16 September 2008

Peter Costello’s memoirs

The cartoon by Peter Broelman in today’s Border Watch says it all.

Tags: Australia, costello, humor, politics
1 comment


13 September 2008

The Victorian abortion debate

The Victorian Parliament is currently debating a bill to legalise abortion in that state. It is technically illegal now, I believe, but has been allowed for many years through a Supreme Court ruling.

There are some sensitive politicians in Victoria, it seems, and some journalists at The Age who struggle to understand English.

The headline on page 8 today was “Abusive emails target pro-choice MPs minutes after having their say”.

The word “abusive” appears twice more in the first few paragraphs. Read more »

Tags: life, politics, society
0 comments


12 September 2008

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 no inside knowledge about what Brendon Grylls and his colleagues are thinking, but I have an inkling. Read more »

Tags: Nationals, politics, Western-Australia
0 comments


8 September 2008

The right to vote

We assume the right to vote is enshrined in a democracy. Exercising that right requires the provision of polling apparatus.

The weekend election in Western Australia raises some questions about how well geared state electoral commissions are in this regard.

I voted absentee because we recently moved from Kalgoorlie. Read more »

Tags: democracy, elections, politics
0 comments


5 June 2008

Gippsland by-election

I hope Darren Chester wins the Gippsland by-election. The seat has always been held by the Country Party/Nationals and until such time as they self destruct I hope that continues.

There is a demonstrated need, in my view, for an independent country party. That’s why I’m both encouraged and discouraged by this week’s decision on the single desk wheat bill, where the Nationals stood alone.

Some said they should speak out more often, while others said they would be irrelevant if they did so. I take the former view, which I think is sadly in the minority. The Nationals should quit the coalition in opposition and forget the merger talk. Read more »

Tags: family, gippsland, life, politics
3 comments


16 May 2008

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, transport
0 comments


26 March 2008

What’s in a name?

That’s the logo of the Federal Government’s Area Consultative Committees (ACC). Not very impressive, is it? And you couldn’t blame anyone for wanting to change it. However, at what cost should it be changed?

Regional Development Minister Anthony Albanese announced just before Easter that ACCs would be replaced by a similar organisation called Regional Development Australia (RDA). Read more »

Tags: Australia, features, opinion, politics, soapbox
0 comments


13 February 2008

Sorry debate

The “sorry” debate has come and gone, culminating in Kevin Rudd’s apology from Parliament to indigenous Australians for the “stolen generation”.

In reporting reaction to national events, I’ve taken no pride as an Australian in the whole saga. The text of the apology was well crafted and touched a chord. I’m afraid though the issue is more divisive than it is unifying.

That was the case previously and it remains so today. The call by some Aboriginal leaders for compensation won’t assist the healing process, which many claimed would flow from today’s contrition.

Brendan Nelson highlighted some legitimate issues in his response and he had a right to raise them. Time to move on, I think.

Tags: Australia, politics, society
2 comments


27 January 2008

Charles’ heir record

Prince Charles has set a new record as the longest heir in waiting for a world monarchy, notching up a record 59 years and 74 days in his wait to be King of Britain, Australia, Canada and New Zealand.

Charles has surpassed the previous record set by Edward VII when he finally succeeded Queen Victoria to the throne in 1901.

That’s a tough gig, enough to make anyone start talking to flowers.

Unlike some others though, I think Charles will make a good King. He’s not afraid to get involved with social issues and he seems to have a genuine sense of compassion.

Critics will point to his failed marriage and quirkiness. I say he’s human, and unlike most other humans, he’s well trained for the role he will inherit.

Tags: Australia, monarchy, politics, republic, world
0 comments


19 January 2008

National Party review

John Anderson was a strange choice to review the structure and operations of the National Party following its disastrous Federal Election performance, considering he was an architect of the party’s demise.

The Nationals were indistinguishable from the Liberals under his leadership. It’s difficult to pinpoint any National Party legacy from the former Coalition Government.

The National Party (formerly the Country Party) has existed for 90 years as a collective of state-based organisations. Each state party has a unique history. Read more »

Tags: Australia, opinion, politics, soapbox
0 comments