Twitter

Eight Observations About How I Use Twitter

Dec 28, 2011

1. MY TWITTER BACKGROUND

I joined Twitter in April 2008 – thanks @RicRaftis. Like most people, I didn’t know what to do with it and for several months I barely went near it. When I did, I tweeted about technology and the internet.

Then I started tweeting about Australian and American politics. Later in the year, I began tweeting Question Time, political speeches, press conferences and other media appearances by politicians.

At the time, as far as I knew, no-one else was doing this. Most media people were yet to discover Twitter. Politicians were all but unseen. I often felt I was talking to myself.

Around this time, I began to make contact with people besides PR, marketing and internet types. Bloggers with an interest in politics were flocking to Twitter, as were many others.

The big moment came in March 2009 when I tweeted the Queensland election results. I simply sat at my desk at home with the Queensland Electoral Commission website open and the ABC’s Queensland television feed streaming online. Hundreds of new followers came my way that night and I ended up on commercial radio commenting on the results. It opened my eyes to Twitter’s potential.

I decided I needed a consistent approach so I stopped tweeting about technology and internet issues and made politics my focus. I noticed that Twitter was driving traffic to my main website, AustralianPolitics.com.

By mid-2009, my current approach to Twitter was firmly established. Each night when I sat down to read the next morning’s newspapers online, a ritual I’d followed for years, I would tweet links and occasional comments to articles I thought were worth reading for one reason or another. I was curating content. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Opinion Tagged With: Twitter

Bin Laden, Twitter, And Gaudy Media Baubles

May 03, 2011

At 12.15pm yesterday afternoon, I turned on ABC News24 and was told that Barack Obama was due to appear on television at 12.30pm. There was no information on what he intended talking about.

Since this was 10.30pm on a Sunday night in Washington, you didn’t need to be particularly bright to work out that something was up. Obviously there was an announcement that couldn’t wait. Without really thinking about it, I assumed it was related to Afghanistan or Iraq.

I had work to do and didn’t get back to the television until 12.35pm. Obama had not yet appeared. I opened up my Twitter client, TweetDeck, and discovered reports that Osama bin Laden was dead.

By about 12.50pm, multiple media outlets were claiming they had confirmed these reports. Many of these claims were tweeted. Some tweets contained a link to a website report.

Between 12.30pm and 1.35pm when Obama finally appeared (at 11.35pm Washington time) most television stations and every cable network were all over the story. Twitter was heaving.

A number of people retweeted Keith Urbahn, Chief of Staff to Donald Rumsfeld. Urbahn is now seen as the man who first published the news about bin Laden.

During this time, I also became aware of a Twitter user @ReallyVirtual, who had unwittingly tweeted about the assault on bin Laden’s compound as it happened. Many hours later, I looked at his account, read the tweets, and laughed at his dry humour.

Keith Urbahn's tweet at 10.24pm Washington time, May 2, 2011

By the time Obama appeared, I had read a number of articles on various US media websites, mainly CNN, Washington Post and The New York Times. The Times site was hard to reach, such was the traffic. Most of these articles had little to say, apart from claiming that various sources were anonymously confirming the death of bin Laden. Some ran profile pieces and timelines from 9/11. [Read more...]

Filed Under: Opinion Tagged With: Osama bin Laden, Twitter

Latest Twitter Updates

Nov 10, 2010

Rudd crashed Clinton TV event; pulls out of regional summit in Japan http://auspol.info/bu6ND4 – the leaks are going the other way now? #
@Cracked_Canoe I think it's started… #
A somewhat incredulous tone in the opening sentence in this Herald-Sun piece: http://auspol.info/d6Mlc3 #
Bruce Hawker hovering around marginal seats in Victorian election: http://auspol.info/cWp8oi #
Lib Party Director Brian Loughnane is about to address the Press Club on the 2010 election. In 2007 he said this: http://auspol.info/bU3eSa #
Loughane: Reasons for the election result are complex… the campaign was an important influence but far from the only one. #auspol #
Loughnane: Expectations of the Labor govt mattered – hesitations about Labor emerged after their first budget in 2008. #auspol #
Loughnane: The failure of the 2008 budget – voters underwhelmed – marked the start of their decline. Gippsland by-election showed this. #
Loughnane: By mid-2008, our research showed concerns about Labor – they had begun to lose their way. Concern developed through 2009. #
Loughnane: Concern about waste and mismanagement developed through 2009. Sense grew that they lost control of nation's finances. #auspol #
Loughnane: Rudd feedback along lines of "struggles to implement", "always overseas", "good vision, doesn't do anything" #auspol #
Loughnane: Labor used ETS as much to divide us as to implement good policy. Abbott provided focus for Opposition. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Rudd was cut a lot of slack but nothing changed – always overseas travel, process. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Rudd one of most effective framers of a political message but this was also his downfall – after Copenhagen doubts grew. #
Loughnane: The Kevin O'Lemon advertisement – ridicule – captured the public mood in mid-2010. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: We thought change to Gillard would have a longer honeymoon but concerns remained – a new, deep hesitation emerged. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: The decision to call the election was a diversion from bungles which threatened to overwhelm the government. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Our position at start of campaign was stronger than we would have expected a few months before – Abbott positioned us. #auspol #
Loughnane: We established the terms of the contest in the first week … not the leaks that damaged Gillard but the substance of the leaks. #
Loughnane didn't deny the allegations of the leaks about not consulting, not supporting pension increases, etc. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: 68% made up their mind before the 2007 election – our polling showed only 49% in 2010. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: By end of campaign, Abbott drew level in favourability with Gillard … but economic considerations were paramount in the end. #
Loughnane: Our positive Action Contract advertisement showed up in our research as the most effective ad we ran. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: There were 10 days in first half of election did not advertise at all but the unions were on air attacking Abbott. #auspol #
Loughnane: Labor's candidates were a negative or neutral effect on their vote. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: We held to our strategy and won the campaign on concerns about debt, taxes, boats, etc. Labor had no positive agenda. #auspol #
RT @bennpackham: Loughnane: "our positive campaign" (did I cover a different election?) #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Ulitimately, the task of winning after one term was insurmountable. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Govt will not fall into our hands… we are reviewing our policies… #auspol #npc #
Loughnane attacks government over campaign finance reform… Libs cannot support plans which don't cover unions. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: I call on them today to disclose all their funding in the lead-up to the campaign. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane calls for a Debates Commission which facilitates rather than prescribes events… flexibility needed. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane on the current political environment: Concerns in community, Gillard not coping, Australia drifting. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Political survival drives the actions of the govt… decisions deferred… Gillard no economic reformer… #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Gillard is running the most economically incompetent government in living memory. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane refers to story about a "senior minister misbehaving" – early leadership positioning? #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Little wonder Gillard is trying to lower expectations of her performance… Aust cannot afford another 3 years of weak govt. #npc #
Loughnane: Gillard avoids fronting the media when there is bad news… senior public servants now required to handle bad news. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: After 2 months the contrast could not be clearer – a weak govt, an Opposition with strong policies, leadership & direction. #npc #
RT @annabelcrabb: This speech by Brian Loughnane is not really a campaign review. It's a campaign speech #
RT @LaurieOakes: I think we're starting to see why neither side won the election. #npc #
Loughnane: We have a PM not up to the job, a restless Labor Party. The Lib Party has an obligation to be ready. #auspol #npc #
First question to Loughnane from Danielle Cronin about public service numbers: he claims they fought hard in the ACT… #auspol #npc #
AAP journalist asks about NSW branch of Liberal Party – Banks, Greenway & Lindsay – complaints by candidates – why so disorganised? #auspol #
Loughnane: Strongest swing to us on primary votes was in NSW – we're concerned this didn't deliver more seats. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: The battleground changes during campaigns – the NSW campaign was properly resourced but we're looking forensically at it. #auspol #
AFR's Dodson asks about impact of the miners' campaign against RSPT. Loughnane says mining tax was major mistake, plus ETS. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Mining ads were important but they reflected deep community concerns … for first time sovereign risk became a concern. #auspol #
The Aust's Sid Maher asks about concerns the Liberal advertising wasn't negative enough – should you have gone more negative? #auspol #
Loughnane: I'm proud of our advertising – one of strongest parts of the campaign, most creative for many years, resonated strongly. #auspol #
Loughnane: Preselection of candidates is matter for state executives but we're looking into this. #auspol #npc #
Lenore Taylor asks about balance of good policy with good politics & whether Michael Yablsey has ever been paid. How much did miners donate? #
RT @BernardKeane: Here's some of that great Liberal advertising Loughnane was talking about http://youtu.be/ZRljigv0KK8 #
@Whiskers1000 In Australia it's National Press Club… #
A question from @murpharoo about the slow start to the campaign by the Liberal machine. Given lack of unanimous support, how long for you? #
Loughnane: Campaign HQ moved to Melbourne in first few days like it always does…first days were important, WorkChoices scare went nowhere. #
Loughnane claims Labor's campaign strategy weakened in the first week by failure of WorkChoices scare. Dead, buried, cremated? #auspol #
Loughnane: We're in a very tight situation, could be election at any time. I hope to take a part. #auspol #npc #
RT @annabelcrabb: "I feel for Karl," (Bitar) says Brian Loughnane. Must be the first time the vanquished has said that of the victor. #
Question from @samanthamaiden – did your wife tell you she was going to vote Green… seriously, what's up with you and Yabsley? #auspol #
Loughnane flustered by @samanthamaiden naming his 3 possible successors as Federal Director. A depth of experience available, he says. #
ABC's Heather Ewart – how can you say you're ready to win the next election when Yabsley says you're not? #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: In my time we have not run an overdraft, we have reserves, unlike the ALP. Yabsley has put a proposal to the party. #auspol #
Loughnane: Very deep concerns under Rudd continued under Rudd and continue now. #auspol #npc #
Steve Lewis from New Ltd asks about Lib Party fundraising – some members claim lack of transparency. Does Abbott have full access to books? #
Lewis: Has Yabsley sought a half million a year retainer? Is that the problem? #auspol #npc #
Loughnane says internal arrangements for funding are unchanged but the election laws are changing and that's the real issue for future. #npc #
Lewis says Loughnane is papering over transparency question.. Loughnane says there's been no change… can't comment on Yabsley's retainer. #
Mid-question, the ABC rolls credits… #auspol #npc #
@theburgerman When's your replay? #
@theburgerman Where? Multiview, APAC? #
Transcript and audio of Brian Loughnane's address to the National Press Club on the 2010 election is here: http://auspol.info/cwClkm #
@pjlogue What's the topic? #
An amusing video with Bob Woodward & Ben Bradlee, promoting the Washington Post's iPad app: http://youtu.be/KCUFxFoaloE #
Logged into the Crikey webinar with Fraser, Gallop, Black and Keane… they're running late… #
Here we go… #
The webinar is on #crikeylive hashtag… #
@AOCarr I'm trying to solve the problem of Windows 7 and recording live streams like this – Microsoft has killed the sound mixer. #
@pjlogue It's very clear here – had to close the software and re-run it to get started but crystal clear now. #
Malcolm Fraser: Very poor, narrow, inwards-looking campaigns left people disenchanted. Not a victory for Libs. #crikeylive #
Fraser: May have been a victory for a Greens but really a protest victory. #crikeylive #
Gallop: The course of this parlt will determine whether 2010 was a transformational event – will minority govt be entrenched? #crikeylive #
Fraser: Rudd had everyone on his side then gave appearance of running away from everything that was important. #crikeylive #
Gallop: Many people involved in politics now are good at the game but don't have confidence in their convictions. #crikeylive #
Gallop: The belief in democracy, equality, liberty has been lost by politicians who fear losing electoral support. #crikeylive #
Fraser describes Joe Hockey on the banks as "right wing populism". #crikeylive #
@AOCarr @pjlogue They heard you! We could have started stealing the list… #
How do you make this control panel window stay open? Mine keeps minimising. #crikeylive #
@joshmadgwick Thanks…. can't read! #
Gallop talks of how people are socialised into politics now – once politics was a second career, not a first. #crikeylive #
@SmartCompany PC, IE for this. Working fine. #
Fraser @crazyjane13 Go to View and deselect 'Auto-hide the Control Panel'. #
@crazyjane13 oops… ignore the Fraser bit! #
Fraser proposes plebiscite of party members for all party officers. Hehe… #crikeylive #
Fraser proposes 100% public funding of elections, provided leniency for new parties and ban all donations. #crikeylive #
Fraser also proposes banning all corporate advertising 6 months before an election. #crikeylive #
Fraser: Politicians need to be isolated from donors and I don't know any other way than 100% public funding. #crikeylive #
Crikey webinar asks "does proportional representation offer a solution?" and shows a slide of Barnaby Joyce & Bill Heffernan! #crikeylive #
It deserves to be preserved… http://twitpic.com/35hpss #crikeylive #
Then a slide asks "what is to be done?" and shows Steve Fielding sitting alone in the Senate. #crikeylive #
Gallop deplores the lack of statements articulating a vision during the campaign – compares with Whitlam in 60s. #crikeylive #
Someone is enjoying themselves with these slides… http://twitpic.com/35hr64 #crikeylive #
Fraser lauds John McEwen for negotiating Japan trade treaty in the 1950s, 10 years after WW2. Who would do that now? #crikeylive #
Dare we remind Fraser of the Razor Gang in his government? #MaintainYourRage #crikeylive #
Gallop offers "managerialism plus passion" as an unbeatable political position… #crikeylive #
@Surlysimon I think of him every time I drive down Stumpy Gully Road… #
Informal voting… http://twitpic.com/35ht7z #crikeylive #
Did Fraser suggest journalists might be annoyed because they didn't know about the Rudd coup in advance? Tut tut. #crikeylive #
Keane suggests "sheer disgust" drove the informal vote up, not Latham who just traded on a prevailing mood/sentiment. #crikeylive #
Fraser suggests a lack of corporate memory in the media hinders its ability to question politicians. #crikeylive #
Gallop & Fraser agree that the political attacks on the army brigadier over the charges against Aust soldiers are a disgrace. #crikeylive #
This way, Mike: http://twitpic.com/35hw64 @mpbowers #
Fraser went to a Higgins Lib Party meeting and the average age was close to his… need new vehicle for young people & politics. #crikeylive #
Monday nights at 9.30pm over summer? … RT @crazyjane13: Thanks for the webinar! Great idea, do more of them. #crikeylive #
@JaalaPulford It just doesn't have quite the same ring to it as "Rooty Hill"… #
We seem to have a major outage of Sky News… #
@crazyjane13 I'm still getting free to air channels… #
@theburgerman 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, etc all out. "No signal is being received" message up now. #
@theburgerman Now seems to be all Foxtel but not News24 or other free-to-airs. #
@theburgerman @crazyjane13 At least George Bush senior is on Fox News… beats the hell out of the member for Higgins… #
The AEC has finalised its redistribution of electoral boundaries in Victoria: http://auspol.info/ctB14F – what have they done to Higgins? #
@theburgerman Thanks for that… #
I will have to enter this… I'm the right age and orientation afterall… http://auspol.info/aF9xA0 #

Filed Under: Twitter Tagged With: @mfarnsworth, Twitter

Latest Twitter Updates

Nov 10, 2010

Rudd crashed Clinton TV event; pulls out of regional summit in Japan http://auspol.info/bu6ND4 – the leaks are going the other way now? #
@Cracked_Canoe I think it's started… #
A somewhat incredulous tone in the opening sentence in this Herald-Sun piece: http://auspol.info/d6Mlc3 #
Bruce Hawker hovering around marginal seats in Victorian election: http://auspol.info/cWp8oi #
Lib Party Director Brian Loughnane is about to address the Press Club on the 2010 election. In 2007 he said this: http://auspol.info/bU3eSa #
Loughane: Reasons for the election result are complex… the campaign was an important influence but far from the only one. #auspol #
Loughnane: Expectations of the Labor govt mattered – hesitations about Labor emerged after their first budget in 2008. #auspol #
Loughnane: The failure of the 2008 budget – voters underwhelmed – marked the start of their decline. Gippsland by-election showed this. #
Loughnane: By mid-2008, our research showed concerns about Labor – they had begun to lose their way. Concern developed through 2009. #
Loughnane: Concern about waste and mismanagement developed through 2009. Sense grew that they lost control of nation's finances. #auspol #
Loughnane: Rudd feedback along lines of "struggles to implement", "always overseas", "good vision, doesn't do anything" #auspol #
Loughnane: Labor used ETS as much to divide us as to implement good policy. Abbott provided focus for Opposition. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Rudd was cut a lot of slack but nothing changed – always overseas travel, process. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Rudd one of most effective framers of a political message but this was also his downfall – after Copenhagen doubts grew. #
Loughnane: The Kevin O'Lemon advertisement – ridicule – captured the public mood in mid-2010. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: We thought change to Gillard would have a longer honeymoon but concerns remained – a new, deep hesitation emerged. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: The decision to call the election was a diversion from bungles which threatened to overwhelm the government. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Our position at start of campaign was stronger than we would have expected a few months before – Abbott positioned us. #auspol #
Loughnane: We established the terms of the contest in the first week … not the leaks that damaged Gillard but the substance of the leaks. #
Loughnane didn't deny the allegations of the leaks about not consulting, not supporting pension increases, etc. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: 68% made up their mind before the 2007 election – our polling showed only 49% in 2010. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: By end of campaign, Abbott drew level in favourability with Gillard … but economic considerations were paramount in the end. #
Loughnane: Our positive Action Contract advertisement showed up in our research as the most effective ad we ran. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: There were 10 days in first half of election did not advertise at all but the unions were on air attacking Abbott. #auspol #
Loughnane: Labor's candidates were a negative or neutral effect on their vote. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: We held to our strategy and won the campaign on concerns about debt, taxes, boats, etc. Labor had no positive agenda. #auspol #
RT @bennpackham: Loughnane: "our positive campaign" (did I cover a different election?) #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Ulitimately, the task of winning after one term was insurmountable. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Govt will not fall into our hands… we are reviewing our policies… #auspol #npc #
Loughnane attacks government over campaign finance reform… Libs cannot support plans which don't cover unions. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: I call on them today to disclose all their funding in the lead-up to the campaign. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane calls for a Debates Commission which facilitates rather than prescribes events… flexibility needed. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane on the current political environment: Concerns in community, Gillard not coping, Australia drifting. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Political survival drives the actions of the govt… decisions deferred… Gillard no economic reformer… #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Gillard is running the most economically incompetent government in living memory. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane refers to story about a "senior minister misbehaving" – early leadership positioning? #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Little wonder Gillard is trying to lower expectations of her performance… Aust cannot afford another 3 years of weak govt. #npc #
Loughnane: Gillard avoids fronting the media when there is bad news… senior public servants now required to handle bad news. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: After 2 months the contrast could not be clearer – a weak govt, an Opposition with strong policies, leadership & direction. #npc #
RT @annabelcrabb: This speech by Brian Loughnane is not really a campaign review. It's a campaign speech #
RT @LaurieOakes: I think we're starting to see why neither side won the election. #npc #
Loughnane: We have a PM not up to the job, a restless Labor Party. The Lib Party has an obligation to be ready. #auspol #npc #
First question to Loughnane from Danielle Cronin about public service numbers: he claims they fought hard in the ACT… #auspol #npc #
AAP journalist asks about NSW branch of Liberal Party – Banks, Greenway & Lindsay – complaints by candidates – why so disorganised? #auspol #
Loughnane: Strongest swing to us on primary votes was in NSW – we're concerned this didn't deliver more seats. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: The battleground changes during campaigns – the NSW campaign was properly resourced but we're looking forensically at it. #auspol #
AFR's Dodson asks about impact of the miners' campaign against RSPT. Loughnane says mining tax was major mistake, plus ETS. #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: Mining ads were important but they reflected deep community concerns … for first time sovereign risk became a concern. #auspol #
The Aust's Sid Maher asks about concerns the Liberal advertising wasn't negative enough – should you have gone more negative? #auspol #
Loughnane: I'm proud of our advertising – one of strongest parts of the campaign, most creative for many years, resonated strongly. #auspol #
Loughnane: Preselection of candidates is matter for state executives but we're looking into this. #auspol #npc #
Lenore Taylor asks about balance of good policy with good politics & whether Michael Yablsey has ever been paid. How much did miners donate? #
RT @BernardKeane: Here's some of that great Liberal advertising Loughnane was talking about http://youtu.be/ZRljigv0KK8 #
@Whiskers1000 In Australia it's National Press Club… #
A question from @murpharoo about the slow start to the campaign by the Liberal machine. Given lack of unanimous support, how long for you? #
Loughnane: Campaign HQ moved to Melbourne in first few days like it always does…first days were important, WorkChoices scare went nowhere. #
Loughnane claims Labor's campaign strategy weakened in the first week by failure of WorkChoices scare. Dead, buried, cremated? #auspol #
Loughnane: We're in a very tight situation, could be election at any time. I hope to take a part. #auspol #npc #
RT @annabelcrabb: "I feel for Karl," (Bitar) says Brian Loughnane. Must be the first time the vanquished has said that of the victor. #
Question from @samanthamaiden – did your wife tell you she was going to vote Green… seriously, what's up with you and Yabsley? #auspol #
Loughnane flustered by @samanthamaiden naming his 3 possible successors as Federal Director. A depth of experience available, he says. #
ABC's Heather Ewart – how can you say you're ready to win the next election when Yabsley says you're not? #auspol #npc #
Loughnane: In my time we have not run an overdraft, we have reserves, unlike the ALP. Yabsley has put a proposal to the party. #auspol #
Loughnane: Very deep concerns under Rudd continued under Rudd and continue now. #auspol #npc #
Steve Lewis from New Ltd asks about Lib Party fundraising – some members claim lack of transparency. Does Abbott have full access to books? #
Lewis: Has Yabsley sought a half million a year retainer? Is that the problem? #auspol #npc #
Loughnane says internal arrangements for funding are unchanged but the election laws are changing and that's the real issue for future. #npc #
Lewis says Loughnane is papering over transparency question.. Loughnane says there's been no change… can't comment on Yabsley's retainer. #
Mid-question, the ABC rolls credits… #auspol #npc #
@theburgerman When's your replay? #
@theburgerman Where? Multiview, APAC? #
Transcript and audio of Brian Loughnane's address to the National Press Club on the 2010 election is here: http://auspol.info/cwClkm #
@pjlogue What's the topic? #
An amusing video with Bob Woodward & Ben Bradlee, promoting the Washington Post's iPad app: http://youtu.be/KCUFxFoaloE #
Logged into the Crikey webinar with Fraser, Gallop, Black and Keane… they're running late… #
Here we go… #
The webinar is on #crikeylive hashtag… #
@AOCarr I'm trying to solve the problem of Windows 7 and recording live streams like this – Microsoft has killed the sound mixer. #
@pjlogue It's very clear here – had to close the software and re-run it to get started but crystal clear now. #
Malcolm Fraser: Very poor, narrow, inwards-looking campaigns left people disenchanted. Not a victory for Libs. #crikeylive #
Fraser: May have been a victory for a Greens but really a protest victory. #crikeylive #
Gallop: The course of this parlt will determine whether 2010 was a transformational event – will minority govt be entrenched? #crikeylive #
Fraser: Rudd had everyone on his side then gave appearance of running away from everything that was important. #crikeylive #
Gallop: Many people involved in politics now are good at the game but don't have confidence in their convictions. #crikeylive #
Gallop: The belief in democracy, equality, liberty has been lost by politicians who fear losing electoral support. #crikeylive #
Fraser describes Joe Hockey on the banks as "right wing populism". #crikeylive #
@AOCarr @pjlogue They heard you! We could have started stealing the list… #
How do you make this control panel window stay open? Mine keeps minimising. #crikeylive #
@joshmadgwick Thanks…. can't read! #
Gallop talks of how people are socialised into politics now – once politics was a second career, not a first. #crikeylive #
@SmartCompany PC, IE for this. Working fine. #
Fraser @crazyjane13 Go to View and deselect 'Auto-hide the Control Panel'. #
@crazyjane13 oops… ignore the Fraser bit! #
Fraser proposes plebiscite of party members for all party officers. Hehe… #crikeylive #
Fraser proposes 100% public funding of elections, provided leniency for new parties and ban all donations. #crikeylive #
Fraser also proposes banning all corporate advertising 6 months before an election. #crikeylive #
Fraser: Politicians need to be isolated from donors and I don't know any other way than 100% public funding. #crikeylive #
Crikey webinar asks "does proportional representation offer a solution?" and shows a slide of Barnaby Joyce & Bill Heffernan! #crikeylive #
It deserves to be preserved… http://twitpic.com/35hpss #crikeylive #
Then a slide asks "what is to be done?" and shows Steve Fielding sitting alone in the Senate. #crikeylive #
Gallop deplores the lack of statements articulating a vision during the campaign – compares with Whitlam in 60s. #crikeylive #
Someone is enjoying themselves with these slides… http://twitpic.com/35hr64 #crikeylive #
Fraser lauds John McEwen for negotiating Japan trade treaty in the 1950s, 10 years after WW2. Who would do that now? #crikeylive #
Dare we remind Fraser of the Razor Gang in his government? #MaintainYourRage #crikeylive #
Gallop offers "managerialism plus passion" as an unbeatable political position… #crikeylive #
@Surlysimon I think of him every time I drive down Stumpy Gully Road… #
Informal voting… http://twitpic.com/35ht7z #crikeylive #
Did Fraser suggest journalists might be annoyed because they didn't know about the Rudd coup in advance? Tut tut. #crikeylive #
Keane suggests "sheer disgust" drove the informal vote up, not Latham who just traded on a prevailing mood/sentiment. #crikeylive #
Fraser suggests a lack of corporate memory in the media hinders its ability to question politicians. #crikeylive #
Gallop & Fraser agree that the political attacks on the army brigadier over the charges against Aust soldiers are a disgrace. #crikeylive #
This way, Mike: http://twitpic.com/35hw64 @mpbowers #
Fraser went to a Higgins Lib Party meeting and the average age was close to his… need new vehicle for young people & politics. #crikeylive #
Monday nights at 9.30pm over summer? … RT @crazyjane13: Thanks for the webinar! Great idea, do more of them. #crikeylive #
@JaalaPulford It just doesn't have quite the same ring to it as "Rooty Hill"… #
We seem to have a major outage of Sky News… #
@crazyjane13 I'm still getting free to air channels… #
@theburgerman 601, 602, 603, 604, 605, 606, etc all out. "No signal is being received" message up now. #
@theburgerman Now seems to be all Foxtel but not News24 or other free-to-airs. #
@theburgerman @crazyjane13 At least George Bush senior is on Fox News… beats the hell out of the member for Higgins… #
The AEC has finalised its redistribution of electoral boundaries in Victoria: http://auspol.info/ctB14F – what have they done to Higgins? #
@theburgerman Thanks for that… #
I will have to enter this… I'm the right age and orientation afterall… http://auspol.info/aF9xA0 #

Filed Under: Twitter Tagged With: @mfarnsworth, Twitter

Latest Twitter Updates

Nov 09, 2010

Waiting to listen to Guthrie and co. On the media at Fed Square. Anyone else here? #
@Get_Shortened Show yourself! I'm down the front. #
@LHMUVictoria But you're anonymous! #
@Get_Shortened I'll put Massola onto you… #
Fascinating – Guthrie, Beecher and Barry are talking about the media. Overington is spruiking News Ltd. #
The boys and the girl discussing the media at Fed Square. http://twitpic.com/34zsek #
@Get_Shortened Such shyness on your part. #
It's not Lateline but this is behind the scenes at the Hillary Clinton broadcast: http://youtu.be/KT6n1S-xBhY #MediaWatch #
Paul Barry told the forum tonight that this radiation shield story was hard to do for #MediaWatch because bloggers had already covered it. #
@andrew_hedge Ah, somehow it managed to completely pass me by. #
Brandis for Minchin? I'm not sure that's a fair deal. Sounds like WorkChoices in action. #qanda #
That's the question of the year: "What the heck's happened to the Labor Party?" #qanda #
Biggins: "When you consider the NBN is only costing twice the banks' profits, it seems quite cheap." #qanda #
Real Australians would call it the Billy Tea Party. #qanda #
@Colvinius @Pollytics Same here through Foxtel. #
RT @GhostWhoVotes: #Newspoll 2 Party Preferred: ALP 48 (0) LNP 52 (0) #auspol #
Labor hits four-year low: Newspoll http://auspol.info/bEIRwk – Dennis Shanahan says Gillard's preferred PM rating is 49%, down 4. #
Shanahan says Newspoll has Abbott's rating is up 2 points to 34%, 15 points behind Gillard, equal to his second-best performance. #
And Shorten's case against change, based mainly on pockets of opposition, neatly highlights the lack of courage in this government. #qanda #
Was that a death stare? #qanda #
Bill Shorten on #qanda and now @howespaul on #Lateline When does Rudd get equal time? #
Here's the audio of "What a Year the Party's Seen" from #qanda – http://twaud.io/qpnh #
@KJBar Hehe… I haven't seen tonight's program yet. I bet he didn't talk about you-know-what. #
One of the most talented ministries in history, says Howes of the current govt. But they weren't utilised by Rudd. #Lateline #
OK, it's getting late but in the interests of balance I need to watch KRudd on the #730Report .. #
@BronwynHinz I see what you mean! Could be seen as a colloquial use of "us" for "me", as in the school kid's "give us the ball" … #
@smurray38 I went three months – what's wrong with you? #
RT @GhostWhoVotes: #Newspoll Primary Votes: ALP 34 (+1) LNP 43 (0) GRN 13 (-1) http://bit.ly/9igeCd #auspol #
RT @GhostWhoVotes: The #Newspoll tables: http://bit.ly/dxMztl #auspol #
Transparency: http://auspol.info/9U0NKn – David Cameron's new website. Staffing, salaries, gifts, meetings, business plans. #
A preview of "Gerrymandering": http://youtu.be/3XevN8IR_PA #
@empatt @smurray38 Twitter, not so much in an echo chamber as a bell jar? #
The Sunraysia Daily is doing its best to make it a contest in Mildura (margin 20.7%) http://auspol.info/a6JEKh #
RT @jayrosen_nyu: I Am a Blogger No Longer. @marcambinder says it's exhausting to articulate and defend an online persona http://jr.ly/5rgj #
The Mid-Year Economic and Fiscal Outlook 2010-11 (MYEFO) has been released: http://auspol.info/cMu6Jj #auspol #
MEYEFO forecasts real GDP to grow by 3.25% in 2010-11 and 3.75% in 2011-12. http://auspol.info/cMu6Jj #
MYEFO forecats unemployement to fall to 4.75% by June 2011 and 4.5% by June 2012. http://auspol.info/cMu6Jj #
MYEFO forecasts headline inflation to be 2.75% through to June 2011 and 3% through the year to June 2012. http://auspol.info/cMu6Jj #
MYEFO says the budget is still expected to be in surplus in 2012-13 & net debt to peak at 6.4% of GDP in 2011-12. http://auspol.info/cMu6Jj #
MYEFO says "net debt in major advanced economies is expected to reach an average 90% of GDP in 2015, 14 times higher" than Australia's. #
MYEFO says the budget is projected to reach a surplus of 1% of GDP in 2016-17. Net debt projected to return to zero in 2018-19. #
MYEFO says the fiscal deficit for 2010-11 estimated to be $41.9 billion (3% of GDP). http://auspol.info/cMu6Jj #
MYEFO says "there has been a marked softening in the revenue outlook in recent months", mainly in capital gains & company tax. #
MYEFO says stronger than expected wage increases have increased personal income tax by $3.4 billion over 4 years to 2013-14. #
Stats on Aust govt taxation & spending show the Whitlam govt to be the lowest in both categories in past 35 years. http://auspol.info/cfUO6M #
Wayne Swan or Karl Bitar at 12.30pm? This could be tricky… #
Karl Bitar, ALP Nat Sec, is about to address the Press Club on the election result. This was Tim Gartrell in 2007: http://auspol.info/aTL7Ma #
Treasurer Wayne Swan is holding a press conference in Canberra on the release of the Mid-Year Economic Forecast and Outlook… #auspol #
Swan: Strong growth, falling unemployment and a growing pipeline of investment is forecast. "We are in a far superior position." #auspol #
Swan: On the fiscal outlook, "we are in very good nick" – back to surplus sooner, debt peaking at much lower levels than other countries. #
Swan: Tax revenue revised down by $10 billion. Despite this "hit to revenues", still on track to get back to surplus. #
Swan: Real spending growth over next 2 years is 0.2% of GDP – "fastest fiscal consolidation in 40 years". #auspol #
@theburgerman He was one once. #
@theburgerman The Department of Management, no less… #
Ok, election analysis trumps everything else… over to Bitar… #
Liberal Federal Director Brian Loughnane will address the Press Club tomorrow. This is what he said in 2007: http://auspol.info/bU3eSa #
Kar Bitar: One of the biggest factors was "the overwhelming expectation that Labor would win". This affected campaign reporting & result. #
Bitar: Our final research track showed only 23% of people thought Abbott would win, compared to 54% who thought Labor would win. #
Bitar: This increased the potential for a protest vote and lessened analysis of Abbott. #
Bitar: During the campaign, national polls were quite accurate but didn't reflect differences in individual seats. #auspol #
Bitar: People wanted the govt back but they didn't want to reward us for our time in govt – protest voters becoming more prevalent now. #
Bitar: Parties can no longer rely on their base vote and just go after undecided voters – a dramatic shift in Aust. politics. #auspol #
Bitar: Leaked polling two days out from election day shocked campaign staff. If I couldn't convince them, how could I convince the public? #
Bitar: Expectations of Gillard were so high that if she had an average day she was marked down. #auspol #
Bitar: Contrary to popular belief, we only had a small margin of 1.7% – thumping victory in 2007 didn't deliver thumping majority. #auspol #
Bitar: There was a considerable amount of government dissatisfaction – expectations not met, hopes raised too high. #auspol #
Bitar: We failed to communicate our achievements – we can't be accused of not achieving much during that term of government. #auspol #
Bitar: We were doing too much too quickly – public couldn't absorb what we were doing. #auspol #
Bitar: The 24-hour media cycle worked against us – news now has no durability at all – midday announcements are judged within an hour or two #
Bitar: Most significant achievement of first term was keeping Aust out of recession – most don't appreciate how dangerous the crisis was. #
Bitar: But it was a true political conundrum – no-one overseas could understand how our govt could be under pressure. #auspol #
Bitar: As 2010 passed, the GFC receded even further – plus we had issues like asylum seekers, BER, insulation, RSPT, etc #
Bitar: We entered the election "with a few political problems" #
Bitar: We had a strong frame about moving forward but this became impossible "because of leaks and Mark Latham". #auspol #
Bitar: Most commentary post-election underestimates the impact of the leaks… they sucked up oxygen and portrayed disunity. #auspol #
Bitar: Swing in Qld was 9% and 6% in NSW after the leaks – 22 seats lost in those states alone. #auspol #
Bitar: The news on Sat 7 Aug was the worst possible – disunity in the weeks leading up to an election is the worst possible. #auspol #
Bitar: The day after Latham confronted Gillard my wife said to me, "if it wasn't for you, I'd be voting Greens this election". #auspol #
Bitar: A cabinet minister told me his wife said something similar – leaks and Latham were deadly. Only Abbott's unelectability saved us. #
Bitar: Abbott's stumbles over WorkChoices, no not meaning no, broadband, etc weren't dissected as much as our mistakes. #
RT @MarkTobinSydney: Karl Bitar admits Epping to Parramatta announcement was a mistake. #npc #
Bitar gives credit to Loughnane for his strategic victory in keeping Abbott under control. #auspol #
Bitar: Swing to Greens caused by 2 factors: a long term structural shift in the inner cities AND a protest vote against the ALP. #auspol #
Bitar: They didn't want to reward us but they didn't want to support Tony Abbott. #auspol #
Bitar: Liberals don't seem interested in self-assessment… Abbott has defined them by what they are against, not what they are for. #
Bitar: I don't accept the premature judgement that the ALP is in decline… but we need national reforms to our structure. #auspol #
Bitar: The ALP is a 21st century party with a 19th century branch structure. #auspol #
Bitar: One of the most beneficial avenues is online – we have invested much in an online structure but more can be done. #auspol #
Bitar: We now fear debates because we appear being portrayed in the media as divided. Not one debate at national conference. #auspol #
Bitar: As our membership shrinks the less attention MPs pay to it and so the spiral continues… #auspol #
Bitar: The party must set up a standing committee on party reform – an ongoing issue not just something for tough times. #auspol #
Question to Bitar: Can the modern-day ALP any longer lay claim to being a party of mates? #auspol #
She's a journalist? #auspol #
Bitar: We faced loss of 22 seats after the leaks – Gillard came back from that because people believed she had an agenda of reform. #
Cronin to Bitar: What responsibility do you take for "the worst campaign ever" – can you name a worse campaign? #auspol #
Bitar: Richardson still knows how to get a head line. #auspol #
Bitar: The fact that Libs changed strategy 3 times during the campaign shows they were reading the election the same way we were. #
Tillett to Bitar: You haven't mentioned Rudd once… and what can be done about the ALP's decline in Western Australia? #
Bitar: We weren't happy with WA result – need to redouble effort – resource tax and protest vote from WA. #auspol #
Bitar on Rudd: He achieved more in one term than Howard did in his entire time in govt – eg. trades training compared to school flags… #
Bitar on Greens: Don't underestimate the proportion of that vote which was a protest vote… the Greens harness it, as in Victoria now. #
Bitar: 10-20% of the Greens vote is former coalition voters… Greens are a party like any other, they have factions… #
Mark Davis question: What does the research show about why people were dissatisfied? CPRS? Why was rail link a mistake? #
Bitar: Because Howard was there for so long, expectations were so high – we couldn't match those expectations. #auspol #
In other words, Bitar isn't going to answer the specific question – just this waffle about expectations. #auspol #
No, here it is…. on CPRS – it described action on climate change for most people; when we moved away from it they saw it as a letdown. #
Bitar: Epping rail link fed into a cynical media attitude – probably didn't win or lose votes but sucked up the oxygen for 2 days. #
Question from @murpharoo about Real Julia and Gillard's problems validating the previous regime – wasn't the legacy issue a key issue? #
Bitar: Real Julia announcement was strategically correct but tactically poor… we didn't know whether the leaks were going to stop. #
Bitar: We didn't run away from first term policies -eg broadband, education revolution, health. #
Bitar: Eliminate the leaks and Latham and you have a different result. #auspol #
Sid Maher to Bitar: Are you too reliant on focus groups? Can you tell us in 3 or 4 sentences what the Labor Party is about? #auspol #
@LaurieOakes This is a deeply shallow performance from Bitar. #
RT @tegangilchrist: Find a copy of @karlbitar address to the National Press Club here: http://auspol.info/aXykKQ #npc #auspol #
Bitar: The Labor Party has always been for a strong economy… equal opportunity… #auspol #
@mikestuchbery Ah! Simply the magic of television. #
@Rubbachook Twitter logo? #
A uniform swing, win Bentleigh, and the Libs win govt. The leaflets are rolling in: http://twitpic.com/357j3f http://twitpic.com/357jce #
Hockey: A govt without a core… incompetence… lack of ticker… budget clearly deteriorating… debt growing out to $90bn… #auspol #
@xposya Indeed! I'll let you call them. Note my own careful choice of words here: http://auspol.info/aEOB1z #
The transcript of Karl Bitar's speech is almost unreadable on the ALP website, but it's tidied up here with audio: http://auspol.info/cGW3nS #

Filed Under: Twitter Tagged With: @mfarnsworth, Twitter

Latest Twitter Updates

Nov 08, 2010

Half-way through reading 'Confessions of a Faceless Man' http://twitpic.com/34qklg – hard to tell how frank it really is, but interesting. #
After meeting with Rudd at The Lodge, a colleague of Howes remarks: "Kevin would be ordering the staff to disinfect the room after we left". #
Howes on Hockey: "He certainly does a better job appearing on 'Sunrise' than he does developing policy." (p49) #
Howes on his first encounters with Gillard: "I thought she was just another hard-nosed operative with little interest in policy or ideas." #
Howes on Gillard now: "Over the years…and as Deputy PM, she has struck me as being one of the most outstanding politicians and leaders." #
Howes on Latham: "The similiarities between Latham and the man he hates so much, Rudd, are not lost on me." (p67) #
Howes on Abbott's "cringe-worthy slogans": "They are even worse than ours, and that's saying something – that takes real effort." (p78) #
@ern_malleyscrub I tried Wikipedia once – never again. Too many rules and obscure conventions. #
@ben_hr You're only saying that because you're lapping up Lazarus Rising. #
@CbnGal Different books… but both contemporaneous history with its attendant weaknesses. #
@mattlwood He's quite generous to some of his opponents… #
@Get_Shortened So far I wouldn't say he overstates his role. Could be modesty! #
@crazyjane13 It's an interesting idea. Many of us are most agitated by people we won't admit are quite like us. #
@clubwah I'm only half-way but he's heading down that path. #
@guruann You won't believe what happens after polling day… #
@ben_hr That's the collection of essays on Labor? Haven't got that yet. #
@guruann You won't need 3 weeks – it's short and easy to read. The plane over should do it! #
Elsewhere, Maureen Dowd says George W. Bush's memoir is "deftly crafted and utterly selective": http://auspol.info/bIAsHo – The Decider! #
@RWKrajewski Neither did he. Simpson's reference: "I dreamed of being a baseball." #
@AnnaInTheWood I'm not the person to ask – I read all this stuff as a matter of course. It's interesting but not the definitive story. #
Has Gillard condemned Hillary Clinton for her outrageous attack on Vegemite? #
Liberal Party treasurer, Michael Yabsley, resigns, attacks Stockdale & Loughnane, and warns of party insolvency: http://auspol.info/9CybU3 #
Liberal dose of angst: http://auspol.info/9CybU3 – Niki Savva explains the background to Yabsley's resignation. #
Julia Gillard is announcing plans for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal Australians in the Constitution. #auspol #
Gillard: Govt to establish an expert panel by the end of the year "to progress" the initiative. 2011 to be a "consensus building" year. #
McCllelland: Referendums aren't easy – only 8 of 44 have been passed since Federation. #
Gillard: Govt is also committed to constitutional recognition of local government – will also be working on that through next year. #
RT @haydencooper: Gillard: "Leaving options open as to whether to hold referendum with, or before next election in 2013". #
Macklin says govt has not decided how many people will be on expert panel – wants to consult with other parties, indigenous leaders, etc. #
Gillard: We are progressing two agendas here and they need to be done together… developing trust & respect and being practical. #
Former NSW Deputy Premier John Watkins says he thinks the referendum will get up easily and overwhelmingly – presumes will be bipartisan. #
@Prronto No – s127, removed by referendum in 1967, specifically excluded "aboriginal natives" from being counted as citizens. #
@mumbletwits Only in this Twitter post during 140: http://auspol.info/cE1ZTa #
@Prronto No, the referendum you have in mind was in 1967: http://auspol.info/b7QK9r #
Kevin Rudd is introducing Hillary Clinton at the AUSMIN media conference at Government House in Melbourne. #auspol #
Rudd recounts a list of policy positions "affirmed" and "reaffirmed" by AUSMIN – Iran, Burma, Japan, etc. #auspol #
Hillary Clinton and Stephen Smith both affirm how "constructive" the AUSMIN talks have been. Another reference to its "bedrock" nature… #
And they do like saying "regional architecture"… #auspol #
Smith talks of progress in new challenges of this century: "space surveillance" and "space situational awareness". #auspol #
Robert Gates, US Secretary of Defence, talks of a US "global posture review" and Australia's role in the Pacific. #auspol #
Clinton says "parts of Afghanistan" will be under administration of the Afghan government sometime next year… #auspol #
That spelling mistake was brought to you by the man charged with destroying the Hawke government's 1988 referendums. #
@Peter_Reith I thought you'd be pointing out that the most successful constitutional reformer is that great Liberal hero, Malcolm Fraser… #
RT @Peter_Reith: and I hold the record for 3 biggest ever no votes #
Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians: http://auspol.info/aOui8F – fact sheets released by the Federal Government. #
Essential Report poll: LNP 51, ALP 49. Primaries: LNP 46, ALP 29, Greens 8, Others 7. http://auspol.info/as3bZC #
Oops… correction… Essential Report poll: LNP 51, ALP 49. Primaries: LNP 46, ALP 39, Greens 8, Others 7. http://auspol.info/as3bZC #
@AgnessMack @Elyseais @MichaeCarey @PTeren Thanks – wasn't looking when I did that one. #
@citizen_cam Yes – Essential's state election polls last week had the ALP primary at 29% in NSW and Queensland. #
@howespaul Yes, an interesting read – but I'd prefer the unedited version… Writing a review of your book and Cassidy's this week. #

Filed Under: Twitter Tagged With: @mfarnsworth, Twitter

Latest Twitter Updates

Nov 08, 2010

Half-way through reading 'Confessions of a Faceless Man' http://twitpic.com/34qklg – hard to tell how frank it really is, but interesting. #
After meeting with Rudd at The Lodge, a colleague of Howes remarks: "Kevin would be ordering the staff to disinfect the room after we left". #
Howes on Hockey: "He certainly does a better job appearing on 'Sunrise' than he does developing policy." (p49) #
Howes on his first encounters with Gillard: "I thought she was just another hard-nosed operative with little interest in policy or ideas." #
Howes on Gillard now: "Over the years…and as Deputy PM, she has struck me as being one of the most outstanding politicians and leaders." #
Howes on Latham: "The similiarities between Latham and the man he hates so much, Rudd, are not lost on me." (p67) #
Howes on Abbott's "cringe-worthy slogans": "They are even worse than ours, and that's saying something – that takes real effort." (p78) #
@ern_malleyscrub I tried Wikipedia once – never again. Too many rules and obscure conventions. #
@ben_hr You're only saying that because you're lapping up Lazarus Rising. #
@CbnGal Different books… but both contemporaneous history with its attendant weaknesses. #
@mattlwood He's quite generous to some of his opponents… #
@Get_Shortened So far I wouldn't say he overstates his role. Could be modesty! #
@crazyjane13 It's an interesting idea. Many of us are most agitated by people we won't admit are quite like us. #
@clubwah I'm only half-way but he's heading down that path. #
@guruann You won't believe what happens after polling day… #
@ben_hr That's the collection of essays on Labor? Haven't got that yet. #
@guruann You won't need 3 weeks – it's short and easy to read. The plane over should do it! #
Elsewhere, Maureen Dowd says George W. Bush's memoir is "deftly crafted and utterly selective": http://auspol.info/bIAsHo – The Decider! #
@RWKrajewski Neither did he. Simpson's reference: "I dreamed of being a baseball." #
@AnnaInTheWood I'm not the person to ask – I read all this stuff as a matter of course. It's interesting but not the definitive story. #
Has Gillard condemned Hillary Clinton for her outrageous attack on Vegemite? #
Liberal Party treasurer, Michael Yabsley, resigns, attacks Stockdale & Loughnane, and warns of party insolvency: http://auspol.info/9CybU3 #
Liberal dose of angst: http://auspol.info/9CybU3 – Niki Savva explains the background to Yabsley's resignation. #
Julia Gillard is announcing plans for constitutional recognition of Aboriginal Australians in the Constitution. #auspol #
Gillard: Govt to establish an expert panel by the end of the year "to progress" the initiative. 2011 to be a "consensus building" year. #
McCllelland: Referendums aren't easy – only 8 of 44 have been passed since Federation. #
Gillard: Govt is also committed to constitutional recognition of local government – will also be working on that through next year. #
RT @haydencooper: Gillard: "Leaving options open as to whether to hold referendum with, or before next election in 2013". #
Macklin says govt has not decided how many people will be on expert panel – wants to consult with other parties, indigenous leaders, etc. #
Gillard: We are progressing two agendas here and they need to be done together… developing trust & respect and being practical. #
Former NSW Deputy Premier John Watkins says he thinks the referendum will get up easily and overwhelmingly – presumes will be bipartisan. #
@Prronto No – s127, removed by referendum in 1967, specifically excluded "aboriginal natives" from being counted as citizens. #
@mumbletwits Only in this Twitter post during 140: http://auspol.info/cE1ZTa #
@Prronto No, the referendum you have in mind was in 1967: http://auspol.info/b7QK9r #
Kevin Rudd is introducing Hillary Clinton at the AUSMIN media conference at Government House in Melbourne. #auspol #
Rudd recounts a list of policy positions "affirmed" and "reaffirmed" by AUSMIN – Iran, Burma, Japan, etc. #auspol #
Hillary Clinton and Stephen Smith both affirm how "constructive" the AUSMIN talks have been. Another reference to its "bedrock" nature… #
And they do like saying "regional architecture"… #auspol #
Smith talks of progress in new challenges of this century: "space surveillance" and "space situational awareness". #auspol #
Robert Gates, US Secretary of Defence, talks of a US "global posture review" and Australia's role in the Pacific. #auspol #
Clinton says "parts of Afghanistan" will be under administration of the Afghan government sometime next year… #auspol #
That spelling mistake was brought to you by the man charged with destroying the Hawke government's 1988 referendums. #
@Peter_Reith I thought you'd be pointing out that the most successful constitutional reformer is that great Liberal hero, Malcolm Fraser… #
RT @Peter_Reith: and I hold the record for 3 biggest ever no votes #
Constitutional recognition of Indigenous Australians: http://auspol.info/aOui8F – fact sheets released by the Federal Government. #
Essential Report poll: LNP 51, ALP 49. Primaries: LNP 46, ALP 29, Greens 8, Others 7. http://auspol.info/as3bZC #
Oops… correction… Essential Report poll: LNP 51, ALP 49. Primaries: LNP 46, ALP 39, Greens 8, Others 7. http://auspol.info/as3bZC #
@AgnessMack @Elyseais @MichaeCarey @PTeren Thanks – wasn't looking when I did that one. #
@citizen_cam Yes – Essential's state election polls last week had the ALP primary at 29% in NSW and Queensland. #
@howespaul Yes, an interesting read – but I'd prefer the unedited version… Writing a review of your book and Cassidy's this week. #

Filed Under: Twitter Tagged With: @mfarnsworth, Twitter

Latest Twitter Updates

Nov 07, 2010

Watch this video in memory: http://vimeo.com/15402603 .. RT @WestWingReport: On This Day. 1860: Abraham Lincoln was elected President. #
How did Harry Reid do it? http://auspol.info/cFpbtY – very interesting article on the grassroots campaign that saved the Dems Senate leader. #
@Pollytics… oh all right… #OhMike #
It was those little fat bureaucrats that did it – if it was Mike Carlton, he would have said "pinguid"… http://auspol.info/dsZcmq #OhMike #
The #HillaryOz speech and Q&A is being live tweeted by @HutchHussein – seems like a wide-ranging forum. #
RT @erdemkoc A Sunday stroll with #HillaryOz http://twitpic.com/34lcts #

Filed Under: Twitter Tagged With: @mfarnsworth, Twitter

Latest Twitter Updates

Nov 06, 2010

The BBC understands the perils of high-definition television: http://auspol.info/a0jsNz #
@Antipaganda Newspoll published Oct 26 was LNP 52, ALP 48. Slightly different… #
The Victorian election debate has started… opening question with 3 minute answers, short responses after that… #vicvotes #
Baillieu: Violent crime, transport, hospital care, children in care, waste and mismanagement… and Brumby asks for 15 years. #vicvotes #
"Why should we have you back?" – Henderson's incisive question to Brumby. Should have just called it opening statements… #vicvotes #
Brumby: The key issue is who will keep the jobs coming… can't talk about that without talking education… #vicvotes #
Brumby: I offer strong leadership to meet the challenges of the time ahead. #vicvotes #
Henderson asks about the elephant in the room: the Greens. #vicvotes #
Where will you direct your preferences, Henderson asks Baillieu. Ted opts to rubbish the ALP-Greens "coalition". #vicvotes #
Baillieu wants to know who the ALP is going to preference. Brumby says Adam Bandt elected off back of Liberal preferences. #vicvotes #
Brumby: I haven't spoken to the Greens and won't before the election… I'm out to win government in our own right and provide stability. #
Baillieu: We will decide what to do in due course but Mr Brumby has to answer the question now… #vicvotes #
This is such nonsense from Baillieu. Everyone knows ALP will preference the Greens but only Liberal preferences can elect them. #vicvotes #
Should I admit to having a copy of "Restoring Democracy"…? #vicvotes #
Gordon Brown is more interesting… RT @leachitup: Streaming a bit of the Vic Election debate from Glasgow #nerd #vicvotes #JBvted #
Baillieu: This may be the only hour of television Brumby appears in that doesn't have a government ad in it. #vicvotes #
Will both of you give a commitment to reforming to rules in Parlt to ensure that ministers answer questions? #vicvotes #
Baillieu says the Standing Orders should be changed – doesn't say how.Brumby says under Kennett there were only 3 questions a day. #vicvotes #
Brumby proposes a lectern in the middle of the chamber for answering questions instead of the adversarial style at present. #vicvotes #
McMahon asks for ministerial advisers to be answerable to parliamentary committees. Brumby rightly points out how absurd that is. #vicvotes #
It's halfway through this "debate" and we haven't yet had a single question about health, transport, education, water, etc. #vicvotes #
Gay adoption? No, says Baillieu. Refer to Law Reform Commission, says Brumby. #vicvotes #
A question on child protection… Brumby talks funding numbers… Baillieu says 1300 children still without a case worker. #vicvotes #
Laura Norder arrives, courtesy of the Herald-Sun reporter…. #vicvotes #
More police, tougher sentencing, more police, tougher sentencing… this is Ted Baillieu, so-called small-l Liberal. #vicvotes #
Brumby: 2000 more police today than a decade ago. Baillieu: Where are they? #vicvotes #
RT @katkat_kat_b: All that violence and police & still no support for our live #music scene #vicvotes #SLAM #melbourne #
Ban smoking in public places? Baillieu yes, if recommended by VicHealth. Brumby, we have no plans for that. #vicvotes #
Water. Is it true there was a recommendation against the desal plant? Brumby: we still need to secure water for the next 10 years & beyond. #
Austin tells Baillieu he's confused. Do you support desal or not? Does Wonthaggi stay? Baillieu says contracts will be honoured. #vicvotes #
45 minutes down and Henderson says "let's move it along" and have a question on the economy… #vicvotes #
Herald-Sun question on govt "addiction to revenue raising" through traffic fines… Brumby talks of road toll under 300/yr. #vicvotes #
Austin quotes Alan Stockdale who says the Vic economy is as bad now as when Kennett took over from Kirner… #vicvotes #
Baillieu says the debt is increasing. How will you bring it down, he's asked. First, by not letting it go up, he responds. #vicvotes #
Brumby: The budget is comfortably in surplus… debt is lower now than in 1999… Baillieu wants to cut spending on schools, hospitals, etc. #
Brumby wants to know how Baillieu will pay for $7.5 billion of promises. Baillieu disputes the figure. #vicvotes #
A $1 limit on poker machine bets? Brumby, pre-commitment but no mandatory limits. Baillieu, should examine it. #vicvotes #
Summing up time… Baillieu talks of machetes in the streets of Bentleigh… #vicvotes #
Baillieu talks of a change for the better… I'm an architect, I see problems and I want to fix them… #
Brumby: This is about who will keep the jobs coming… who can bring stability… know that we will invest in education… #
Brumby talks of tackling climate change… we will be a govt for all Victorians… I know we can do better in some areas… #vicvotes #
RT @LeslieCannold: Bizarre. Education, public transport and health were NOT covered in the leaders debate. #vicvotes #
So, 30 minutes of reporters bitching about the things that make their job harder and the rest on a handful of minor issues. #vicvotes #
@LeslieCannold I know what you mean but looking for something like that from Baillieu is a triumph of hope over experience. #
@LeslieCannold You must be getting those appalling letters and leaflets from the Libs emblazoned with guns and knives? They never change. #
An interesting observation from Feyi Akindoyeni on Capital Hill tonight about "the law of groups" as it might apply to the Greens… #
…a group forms at 5, is perfect at 7 and splits at 9. The Greens will have 9 senators from next July. #
@cjjosh Yes, indeed. Although I think the theory falls down when applied to the DLP! #
@timhollo In that case, you'll definitely split at some point and probably undergo a name change as well! #
"They'll attack my wife … steal my car … and be off to Perth to blend in with their own kind" … #Lateline #
@paulsnedden Um, yes, a reference to that moment in Feb 1975. Really your uncle? #
"You interrupted me, you interrupted me, you actually interrupted me first." #Lateline #
I've posted the complete audio of tonight's Victorian election debate between John Brumby and Ted Baillieu: http://auspol.info/97Po8v #
@Pollytics Well… it had its moments but was mostly pretty awful. Try the first 10 minutes as they argue over Green preferences. #
@Pollytics Brumby proposed a lectern in the middle of the chamber for ministers to answer questions in a less adversarial manner… #
@Pollytics Baillieu said violent crims with machetes are running around Bentleigh so I'm afraid to leave the house now… #
@thewetmale Amateurs! Don't you know it's never too late to do something?! #
@auslatteparty I'm sure it is in NSW but not in Vic. Very little talk about it here, as far as I can tell, for what it's worth. #
Prime Minister's crisis of authority: http://auspol.info/aWXD49 – Paul Kelly says Labor looks weak, unconvincing & hostage to many dilemmas. #
Green gain from Labor pain: http://auspol.info/aOCD7S – Peter Hartcher on the importance of political clarity, Arbib, bastards & the Greens #
Thanks to Mike Carlton, I now know what "pinguid" means: http://auspol.info/dsZcmq #
Two pieces from Oakes & Taylor on the govt's failure to manage the politics of banking: http://auspol.info/aCVQ4P http://auspol.info/9mKXeb #
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi used Twitter to announce her intention to run for the Minority Leader's position: http://auspol.info/b7J1rL #

Filed Under: Twitter Tagged With: @mfarnsworth, Twitter

Latest Twitter Updates

Nov 06, 2010

The BBC understands the perils of high-definition television: http://auspol.info/a0jsNz #
@Antipaganda Newspoll published Oct 26 was LNP 52, ALP 48. Slightly different… #
The Victorian election debate has started… opening question with 3 minute answers, short responses after that… #vicvotes #
Baillieu: Violent crime, transport, hospital care, children in care, waste and mismanagement… and Brumby asks for 15 years. #vicvotes #
"Why should we have you back?" – Henderson's incisive question to Brumby. Should have just called it opening statements… #vicvotes #
Brumby: The key issue is who will keep the jobs coming… can't talk about that without talking education… #vicvotes #
Brumby: I offer strong leadership to meet the challenges of the time ahead. #vicvotes #
Henderson asks about the elephant in the room: the Greens. #vicvotes #
Where will you direct your preferences, Henderson asks Baillieu. Ted opts to rubbish the ALP-Greens "coalition". #vicvotes #
Baillieu wants to know who the ALP is going to preference. Brumby says Adam Bandt elected off back of Liberal preferences. #vicvotes #
Brumby: I haven't spoken to the Greens and won't before the election… I'm out to win government in our own right and provide stability. #
Baillieu: We will decide what to do in due course but Mr Brumby has to answer the question now… #vicvotes #
This is such nonsense from Baillieu. Everyone knows ALP will preference the Greens but only Liberal preferences can elect them. #vicvotes #
Should I admit to having a copy of "Restoring Democracy"…? #vicvotes #
Gordon Brown is more interesting… RT @leachitup: Streaming a bit of the Vic Election debate from Glasgow #nerd #vicvotes #JBvted #
Baillieu: This may be the only hour of television Brumby appears in that doesn't have a government ad in it. #vicvotes #
Will both of you give a commitment to reforming to rules in Parlt to ensure that ministers answer questions? #vicvotes #
Baillieu says the Standing Orders should be changed – doesn't say how.Brumby says under Kennett there were only 3 questions a day. #vicvotes #
Brumby proposes a lectern in the middle of the chamber for answering questions instead of the adversarial style at present. #vicvotes #
McMahon asks for ministerial advisers to be answerable to parliamentary committees. Brumby rightly points out how absurd that is. #vicvotes #
It's halfway through this "debate" and we haven't yet had a single question about health, transport, education, water, etc. #vicvotes #
Gay adoption? No, says Baillieu. Refer to Law Reform Commission, says Brumby. #vicvotes #
A question on child protection… Brumby talks funding numbers… Baillieu says 1300 children still without a case worker. #vicvotes #
Laura Norder arrives, courtesy of the Herald-Sun reporter…. #vicvotes #
More police, tougher sentencing, more police, tougher sentencing… this is Ted Baillieu, so-called small-l Liberal. #vicvotes #
Brumby: 2000 more police today than a decade ago. Baillieu: Where are they? #vicvotes #
RT @katkat_kat_b: All that violence and police & still no support for our live #music scene #vicvotes #SLAM #melbourne #
Ban smoking in public places? Baillieu yes, if recommended by VicHealth. Brumby, we have no plans for that. #vicvotes #
Water. Is it true there was a recommendation against the desal plant? Brumby: we still need to secure water for the next 10 years & beyond. #
Austin tells Baillieu he's confused. Do you support desal or not? Does Wonthaggi stay? Baillieu says contracts will be honoured. #vicvotes #
45 minutes down and Henderson says "let's move it along" and have a question on the economy… #vicvotes #
Herald-Sun question on govt "addiction to revenue raising" through traffic fines… Brumby talks of road toll under 300/yr. #vicvotes #
Austin quotes Alan Stockdale who says the Vic economy is as bad now as when Kennett took over from Kirner… #vicvotes #
Baillieu says the debt is increasing. How will you bring it down, he's asked. First, by not letting it go up, he responds. #vicvotes #
Brumby: The budget is comfortably in surplus… debt is lower now than in 1999… Baillieu wants to cut spending on schools, hospitals, etc. #
Brumby wants to know how Baillieu will pay for $7.5 billion of promises. Baillieu disputes the figure. #vicvotes #
A $1 limit on poker machine bets? Brumby, pre-commitment but no mandatory limits. Baillieu, should examine it. #vicvotes #
Summing up time… Baillieu talks of machetes in the streets of Bentleigh… #vicvotes #
Baillieu talks of a change for the better… I'm an architect, I see problems and I want to fix them… #
Brumby: This is about who will keep the jobs coming… who can bring stability… know that we will invest in education… #
Brumby talks of tackling climate change… we will be a govt for all Victorians… I know we can do better in some areas… #vicvotes #
RT @LeslieCannold: Bizarre. Education, public transport and health were NOT covered in the leaders debate. #vicvotes #
So, 30 minutes of reporters bitching about the things that make their job harder and the rest on a handful of minor issues. #vicvotes #
@LeslieCannold I know what you mean but looking for something like that from Baillieu is a triumph of hope over experience. #
@LeslieCannold You must be getting those appalling letters and leaflets from the Libs emblazoned with guns and knives? They never change. #
An interesting observation from Feyi Akindoyeni on Capital Hill tonight about "the law of groups" as it might apply to the Greens… #
…a group forms at 5, is perfect at 7 and splits at 9. The Greens will have 9 senators from next July. #
@cjjosh Yes, indeed. Although I think the theory falls down when applied to the DLP! #
@timhollo In that case, you'll definitely split at some point and probably undergo a name change as well! #
"They'll attack my wife … steal my car … and be off to Perth to blend in with their own kind" … #Lateline #
@paulsnedden Um, yes, a reference to that moment in Feb 1975. Really your uncle? #
"You interrupted me, you interrupted me, you actually interrupted me first." #Lateline #
I've posted the complete audio of tonight's Victorian election debate between John Brumby and Ted Baillieu: http://auspol.info/97Po8v #
@Pollytics Well… it had its moments but was mostly pretty awful. Try the first 10 minutes as they argue over Green preferences. #
@Pollytics Brumby proposed a lectern in the middle of the chamber for ministers to answer questions in a less adversarial manner… #
@Pollytics Baillieu said violent crims with machetes are running around Bentleigh so I'm afraid to leave the house now… #
@thewetmale Amateurs! Don't you know it's never too late to do something?! #
@auslatteparty I'm sure it is in NSW but not in Vic. Very little talk about it here, as far as I can tell, for what it's worth. #
Prime Minister's crisis of authority: http://auspol.info/aWXD49 – Paul Kelly says Labor looks weak, unconvincing & hostage to many dilemmas. #
Green gain from Labor pain: http://auspol.info/aOCD7S – Peter Hartcher on the importance of political clarity, Arbib, bastards & the Greens #
Thanks to Mike Carlton, I now know what "pinguid" means: http://auspol.info/dsZcmq #
Two pieces from Oakes & Taylor on the govt's failure to manage the politics of banking: http://auspol.info/aCVQ4P http://auspol.info/9mKXeb #
US House Speaker Nancy Pelosi used Twitter to announce her intention to run for the Minority Leader's position: http://auspol.info/b7J1rL #

Filed Under: Twitter Tagged With: @mfarnsworth, Twitter

Eight Observations About How I Use Twitter

1. MY TWITTER BACKGROUND

Bin Laden, Twitter, And Gaudy Media Baubles

Latest Twitter Updates

Latest Twitter Updates

Latest Twitter Updates

Latest Twitter Updates

Latest Twitter Updates

Latest Twitter Updates

Latest Twitter Updates

Latest Twitter Updates

AustralianPolitics at The Drum

Most Recent Posts

Gillard Government

Recent Opinion