David Marler

David Marler

Queensland reporter at No Fibs
David is a full time Queensland carer for his son and in quiet times contributes to NoFibs.
David Marler

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David Marler
https://nofibs.com.au/meeting-david-marler-nofibs-twitter-activist-by-griffithelects

April 17, 2019 – Table of contents

The ghost of Twitter past has visited George Christensen

Misogyny changing minds in New England

Bill Shorten clears up superannuation policy as he campaigns in Cowan

Scott Morrison picks some carrots as he campaigns in Tasmania

IPA plan to sell the ABC

Dickson profile

False accusations in Dickson

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The ghost of Twitter past has visited George Christensen

Kelly Burke reported, “Besieged Liberal backbencher George Christensen has been visited by the ghost of Twitter past, as he battles the mounting controversy over his travel expenses. The Queensland MP is facing allegations he charged taxpayers more than $3,000 for connecting flights to the Philippines to pursue a romantic interest. Christensen tries to cover Twitter tracks over criticism of colleagues’ travel perks.

Whilst referring himself to the IPEA over $3,000 worth of travel expenses, a tweet from 2017 by George Christensen attacking others for using travel expenses has mysteriously been deleted.

Mr Christensen will likely be found to have operated within the rules. As the process for Barnaby Joyce revealed last year after his own questionable travel claims, the Independent Parliamentary Expenses Authority relies on the justification provided by the MP or senator for the expense. Barnaby Joyce and Vikki Campion cleared over travel expenses.

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Misogyny changing minds in New England

Robyn McAskill reports on the situation in New England after the sagas of Barnaby Joyce. Misogyny changing minds in New England votes.

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Bill Shorten clears up superannuation policy as he campaigns in Cowan

Henry Belot reported, “Opposition Leader Bill Shorten has admitted he should have been clearer about Labor’s superannuation policy, arguing he misheard or misunderstood the question.” Bill Shorten ‘misheard’ superannuation question on election campaign trail, Labor forced to clarify policy.

Bill Shorten responds to Labor’s superannuation plans and new taxes.

Jonathan Lea was back pressing Mr Shorten for the cost to the economy of the proposed emissions trading scheme and the offsets.

Bill Shorten pressed again on the cost of impact for the ERT on the economy & cost of offsets.

Shadow Treasurer Chris Bowen also confirmed the Labor changes to superannuation tax concessions would return $30 billion to the budget.

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Scott Morrison picks some carrots as he campaigns in Tasmania

Prime Minister Scott Morrison hit the marginal Labor seats of Bass and Braddon in Tasmania today. He’s confirmed $100 million of funding for stage three of the irrigation scheme. Labor has also agreed to the funding.

Scott Morrison has confirmed the $100m for the stage three Tasmanian irrigation scheme which has also been agreed to by Labor.

Things turned humourous in the carrot patch as Scott Morrison appeared to imitating John Cleese’s famous ministry of silly walks sketch and Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack cracked a crowbar joke.

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IPA plan to sell the ABC

It’s not a new policy idea from them, but the Institute of Public Affairs has used the election to voice it’s support for the federal government to privatise the ABC. David Crowe reported, “Coalition candidates are being urged to endorse a conservative manifesto that includes selling the ABC, slashing the company tax rate and pulling out of the Paris Agreement on climate change.” Coalition MPs urged to sell the ABC and support a flat tax in IPA call.

Many Liberal Party members are also IPA members, including Communications Minister Mitch Fifield.

While Senator Mitch Fifield confirmed in senate estimates last year that he was an IPA member, he said he did not support the privatisation policy.

At Senate Estimates in April 2018, Senator Mitch Fifield confirmed he was an IPA member but doesn’t agree with the policy to privatise the ABC.

Government ministers back-pedalled in June 2018 on a Liberal Party federal conference vote to privatise the ABC.

Liberal Party’s decision to privatise the ABC overshadows Turnbull Government’s tax cuts plan.

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Dickson profile

On a LNP margin of 1.7 per cent, ABC election analyst Antony Green writes of the electorate, “Dickson is one of the newer Queensland seats, first contested at the 1993 election. It is named after Sir James Dickson, a leading advocate of Federation, Premier of Queensland 1898-99, and Minister for Defence in Barton’s first Federal Ministry.” Dickson.

ABC Brisbane did a news blitz of Dickson yesterday and revealed some of the voters who will decide the electorate’s future member. The emotions range from confusion, apathy, determination, pro-Dutton, anti-Dutton and the concerns of the youth.

Greens, United Australia Party and an Independent will be pivotal in how preferences flow in the close marginal seat of Dickson.

Some of the people working to end Peter Dutton’s eighteen-year rein are refugee advocates, volunteers, Labor and GetUp!

Dr Paul Williams says Peter Dutton is a polarising figure, he has great devotees in Dickson and people that absolutely loathe him.

Labor candidate Ali France says the electorate needs a grassroots member.

“Down to local volunteers.” Ali France’s pitch for Dickson.

Incumbent Peter Dutton says he’s put the turmoil of his challenge to Malcolm Turnbull behind him and will serve out his term if returned as member.

“Any of us that are human, we make an error, we apologise for it.” Peter Dutton’s pitch for Dickson.

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False accusations in Dickson

ABC Brisbane spent time in the seat of Dickson yesterday for radio and television reports. During the live radio interview, incumbent Peter Dutton apologised again to Labor’s Ali France for accusing her of using her disability as an excuse for not moving into the electorate.

Mr Dutton was asked to respond to a racism accusation made by Greens Senator Larissa Waters on ABC Q&A the previous night. He declared it as a “publicity stunt” and questioned why the national broadcaster would allow such an “unsubstantiated claim” to be aired unchallenged.

However, in his response Mr Dutton suddenly diverted into a false claim of his own that Ms France was “ashamed to be an Australian”. Ms France responded saying she has never said she was ashamed to be an Australian and that she competed twice for the country and won three gold medals.

Responding to a racism accusation from Larissa Waters made on Q&A and declaring it a “publicity stunt”, Peter Dutton diverts to falsely accuse Ali France of being ashamed to be Australian.