Saturday, 12 July 2008

Political pettiness personified (a three-word alliterative phrase)

With so many portentous and 'diabolical' issues facing Aussies today, here's what one Liberal bright spark thought was worth the breath to cool his porridge during Question Time on the day before the House recessed for 8 weeks until the 25th of August.
It's hard to believe this peevish nitpicking is a dinkum way to earn your wage.

Christopher Pearce (Aston, Liberal Party) Hansard source
Mr Speaker, I draw your attention to the fact that today in question time, and indeed for most of this week, almost without exception when the Prime Minister has been at the dispatch box he has leant on the dispatch box and turned his back on you. Mr Speaker, my question is: do you consider that to be parliamentary and are you happy with the Prime Minister having his back to you most of the time?
Harry Jenkins (Speaker) The Prime Minister refers his remarks through the chair, and that is the main thing that I look for.

Open Australia has some interesting stats on this very average MP.

"Has spoken in 27 debates in the last year — average amongst MPs.
People have made 0 comments on this MP's speeches — well above average amongst MPs.
This MP's speeches are understandable to an average 18–19 year old, going by the
Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score.
0 people are tracking whenever this MP speaks —
email me whenever Christopher Pearce speaks.
Has used three-word alliterative phrases (e.g. "she sells seashells") 56 times in debates — average amongst MPs. (
Why is this here?)"

Still, Chris rates a little better than North Coast Nationals MP for Cowper, Luke Hartsuyker.
Although Luke has spoken in many more debates, his speeches are only "understandable to an average 16–17 year old, going by the Flesch-Kincaid Grade Level score." and he's "used three-word alliterative phrases (e.g. "she sells seashells") 87 times in debates — above average amongst MPs."

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