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NewsIf the PM walked into your pub, what would you say?
If the PM walked into your pub, what would you say?

If the PM walked into your pub, what would you say?

As if you needed reminding, the election is on. If the prime minister or aspirant leader walked into your pub, club or café. What would you say? And how might they reply?

Pensioner Ray Drury, aged 73, gave the PM an earful at the Edgeworth Tavern in Newcastle this month on his claim of low financial support for older Australians.

Mr Morrison's response was conciliatory but soon forgotten: "This is what we should do. You raised two very important issues - one on immigration and one on your pension - so let's sit down with one of my team. You can sit down right now," he replied.

It brings to mind a somewhat different reply when Bob Hawke ran into another pensioner called Bob Bell on the campaign trail in a Whyalla supermarket in SA on Sept 26 1989.

Bell told Hawkie, "You get more a week than we get a year." (Fact check Scott Morrison's base salary is  $211,250, plus an additional salary of $338,000, making for a gross $549,250, or $1505 a day)

But it was the PM's off the cuff and curt riposte which made history: "…you silly old bugger." 

The exchange made many of Hawke's obituaries and Whyalla once but sadly seems not to have erected a monument to a storm in a teacup.

So what would you say if you had your chance with a surprise meeting on the campaign trail with Morrison or Albanese?

And do you think pollies are now just too polite to people who have a go at them for fear of giving 'offence'?

I'd ask you to be a little respectful even if our leader's likely answer to you might not.
 

Originally posted on .

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If the PM walked into your pub, what would you say?

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Marshall
Marshall from QLD commented:

All the best. Hope you win. Oh by the way, it's your shout. 

Stephen
Stephen from QLD commented:

I would say. Thanks for nine years of disastrous government. The party of job creation didn't seem to worry about destroying the car industry when removing subsidies. How come you spend money only in Liberal electorates? Don't most Prime Ministers say after the election. I will govern for all Australians. If you are so good at managing the economy, why have we now got a trillion dollar debt, Only 40 billion when Labour left office. Why keep giving tax cuts when we have a huge debt? 

Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

Great job over a very difficult time! However, I would like you to curtail immigration for the next 5 years. Give us a chance to recover from Covid and only bring in skilled workers for areas where there is a shortage as well as limiting the time that some of these "unemployed" can claim benefits! Make them work at any job that is available. If they won't, stop their benefits their rorting of the system! RickyM Vic. 

Michelle
Michelle from QLD commented:

I perhaps agree that someone has asked why 50 up is becoming political? There is enough avenues out there with out this organisation becoming political. To answer Bob from NSW, I think Governments and wealthy people forget that times were hard after the second world war and wages were very low. My parents were unable to put much aside for their retirement, no superannuation offered to such workers at their time of employment. We had a good childhood and never went without food, clothes, birthday and Christmas presents, education etc, but we grew a lot of our own vegetables etc to survive. We had a car as we were in the bush but they were always second hand. I do not think pensions and other benifits are in keeping with todays economy, especially since prices of all commodities etc., have risen exponentially in the last few months. Rents are not affordable and not enough housing to keep up with demand. A universal pension for pensioners would be a good start. The unemployment rate (newstart or whatever it is called these days) is a disgrace and needs lifting immediately. It is way below the poverty line. We need reasonable jobs for everyone and proper training for those jobs. Remember a lot of older workers did not grow up with digital technology, and while we have done well to embrace it, that does not mean one can do any job involving technology with out the appropriate training. Where is the Fair Go for Everyone? 

bob
bob from NSW commented:

do you think you could lie strait in bed ? 

Geoff
Geoff from NSW commented:

I would ask Mr Albanese where are the highly trained doctors and nurses going to come from to operate your 50 new emergency centres. Labor already claims that our present hospital systems can't get enough staff so where are the extra people coming from? Also the reported cost of $135M doesn't seem realistic for 50 centres, which is $2.7M each would appear to be very minimal to be able to build, fit out and staff a specialised facility! This policy has had 3 years to develop, can we have more details please? 

bob
bob from NSW replied to Geoff:

all very negative , to achieve something first one needs to try to achieve . 

Geoff
Geoff from NSW replied to bob:

Bob. Just realised why you are answering for young Anthony. He had decided not to answer people’s questions anymore. But as he is putting himself up for an alternative PM how about we let him answer for himself. 

Geoff
Geoff from NSW commented:

I would ask Mr Albanese what a Labor Government will do to get people off their backsides and into the workforce? You are claiming victory of forcing the government to increase Job Seeker by $50 whilst rolling out business owners complaining that they can't get workers because locals won't work for the same wage that backpackers will! This is across the Nation from farms to coffee shops! Seems contradictory to me except that people on the "dole" can vote but imported workers can't!! 

bob
bob from NSW replied to Geoff:

all this nonsense about dole blungers is exactly that , nonsense , I tried for 6 weeks when I was about 16 , the most boring time in my life and self defeating . I'm 77 now . 

Geoff
Geoff from NSW replied to bob:

Not all people on the dole are bludgers! But a trip to the beach or shopping centres anytime will find the same groups of people there who we know are on social security and just won’t work. 

bob
bob from NSW replied to Geoff:

have you not heard of shift work ? I did it for 25 years in one job and varying amount of time in others , once 2.5 years night shift . of course one does it for a reason , money . 

Geoff
Geoff from NSW replied to bob:

I’m talking about groups we know are on social security and have been for generations and openly tell you they have no intention of working. 

Robert
Robert from NSW commented:

" I don't envy you in your job! Today's world is full of expert, outspoken critics who would have done things better, faster, different - only they never have & probably never will have to own & take responsibility for their decisions in a public office ". 

Geoff
Geoff from NSW commented:

Why isn't Dental work covered by Medicare in Australia. Yes I know Labor set up Medicare and left it out and always claim the LNP will kill Medicare off SO here is your big chance to do something for one of the most basic of human health requirements - keep our teeth healthy. 

bob
bob from NSW replied to Geoff:

very good question , needs an answer ! 

Someone
Someone from VIC commented:

I would pay him the respect due to his position (Prime Minister) and congratulate him on a job well done under conditions and pressures what have been historically unprecedented all at the one time in our history. 

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