Peter van Onselen has written a bizarre piece in The Australian suggesting a split in the Federal Coalition would be political suicide. Van Onselen claims: “… it would be absolute folly for the conservative side of politics if the Coalition were to disintegrate, and it would hurt the Liberal Party at least as much as [...]
Political deal makers
Describing a political party, if I said there were fights on the floor of the party conference, a strident radical wing, socialist tendencies and legislation to introduce a public gas utility you’d probably assume I was talking about the Australian Labor Party. In fact I would be describing the Victorian Country Party, which was the [...]
From Labor to the Nationals
There’s been a lot written and said about Vince Catania’s decision to quit the Labor Party and join the WA Nationals. Some media have described the defection as a “shock” and “unprecedented”. It’s not shocking for a country Labor MP to turn independent, or in this case join an independent party of fellow country MPs. [...]
Influence rather than conflict
Maybe I’m naive, but I don’t believe politics has to involve confrontation, opposition and conflict as it does under the two-party system. Despite the spin which is already being trotted out, the Queensland election result delivers the people’s verdict on the merger of the National and Liberal parties. They didn’t want it. Politicians wanted it [...]
WA election result
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 [...]
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