James Baker

I was in Parliament House yesterday and heard claims that officials appearing before the Budget round of Senate Estimates hearings are deploying tactics from the Albanese estimates playbook to avoid accountability, despite claims to the contrary that no such guide exists. This aligns with my concerns expressed earlier this week: "Senate Estimates kick off this Tuesday, and it looks like PM @AlboMP has come prepared with his guide on evasion! "Evasion Expertise: Labor’s Guide to Political Sidestepping" may not be a bestseller, but it’s certainly headline material. Last month the Liberal Party revealed the existence of a secret manual from the Prime Minister’s Office instructing departments on how to avoid answering questions. This is a new low from the Albanese Labor Government, showing clear contempt for the Senate and a blatant disregard for accountability. Senator Simon Birmingham @Birmo said it best: "The Prime Minister has serious questions to answer about this document. Avoiding transparency and accountability only endorses its contents." If you can dodge a question, you can dodge accountability! Has PM Albanese retracted his manual, or will his government face the Senate with the transparency he promised?" Senate Estimates should be a forum where officials answer questions transparently and provide information for the public record. However, it seems that this critical process is being undermined. If tactics from a "guide on evasion" are being used, it threatens the integrity of Estimates, turning it from a tool for public accountability into one for obfuscation. Transparency and accountability are paramount. We must ensure that Senate Estimates remain a robust mechanism for scrutinising government actions, not a stage for political sidestepping.

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Not everyday two of the major #auspol polling firms deliver their latest Federal politics analysis within the same MSM media cycle. Some very interesting polling data after one of the more fractuoua periods in Australian & western society for many years. RoyceComm Nine Newspapers & the Resolve Political Monitor paints a stark picture around cost of living biting alongside a sliding Labor primary vote, a firmer Coalition post Voice referenda l bounce still very strong > 1/3 of electorate 3rd party voting cohort. 2PP all square ALP 50 / Coalition 50.The Age Over at The Australian & the long-standing ‘Newspoll’ has similar trend lines but a stronger Labor primary (a 33% instead of a just 30%) & a retained 51/49% 2PP across party outcome. Three weeks out from the all-critical Federal Budget, technically the last of this first-term Govt as an election will be due by May 2025. The dynamics are widespread & increasingly fascinating. #ausbiz #politics #newspoll #elections2024 #labor #liberal #elections2025 #costofliving #inflation #budget2024 #australianpolitics #crime #socialorder

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A robust national security strategy, complemented by a focused defense strategy, is essential for safeguarding our nation's future and we need that now more then ever.

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