Australian Network axed in Budget

[b1ggl3s #4]

Actually Switzerland has a pretty decent military (and yes, there really is a Swiss navy). Their defense is based on the usual principle...More trouble than it's worth to take on.

I was referring to the undergrad set who harp on about Australia being neutral.

 

[invinciBlues]

Well I'll leave the defence strategy analysis to experts, but thanks for your input. And if cuts are being made, it is for a reason. Not spending the $12 billion won't stop the cuts. And as for your concern about the job losses.....did the whole small government idea go in one ear and out the other?

The bolded parts are not the responsibility of Federal government. What part of that don't you get? And as for the internet and white elephants....I give you - the NBN!!

Are you serious? You "don't think not spending the $12 BILLION on some fighter jets would stop cuts?". Do you have any concept of just how many cuts $12 billion could have prevented?

Thats like being on minimum wage, spending $20,000 on a jet ski and then saying "Well, my rent isnt $20 000 a month so the jet ski cant be the reason why I cant afford to put a roof over my head".

FMD, are you being serious? And you voted for Abbot?

Yep. Sounds about right actually.

 

[nineteen eighty]

Hence why we need the cuts.

So they're not state government related services now?

 

[invinciBlues]

So they're not state government related services now?

Oh nineteen eighty! You and clever word play and pointing out the logical inccuracies of b1ggl3s #4 arguments

 

[telsor]

Are you serious? You "don't think not spending the $12 BILLION on some fighter jets would stop cuts?". Do you have any concept of just how many cuts $12 billion could have prevented?

Thats like being on minimum wage, spending $20,000 on a jet ski and then saying "Well, my rent isnt $20 000 a month so the jet ski cant be the reason why I cant afford to put a roof over my head".

FMD, are you being serious? And you voted for Abbot?

Yep. Sounds about right actually.

So, we ignore one of the core purposes of any government (defense of the realm) so we can have entertainment.

What next..Shut down the police and courts to fund a 24 hour free pr0n HD TV channel?

 

[yaco55]

It's star hub in Singapore provided by AN,


So RL is not on the Australia Network?

No

Been on Setanta since 2012.

 

[invinciBlues]

So, we ignore one of the core purposes of any government (defense of the realm) so we can have entertainment.

What next..Shut down the police and courts to fund a 24 hour free pr0n HD TV channel?

Defence of the realm? Thats pretty funny. When was the last time an aerial invasion was ever even likely? Over 70 years ago? Yeah ok mate, maybe you should stop reading "Tomorrow when the War Began" and jog on

 

[yaco55]

I assume you mean income tax (payroll tax is a state tax), but as I pointed out earlier, this opinion is a myopic one. Let's say I do business abroad that sees significant incoming investment into Australia, cre or send a dollar outating dozens of jobs. The result of my work would be an indirect contribution to income tax exceeding that of your ordinary citizen. On top of this, what if I pay tens of thousands a year in withholding tax, all while drawing no strain on government services beyond that of a broadcasting network; meanwhile some guy Australia complains about their tax dollar funding this service, while likely accessing all the services that my tax dollar has paid for. Do you think that's fair?

No point debating issues with people who have the 'small village mentality'. Take their opinions at face value and Australia should not spend or send a dollar outside of Australia.

 

[telsor]

Defence of the realm? Thats pretty funny. When was the last time an aerial invasion was ever even likely? Over 70 years ago? Yeah ok mate, maybe you should stop reading "Tomorrow when the War Began" and jog on

Tell you what, if you can tell me, with categorical and absolute certainty when the next invasion attempt will be, I'll support your view.

 

[b1ggl3s #4]

So they're not state government related services now?

How dare I have an opinion. Off to the gulag with me.....

 

[invinciBlues]

Tell you what, if you can tell me, with categorical and absolute certainty when the next invasion attempt will be, I'll support your view.

Why stop there though? If you're already jumping at shadows as seems to be the case, why dont you form an armed civilian militia? Because doing so is impractical and expensive. The same goes for the government.

The reality of the world today is is if there were to be an invasion on a country like Australia it wouldnt be a balls to the wall affair where a nation sends a large portion of their military to seize and gain control of a country over land, sea, and air. It would be a fifth column style coup d'etat where all those lovely fighter jets would be ineffectual.

 

[Monkey King]

No point debating issues with people who have the 'small village mentality'.

It's like a country farmer telling me not to drive on the roads around his town because it's his tax dollars that built those roads.

I just find the mentality a little hard to take.

 

[Gysberts2Bate]

Look, you can have an extra fighter jet or two on top of the two dozen we've already ordered, or you can have the Australia Network, a thriving public broadcaster, affordable education available for the disadvantaged, legal services for minorities and the poor, world class broadband, humane refugee treatment, and possibly forty-seven other things I haven't time to type out. Your choice buddy.

Damn socialists.

 

[Vigawla]

I used to rely on AN heavily while I was living in Vietnam and China. Them, illegal streams down at the local bars and spending an hour before every Adelaide game trying to find a stream in the deepest, darkest recesses of the internet. Those nationals who were interested in AFL loved that their Pay TV subscription had 3-4 live, live (did you hear that 30 minute delay?!!!!! ) games a week.

I remember fondly the Geelong/Collingwood GF at a GF party in the city of Dalian, China. Expats from everywhere were packed into the one tiny bar that had the Australia Network in the dead of Winter. All 2 of the Aussies there (me included) were thanking some deity above that we lived somewhere with the Australia Network. Just the week before, I was dining next to that bar when somebody mentioned that AFL was on next door. Having not seen an AFL match in months, I paid for my meal that had just come out and spent a glorious quarter drinking $2 Tsingtaos and watching the final quarter of the Collingwood/Hawthorn Prelim. I was in heaven.

This decision to cut AN will affect many bars who loved having expats coming in especially for games. I believe Hog's Breath in Saigon somehow has Foxtel and has streams of all cricket, rugby and AFL (albeit one game at a time without sound). See ya small friendly bars, hello the one place that has AFL in all of ****ing Saigon.

For those who live in Australia, please just appreciate how important the Australia Network has been to some.

 

[theasian]

It's star hub in Singapore provided by AN,


So RL is not on the Australia Network?

No.

 

[telsor]

Why stop there though? If you're already jumping at shadows as seems to be the case, why dont you form an armed civilian militia? Because doing so is impractical and expensive. The same goes for the government.

They do, it's called the army reserve (and yeah, it's largely impractical and expensive, which is one of the reasons why they don't make it bigger).

We defend in the most cost effective manner possible, and as we don't have the manpower to beat people with numbers, we go for beating them with quality.

I'd also note that the fighters are a bipartisan thing. ALP & Libs both agreed with it. I'd also add that considering the original plan was to buy 100 planes, they have made cuts to this program too.

The reality of the world today is is if there were to be an invasion on a country like Australia it wouldnt be a balls to the wall affair where a nation sends a large portion of their military to seize and gain control of a country over land, sea, and air. It would be a fifth column style coup d'etat where all those lovely fighter jets would be ineffectual.

So, practically every nation on earth has their defense planning wrong.....You might be right, but I'll go with the experts on this one....I'd also point out that we invest in more than just planes for our defense.

 

[Rioli2Gunstall]

This is pretty s**t news, try watching a stream in the philppines on their internet Aus network has provided a lifeline when over there.

 

[the harry]

You remind me of those drongos who have a problem with speed cameras.

Point is we have laws already and there are far more pressing issue that when addressed would benefit society more than getting internet providers to block websites.

Speed camera serve a purpose and the consequences of speeding are well known and potentially significant.

 

[nineteen eighty]

How dare I have an opinion. Off to the gulag with me.....

I haven't said a thing re your opinion other than picking you up on points of fact within your opinion.

 

[b1ggl3s #4]

Ok, so I'll return the favour: You didn't mention the PBS or TGA. Aren't they federal organisations? If you want to nitpick over detail you obviously have more time on your hands than I do.

 

[jatz14]

At some stage someone should point out to you the frivolity of spending twelve billion dollars on fighter jets when the government is making widespread cuts which will result in a loss of jobs for thousands of people.

In reality Australia doesnt even need an Air Force and we havent needed one since WWII. Navy and Army are required sure, but spending twelve billion dollars on some fancy planes that wont ever get used in combat scenarios is the height of idiocy.

That $12B could have gone on roads, education, health care, world class internet and many other things that have a higher priority than some flying white elephants. Including AusNet.

No one needs an airforce until they NEED an airforce, then you need one right now. If we suddenly do need an airforce, and we don't actually have one, we cant ask the world to stop for 20 years so we can catch up.

I have fire extinguishers at work that have never been needed, should I throw them away?

 

[b1ggl3s #4]

So they're not state government related services now?

So, now you're done with the failed bait & switch, tell us who is responsible for schools and hospitals in three words or less.

 

[nineteen eighty]

So, now you're done with the failed bait & switch, tell us who is responsible for schools and hospitals in three words or less.

Not sure what your point is. Education and health have both been severely impacted from the Federal budget announcements the other day?