So what does entertain Australian Labor Politicians,their media apologists and sycophants ?

Labor's Finest

Misogynist Labor and their Financiers are at it again

10 December 2009

Mr Hawke was joined last night by about 150 friends and former Labor colleagues, including fellow occupants of the top job Kevin Rudd, Paul Keating and Gough Whitlam, at a black-tie gala in his honour at Sydney Opera House's restaurant, Guillaume At Bennelong.

The after-dinner performer, who has become known for her shows dressed as Mr Howard, was reportedly arranged to reflect the character of the birthday boy, who was known for his twin fancies of alcohol and women.

Mr Hawke (r) and his wife Blanche d'Alpuget (l)

The burlesque artist previously performed a similar show in Sydney two years ago, the night before Mr Howard's election loss, in which a fellow stripper posing as former US president George Bush also featured.

A tuxedo-clad Mr Rudd arrived late and without wife Therese Rein, but was there just in time for dinner.

"Bob? Fantastic - an Australian legend from central casting," Mr Rudd told media outside the gathering.

"He's reached 80. I reckon he's got another 20 in him yet. Watch out Australia."

Other prominent Labor Party figures at the birthday celebration included former opposition leader Kim Beazley, Trade Minister Simon Crean, Minister for Defence Personnel Greg Combet, parliamentary secretary for infrastructure Maxine McKew and trade unionist Bill Kelty.

The pre-drinks part of the evening lasted nearly two hours but Mr Hawke and his wife Blanche d'Alpuget were among the first to arrive.

In his 1994 autobiography, The Hawke Memoirs, he downplayed the role of alcohol in his life even though he had a reputation for being a heavy drinker at times.

Advertising guru John Singleton and partner Yvett Hartman rocked up to the birthday gala in style, with Singleton reminiscing to the media about the bad old days with his fellow larrikin Mr Hawke.

When asked what he expected from the evening in the way of a good time, he predicted a "Blanche" night.

"I think it will be more unlike Bob than like Bob," Singleton told reporters.

"Like the real Bob I've been with in a public bar somewhere, we wouldn't have paparazzi. It's actually (going to be) one of those Blanche nights."

Singleton took the opportunity to recommend Mr Hawke as the people's choice to occupy his former job.

"He should still be prime minister," Singleton said.

Mr Hawke, one of the country's most popular leaders, has remained politically active since retiring from Parliament soon after losing the prime ministership to Mr Keating in December 1991.

In August this year, he was awarded life membership of the ALP at the party's national conference.

Source 

Hunting Down the Bali Bombers

Bali Bombing Ten Years On, Whats Changed?

Misogynist Labor and their Financiers are at it again

Offensive joke about Opposition Leader Tony Abbott's female Chief of Staff Peta Credlin

SIMON BENSON and GEMMA JONES 
The Daily Telegraph
October 11, 2012 3:02PM

A COMPANY representing a comedian has apologised to Opposition Leader Tony Abbott and his chief of staff Peta Credlin for what Prime Minister Julia Gillard has described as an "offensive" joke.

A co author of this story, Simon Benson, refused to allude to,in anyway, as to the nature and contents of the "joke" in anyway shape or form because of litigation concerns.

A distasteful and offensive joke about Ms Credlin was made at  a union dinner in Canberra last night attended by Julia Gillard and senior Cabinet Ministers.

Manic Studios this afternoon said in a statement it unreservedly apologised to Ms Credlin and Mr Abbott for the joke made at the Construction Forestry Mining and Energy Union dinner at Parliament House.

"The joke was a last-minute inclusion and crossed the line," spokesperson Piers Grove said.

"We did not run the joke past anyone. Nobody from the CFMEU or the Labor party or anyone else in attendance at the dinner knew of the joke until it was told.

"The poor reaction the joke received is testament to the fact that we exercised poor judgment.

INDEPENDENT MP Rob Oakeshott says the current gender war in politics is about preparing for the next election.
"We unreservedly apologise to all parties for any offence."

Treasurer Wayne Swan was still present when the joke was made and made a speech after the comedian's performance.

"The comedian’s comments were clearly very inappropriate and offensive.  There’s no place for those kinds of comments and I made that clear to the union this morning," Mr Swan said.

The PM this morning called the union and expressed her anger at the joke.

“I was not in attendance when these remarks were made at the CFMEU dinner last night but I did hear this morning that offensive remarks had been made and let me be very clear, reports to me the remarks were made are deeply offensive, they’re wrong," she said.

"The comments should never have been made.

"It was wrong for them to have been made and offensive for them to have been made.

"In those circumstances as soon as I possibly could I rang the national secretary of the CFMEU and indicated I thought these comments were offensive.

"I understand the CFMEU has put out a statement in relation to this matter but clearly there is no place for offensive comments of this nature.”

The joke delivered by a comedian known as Fair Go For Billionaires, hired by the CFMEU, contained lewd and offensive references to Ms Credlin. Offensive remarks were also made about Mr Abbott.

The Prime Minister and senior Ministers had left the function, held in Canberra, before the joke was made.

However, several Labor MPs were believed to be still in attendance.

"It was very distasteful,'' said one Labor source present.

"No one was happy about it.''

A senior Government source said the PM had already left the dinner before the comedian began.

According to another source a "silence'' descended over the room when the joke was made.

The CFMEU this morning distanced itself from the comedian, with a senior official saying he was "horrified'.

"We did not know what he was going to say, had we known we would have pulled him of stage."

"Its not the form of our union...and it’s not something we would tolerate.''

Bali Bombing Ten Years On, Whats Changed?

Australia: The best country in the world to RIP OFF tax payer funded Welfare bar none

Madame Gillard and her Green Loon co conspirators are importing into Australia as many of these welfare bludgers as she can and no prize for guessing who they are all going to vote for once they are settled on the welfare teat for life.

Uncensored what Peter Slipper said and the Labor Politicians who stood by him.

UPDATE Labor's Speaker Resigns

Labor Values : Just like Labor's Religion of choice,Islam, the Australian Labor Party and their "Co Party" the Greens,  respects Women.
The phone text transcripts between Labor appointed Speaker of the House,Peter Slipper and the man he allegedly sexually harrassed,James Ashby. 

''They look like mussell (sic) removed from its shell. Look at a bottle of mussel meat. Salty C..ts in brine.''

Peter Slipper. Labor's Speaker of the House, of the Australian Parliament 

Peter Slipper, James Ashby,2 Oct 2012 Book of Evidence Annexure

Viewer Caution Female viewers are warned that in the above video, Opposition Leader Tony Abbott can be seen unashamedly looking at his watch whilst Madame Gillard is defending Peter Slipper and her Government in the House.
REVEALED: What Peter Slipper's sexist text messages actually said

By Malcolm Farr, National Political Editor
Daily Telegraph
October 09, 20123:52PM

"LUCY is very available and keen! Could turn you from your wayward ways," Peter Slipper texted to adviser James Ashby on September 3.

It was just one of hundreds of text messages the Speaker sent about sexual matters.

In a document before the Federal Court, Mr Ashby says that, with hindsight, "he understood the reference to 'wayward ways' to be reference to his homosexuality but at the time was unsure as to what it meant."

It wasn't just sex between men that occupied Mr Slipper's many texting moments.

Their chief political interest was former Liberal minister Mal Brough, who wanted to take the seat of Fisher from Mr Slipper.

"Brough is a c..t,'' Mr Slipper said in a text on October 10 last year. Soon after, he said: ''Funny how we say that a person is a c..t when many guys like c..ts.''

About five minutes later Mr Slipper began what the Opposition has called "'vile anatomical references''. Referring to women's private parts, he said: ''They look like mussell (sic) removed from its shell. Look at a bottle of mussel meat. Salty C..ts in brine.''

That day Mr Ashby attempted to get the SMS conversation back to politics, but Mr Slipper persisted.

"Been to thw (sic) fish shop yet to buy the bottle of shell less Mussells (sic)?''

On October 12 Mr Slipper referred to Liberal front bencher Sophie Mirabella, who had criticised him.

"Yes i agree she did push it too far. But did she do it because you're mates or she's just an ignorant botch (sic)?'' he said in a text.

By early October last year, Mr Slipper was aware of Mr Ashby's interest in an insurance agent the Speaker called "Bill" because he reminded him of former US President Bill Clinton.

On October 14, Mr Slipper questioned the relationship between Mr Ashby and "Bill". "Is he a special friend or just business?" he asked Mr Ashby about the man.

Then, on October 16, Mr Slipper enquired whether Mr Ashby, after a night out, was not just tired but "shagged". Mr Ashby took that as a reference to sexual relations.

There was another Bill reference on October 16 when Mr Slipper said: "Sounds to me that you may have broken the drought." And on October 28, "Did you lose your maidenhood", followed by a reference to Mr Ashby's "virtual hymen".

Attention went back to Mr Brough, whom on December 3 Mr Slipper called "that little f..ker on the Bolt Report."

Late in December, Mr Slipper playfully reprimanded Mr Ashby by saying: "I'm going to smack u. Arhhhhhhhh."

Mr Ashby replied, "Ah I might like it. Tho I'm not into pain."

On January 18, after Mr Slipper had not heard from his adviser for a while, Mr Ashby joked he had quit.
"Y r a cccc....tttttt :)," Mr Slipper replied. "Cccccccc.....t."

Mr Ashby's response was: "You love it but."

These  Female members of the Australian Labor Party voted to support Peter Slipper today following a motion by the Liberal Party Opposition that he resign following evidence tendered in Court this past week.Relevant doc above.

Bird, Sharon Leah
Member for: Cunningham, NSW, 9.10.04-
Party: Australian Labor Party
Born: 15.11.1962 Member for: Cunningham, NSW, 9.10.04-Party: Australian Labor PartyBorn: 15.11.1962

Brodtmann, Gai Marie
Member for: Canberra, ACT, 21.8.2010-
Party: Australian Labor Party

Burke, Anna Elizabeth
Member for: Chisholm, Vic, 3.10.98-
Party: Australian Labor Party
Born: 1.1.1966: Member for: Chisholm, Vic, 3.10.98- Party: Australian Labor PartyBorn: 1.1.1966:

Collins, Julie Maree

Member for: Franklin, Tas, 24.11.07-

Party: Australian Labor Party

Born: 3.7.1971

D'Ath, Yvette Maree

Member for: Petrie, Qld, 24.11.07-

Party: Australian Labor Party

Born: 26.7.1970

Elliot, Maria Justine
Member for: Richmond, NSW, 9.10.04-
Party: Australian Labor Party
Born: 29.7.1967 Member for: Richmond, NSW, 9.10.04-Party: Australian Labor PartyBorn: 29.7.1967

Ellis, Katherine Margaret
Member for: Adelaide, SA, 9.10.04-
Party: Australian Labor Party Member for: Adelaide, SA, 9.10.04-Party: Australian Labor Party

Born: 22.9.1977

Gillard, Julia Eileen
Member for: Lalor, Vic, 3.10.98-
Party: Australian Labor Party
Born: 29.9.1961 Member for: Lalor, Vic, 3.10.98- Party: Australian Labor PartyBorn: 29.9.1961

Grierson, Sharon Joy
Member for: Newcastle, NSW, 10.11.01- Member for: Newcastle, NSW, 10.11.01-

Party: Australian Labor Party

Born: 4.5.1951

Hall, Jill Griffiths
Member for : Shortland, NSW, 3.10.98-
Party: Australian Labor Party
Born: 16.11.1949 Member for : Shortland, NSW, 3.10.98-Party: Australian Labor PartyBorn: 16.11.1949

King, Catherine Fiona
Member for: Ballarat, Vic, 10.11.01-
Party: Australian Labor Party
Born: 2.6.1966 Member for: Ballarat, Vic, 10.11.01-Party: Australian Labor PartyBorn: 2.6.1966

Ley, Sussan Penelope
Member for: Farrer, NSW, 10.11.01-
Party: Liberal Party of Australia
Born: 14.12.1961 Member for: Farrer, NSW, 10.11.01-Party: Liberal Party of AustraliaBorn: 14.12.1961

Livermore, Kirsten Fiona
Member for: Capricornia, Qld, 3.10.98-
Party: Australian Labor Party
Born: 10.11.1969 Member for: Capricornia, Qld, 3.10.98- Party: Australian Labor PartyBorn: 10.11.1969

Macklin, Jenny Louise
Member for: Jagajaga, Vic, 2.3.96-
Party: Australian Labor Party
Born: 29.12.1953 Member for: Jagajaga, Vic, 2.3.96- Party: Australian Labor PartyBorn: 29.12.1953

O'Neill, Deborah Mary

Member for: Robertson, NSW, 21.8.10-

Party: Australian Labor Party

Owens, Julie
Member for: Parramatta, NSW, 9.10.04-
Party: Australian Labor Party
Born: 17.10.1958 Member for: Parramatta, NSW, 9.10.04-Party: Australian Labor PartyBorn: 17.10.1958

Parke, Melissa 
Member for: Fremantle, WA, 24.11.07-

Party: Australian Labor Party

Born: 11.8.1966

Plibersek, Tanya Joan
Member for: Sydney, NSW, 3.10.98-
Party: Australian Labor Party
Born: 2.12.1969 Member for: Sydney, NSW, 3.10.98- Party: Australian Labor PartyBorn: 2.12.1969

Rishworth, Amanda Louise

 Member for: Kingston, SA, 24.11.07-

Party: Australian Labor Party

Born: 10.7.1978

Rowland, Michelle Anne
Member for Greenway, NSW, 21.8.10-
Party: Australian Labor Party

Roxon, Nicola Louise
Member for: Gellibrand, Vic, 3.10.98-
Party: Australian Labor Party
Born: 1.4.1967 Member for: Gellibrand, Vic, 3.10.98- Party: Australian Labor PartyBorn: 1.4.1967

Saffin, Janelle Anne 
Member for: Page, NSW, 24.11.07-

Party: Australian Labor Party

Born: 1.11.1954

Smyth, Laura
Member for: La Trobe, Vic, 21.8.10-
Party: Australian Labor Party Member for: La Trobe, Vic, 21.8.10-Party: Australian Labor Party

Vamvakinou, Maria

Member for: Calwell, Vic, 10.11.01-
Party: Australian Labor Party
Born: 4.1.1959
Member for: Calwell, Vic, 10.11.01-Party: Australian Labor PartyBorn: 4.1.1959

Bathurst 1000 Winners and Losers 2012

The Great Race Run and Won 2012

Aussie / Italian Sisters Beg to go back home to Australia

Sisters dragged home in tears

By Kate Kyriacou 
The Daily Telegraph
 October 08, 2012 12:00AM

TWO of the four Italian sisters sent home from Australia after an international custody battle broke down in tears at the gates of their grandparent's villa yesterday after their failed attempt to escape from the property.

The girls clung to the gates and grabbed on to reporters, desperately pleading for help to be returned to Australia.

One of the girls was dragged back inside the building by her father, who said he is "destroyed" by their anger towards him.

He called on Australia to "be calm" and give them time to heal.

UPDATED Four Little Aussie Girls ordered back to Italy forcibly removed by Family Court from Mother and family Shocking Video

The sisters, aged eight to 15, were forced kicking, screaming and sobbing for their mother on to an international flight after a court ordered they be sent back to Italy.

They arrived at their paternal grandparents' home in a village near Florence on Friday, ending a lengthy legal battle in which the girls fought to remain in Australia where they had lived with their mother on Queensland's Sunshine Coast for the past two years.

Their Australian mother says she is terrified of returning to Italy in case she is arrested on kidnapping charges and has repeatedly claimed she left because her relationship with him was abusive, which he has strenuously denied.

The Italian man, who cannot be named for legal reasons, broke his silence with the Australian media to plead for "calm" so that his daughters could heal and become accustomed to their new life.

"I am destroyed because my daughters remain not well," he told The Daily Telegraph through an interpreter.

He said he had not allowed them to speak to their mother since their return as he feared it would inflame the situation.

"She telephoned yesterday, my ex-wife, insulting me, (calling me) d ... head, bastard, f ... off," he said.

"I said to her, stay calm, it is impossible for you to speak to the girls.

"I hope she comes here in peace. That is my wish. If she continues with the war and the struggles, it's not going to help anything."

He described images of the children crying and screaming for their mother as Australian Federal Police dragged them on to an international flight as "dramatic", blaming the slow-moving judicial system for their distress.

"It's (past) 2 1/2years and the result should have come way before this time," he said.

"Because all that time has passed, it has created all this stress for the girls."

Australia: "Muslims are anglicising their names to avoid religious discrimination when applying for work"

A Name Change does not a Civilized Man Make

"Bob Smith" (l) and "Bluey Jones" at their Sydney CBD 15 September 2012 Muslim Insurgency Riots.

Muslims drop names to fit in

Briana Domjen
The Sunday Telegraph 
October 07, 2012 12:00AM

FRUSTRATED Muslims are anglicising their names to avoid religious discrimination when applying for work.

According to Islamic leaders, some legally change their name by deed poll while others adopt "new' monikers for their resumes.

Muslim leader and Islamic Friendship Association founder Keysar Trad said the "sad" trend has become increasingly prevalent - and the recent Sydney riots would only exacerbate the problem.

"Many people are changing from Mohammed to Michael, Ahmed to Allan, Haroun to Harold and others change Mohammed to Jim, even though there is no relationship between the two," he said.

"It's sad many Muslims feel compelled to do this. That message is unless you do take on an Anglo name you won't get past the front door.

"Unfortunately the protests will have an impact with some employers and I appeal for those employers to treat people on merit."

Mr Trad said people with traditional Muslim names often experience blatant religious discrimination when applying for a job.

"I've heard of many cases where people have applied for a job using their Muslim name and not getting an interview, then making a phone call and giving a different name and being called back for an interview," he said.

"Mr Trad said people with traditional Muslim names often experience blatant religious discrimination when applying for a job." Does he mean like Bhuddists do in Bangladesh?

Race Discrimination Commissioner Helen Szoke said migrants westernising their Christian names to increase their chances of employment is a growing and concerning trend. "There are many people who you come across who talk about the fact they anglicise their name for employment purposes or because people found it too hard to pronounce or it was foreign," Ms Szoke said.

"There is definitely evidence to suggest that people do this because they feel it improves or enhances their opportunities to gain work."



Eddie Chehab, 49, from Drummoyne, said he decided to change his name from Mohammed to Eddie for employment reasons and because his customers struggled to pronounce his name.

"I noticed how hard it was for people to say my name correctly, which is why I changed it but a lot of the younger generations (today) are changing theirs for employment reasons," Mr Chehab said.

Social analyst David Chalke said it has been scientifically proven that your chances of employment are greater if you have a name which sounds acceptable to your potential employer.

"We all tend to hire people like ourselves," he said.

Goebbels Alive Down Under, Labor's Pit Bulls Cyber Terrorism against Alan Jones Freedom FROM Free Speech kicks invoked by THUGS.

Macquarie Radio Network Announcement - 

Sunday, October 7, 2012

Macquarie Radio Network Limited ("MRN"), the owner of radio station 2GB, today announced a temporary suspension of all advertising in its top rating weekday Breakfast Show hosted by Alan Jones.

The move follows a week of unprecedented focus throughout mainstream and social media on Jones and remarks he made recently at a private function regarding Prime Minister Julia Gillard and the loss of her father. More specifically, the move has been prompted by actions being taken and threatened against companies advertising on the Alan Jones Breakfast Show.

Announcing the suspension of advertising, MRN Executive Chairman Russell Tate said, "the nature, tone and volume of the reaction to Jones’ remarks, and in particular the threats being made through social media to companies advertising in Jones' program and the disruption being caused to their businesses, have made it necessary for MRN to call some 'time out".

The Bolt Report Pts. 1,2 & 3 Sept 30 2012.

Alan Jones apologises and Their ABC enlists Sista Bergmann for an analysis.

Alan Jones claims PM Gillard's father died of shame.....I disagree

Alan Jones does what MOST Conservatives never do ....

Alan Jones Replies at last a conservative defends himself

Alan Jones Julia Gillards Father comments

"Some simple facts need to be acknowledged.

"There is almost universal agreement that Jones' remarks were unacceptable, wrong and inexcusable. Alan himself acknowledged that from the moment he first advised me of them. He immediately arranged a media conference to state that publicly and apologise to the Prime Minister.

"Although the remarks were not made on 2GB, our position from the outset has been that a personal, unconditional apology was a necessary and appropriate response. I encouraged Alan to repeat the apology on 2GB when he first returned to air last Tuesday morning following his media conference. His apology was unambiguous and unconditional. He has revisited his apology many times in subsequent broadcasts.

"Alan Jones' audience, those who listen regularly to his program, also agree that his remarks were unacceptable. From Research we have conducted over this weekend with them, it is also clear though the great majority acknowledge his apology and have not significantly changed their attitude towards the Alan Jones Breakfast Show.

"Nor importantly is there any indication from regular listeners that their attitudes towards companies advertising in the program has changed adversely.

“Since we now know these things to be fact, we have to conclude that the avalanche of telephone, email and facebook demands to our advertisers to “boycott” the Alan Jones Breakfast Show, and the threats to destroy their businesses if they don’t comply, are coming almost entirely from people who do not listen to Alan Jones or 2GB at all – probably never have done and never will.

"Now in Australia these people of course have the right to express their views to anybody who wants to listen, about any subject they want, including Alan Jones and his radio show. They also have the right and plenty of choice; freedom of choice, to listen to any of the hundreds, in this digital age, thousands of radio programs available to them.

"What they do not have the right to do is on the one hand decide for our listeners who and what they are going to hear on the radio station they choose to listen to, and on the other hand decide for Australian based companies which media outlets they will or won’t use to advertise their products and services. They do not have the right to interfere with freedom of choice and they do not have the right to attempt to censor – not Alan Jones, not this radio network, not the people who choose to listen to it and not the companies who choose to advertise on it.

“What we are seeing here is 21st Century censorship, via cyber-bullying.

"As a talk-station we openly advocate debate. Talk radio is arguably the original form of social media. The difference between 2GB and some catchy URL is that MRN operates in a regulated media environment.

"We hold ourselves, and are held, to account on many levels. We operate within a long established regulatory guidelines and rules. We’re accountable to the regulatory authorities for our license to operate; to our listeners who have the freedom to leave us any time they want; to our advertisers who will leave us if our listeners do; to our shareholders who will show staff and management the door when the advertisers disappear.

“We are happy to listen to any constructive criticism of what we are doing. We do it every day, often live on-air. But strangely we have heard very little on this issue from the same social media groups which are attempting to destroy the companies who have the hide to advertise with the highest rating radio station in Sydney. All of their focus is destructive. They are simply making life as difficult as possible for the staff of companies whose crime apparently is advertising on Sydney’s highest rating breakfast radio show.

“How hard is it to work out that those companies do not choose to advertise in the Alan Jones Breakfast Show because they agree with all of his views and everything he says. They advertise in the Show only because they want to engage with the massive audience who listens to him – an audience which has dominated the ratings in the Sydney market for over a decade. An audience which chooses to listen and an audience which, if and when it decides it has had enough of Alan Jones and goes somewhere else, will be closely followed by those same companies.

“We have taken this unprecedented decision to suspend advertising in the Alan Jones Breakfast Show until further notice so that all of our advertisers are on an equal footing, can regroup and discuss with us the way forward and how we together deal with these attempts to damage great Australian businesses. We’ll be doing that over the next week or so and I would personally also welcome discussion with representatives of the organisations behind the totally unwarranted pressure being put on our advertisers. But any discussion will need to be face to face, not hiding behind a keyboard.

“The decision obviously comes at a very significant short term cost to MRN. It is an insignificant price to pay for our audience to be able to listen to what they choose to listen to, and for Australian companies to advertise where they choose to advertise.”

Media contacts;

Antonia O'Neill 0417 252 805. Julia Everingham 0416 033 696


Alan Jones loses his Merc

JONATHAN MARSHALL AND JORDAN BAKER
The Sunday Telegraph
October 07, 2012 12:00AM

MERCEDES-BENZ will confiscate Alan Jones's $250,000 sponsored car, and has vowed to never again support the controversial broadcaster or his radio station 2GB.

The carmaker expressed its strong distaste at Jones's comment, revealed last week by The Sunday Telegraph, that Prime Minister Julia Gillard's father, John Gillard, "died of shame" because of "lies" told by his daughter.

"We want the car back, the deal is cancelled, it is over," Mercedes-Benz's corporate communications manager, David McCarthy, said.

If the car is not returned, Mercedes will send someone to repossess it.

Mercedes-Benz Australia-Pacific, owned by the Daimler Group, distanced itself from Jones and has cancelled all radio advertising .

The Sunday Telegraph revealed last weekend Jones told a Sydney University Liberal Club dinner on September 22 that the prime minister's 83-year-old father, John, "died of shame".

"We were appalled and shocked at the lack of respect (the comments) expressed," Mr McCarthy said.

Now the company has informed Jones it wants him to return the black 2012 S-Class Mercedes the broadcaster has been driving free.

Should the vehicle not be returned by October 31, a Mercedes-Benz representative would collect it, he said.

The Sunday Telegraph understands Jones had been able to use the expensive vehicle as part of a sponsorship agreement with 2GB's owner, Macquarie Radio.Mercedes-Benz bosses have ditched advertising on Jones's show and across the station.

"We have terminated ALL (sic) commercial arrangements with 2GB," the company said in a statement. "We cannot see a circumstance that will see us returning to advertising (on Jones's) show."

Mr McCarthy refused to reveal how much the deal with 2GB was worth, other than to say: "It's now worth a lot less than it was a week ago."

Macquarie is offering discount rates for new advertisers, and has emailed subscribers asking if they have changed their opinion of 2GB and its sponsors, many of whom have dumped the station and Jones.

"During the last week, has your attitude towards companies that advertise on the Alan Jones Breakfast Show changed?" the survey asked.

Macquarie has told at least one agency it would discount standard rates by at least 15 per cent. Advertisements on his show usually sell for $1170 and live reads for $3300.

More than 70 companies have backed away and shares in Macquarie Radio crashed this week amid estimates that the boycott could cost millions.

A spokesman for Macquarie Radio refused to comment.

Jones is still in demand as a speaker, with a spokeswoman for Saxton Speakers saying no bookings were cancelled. Jones charges about $12,000 per speaking engagement.

A Facebook blitz on sponsors has more than 11,000 "likes", with users bombarding advertisers with emails.

Jenna Price from the Destroy the Joint movement named after Jones's claim women such as Sydney Lord Mayor Clover Moore were "destroying the joint" - said one sponsor got 4000 emails.

Staff at 2GB told activists the boycott would hurt young employees, not Jones.

Shares in 2GB fell six per cent last week.

Bathurst 1000 Ford's Will Davison wins Pole Position

The Great Race 2012

Even IF you can afford Electricity in Australia Labor Green Loons Financiers are going to make sure you only get it when they say you can have it no matter the price.

Blackouts expected as NSW power workers plan to strike

Barclay Crawford
The Sunday Telegraph
October 07, 201212:00AM

MORE than 500,000 homes across NSW risk being left in the dark this month with rolling blackouts expected across the state as power workers walk off the job.

One in six homes could be hit by blackouts during the evening peak following a decision by Fair Work Australia to allow workers to take industrial action at the state's biggest power supplier, Macquarie Generation.

Construction, Forestry, Mining and Energy Union and eight other unions have been cleared to strike at the Liddell and Bayswater power stations in the Hunter Valley in defiance of state government action to strip them of lucrative conditions negotiated with the former NSW Labor government. 

The two plants, controlled by Macquarie Generation, produce 40 per cent of the state's energy needs. 

While the approved strike is only for 48 hours, the plants would effectively be shut for two weeks because of the time it takes to close them down and then restart them.

The blackout threat has been exacerbated by an explosion at Eraring Energy's Lake Macquarie power plant, which has forced it to shut down until November.

The plant is responsible for about 11 per cent of the state's electricity needs.

The Eraring closure and the proposed strike action come at the worst possible time for NSW, with a hot October predicted to send power demand soaring.

A source said 124 operators at Macquarie Generation earn $250,000 a year once overtime and superannuation are taken into account, with at least one operator on more than $300,000. 

Other perks include $2.2 million spent funding a half-hour shower allowance, despite the fact most operators don't raise a sweat on the job, and a lucrative superannuation scheme. But a senior union source said the government was looking to "pick a fight" with them.

The O'Farrell Government believes the power perks are unsustainable and only add to the cost of NSW power bills.

Despite their excessive conditions, workers are also pushing for a five per cent pay rise.

"The work practices in the government's energy business are unsustainable and are only adding to the power costs of consumers," a spokesman for Energy Minister Chris Hartcher said.

"Workers at these plants come under Prime Minister Julia Gillard's Fair Work regime, which has to be conscious when it approves industrial action that these work practices are placing an additional burden on electricity consumers." Peter McPherson, a Unions NSW industrial officer for the state's northern region, said negotiations were continuing and they were "looking to avoid an industrial action".

No Gold Stars for Wayne Swan

Interest Rate Cut is no Gold Star for Treasurer

Terry McCrann
Daily Telegraph
4 October 2012
Pg.57

Wayne Swan is claiming no, demanding credit for the Reserve Bank's interest rate cut. 
In quivering fear of being lashed again by the Treasurer's tongue, I'm willing to accede. Take it Wayne, take all the credit for:

• THE resources boom coming to a
screeching halt;

• IMPORTANT parts of the
economy, such as housing and retail,
operating under great stress; and

• AN overvalued Aussie dollar
shredding manufacturing and
making life tough for tourism
operators that depend on overseas
visitors.

Take the credit, please Treasurer.When a wood duck waddles but thinks it's a rooster strutting, who am I to stand in its way?

There's a surreal perception about interest rates which has taken hold in Australia, that our Treasurer in the full flowering of his unknowingness continually embraces and projects.

This is that an official interest rate cut is the Reserve Bank sticking a gold star on the economy and putting an even bigger one on the Treasurer's exercise book, as if he were still at primary school.


Well done, young Wayne!

In Wayne's World, the US and European economies and their respective finance ministers, must have gold stars stuck all over the place, awarded for cutting their
rates all the way to zero.

Does Wayne sincerely believe that the US and European economies have been delivering
gold star performances?

At its most basic, a cut in the official rate, is completely value free. It is certainly not a gold star; both it and indeed an increase in rates, is just the RBA doing its job.

That is, the RBA is adjusting rates to respond to what is happening in the economy or being done to the economy, to best deliver sustained low inflation growth in the economy.

But more specifically, a cut in rates to the levels we are now at, is tellin us two big and disturbing things:
That either the economy is grinding to a stop or we are headed for a big problem next year. Or some combination of both.

Does our Treasurer really want to take "credit" for that? Especially when the RBA's decision is completely non-judgmental. It's not blaming the Treasurer for anything. Not even irresponsible fiscal policy.

The RBA has determined that inflation is not going to rear its head in any would send the prices of imports up  sharply. But even with some fall which the Reserve Bank would like to see but which it is not going to try to trigger the inflation threat would remain minimal.

While it does not see the economy grinding to a halt, the RBA is considerably less convinced than the Treasurer that everything is coming up roses.

Some sectors of the economy could do with a boost from lower rates; and the economy overall could benefit. In short, it was able to cut, so it cut. And given all that,there was no point in waiting.

Does it also mean we are headed for a, to put it gently, "big problem"?

No, not necessarily. But the RBA can see plenty of threats out there. Europe will remain
mired in a mess at best, and could always trigger a GFC-like "event". The US is struggling to come out of stall speed.

And the most important of all,China is a riddle. A worrying riddle, if not yet a disturbing one.
None of this is the Treasurer's fault. Just as the RBA's prudence is  not his gold star either.