Brendan Nelson having a go
I’m not exactly a great admirer of Brendan Nelson, but I do think he deserves to be given a chance. I wonder if much of the speculation about his position isn’t just political mischief.
Compared with state leaders Ted Baillieu and Troy Buswell he’s doing a pretty good job in unenviable circumstances.
I didn’t hear his budget reply speech, but reading the news summary it sounds quite good. Read more »
Tags: liberal, nelson, politics, transport0 comments
26 November 2006
The Victorian election
There was no major surprise in the Victorian election result where Labor has been comfortably returned. Interesting aspects include:
- The Nats defied doomsday predictions and retained party status.
- The Liberals and Greens failed to increase their primary votes.
- The media darlings (Greens) won't win a lower house seat.
- Labor no longer holds any seats in Gippsland.
- The Labor primary vote in Mildura was just 6.53%. Has the ALP ever polled that badly in any seat anywhere?
- The winners: Steve Bracks and Peter Ryan.
- The losers: Ted Baillieu (despite his bluster) and the Greens.
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11 November 2006
Victorian election
Political junkies will be interested in this article from The Age and will recognise the significance it holds for the seat of Morwell, which includes Traralgon where I grew up.
Several high-profile members of the Traralgon ALP branch have quit the party and one, Lisa Proctor, will stand as an independent and direct preferences to the Nationals.
Another who resigned, Derek Amos, formerly held the seat for Labor. Apparently the current Member doesn’t live in the electorate.
I met Proctor when I was consulting for Pauls and she struck me as an impressive lady. As a Latrobe councillor she was a fierce advocate for Traralgon. I had no idea she was a member of the ALP until reading The Age article. Read more »
Tags: benambra, gippsland, labor, liberal, Nationals, news, PR, Traralgon, Victoria, work0 comments
23 September 2006
Barnaby Joyce
I met Queensland Senator Barnaby Joyce this week during his visit to Kalgoorlie. There was a good article in the West Australian today comparing him with Sir Joh, albeit describing him correctly as somewhat more urbane.
The National Party has a massive struggle ahead to survive. Although the Liberals don’t like it, Barnaby’s approach is the only viable one.
The alternative is a proliferation of rural independents and maverick right-wing nutters.
In terms of Western Australia, I think Brendon Grylls is doing the right thing for his party and the State. I don’t know if he has the charisma to pull it off. We’ll have to wait and see.
Tags: Australia, Kalgoorlie, liberal, life, PR, Queensland0 comments
4 September 2006
Crikey
The cutting-edge news web site Crikey is offering a two-week free trial, which I’ve taken up.
I used to visit Crikey a lot when Stephen Mayne was writing. He had some excellent sources in the Victorian Liberal and Labor Parties.
The site doesn’t have much free content these days, so I’m interested to try out the subscription service and see if it’s worth keeping.
Tags: labor, liberal, news, Victoria, writing0 comments
28 January 2006
Vale the Nationals
The future of the National Party in Australia is under a cloud following the defection of Victorian Senator Julian McGauran to the Liberals.
Most analysts seem to think the party is in terminal decline. The evidence certainly supports that.
Three-cornered contests after a sitting member retires are invariably won by the Liberal Party.
The question has to be asked: What does the National Party stand for? Read more »
Tags: Australia, communities, government, labor, liberal, list, Nationals, PR, south australia, travel, Victoria0 comments
9 December 2005
Student unions
The government’s bid to abolish compulsory student union fees passed through Federal Parliament tonight after the Family First Senator, Steve Fielding, voted with the majority.
My opinion was with Nationals Senator, Barnaby Joyce, that non-political fees for student services should be retained. This would have meant ongoing funds for student sporting clubs, arts groups, etc. The Labor Party seemed to be accepting a compromise along these lines as well.
I feel the bill was inspired more by Liberal ideology than a practical need to reform, similar to the industrial relations changes. Senator Joyce said:
"This was driven by a cabal of people … who are driving this issue out of some sort of political nirvana that they want to achieve rather than out of the impacts that this will have on the ground.
We could have got rid of compulsory student unionism, we could have made sure that the funding mechanisms for political purposes had been stopped and we could have also preserved what a university is. I don’t think this is a great statement for us to finish the year off on."
I don’t support Labor, but I like what Senator Joyce is doing. It’s a shame the Family First Senator didn’t join him in brokering a compromise on this issue.
Tags: family, government, labor, liberal, Nationals, opinion, PR, Sport0 comments
9 October 2005
Workplace ad blitz wrong
The Federal Government today announced its “workplace reforms”, which it claims will deliver a simpler and fairer industrial relations system.
That may be so. I haven’t studied the detail, and frankly it’s of no great interest to me.
I object however, to the massive abuse of public funds to promote Liberal Party policy through the media.
TV ads started today and I’ve got no doubt there will be full-page newspaper ads to follow. The ads haven’t illuminated me on the detail of the policy. They are propaganda.
I thought I heard today that Australia donated half a million dollars towards earthquake relief in Pakistan. Beazley thinks the media blitz is costing $100 million. Howard denies this, but the figure must be in the millions.
The unions are running ads as well, which I suppose gives the government some right of reply. But what we’re seeing is overkill.
Tags: Australia, government, liberal, lions, media, news, PR, war, work6 comments
21 July 2005
Identity card
I can’t understand the fuss regarding a possible identity card for all Australians. Forget the “war on terror” and think about how practical such a card would be.
Opening a bank account or seeking a credit card is a difficult process that involves digging out birth certificates, licences and various other forms of identification.
We already have a national card system through Medicare, but the card itself is not designed to be conclusive proof of identity. Read more »
Tags: Australia, design, government, labor, liberal, PR, war0 comments
23 June 2005
Vale John Anderson?
Isn’t it funny how when someone retires the tributes start flowing, just as if they had died! Deputy Prime Minister John (Nobody) Anderson resigned for the second time today and just about everyone has heaped praise on him.
I believe in respect for the dead, but Anderson is still well and truly with us.
His enemies within the National, Liberal and Labor Parties have had nothing but nice things to say about him. Read more »
Tags: labor, liberal, Nationals, NSW, opinion, PR, Queensland, Victoria0 comments
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