At GetUp this federal election, you can critique any party you like as long as it’s Liberal
From the FAQ section on the GetUp website:
Is GetUp affiliated with any political parties?
Let us proceed to the answer:
No. GetUp’s work is driven by 1 million members across Australia. Together, we pressure, persuade and work with anyone in and outside government who can deliver real change on the issues that drive us, without ever giving or receiving money, or direction, from any political party, politician or candidate. GetUp’s political independence allows GetUp to work with and critique all political parties without fear or favour.
Sounds slant-free. How does this email from GetUp national director Paul Oosting on Friday stack up?:
The fear machine of Scott Morrison and the Murdoch press is gearing up this election. … join me on Thursday, March 14, for GetUp’s Online Election Launch … From the comfort of your own living room, you’ll learn our strategy for turfing out hard right politicians, like Peter Dutton and Tony Abbott, who are blocking progress on all the issues that bind us together …
Hmm, any non-Libs? Let’s go on:
The voters of Wentworth rose up and tossed out the Liberal Party for the first time in history because they were sick of a party that didn’t represent their views or values. … Now, after GetUp members hit the phones and streets in droves, hard right MPs like Abbott and Dutton are starting to fall behind in our latest polls.
At last, the GetUp email finally mentions the name of one last pollie. A non-Liberal? Who could it be?
Nicolle Flint, the Liberal member for Boothby.
Emma Alberici tweeting yesterday:
I’m doing some research & I want to hear your stories about living on the minimum wage. Have you had to dip in to your savings? What are the politicians missing in this discussion? Tweet or email me … Thanks!
Among the 700 responses tweeted in the spirit of helpfulness by last night:
Catherine Bouris: “Living paycheck to paycheck” typically doesn’t include “with money left over to put into your savings”.
Na’ama Carlin: Emma, do you think people on minimum wage have savings …?
Ross Mueller: “Dip into your savings”? Crikey, Emma …
Nick Marsh: Savings … bless your heart.
Dan Nahum: Might have been a good idea to run this status by someone on min wage before posting it. Pilot study, y’know?
Erica Heffron: This is a joke, right?
Fact check. Rohan Connolly on Twitter on Saturday:
Much as I loved my 30yrs at @theage I’m calling bullshit here. See this East Malvern home which recently sold for $1 million? It didn’t. How do I know? Because it’s OUR house which we bought more than 8yrs ago, still live in and have NEVER had on the market since!!
Domain having moment of clarity later that day:
Clarification: A story by Domain and published in The Age today incorrectly suggested a house in East Malvern recently sold for $1m. In fact, a townhouse in the same street sold for that price. We apologise for the error.
Bill Shorten yesterday:
What have we seen for the Gold Coast from the LNP? Big fat zip.
As opposed to what the ALP gave the nation. Kevin Rudd giving it one last go for good measure on November 13, 2013:
It really is time for me to zip.