Transcript of online focus group held on Wednesday 22nd November, 2006
(Note: all typos have been retained)
Jamie2: M, 51-60, 3065
David3: M, 80+, 3078
Marshall4: M, 31-40, 3199
Graham5: M, 41-50, 3133
Moderator: Hi everyone
=> Graham5 Has Joined The Room
Moderator: Hi
=> Jamie2 Has Joined The Room
Moderator: Hi Jamie
Graham5: Hi to all
Moderator: We're expecting 6 tonight
Moderator: So, one-third here.
Moderator: With another third outside the room.
Moderator: Hope they are not having trouble getting in
Moderator: How was it for both of you?
Jamie2: Hi folks, It's a warm evening here in Fitzroy :-)
Graham5: good - was on nightshift last night had a great sleep today
Moderator: I heard it was 39 today
Graham5: didnt seem like it - maybe tuesday !!
Moderator: Just a rumour - I'm in Brisbane
Graham5: sydney was expecting the high 30s but not here in Melb.
Jamie2: Gosh, I wouldn't have thought it that high. Maybe 29 at the outside; more like a few less.
=> marshall4 Has Joined The Room
marshall4: Hi, I'm Marshall.
Graham5: welcome to the room Marshall !
marshall4: Thanks Graham5. I feel like a character in a '70s sci fi movie.
Jamie2: Yes, welcome from me too. Looks like we are half here now.
Graham5: logans run !!
Jamie2: Hey, I've just noticed that my menu bar has acquired several new items for this chat.
Moderator: We're having a problem getting a few of the others into the chat room
Graham5: you mean the actions option ? 'roll the dice etc ??? '
=> David3 Has Joined The Room
marshall4: what is the go with 'roll the dice'?
Jamie2: Yes. Actions and Room, Users, size, Color, Staff. And as to rolling dice, it doesn't know that it is one die two dice :-(
Moderator: I think this is basically all that are going to participate
Moderator: A little light-on unfortunately
Moderator: But, if you're happy to go ahead I am too.
David3: Greetings Getting the hang of it.
Graham5: fine by me as a 1st timer !!
marshall4: i'm ok - 1st time also
Moderator: OK
Moderator: Let's get underway then
David3: Voted Labor for yonks. This time grren as think Govt needs a ginger up
Moderator: I am your moderator this evening. I’m Graham Young Chief Editor of On Line Opinion.
Jamie2: i think i did this once a few years ago, but not this cute software
Moderator: What we are going to do this evening is talk about a number of issues. I want to know what you think. There are no “right” or “wrong” answers, so please don’t hesitate to say exactly what you think.
Moderator: Sometimes I will want to make sure that I get some feedback from each of you in turn and will ask you to go “around the room”. What this means is that you should answer the question in the order of the number after your name. There will be some numbers missing, so you might need to check now to see what numbers are closest to you on the high and the low sides.
Moderator: At other times I will ask you to discuss a question “freely”. That means that anyone can lead off and anyone answer.
Moderator: If at anytime you experience difficulties, you can chat to me by selecting and clicking on my name. Please only do this if you have technical difficulties.
Moderator: Any questions? (If no-one mentions anything in the next 30 seconds, I’ll assume we’re ready to go).
David3: Go man Go
Moderator: OK, can you all just tell me you age and postcode, or suburb?
marshall4: 34 3199 Frankston
Graham5: 47 Vermont South - 3133
Jamie2: I am 59, fitzroy 3065
David3: age 80 + 3078
Moderator: As you all know, the VICTORIAN election has been called for next Saturday.
Moderator: We’ll be discussing your attitudes about the election shortly, but before we do, could I ask each of you to just write down on a piece of paper which party you will vote for? If you don’t really know, just write down who you’d be inclined to support. If you don’t have paper handy just think of who that would be and just remember it for later.
Moderator: I’d also like you to write down how you would have voted if there had been an election a month ago.
Moderator: OK. Now just going around the “room” in turn, can each of you just tell us all what your general thoughts are about the current state election? Try not to debate anyone’s point of view at this stage, just let us know what you think.
David3: Greens both questions. Normally Labor but think they need some prodding
Moderator: So that will be Jamie fist
Moderator: Just keep your vote to yourself at this stage
Jamie2: sorry, i just had to check up a noise down stairs. no damage.
Moderator: Well, you were on first, but maybe if Marshall goes first you can go last?
marshall4: I think Labor has pretty much blown 7 years in office. They have a bucketload of cash, but after the last landslide election they became complacent
Jamie2: general thoughts is a bit hard. it's a curiously low key affair.
Graham5: i think the election is rather dull in that both major parties seem to be mimicing each other - attempting to cover both sides of the politics
Jamie2: i don't think labor is complacent, but hypercautious
Moderator: David?
David3: Copllacement and taking it easy Hence my change this time
Moderator: We are now just over a week into the election campaign, what have been the key issues for you over the past week or so?
Jamie2: hey 3 days from the end, not a week in!
Moderator: Whoops
Moderator: Old script!
marshall4: i'm pretty annoyed that labor has suddenly realised that we have no water
Graham5: water, police, transport, health & education
marshall4: i'd like to see them more focussed on state issues - not federal issues. the workplace laws are a dead issue - move on!
David3: Both Lab & Libs spouting promises to gain votes and keep their job
marshall4: how is it that after 7 years in office, the govt has suddenly realised there is stuff to do?
Graham5: the govt has had plenty of time and cash to do things but it has been blown by inaction or cost overrun
Jamie2: workplace issues are key for most people. protecting ppl against the howard race to the bottom is a valuable state role
marshall4: sorry - key issue is honesty
Moderator: What are the key issues you would like to see discussed and debated in this campaign?
marshall4: jamie, the states got rolled by the high court, its a dead issue
David3: But what is HONESTY to 'Honest' Johnny
marshall4: i would have liked to see education, health, public transport and honesty
Graham5: govt spending - wastage, water resourcing - Melbourne is still wasting water when country areas are parched
Jamie2: i cannot agree. just becathuse ey have the power doesn't mean they should be allowed to steam roll everyone for their rank ideological obsessions
marshall4: i live in frankston and work in ringwood. i would have preferred to know there were tolls before i bought this place - not after!
Graham5: hey im in vermont south .. in the middle of the tollway !
Jamie2: i agree with david on honesty
marshall4: i'm not saying i agree - but how can they campaign on something they have no influence over?
Moderator: Thanks for those comments.
Moderator: Now I’d like to talk about Steve Bracks specifically. Going around the room again in order, can you tell me what you think of Steve Bracks?
Jamie2: oh there's plenty the stae can do to protect workers human rights
David3: Lethargy Labor and bullshit Liberals Canno trust either
marshall4: the problem with voting green is that you're going to have to preference a major party anyway - which one?
Jamie2: steve is basically a good manager, but very cautious and more conservaqtive socially than i would like
Graham5: steve bracks to me is a useless inarticulate embarrassment - gets tongue tied and does exactly the same thing as kennett did by keeping the public in the dark
marshall4: mr bracks gets $34 billion a year and has done nothing in 7 years! nothing with hospitals, nothing with education!
Graham5: agreed
David3: Bracks seems nice fellow and I think does try. BUT he wants to mkeep his job Needs to be given some ginger
Jamie2: oh deaar, that is not how it looks to me at all marshall
Moderator: Steve Bracks says “This State Election is about who you trust to stand up for Victorian families.
Moderator: Who you trust to stand up for a fair go at work.
Moderator: Who you trust for better schools, improved health care and a cleaner environment.
Moderator: It is a choice between going forwards – or going back.”
Moderator: How do you feel about that?
Jamie2: well i agree
marshall4: work is now a federal issue, so its irrelevant.
Graham5: we need to move forward
David3: Re Voting Green. Preference Labor who is sure to win but needs competition
Graham5: bracks has had his chance.. let someone else take up the reigns
Jamie2: tho i wish i was more confident that bracks understands that theere are diverse sorts of families, incluidng samesex couple and their children. I want to see him include them too
marshall4: state govts primary roles are education, health and emergency services. i say they have failed on all counts. especially with the massive gst and stamp duty windfalls
David3: Not Bailleau who is Kennet again We need a real Chifley type leader
Graham5: we need henry bolte !!
marshall4: there are thousands of voters who don't even know who kennett was!
Moderator: Thanks for those comments. Now, in no particular order, can you tell me in one sentence what you think Steve Bracks stands for.
Graham5: kennett had a hard job and it was done in the 1st term, but he squandered the 2nd - bracks has squandered both
David3: Agree. but those who do remember will remind them
marshall4: i think another 4 years of labor is going to cost the state big time - both financially ans socially
Graham5: bracks stands for complacence and incompetence
Jamie2: Steve Bracks stands for an inclusive caring and respectful society that respects diversity
marshall4: yes david, but then the other guys say 'Cain Kirner'!
David3: But Bailleau will cost us more and break more promises
marshall4: well, he'll have to do well to break the $2 billion tollway promise
Graham5: but he wont have the union heavyweights causing massive cost overruns
Moderator: Again, going around the room in order, can you tell me what you think of Ted Baillieu?
Jamie2: I don't agree on Kennett. The business of the hard job and so on is just liberal propaganda. they had akerman and the hun publishing propagandaa every day for over a year. not surprising so many ppl believe the myths
Jamie2: kennet was an advverrtising man after all
marshall4: mr bracks spends more on advertising!
Graham5: Ted is personable, nervous, and willing to go out to meet and greet he respects that his inlaws dont see his political persuasion
David3: That was a mistake and so do the PPP's But at least we can expcet some action and some honesty
marshall4: Mr Baillieu seems sincere. He has been in politics before, and it looks like he wants to get things done instead of 'looking into it'.
Jamie2: on yr qn re baillieu: yes he seems personable. but he has said some socially progressive things, but cannot carry his party
David3: He is a showman but insincere. Wants the kudos and is not homest
Moderator: O.K. Ted Baillieu has said “The Coalition will make Victoria the ‘Can Do’ state again.”
Graham5: i like the idea of that - if it is achievable
David3: Typical attempt to gain favour. We cannot trust Liberals
Graham5: cant trust anyone
Jamie2: i can't take seriously someone who will have a notorious homophobe as his treasuer. he wouldn't have a blatant anti-semite, or KKK person.
marshall4: i think its time for a change - we've been the 'mirror man' state for too long
marshall4: you might need to explain that one jamie
David3: Agree but at least Greens have an overall thesis and might be able to keep major parties honest
Moderator: Right. Now, in no particular order can you tell me in one sentence what Ted Baillieu stands for?
marshall4: the greens will end up with the balance of power in the upper house - the relevant vote is lower house though. IMHO
Jamie2: i don't accept this 'can't trust' stuff. some ppl can be trusted. when bracks came in the depts i dealt with all had their list of election promises to work on and they did. the policy was the basis of their workplans
Graham5: but it wasnt evident in the results.
David3: As Gough Whitlam said 'IT's TIME' We need a change and a new look
Graham5: water pipeline to wimmera took 7 years to get STARTED !
Jamie2: marshall, robt clark is a blatant homophobe. he has the same view of gays as say eric butler had of jews or bjelke petersen of blacks. nasty stuff.
marshall4: Ted Baillieiu stands up for getting things done and improving the way victoria is managed
David3:Come come now. He hasn't sacked staff etc like Kennett.
Moderator: Hey guys, can we answer the questions?
David3: Bailleau stands for Bailleau and nothing else
marshall4: sorry jamie - i missed all the other politicians standing up for gay rights!
marshall4: i did mod
Jamie2: i think the state's management is pretty good, and much much better than kennet. tho i don't like ppp obsession.
Moderator: ANyone else on Baillieu before we move on?
Graham5: TB is willing to have a go.. he has stuck his neck out with the electorate, and has not hidden behind managed events that dont include the voters (SB)
Jamie2: sorry marshall, i don't lilke that sort of sneer
David3: Agree that present is well managed but needs to be prodded to force action
Moderator: Both the Government and the Opposition have released major policies targeting improvements in health. How do you feel about the health system? Let’s go around the room in reverse order this time.
Graham5: public health in VIC sucks
Jamie2: agree with david: prodding is a bore, but i guess it is democratic. they do move, after all
marshall4: where does all the money go? waiting lists are just as long. as are the 'waiting lists for waiting lists'
Graham5: although i am melbourne based, i commute to 50kms north of Shepparton very regularly...the health system up there is a mess
Jamie2: health takes a lof work, and as the age showed recently, waiting lists are a very poor measure of real change
Jamie2: lof ws 'lot of'
marshall4: i didn't sneer - how can you bag one politician as being a homophobe when most politicians won't even discuss the subject of gay rights - ever
Moderator: Now in any order, can you tell me what you know about the health policies released by Ted Baillieu and Steve Bracks?
Jamie2: marshall the govt introduced significant reforms, and after some pushing most of the libs voted for it. but not clark. and not hte nats. they voted against and spoke against.
Moderator: Jamie and Marshall, there are a lot of issues in this campaign and I want to cover them all
Moderator: Can we leave gay rights alone now.
David3: Health Bracks will return the hospitals, staffing etc to what they would have been before Kennett destroyed them
Moderator: I appreciate it is important to you Jamie
Graham5: thanx for that MOD - i am so over thatJamie2: health, agree with david, plus there is significant new money under Fairer Victoria and the new mental health funding, and surgery centres
Graham5: labor wasted time in getting things done.. all the plans are for future PAST the next 4 years as well
Moderator: So, at the moment I'm trying to work out what policies have struck a chord on health
David3: Extra staffing, new buildings etc
Graham5: for me - none really from both parties
marshall4: liberal is going to put more beds into hospitals. i think the labor policy is 'adequate funding' or words to that effect. and a mental health policy
Moderator: OK
Moderator: Ted Baillieu has promised to treat an extra 190,000 patients in his first term of government; open 1,000 beds across Victoria; and employ another 1,600 doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. What do you say to those promises?
Victoria; and employ another 1,600 doctors, nurses and allied health professionals. What do you say to those promises?
marshall4: neither party has a policy on where the staff are going to materialise from - again its out of the states control
Graham5: i like the idea of that.. but is it achievable - as per marshalls comment !
David3: Liberal 'promises' are about as good ad Honest Johns. Don't beliebe them at all
Jamie2: i agree with marshall. how to create staff from thin air?
Moderator: Steve Bracks has promised to invest $115M in two new Surgery Centres and treat an extra 16,000 patients; reduce waiting times in emergency departments by spending $476M; and spend another $394M to meet growing demand in our hospitals. What do you say to that?
Graham5: contractors - many hospitals have contracting agencies... must cost a fortune to get staff.
David3: Tech schools and education to make up for what we lost before
marshall4: why didn't labor do this 4 years ago?
Graham5: i thought it was 3 surgery centres.. but where are they located.. in choice LAB or marginal electorates ?