[redcarpet]

Silence echoes across Canberra as the Coalition clams up

In opposition, Tony Abbott promised Australians they would get a "no-surprises" government.
"We will be a no-surprises, no-excuses government, because you are sick of nasty surprises
and lame excuses from people that you have trusted with your future," Abbott vowed at his
campaign launch in August. But two months since the election, it's increasingly becoming
apparent that a "no-surprises" government is coming at the cost of open government.

Since winning office, Abbott has fronted the nation's media just eight times. Calls to his office,
and to his ministers, frequently go unanswered or unreturned.

During the week, Foreign Affairs Minister Julie Bishop was a star speaker at the Australian Council
for International Development conference in Canberra. The two-day event was open to the public,
including the media - except for Bishop's speech. It's understood the media was barred at the
request of the minister, who is tasked with enforcing the government's $4.5 billion cut to foreign
aid over the next four years.

Announcing the government would respond to Australia's ballooning credit card bill by almost
doubling the borrowing limit to half a trillion dollars, Treasurer Joe Hockey held a 10-minute press
conference and took few questions.

From the Age

While on one hand I'm sure it had advantages. However withholding information makes it difficult to hold
the govt. accountable. Which I'm sure is the intention

[foxdemon]

OK, so Abbott's government is in the process of fist fucking the Australian public. Am I suprised? No, not in the slightess. So I would agree with the statement that this is a 'no suprise government'.

[redcarpet]

http://anthonyalbanese.com.au/abbott-slashes-community-funding-in-every-town-and-city

Attacking local government funding. No public discussion first, of course.