here’s the article

Colourful internet identity Prodos is throwing his hat into the ring for Liberal preselection for the federal seat of Melbourne.

Previously he has been persuaded to withdraw but to paraphrase the great English Prime Minister, this time this Prodos is not for turning.

Sources close to the behatted one declare that he will not withdraw under any circumstances and even if the chieftains of 104 Exhibition Street look like prevailing, he’ll be pressing on regardless to make his point.

We understand that he will be opposed by an Owen Dixon (not the former Chief Justice who died in 1971 presumably).

Prodos seems like a good stick, an unusual person in politics who actually thinks about his political philosophy rather deeply. Political parties don’t generally reward such folk which is why in ALP circles it’s sometimes quite a surprise to hear a strong view about something where there’s no internal agenda just a sincerely held opinion, like Conroy and Fiona Richardson against uranium mining or Tanner in favour of really open markets with much less government red tape on foreign investment. Unpredictable views are all too rare.

And Prodos isn’t so much unpredictable as consistent philosophically, which is even rarer. Good luck to him, he’ll need it.

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John Pasquarelli has the following letter aboutformer Australian Liberal Party Prime Minister, Malcolm Fraser, in Crikey today.

I first met Malcolm Fraser in Port Moresby in 1976 when he was there with Andrew Peacock and John Howard as part of an Australian delegation celebrating the first anniversary of PNG’s Independence.

Even then I gained the impression that here was a man well and truly up himself.

He was of course in full cry at the time, paving the way for Lebanese Muslims to come to Australia as well as establishing the first office of Multicultural Affairs presided over by his lickspittle Petrogeorgiou.

Fraser helped purge his own perceived guilt over the Vietnam War by welcoming the Boatpeople.

The Australian people were never consulted at any level about such dramatic changes to their cultural makeup – and of course they never have been by subsequent governments on the vital issues of immigration and refugees.

To read Fraser prattling on about the “Rule of Law” and his equation of Australia and the US with “tyrannical regimes” is simply sickening given the history of his relationship with the monstrous Robert Mugabe.

When will a journo with balls take this pompous git on and ask him what he thinks now of his murderous mate?

Australians should be reminded that Malcolm Trousers is still there with his snout in the trough spending their tax dollars on his ex-Prime Ministerial perks. It’s time we were advised of the total of his spending spree for the last financial year – and by the way, who were the fools who proposed he be granted life membership of the Liberal Party?

Hat tip to Cryptic Cat Lover.

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The cover story of Australia’sInstitute of Public Affairs magazine, IPA Review,is:

“Islam’s free market heritage”
written by Chris Berg and Andrew Kemp.

One of the groups that’s praised in that article is the Islamic Free Market Institute Foundation.

Among other things, this group claims that:

… the life of Prophet Muhammad provides a perfect example.

… The law of God, as enunciated in the Qur’an and exemplified in the life of the Prophet is supreme in all cases.

I wonder if Chris and Andrew have studied the Hadith in order to be clear about what this means exactly. I really think they should.

Islam is not a new religion, but a re-presentation of the same message and guidance that Allah revealed to all of His prophets.

What this means is that Jesus and Moses (and others) were all Muslims. It also means that Islam is the rightful owner/origin/source of both Christianity and Judaism.

The Islamic “Free Market”Institute Foundation also quotes this item by George Bernard Shaw:

I believe that if a man like him [Muhammad] were to assume the dictatorship of the modern world, he would succeed in solving its problems in a way that would bring it much needed peace and happiness.

Oh, I get it! A free market dictator! Brilliant.

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This morning, BrookesNews.com published an article by me called “Prodos: The Liberal Party and Australia”.

Read it HERE

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Today, Saturday, I attended the Liberal Party (Victorian Division) State Council.

This is where Liberal Party delegates debate and vote on a wide range of motions put forward by Branches and other Party bodies. It’s a marvellous example of democracy at work.

One of the highlights of the day was the speech by Prime Minister, John Howard.

Mr Howard’s speech made many pointed observation about the Labor Party being captive to the Union movement. And, significantly, he made very clear that Australia should mine and sell Uranium and should open the way to nuclear power generation.

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Here are some excerpts …

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On October 03 2006, I had the pleasure of attending the launch of John Pasquarelli‘s “On the Road Again” exhibition, presenting his latest paintings from his travels about Australia.

Here are some photos from that event.

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The man himself: John Pasquarelli!

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John Pasquarelli and Gallery owner, Lynne Wilton

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Suzanne Carbone, columnist from The Age and Prodos

It was a delight to finally meet Suzanne Carbone! She’s considered a “leftie” – whatever that means. I suppose she is. Personally, I’ve found her to be highly intelligent and honest and very good fun to talk with.

She exudes a spunky sort of cynicism (not to mention plenty of feminine charm – hence the nickname “Sultry Suzanne”) and you can sense the BS detector always scanning the horizon for hypocricy and an opportunity to expose a farce. You can read some of her highly entertaining articles here.

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Andrew Bolt from the Herald Sun presents the opening speech

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John Pasquarelli and Prodos

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Hey! Here’s some cute yankee girl!

So, what about the paintings themselves? Simple, direct, strong. But I’ll say more about them some other time.

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Today in the Herald Sun, Andrew Bolt has a very good article about Pastors Danny Nalliah and Daniel Scot of Catch The Fire Christian Ministries.

Pastors’ Toil and Trouble (article and blog site).

An excerpt from the article which talks about how the Two Danny’s were done over by Justice Higgins of VCAT:

Most of the case over the weeks that followed dealt with the lecture given by Scot, and some curious things soon became clear.

First, even one of the converts had to admit that Scot, who’d been born in Pakistan and got degrees there in theology and applied mathematics, actually understood the Koran far better than did the people complaining he’d misquoted it.

Second, as I wrote at the time, many of the complaints accused Scot of no more than quoting the Koran accurately.

Yes, the Koran did tell men they could beat their wives.

Yes, it did have verses calling on Muslims to fight infidels until they submitted.

The verdict was also odd.

The pastors were found guilty of vilifying Muslims even though the judge identified only one thing Scot had said that was factually wrong: he’d given the wrong birthrate for Muslims here. And, the judge, added, he’d failed to quote a verse that showed Allah was merciful.

Higgins [the original judge who convicted the Danny's and Catch The Fire] said the real problem with the seminar was that it was not “balanced”, and neither Scot nor Nalliah had said clearly enough that the hard-line Islam they were talking about was, in the judge’s opinion, not followed by most Muslims here.

Here’s another strange thing: Scot and Nalliah were convicted of stirring up hatred – of being “hostile, demeaning and derogatory of all Muslim people” – even though they’d again and again told their congregation to love Muslims, however wrong their faith.

“We have to love them”, Scot had insisted.

“Love should be not only in theory, in word, but should be shown in practice. You invite them for (a) cup of tea. You invite them for dinner, for lunch.”

On he went: “Of course do not criticise their culture . . . We should not criticise their dress . . . Don’t be afraid of (the) Koran . . . there are a lot of things in (the) Koran, which are very similar from (the) Bible.”

What’s more, there was no evidence that those listening to him were a danger to a single Muslim.

The worst the judge could say of them was they’d responded “at various times in the form of laughter”. Dear God – save us from the laughing Christian.

So, this is the kind of dangerous hate-preaching that had the pastors convicted under our new laws, and sentenced to apologise in expensive advertisements in the Herald Sun and Age.

And that was odd, too. Why did the pastors have to apologise to 2.5 million Victorians for comments they made to just 250? Why did the judge also ban them from repeating any of their claims from the lecture, no matter how truthful, in any state?

Mad, you say? Welcome to witch-hunting in Victoria.

The complete text of the Appeal is available HERE in html form or HERE as a 90 page rtf (rich text file).

The 3 judges who ruled on the appeal didn’t agree on all points. Andrew Bolt recommends the findings of Justice Geoffrey Nettle.

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In the latest issue of Australian online free market journal, BrookesNews, Gerard Jackson reveals that Victorian Liberal Party “power broker” (whatever that means) Michael Kroger, is working on using the Liberal Party‘s recent election defeat as a way of purging the Victoria section of the Party of those who don’t support his agenda for more power-for-the-sake-of-power.

About Michael Kroger, Gerard Jackson asks:

How is it that a man who holds no official position in the party can dictate to its members who they can elect?

Good question. Especially since the Kroger/Costello faction have been controlling the Victorian Liberal Party for some years now.

IF … Michael Kroger really IS a “power broker” … AND … it’s his people who have been pulling the strings and running things … AND … the Party has been getting thrashed … THEN … shouldn’t the “power broker” and his people cop some of the flack for this? This doesn’t sound like a difficult line of reasoning to me.

But even more troubling for fans (such as me) of Herald Sun columnist Andrew Bolt is Jackson’s questioning of why Bolt seems to be so soft on Michael Kroger.

Gerard Jackson writes:

Considering the deliberate damage that Kroger has done to the Liberal Party it is indeed strange that Bolt should ignore his activities. This has led some Liberals to conclude that Bolt is now in Kroger’s pocket. How can they be blamed for this conclusion when Bolt turns a blind eye to Kroger’s destructive scheming.

Read the article at BrookesNews.com – which includes a bit about my run for Preselection earlier this year. CLICK HERE

Also, read my comments about Michael Kroger on Andrew Bolt’s blog – reply #12

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My post on the ZGeek forum on what’s wrong with granting legal privileges to unions and companies: HERE

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Suzanne Carbone has an article in today’s edition of “The Age” about my run for Preselection for the State District of Richmond (Victoria, Australia)

click here to read the article

There is a reference in the article to a “cute little ditty” called Kroger Puppets on a String, which would be a reference to this tune.

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Now online: PRODOS Worldwide interview with Gerard Jackson discussing the forthcoming decision on Minimum Wages by the Fair Pay Commission. And the views of Ian Harper, Professor Phil Lewis, The ACTU, and the ACCI.

Click here for more details and to listen to this mp3 file

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Tim Warner, Founder of the “Access Card NO WAY” campaign, opposing the introduction of the Australian government’s smart ID card, was interviewed in Australian IT yesterday. Read the article here.

Listen to my song, supporting Tim Warner’s campaign here.

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I’ve recorded a song for Tim Warner’s campaign opposing the creation of the Australian Access Card:

Click here to listen

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Here is Mr Howard’s announcement about staying on as Liberal Party leader for the next election …

In recent weeks I have taken a variety of soundings within the parliamentary party to ascertain its feelings on the leadership issue.
My position has been that I would remain leader of the Liberal Party for so long as that was the party’s wish, and that it was in the party’s best interests that I did so.

My soundings tell me the strong view of the party is that the current leadership team, with me as leader and peter Costello as deputy leader, should remain in place through to the next election.

My purpose in writing is to inform you, in advance of a public announcement, that I will commit to leading the party to the next election. I remain enthusiastic and keen to ensure that the Coalition achieves a fifth electoral victory. I spoke to Peter Costello yesterday to advise him of my feelings.

Leadership of the party is a great honour, of which I remain profoundly conscious. It is, moreover, the unique gift of the party room.

Just as the party now wants me to continue as leader I accept that it has a perfect right to change its mind if it judges that to be to the party’s benefit. If that were to occur, I would not ignore the party’s shift in sentiment.

Please believe me when I say that the next election will be hard to win. We must, therefore, go to it with our best people in the right places.

A crucial element will be Peter Costello’s contribution, not only as deputy leader but also as Treasurer, where his work over the past decade has been so important to our success.

I have thought it desirable to resolve my position regarding the leadership in advance of parliament resuming on the 8th August. Hence this letter. I will make a statement on my intentions later today.

I look forward to seeing you at the already foreshadowed special joint party meeting on the afternoon of 7 August to discuss future policy directions.

Yours sincerely

John Howard

Announced: Mon, Jul 31, 2006 2:12 pm

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Gerard Jackson discusses on PRODOS Worldwide:

What would be the effect of removing all minimum wage laws?

This interview is available at: prodos.solidvox.com

Also at: LaborMarketReform.com

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Now available online: Michael Darby‘s wide ranging interview with the Leader of the National Party of New Zealand, Dr Don Brash.

Listen online @ MichaelDarby.SolidVox.com

I found especially interesting, Don Brash’s story about coming to Australia to do his PhD years ago – intent on proving how terrible and destructive American and foreign investment is to a country.

But by the end of his thesis, he had become a strong pro free market advocate – and remains so. This shows an honest mind at work.

Further evidence of Don Brash’s openess and honesty comes through when he talks briefly about past New Zealand Prime Minister, and National Party leader, Sir Robert Muldoon, who was heavily interventionist. Dr Brash contrasts his own very different approach whilst remaining gracious at all times.

New Zealand would do well to make Don Brash its Prime Minister!

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Tomorrow evening, Thursday, is the Victorian Liberal Party Preselection Convention which will determine who will be the Candidate for the District of Richmond (Victoria, Australia).

I am one of the applicants standing for Preselection – seeking to be a Candidate for the forthcoming state election which takes place November 25, 2006.

[Later note: Friday, July 7 - I lost the preselection. I don't know how the vote went. Applicants aren't told.]

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On Wednesday, 21st of June, 2006, Sydney/Barboo and I attend the Liberal Party’s South Eastern Metropolitan Regional Electorate Council campaign launch.

State Liberal Party leader, Ted Bailleau, gave the keynote address. State President (and former Real Estate professional) Russell Hannan, conducted the fund-raising auction of donated goods.

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My wife and I attended the Australian Adam Smith Club dinner last Monday to hear Tim Warner argue why he was opposed to the “Access Card”.

To visit Tim’s campaign site, AccessCardNoWay.net, click here.

On the night, Sydney/Barboo and I also presented a short, humorous song I wrote in support of the campaign. I’ll record it and provide a link shortly.

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My interview with Tim Warner on the many dangers to liberty and security created by the Australian Government’s recently announced “Access Card” is now online at:

prodos.solidvox.com

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With Gerard Jackson, this evening I recorded the first of a series of weekly podcasts for the new Labor Market Reform project.

The interview is currently available at prodos.solidvox.com

It will also be available soon @ LaborMarketReform.COM
[Later note: Now available.]

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An article in the Sunday Herald Sun, written by Brendan Donahoe of Channel Seven (a commercial Australian TV station) discussing me appeared on Sunday 14 June. I wasn’t interviewed for this article. The journalist based it on his own research and opinions.

I haven’t been able to find a copy of the article online.

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I was interviewed last night by Channel 31, and a Chinese newspaper, and this morning by The Age.

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Reporting that my wife and I attended the Liberal Party State Council today. We are both members of the party.

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