Nats find voice and muscle

August 15th, 2005 | No Comments | Posted in Opinions

Cartoon by Nicholson of “The Australian” newspaper: www.nicholsoncartoons.com.au

It’s good to see that the Federal National Party has rediscovered its voice, its soul and its muscle.A series of events or coincidences (I’m not sure which) have brought about the transformation. John Anderson, the man who looked like Tarzan but sounded like Jane, is no longer running the show. The Liberals now actually need the Nationals to get things done; and mild-mannered accountant Barnaby Joyce has arrived in Canberra.

I don’t know how long it will last, but it’s interesting and enjoyable to watch. Hopefully BJ will tackle more issues than just Telstra and student union fees.

These articles might be of interest:

Feathertop via Bungalow Spur

The population of Victoria is five million people, but I was the only one of them today on the summit of our second-highest peak, Mt Feathertop.
The mountain was awe inspiring, humbling, powerful and beautiful in a mesmerising package of contradictions.
Normally I have Friday spare to pursue private business, but I swapped it for today to [...]

Aral Sea disaster

I saw a disturbing report on SBS news last night about the Aral Sea disaster in Kazakhstan. The world’s fourth-largest inland sea has been decimated by commercial exploitation and mismanagement. Here are some of the facts:
Forty years ago the Aral Sea surface was 66,100 square kilometers with an average depth of 16.1 metres and a [...]

The twins hatch

Well it’s almost sunk in that I’m a Dad again. The twins were dragged reluctantly into the world at 10.26am and 10.27am on Tuesday, December 16, 2003 almost two weeks before Juliet would have been full term in her labor.
The vital details:
James Peter, weight 6lb 12oz
Margaret Johanna, weight 6lb
Mum and babies are doing well. Hopefully [...]

Breaker Morant

I wrote this article in February 2002 in response to a campaign by Senator Julian McGauran and Tim Fischer to obtain a pardon for English officer “Breaker” Morant, who ordered the killing of prisoners in the Anglo/South African War.
I was annoyed that McGauran took up this issue without any community consultation. It was the only [...]