By now, you would all be aware of the most recent contraversy within the ranks of the Parliamentary wing of the Liberal Party. Following the recent tragedy of SIEV 221, debate has erupted as to whether or not the Australian taxpayer should foot the bill for the relatives of the victims of this tragic occurance to attend their funerals.
We all feel empathy for those affected, and recognise the pain that family members must be feeling. Nevertheless, the question does remain: ought the taxpayer pay for family members of the victims to travel to the funeral. And, if so, what sort of precedent does this set? Should the taxpayer then, by logical extension, pay for all funeral travel expenses?
On one hand, Scott Morrison, the Opposition Immigration Spokesman, made the argument on behalf of the Liberal Party that "Australians attending funerals around the country were not entitled to taxpayer-funded transport costs". Yet, it would seem, Joe Hockey decided to oppose the Liberal Party's position, and say that this is indeed something that Australian taxpayers should pay for, arguing " "I would never seek to deny a parent or a child from saying goodbye to their relative." (although I remain slightly unsure as to why he he conflates 'denying' with 'being paid for by the taxpayer').
So what do our readers think? Is Joe Hockey right in deciding to oppose the Liberal Party line? Do you agree with him that taxpayers ought foot the bill? Or do you think he is simply an opportunist who is using this attack on the Liberal Party to divert attention from his own poor performance in the last few weeks?
Write your thoughts in the comments field!
(TVA)
Joe Hockey is a disgrace to the Liberal Party.
All he wants to do is have a bigger government paying for everything.
The sooner he is replaced by Robb the better.
Posted by: Sarah | February 15, 2011 at 08:38 PM
All Hockey does is attack the Libs because he wants to take over - despite Tony blitzing the polls.
His attacks on the Liberals will not endear him to supporters. The sooner he is gone the better.
Posted by: Rog | February 15, 2011 at 08:39 PM
Why the hell should we pay for funeral expenses of others?
I flew to adelaide in december for a funeral - no-one paid for me, and no-one should pay for these people.
Posted by: Devon Bending | February 15, 2011 at 08:45 PM
This news is a joke, I can't believe what I'm reading. Poor form Hockey.
Posted by: Mate | February 15, 2011 at 08:48 PM
I saw Scott Morrison on the news tonight and felt that it was one of the cheapest shots from a politician for many years. It is not the money the gesture cost, it is not even that is was for people who have nothing, just that he chose to make a political point out of it...and before you paint me red, I have voted Liberal all of my life. Well said Joe Hockey.
Posted by: Alan | February 15, 2011 at 08:52 PM
Stop the boats!
Posted by: Common Sense | February 15, 2011 at 09:06 PM
When Hockey 'spoke on behalf of the party' re his hating on banks everyone had a go at him, yet it is OK for Morrison to 'speak on behalf of the party' and sound like a complete twat at the same time? Whatever you think about the statement surely you agree that it was stupid of Morrison to say it and only reflects bad on the party.
Secondly, if the Opposition are going to continuously say that the arrival of boats, and the unfortunate deaths at Christmas Island, are the fault of government policy then shouldn't the government be footing the bill of their terrible mistakes? Can't have it both ways...
Posted by: Gil | February 15, 2011 at 09:09 PM
I will have to agree with Mr. Hockey. We know that the real culprit in this whole blunder is Labor but unfortunately circumstances are such that criticizing the government decision will be perceived as highly insensitive.
The relatives who are in detention are not criminals. They are detainees and so they should be allowed to farewell their loved ones.
Mr. Abbott and Mr. Morrison have got it wrong. This move from Liberal Party will hit them spectacularly.
Let me just say, I wouldn't do it If I was Abbott!
Posted by: Mark Sharma | February 15, 2011 at 09:15 PM
Sure we should feel sympathy with the relatives. And I agree the relatives who are in detentio nare not criminals and should be allowed to farewell their loved ones.
But you have totally failed to explain why taxpayers should pay for the travel arrangements of all relatives. And that is the issue.
Posted by: Devon Bending | February 15, 2011 at 09:19 PM
Paying for the funerals of illegal aliens stinks on ice.
Our border protection policies are appalling – and yet JH serves up the same ALP line.
Posted by: Andy | February 15, 2011 at 09:31 PM
Should the taxpayer pay to ship asylum seekers from Christmas Island to Nauru? Oh, wait, that’s Liberal Party policy.…
Posted by: Matt H | February 15, 2011 at 10:23 PM
@ Devon
As I said. It's the circumstances. It's not the question of right or wrong. That B*****d David Hicks was brought to Australia from Gitmo in a Chartered flight which cost tax payer $500,000. Howard Govt. paid for it because US government had declared him a flight risk and that was the only way to bring him back.
If Australian Government (and that too John Howard's) can pay such a massive amount to bring back a traitor then I can't see why we can't pay for this funeral.
In my opinion, Abbott & co. should not have raised the cost issue but instead raised the issue of deaths. The fact of the matter is that these people would not have died in the circumstances they died if Labor had not repealed Liberal Govt. Policy on unauthorized arrivals.
That is where Liberal focus should be and not on funeral expenses.
Posted by: Mark Sharma | February 15, 2011 at 11:23 PM
I'm sorry. I must be at the wrong place. Apparently this is a conservative blog. But what I'm reading here reads like wingnut hansonism.
Posted by: Once WereRadicals | February 16, 2011 at 01:35 AM
I think that compared to the million-dollar debacle of John Howard's stupid prosecution of Dr Haneef, flying a handful of relos is pretty good value for money.
Posted by: Once WereRadicals | February 16, 2011 at 01:38 AM
Don't know about Hockey being an opportunist trying to divert attention from his own poor permormance over the last weeks. Don't think he's aware that he is performing poorly, more's the pity.
I dislike the idea of taxpayer money being spent on asylum seekers in any regard. They shouldn't be here in the first place.
And yes, Hockey should have toed the party line
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 16, 2011 at 09:21 AM
Mark, much and all as I dislike the money being expended in any way on people illegaly in the country, I think you have a very good point.
Better to have raised the issue of the way they died and the fact that this was a result of Labor's really very stupid policy regarding asylum seekers.
What sticks in my craw considerably is that the people involved, having been flown to Sydney, are now whingeing about being badly treated by officials there and that they need to remain in Sydney for 7 days to be able to grieve properly - or something to that effect.
Bit of a cheek in my opinion.
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 16, 2011 at 09:33 AM
Good on you Joe Hockey. This is a pathetic topic, politicising tragedy. Shameful.
Posted by: Pia Robinson | February 16, 2011 at 11:13 AM
If the Howard government had not progressively excised pieces of Australia to thwart Australia’s international obligations and strung up a vastly expensive naval blockade against refugees, these people would have sailed for Ashmore Reef or the west Australian coast and would be alive today.
All the past and present Coalition MPs who voted for the Pacific Solution have blood on their hands. They should pay for this out of their own pockets.
Posted by: Felicity | February 16, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Couldn't agree more Pia.
Posted by: Melinda | February 16, 2011 at 11:23 AM
Epic lol...
Posted by: . | February 16, 2011 at 11:28 AM
There is nothing wrong with the Government displaying some heart and compassion.
If only the young boy attending the funerals in Sydney was able to stay in Sydney with his relatives rather than being returned to detention on Christmas Island.
Posted by: Chris Johnson | February 16, 2011 at 11:29 AM
Scott Morrison has now admitted his comments were insensitive. Pfft. What an embarrassment. And the geese here who claim that Morrison's insensitivity represented Party policy are even a bigger embarrassment. You staffers should go back to licking stamps. Morrison is a classic example of what happens when Liberal staffers enter Parliament.
Posted by: Once WereRadicals | February 16, 2011 at 11:30 AM
Why were these poor folk not buried on Christmas Island? Their relatives could have flown there with their own money like all the relatives of those who died in the Queensland floods did. It would be interesting to know if these illegal immigrants were given the money by their relatives (perhaps some on welfare) to pay people smugglers in order to come to Australia in leaking and fragile boats which caused this dreadful accident. What we want to know will all Australians get a free trip to a relative's funeral. I care about these people who grieve for lost ones but what has been done here is to use Australian taxpayers' money some having paid taxes for perhaps 40 years or more. Surely this is discrimation unless the government pays for Australians to fly interstate to funerals for free. The Government's handling of illegal immigrants is disgraceful. There are hundreds waiting to come through the front door, but they have to wait.
Posted by: Georgina | February 16, 2011 at 11:48 AM
I would rather my hard earning tax paying money to go to the funerals - than say Barnaby Joyce’s car wreck.
Or Tony Abbott holding up legislation by wasting time with slogans and no policy back up. Or what about the wasteful bill of extra ink the Opposition has brought to stock up on re the next election !
Posted by: mdfe | February 16, 2011 at 12:37 PM
would be more than willing to contribute to the burial and funeral costs of the Liberal party, make it outer Siberia somewhere.
Posted by: gwyneth | February 16, 2011 at 01:21 PM
Doesn't the banner on your website say 'Room For Everyone'? Clearly not if you are a muslim. You lot are insensitive pricks.
Posted by: Stevo | February 16, 2011 at 01:25 PM
Keep it up guys. A few more efforts like this from Morrison and Abbott and the ALP will start to look competitive again.
Posted by: PB | February 16, 2011 at 01:30 PM
Shoot them all I say, what ho!
Posted by: Colonel Blimp | February 16, 2011 at 01:33 PM
Joe Hockey is too close to Rudd and the Labor party and is trying to distabilise the party ,he had his chance to go for leadership and squibbed it, so now he would rather wreck it,The liberls are a pinch away from GovernmentAND RISING IN THE POLLS ,with this Government collapsing by the day ..Anyone who causes a threat to the liberals being in government should resign their not doing their party any favours..I am totally sick of all the political correct junkies out theretrying to stifle comments ..
Posted by: robynne morton | February 16, 2011 at 01:33 PM
Send the bill for funeral and flight/accommodation expenses direct to Comrade Julia.
Stop the boats.
Coax Hockey away to distant pastures.
Posted by: chris | February 16, 2011 at 01:38 PM
couldn't the relatives in Sydney pay for all the expenses?
Even on centrelink they would have enough.
Posted by: steven | February 16, 2011 at 01:45 PM
Haha! Shows how out of touch you Leftists are!
Labors primary vote will continue to slide as they further embrace Leftist dogma.
Posted by: Willw | February 16, 2011 at 02:31 PM
Umm, yeah, whatever mdfe.
Now shut up and pass the dutchie on the left hand side, dude!
Posted by: Willw | February 16, 2011 at 02:37 PM
ndfe - so you would rather your taxes go to flying illegal immigrants to Sydney when the funerals could have been held on Christmas Island. Why were they not? How about our own flood victime - haven't you any sympathy for them? They have also lost everythig including the death of relatives especially in the Lockyer Valley tragedy. Is the Government flying relatives to their funerals for free - no.
Wake up Gwyneth. Perhaps you won't until your hip pocket hurts. You might be living in Siberia if you talk such rot.
Thank goodness there are sensible people like Chris and steven who don't see through a smoke screen. Where did these illegal immigrants get the money to pay people smugglers. If the truth be known steven is right.
Posted by: Georgina | February 16, 2011 at 03:00 PM
"Leftist Dogma".
Jeez. What a presumptuous, peurile comment. What has any of this got to do with "Leftist Dogma"?
As for "out of touch" anyone who can trot out the garbage Morrison and Abbott did yesterday are the ones who are "out of touch".
Incidentally, it's "Labor's" not "Labors". Your illiteracy is right up there with your analytical skills.
Posted by: PB | February 16, 2011 at 04:13 PM
I very much believe in Tony Abbott, and strongly believe he will be the next Prime Minister of Australia that will achieve great things (unlike Rudd and Gizzard).
That said, I do have one criticism, and that is - He needs to be stronger in his leadership with his party.
Joe Hockey has shown some different colours a few times and Mr Abbott really needs to sit him down and chat - if that does work, Hockey has to go.
Posted by: Christian | February 16, 2011 at 04:24 PM
Thats it Christian ~ the 'Think like me' attitude ~ Control people thoughts OR your out , method. That's great - in China.
the Liberal party (once) prided themselves of Difference of Opinions.
Posted by: mdfe | February 16, 2011 at 04:46 PM
Georgina ~ FYI I support the Flood levy, (Donated to the red cross and did volunteer work re the Floods) .
Unlike the liberals who are against everything .
I find it unfair that you compare the 2 disasters.
Posted by: mdfe | February 16, 2011 at 05:00 PM
i cringe with disgust when I hear and read how uncompassinate some people are
A very sad day for our country to learn how little empathy we have collectively
N.B the louder the noise made of this issue the more people turn to the lunatic greens as an alternative
Posted by: oldskool | February 16, 2011 at 05:00 PM
willw ~ your replies are really worthy.
And to think~ you have the hide to tell others to shut up..
* So much for a/ the 'Liberal' view
Posted by: mdfe | February 16, 2011 at 05:04 PM
Oh PB! I bow before your analytical and literal superiority!
An unfortunate slip on the keyboard resulted in me leaving out an apostrophe!
I take it pointing this out will go down as the greatest triumph of your otherwise sad existence.
Posted by: Willw | February 16, 2011 at 07:27 PM
mdfe, Whoever said I was a 'Liberal'?
Sheesh!!
Posted by: Willw | February 16, 2011 at 07:29 PM
Back to the original question...any type of breaking of ranks publicly should not be tolerated by any party. You would be naive to think that ALL members of any party are in complete agreeance with all policies, but there are a time and a place to make your opposition known. Whether or not you agree with Hockey's "moderate" stance is not important. The public voicing of a position at odds with the party's public position is not a good look, especially when a left wing national press gallery wait with baited breath to turn the smallest conservative "gaff" into something much larger than it is.
Posted by: CynicalGoatWA | February 16, 2011 at 08:34 PM
Shooting them would save a lot more - none of these namby pamby trips to resorts on Nauru - nothing like the glint of cold steel! What Ho!
Posted by: Colonel Blimp | February 16, 2011 at 08:46 PM
Joe Hockey- a failed leader better suited to the Labor party of no hopers.So does he think that his attempt at disunity will help catapult him back to the leadership?
He has had his turn,failed miserably and was, like Malcolm Turnbull, unelectable.
Thank god Tony Abbott is still there.
Posted by: A Country Member - Devenish | February 16, 2011 at 10:08 PM
How?
Posted by: What? | February 17, 2011 at 04:00 AM
I like a good laugh in the mornings!
Posted by: What? | February 17, 2011 at 04:06 AM
CynicalGoatWA,
My, a sensible comment which adds a little
something to the so-called debate.
Colonel Blimp,
What fun. There has to be a big twirly moustache to go with the image you create. What Ho!
Posted by: Elizabeth | February 17, 2011 at 10:21 AM
The debate over this issue has flushed out the redneck elements in a once great party. The extreme right is in control, and Abbott has no idea or moral capacity to deal with the extremists in his party.
Good on Joe Hockey at least there is 1 decent person on the front bench.
Posted by: Pro | February 20, 2011 at 01:41 AM