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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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Garry
Garry from VIC commented:

because income tax was suppose to be a temporary tax introduced years ago, and was never retracted, why not give tax paid by workers over their working life back to them at retirement age? either putting into there super or allowing them to use to pay off a mortgage or buy a new home? it can be regulated so as not to be a money grab by family etc. 

bob
bob from NSW replied to Garry:

surely income tax has been required since 1901 for the entire life of the federation . how was/is it temporary ? 

Garry
Garry from VIC replied to bob:

When it was brought in it was stated to be a temporary tax and would be withdrawn when gov got out of debt, but change of gov and spin was to be kept indefinitely. 

Joseph
Joseph from QLD commented:

NPD Requires a medical diagnosis. Morrison has a well recorded history of evidence that a lay person intuitively knows reflects grandiose narcissist behaiviour. How did he become PM ? Symptoms include an excessive need for admiration, disregard for others' feelings, an inability to handle any criticism and a sense of entitlement. We pay this N to gaslight anyone who calls him out , anyone ! 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

I would say to Scott that I am voting for you because the economy is doing well and the way you have handled Covid, drought, bush fire hurdles thrown at you plus, disgusted how the media & certain hateful people have treated you. Absolutely no respect for our Prime Minister. Petrified if the Green Labour Mean Girls Party manages to win. Labour running the economy I would not let Labour run my Football canteen. The Greens the most destructive force in Australia - enough said ! 

Michelle
Michelle from QLD commented:

We need a universal pension for pensioners. Not everybody has superannuation. I had been working for 20 years before I was allowed to apply for a work based superannuation. Not everyone was able to put aside money for investments, as some wages were very low. 

bob
bob from NSW replied to Michelle:

join the club , big membership . 

Someone
Someone from QLD commented:

I would say "thank you for the wonderful job you are doing and I am very grateful " 

Someone
Someone from NSW commented:

I would ask whatever happened to the Liberals “ trickle down economy “ that was going to give higher wages and more jobs. In my experience it gave the companies a bigger profit. No pay rise and no extra staff. So don’t tell me that The coalition government is good for the little man just all for business. 

bob
bob from NSW commented:

it was always a lie . or to be nice a large miscalculation . 

Someone
Someone from SA commented:

I would give him positive feedback on his job well done during his first term as Prime Minister during this very difficult time of bush fires, floods and Pandemic. I believe he has maintained his professionalism through this time and the continual insults from Albo which is totally uncalled for. I would let him know that it was okay to go to Hawaii on holidays as he had a Acting PM filling his shoes who would have been paid accordingly to do the PM's job in his absence. He is only human and is entitled to annual leave like any other employee in Australia. Measures are put in place for staff to fill his shoes in his absence. I dread Albo getting in. God help our country. 

Paul
Paul from NSW commented:

I would greet him G`Day Prime Minister, You have done a great job over the last few years under very difficult circumstances , keep up the good work, you have my vote. 

Someone
Someone from WA commented:

Mr. Morrison could I please have 10 minutes of your time, I arrived in Australia in 1963 migrating through the proper channels I commenced work meet a girl got married bought a house paid taxes, raised a family with little help from government .paid private medical insurance, became Australian citizen, Know our anthem respect our flag & laws Not committed any criminal act. I have not ever demanded special consideration on cultural grounds I respect others from different country's, enjoying Australia's life, style But there now are some people who do none of these things .who do not respect the Australian way of life & actively try to change some parts as seen in both the UK & many parts of Europe I have travelled & always respected the culture & laws of those countries Why are there not written laws that clearly tell those who wish to enter our communities that They come here for a better life but must accept we. Australians do not need improvement we do not need 3/4 wives ,we all work when able to & do not demand changes to our inclusive, welcoming society. But if any one member of these new migrants family is convicted of ANY criminal act against us they and their entire family are sent back to where they came from No appeal, no if or buts, example the Abraham brothers who organised the rape of our children. Why should they or any one who insults our nation be allowed to enjoy its wonderous life Terrorists, Drugs or public theft of taxpayers money. 

Rob
Rob from QLD commented:

There is one burning question to which ALL Australians need an answer. It concerns Diesel Fuel, which is easier and cheaper to produce than any form of petrol, and is normally quite a bit cheaper than ordinary petrol. So the question is simple. Why is Diesel Fuel, which affects EVERY aspect of our daily lives as it is used in trucks, trains, delivery vans, cars and even stand-by power generators, and therefore affects the price of EVERYTHING we buy, now anything up to 40c per liter, more in price? 

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