Long ago, on the fictional planet of Cybertron™, a massive, powerful alien race divided into two factions - the noble Autobots™, and the devious DeceptiCONS™. They fought for sole access to a talisman known as the Allspark™- a cube with the capacity to grant infinite power.
In what can only be described as a bizarre example of life imitating art, we see here in Australia the same struggle between the noble Liberal National Autobots™, and the devious Labor-Green DeceptiCONS™. They are engaged in a monumental battle for the sole access to a talisman known as the Parliamentary Majority Allspark™ - a parliamentary majority with the capacity to gain infinite power over the Australian people.
The Liberal National Autobots™ are led by the noble Optimus™ Abbott, who is aided by Sideswipe™ Joyce, Bumblebee™ Bishop, and sometimes Mirage™ Turnbull.
It was during the final days of the 2010 Federal election when GillardScream said “there will be no Carbon Tax under the Government I lead.” The Deputy Prime Minister, Swindle™ Swan, also stated that if Labor were to win the election there would be no carbon tax during its three-year term.
On August 12, Swindle™ Swan insisted there would be no Carbon Tax if Labor DeceptiCONS™ were to win: “We have made our position very clear, we have ruled it out.”
On August 15, he added: “Well, certainly what we rejected is this hysterical allegation somehow that we are moving towards a carbon tax from the Liberals and their advertising. We certainly reject that.”
GillardScream was categorical on 16 August, 2010 saying on Network Ten that ''There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead.''
After coming so terribly close to winning the 2010 election, the Liberal National Autobots™ graciously accepted the decision by the IndependentiCONS, who traitorously gave their support to allow the formation of the Labor-Green DeceptiCON™minority government.
Noble Optimus™ Abbott said on the election night, “For our country’s sake, I hope that she can be an effective Prime Minister in this term of Parliament. For our country’s sake, I hope that the Labor (Green Decepticon™ alliance) Party can provide a better government in this term of Parliament than it has over the last three years. For our country’s sake, I hope that the Labor (Green DeceptiCON™ alliance) Party can rediscover the soul that has been so lacking, particularly over the last half of the previous Parliament.”
But alas, it wasn’t to be. GillardScream, flanked by MegaBrown and IndependentCONS Ramjet™ Oakeshott and Dirge™ Windsor, announced a carbon price would start on July 1 2012.
Deception.
In a deal with the GreenCONS, GillardScream said that tackling climate change and cutting pollution was critical for Australia’s clean energy future.
She announced a two-stage plan that would start with a fixed price on carbon for between three and five years, with the second stage being an emissions trading scheme.
When GillardScream was returned to office as Prime Minister, it was with a mandate to NOT introduce a Carbon Dioxide Tax. There was nothing in the election result that obligated GillardScream to bring in a tax that she’d promised not to introduce.
As Sideswipe™ Joyce once said, “If a tax cooled the planet, it would be an ice block already.”
So GillardScream broke a solemn promise – or basically, she lied. When asked about this, GillardScream avoided giving any kind of direct answer.
Prime Minister GillardScream and talkback radio host Alan Jones had a fiery clash over the Labor- Green DeceptiCON™ alliance’s announcement of a new carbon tax policy, with the “shock jock” calling GillardScream "Ju-liar"!
"Do you understand, Julia, that you are the issue today, because there are people now saying your name is not Julia but Ju-liar and they are saying that we've got a liar running the country," Alan Jones said on his 2GB radio show.
"Do you accept the fact that you've stolen an election with a false promise?"
Worse than the lie, here is a tax on Carbon Dioxide emissions that will do zero to reduce world temperatures. We will pay plenty of money in exchange for zero good.
Devious Deception.
And how can we forget GillardScream’s Climate Commission spruiker, Tim “It will take a 1000 years” Flannery, who finally told the truth about Anthropogenic Global Warming:
“I just need to clarify in terms of the climate context for you. If we cut emissions today, global temperatures are not likely to drop for about a thousand years… Just let me finish and say this. If the world as a whole cut all emissions tomorrow the average temperature of the planet is not going to drop in several hundred years, perhaps as much as a thousand years because the system is overburdened with CO2 that has to be absorbed and that only happens slowly.”
But we’ll still lead the world ... by marching off a cliff like lemmingCONS.
And the devious deception doesn’t stop there. Have you ever wondered if the global warming scare campaign is just the Left’s latest excuse for ramping up taxes and redistributing wealth?
The Labor-Green DeceptiCON™ alliance Government’s global warming economic spruiker, Thundercracker Garnaut, gives the game away by calling for compensation to be provided only to those on incomes up to $80,000, while anyone above $80,000 will have their tax rates or thresholds altered to ensure they did not receive any benefits from the increase in the tax-free threshold.
The excuse for massive wealth redistribution makes global warming alarmism even more tempting for the Labor-Green DeceptiCONS™.
But why stop there, let’s also redistribute some of the Carbon Tax takings to the so called “poorer” countries.
As reported by Reuters, Governments "have agreed the selection of the 40 members who will be entrusted with the task of designing the Green Climate Fund," the U.N. Climate Change Secretariat said in a statement.
As recent as June 1, Swindle™ Swan was asked in Parliament by Bumblebee™ Bishop whether it was true that a proportion of the funds raised by the Carbon (Dioxide) Tax would be passed onto the UN’s Green fund.
Swindle™ Swan isn’t an much of an expert on anything, but he’s definitely an expert obfuscationist.
And there is this gem from MegaBrown , who said “the main parties are living in fairyland if they think they can have an emissions trading scheme that cuts emissions and protects the coal industry. You cannot address climate change by protecting the industry at the heart of the problem. It is inevitable that jobs will be lost in the Australian coal industry…”
The Labor-Green DeceptiCONS™ are also about transformation – the fundamental transformation of our modern economy back to a medieval feudal system of candles, wood burning, and horse-drawn carriages.
Optimus™ Abbott’s Budget reply terrified The Labor-Green DeceptiCON™ alliance.
Optimus™ Abbott’s reply didn’t just powerfully attack the Labor-Green DeceptiCON™ alliance; it also contained some very good, and genuinely funny, one-liners.
“Government will spend $350 on each pensioner’s set top box when Gerry Harvey can supply and install them for just $168. Perhaps this programme should be called ‘Building the Entertainment Revolution’.”
“The policy is no longer to stop the boats but to swap the boats – at a budget cost of nearly $70,000 a person, or more than ten times the cost of a Sydney-Kuala Lumpur first class air ticket.”
It showed the genuine emergence of a true leader – Optimus™ Abbott.
“The Government lacks legitimacy, not because it lacks a majority but because it lacks integrity.”
“This is what should gnaw at the consciences of MPs who support the Carbon Tax. Only an election can give Australia a government with authority to make the tough decisions needed to build a better future.”
“That’s what Australia needs: not a Carbon Tax but an election. Only an election could make an honest politician of this Prime Minister. Only an election can give Australia a government with authority to make the tough decisions needed to build a stronger Australia and help Australians get ahead.”
DeceptiCONS™ = The Labor-Green Alliance. If they are ok to lie to your face during an election campaign then just imagine the lies they tell you now while they are in government.
Zeg is an editorial cartoonist and caricaturist. His blog personal blog may be found at http://zegsyd.blogspot.com/
Andy Semple is Stockbroker, novelist and general antagonist. He is the Assistant Managing Editor here at Menzies House and his personal motto is "Speak without Fear. Question with Boldness."
Cast of Transformer™ Characters referred:
Decepticons™
Megatron™ motto "Everything is Fodder."
Starscream™ motto “Conquest is made of the ashes of one's enemies.”
Autobots™
Optimus Prime™ motto “Freedom is the right of all sentient beings."
Mirage™ motto “Who and what I am, I hide from my enemy.”
Hehe! You're gunna cop flak on this one!
Posted by: Medusa Knows | June 6, 2011 at 10:37 AM
Very cleverly written article Andy. Well done.
Posted by: Barnabyisright | June 6, 2011 at 11:08 AM
I think the word Decepticon(TM) best describes the Labor-Green Alliance government we unfortunately stuck with. They are Jedi Masters of Devious Deception.
And Australians are demanding Julia Gillard call a fresh election, saying she has no mandate for a carbon tax.
With less than a third of all voters now claiming to support the tax, the federal government is facing a nationwide backlash if it proceeds.
An exclusive Galaxy poll commissioned by The Daily Telegraph has revealed 73 per cent of people claim they will end up worse off under the tax. Just 7 per cent believe they could end up better off in some way.
More fatal for the Prime Minister, however, was the overwhelming support for an election to be called on the issue - confirming widespread anger over her broken election promise not to introduce a carbon tax.
A total of 64 per cent said they wanted a fresh election. Only 24 per cent believed the PM had a mandate.
And in a growing sentiment that the tax would not help solve the climate change problem, 75 per cent believed it would have only a minor impact on the environment - or no impact at all.
The devastating poll results, showing total opposition now at 58 per cent, confirm the government has so far failed to make an effective case for its tax.
They also reflect Liberal Party internal polling showing support for Tony Abbott's campaign to force the government to an early election, despite analysis showing the Coalition's alternative direct action plan would be even more costly.
Galaxy pollster David Briggs said opposition to the tax was entrenched.
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/angry-voters-want-election-before-carbon-tax/story-e6freuy9-1226069753915
Posted by: Andy | June 6, 2011 at 11:38 AM
GREAT JOB ANDY .... LOVE IT !!!!
Fantasy isn't fantasy anymore with these baaaaaaastards!
Posted by: ZEG | June 6, 2011 at 11:54 AM
I tend to see Gillard as the Angry Bird. Flaming red hair. Annoying, loud, shrill, shriek. Just wanna shoot her down.
Posted by: Jama | June 6, 2011 at 12:29 PM
Gillard as an Angry Bird - Good call, Jama.
Annoying, loud, shrill, shriek. Just wanna shoot her down.
Posted by: Andy | June 6, 2011 at 01:07 PM
Cheers Zeg.
Your cartoon makes it however - super job!
I’d very much like for the Gillard Brown nightmare to end.
Posted by: Andy | June 6, 2011 at 01:09 PM
It will brother alas we have to wait for the term to end first..... We are dealing with political cowards after all!
Posted by: Zeg | June 6, 2011 at 01:18 PM
The there's always the opinion of this guy to consider.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckcH0Wrmy74&feature=share
Posted by: Plato | June 6, 2011 at 01:47 PM
..."IndependentiCONS, who traitorously gave their support to allow the formation of the Labor-Green DeceptiCON™minority government."....
Oh, so when you're ditched by the independants, it's got nothing to do with being unpaletable and having poor policy, it's simply that the independants are tretcherous.
Sound like a like jelous ex-boyfriend who refuses to admit that he's a nasty dirtbag loser, and thinks it's that the girl who dropped him who has problems.
Posted by: pk | June 6, 2011 at 02:20 PM
But Gillard lied to us.
Posted by: Andy | June 6, 2011 at 02:35 PM
PK, the only thing this government is good at is lying to the people.
They have systematically managed to screw-up everything else.
Windsor and Oakshott both betrayed their conservative electorates.
Posted by: Andy | June 6, 2011 at 02:40 PM
"But Gillard lied to us."
Did you vote for Gillard because she promised no carbon tax? Did anyone you know?
I personallly know many people who voted labor and/or green to actually see some clear action on climate change. Action which we might actually see now.
Note - one man's betrayal, is another man's election promise manifesting.
Ultimately if the libs had a majority last election they would be in power and we wouldn't be having this conversation. I have never heard such whining from people who simply refuse to accept that their horse lost the race.
Posted by: pk | June 6, 2011 at 03:21 PM
BTW Tony Windsor is without a doubt the most sensible man in politics to date, and still holds his seat by a healthy margin.
Posted by: pk | June 6, 2011 at 03:24 PM
oh and ps:
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ckcH0Wrmy74&feature=youtu.be
Posted by: pk | June 6, 2011 at 03:34 PM
Gillard was categorical on 16 August, 2010 saying on Network Ten that "There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead."
There’s the lie, PK.
Why are you in denial about the fact Gillard lied through her teeth?
Posted by: Andy | June 6, 2011 at 03:37 PM
The same Tony Windsor who doesn’t have a computer on his desk – yeah real sensible and at the cutting edge. He thinks Twitter is something birds do.
He allowed his dislike for the National Party to adversely affect his constituents of New England.
HeHe's either too stupid to know he's being used by Gillard or doesn’t care.
Posted by: Andy | June 6, 2011 at 03:50 PM
nup, but I question your assertion that people voted for labor purely and soley because of that one televsion interview.
Pollies lie/backflip/never-ever all the time, what matters here is the consequence- and I'm saying there was no tangable negative consequence to the liberal/conservative adgenda, because people who want that adgenda, didn't vote for her in the first place anyway.
Some people on the other side of the specturm could easily say the election was so close because of this staement - and if Gillard had promised a Carbon tax she might have stormed home.
could, shoulda, woulda.
Posted by: pk | June 6, 2011 at 03:55 PM
Laugh and the world laughs with you, cry and you cry alone. Good article and cartoon. Of course the lefties will pull their long faces and cry foul, or is it fowl - or perhaps chickens.
Anyone with any sense and concern for this country would like the Gillard/Brown nightmare to end. Australia is going downhill fast and we must try to stop these appalling failed policies with no end in sight.
Posted by: Georgina | June 6, 2011 at 04:00 PM
By this remark I don't think you know Windsor's history. Dealt with him several times when he was a used car salesman, to my chagrin. We will wait and see if he still holds his seat at the next election.
For one thing I am told that he can't use a computer so what would he know about the so-called high speed NBN? Doctors are able to claim $20 extra on medicare for using the NBN I hear - that won't help for them to take out insurance in case of a misdiagnosis over the internet which could easily happen.
Posted by: Georgina | June 6, 2011 at 04:23 PM
Tks Georgina.
If you haven’t already done so, read Glenn Milne’s new column in today’s Australian
http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/julia-gillards-winter-of-discontent/story-fn59niix-1226069670669
If Gillard sticks to her July carbon tax timetable, by Christmas she will have had six months to dig herself out of a political hole solely of her own making. If there has been no shift in the polls by then, say the dissidents, it will simply be impossible to hold the show together.
Posted by: Andy | June 6, 2011 at 04:38 PM
I don't know how a truck engine is put together, nor how to drive one, doesn't mean I don't support adequet road building in regional Australia.
Posted by: pk | June 6, 2011 at 04:39 PM
No worries Andy- that may be the way it turns out. I care not much for the current Labor government as it is anyway. Doesn't mean Gillard's no-carbon tax call, made one iota of difference to the outcome of the last election, in any case.
Posted by: pk | June 6, 2011 at 04:42 PM
If Gillard was categorical on 16 August, 2010 and said instead that "There will be a carbon tax under the government I lead."
No you think she would have won the election outright then?
Neither she nor Abbott won the election. Three dropkick “labor” independents gave her a minority government.
I can guarantee those words of hers will come back to haunt her at the next election.
There will be no carbon tax under the government I lead.
Julia Gillard is finished as PM. I happen to also think Glenn Milne is right in his column today. The knives are being sharpened right now. Time is ticking down. Tick, tock, tick, tock.
Posted by: Andy | June 6, 2011 at 04:55 PM
Glen Milne's new column is the conclusion to which any sensible person arrives. It is not only the carbon tax which won't do anything but hurt Australians no matter what some think of "all" the compensation they will get which will not help one iota, but the fiasco of the ridiculous way they are proceeding with regard to illegal immigrants. The waste. mismanagement, deceit of this government surely will wake people up to the fact that unless something is done, and tht quickly, Australia will hit bottom very hard and it will be difficult to resurrect the country into the stablity in which Howard left it.
Posted by: Georgina | June 6, 2011 at 05:45 PM
There is just one other thing I would like to say. Who would be honest, trustworthy, competent and intelligent enough to lead the Labor Party. Swan's out, then there is Combet (hypocrite) - built/bought a nice seaside home when the seas are supposed to be rising, And Rudd has done the same - a nice seaside house Then there's Shorten (no experience), Wong, Albanese, Bowen, and who on the front bench? Who?? The Party is in a mess. Perhaps Turnbull could help them out.
Posted by: Georgina | June 6, 2011 at 06:02 PM
If she can get more votes by promising a carbon tax, then why didn't she say "there will be a carbon tax under the government I lead"?
Posted by: George | June 6, 2011 at 06:14 PM
What I said is the speculation that her lie made any difference to last years election is laughable and hence- who cares what she said then and what she's doing now- I wouldn't change the structure of government as it stands today. People who don't want a carbon tax didn't vote for her then anyway.
"dropkick independants"
But of course! when you don't agree with democratic process, start the name calling!
Posted by: pk | June 6, 2011 at 06:52 PM
you really don't get it do you, PK.
Posted by: Andy | June 6, 2011 at 06:56 PM
pk....its easily tested (your assertion that Gillards lie having no effect on how people may have voted)....call an election.
Posted by: Grantley | June 6, 2011 at 07:06 PM
When an election is eventually it's my guess neither Gillard nor Abbott will be leaders anymore anyways.
Posted by: pk | June 6, 2011 at 08:22 PM
More like a 120Y, Oh why are Labor and their greens so lost? Is it because they have been eating each other up for so long they now look and sound alike.
Posted by: Dallas Beaufort | June 7, 2011 at 12:24 AM
I think you are right, Dallas, as a Transformer GillardScream is more like a Datsun 120Y
Posted by: Andy | June 7, 2011 at 10:53 AM
Hear, hear.
I've been known to attack the TV when she appears.
Posted by: Elizabeth | June 7, 2011 at 11:11 AM
Thank God there is a mute button on the remote…Gillard would be the most muted person in our household.
Posted by: Andy | June 7, 2011 at 12:21 PM