leaving inspiration to the birds

It's now more that a shake your head scenario. You ask yourself .... is this really happening?

We see all the lessons from history that are ignored, the big issues which get pushed back under trivialities, the freedoms which were established over years of struggle being swept away, a deceitful take-it-or-leave-it pm, his deceitful ir propaganda, and with it now his deceitful misleading of the public over the cost. This man is pathological which happens to go very well with our shallow, say nothing media, of course. It's just becoming a huge spiral down, leaving inspiration and spirit to the birds ...........

(but look what's happening ..... even they are now getting the flu)


IR ads Minister puts cost at $55m

There is confusion over how much the Federal Government's campaign to sell its industrial relations changes is costing.

Senior minister Eric Abetz has confirmed expenditure of $55 million, but Prime Minister John Howard insists the cost is much less than that.

"The figure of the expenditure to date is not $55 million, it's in the order of $45.7 million," said Mr Howard.

"$38.3 million is expected to be spent on advertising, research, creative agency costs and public affairs.

"$2.7 million is expected to be spent on booklets and distribution costs.

"In addition, it is expected to cost $4.7 million for a call centre which continues to provide information to the community."

However, during Senate Estimates hearings Labor Senator John Faulkner tallied the costs at $55 million.

Senator Abetz, who is the Minister in charge of the Government's advertising campaign, has told ABC radio he agrees with the higher figure.

"That figure would be as accurate as you can get," he said.

Senator Abetz's office says the higher figure takes into account ongoing costs yet to be spent.

In Parliament today Opposition Leader Kim Beazley said the $55 million tally was at least $15 million more than the upper limits for the campaign Mr Howard had previously announced.

"Prime Minister, if you can't be trusted to tell the truth about the cost of the Government's advertisements how can you be trusted to tell the truth with this legislation," Mr Beazley said.

The Prime Minister denied misleading the public over the cost.