Western Australia voted last weekend and the result is still unknown. I’ve avoided commenting until now, even though I have much to say.
I voted for Tony Crook (Nationals) in Kalgoorlie. He lost on preferences, but the state Nationals are almost certain to hold the balance of power and decide the next government.
I have no inside [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
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 [...]
ABC Radio in Melbourne is inviting listeners tonight to describe their memories of 1986. That’s a long time ago! Two things stand out for me.
Fitzroy made the VFL preliminary final. It was the club’s last finals appearance before extinction 10 years later.
Halley’s Comet flew past the earth that year. I was a member of Traralgon [...]
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 Australian Labor Party is surely at a crossroads. Whether it can become relevant again at a national level remains to be seen.
I’m probably not the only person nervous about the looming prospect of John Howard controlling the Senate. I would feel much safer with the balance of power in the hands of a responsible [...]
