A Moment in the Clarence By-election

In the March 2011 News South Wales general election Labor experienced a two party preferred -19.3% swing with a corresponding swing to the Nationals of +19.3%, resulting in a resounding win for the Nationals sitting member in the Clarence electorate.

As it turned out the champagne bubbles flattened quickly and the Nats had less than six months to bask in the glow of this result before Steve Cansdell’s past caught up with him and the seat fell vacant.

Still, you could be forgiven for thinking that the by-election this November is going to be a shoe-in for the North Coast Nats.

That is until you look at who they chose to represent the party – Chris Gulaptis.

Not only does he have a local government history which makes the average punter recall the less flattering aspects of his character, he is also so gaffe prone that most of his early campaigning has him bragging about funding commitments which don’t exist.

This has clearly spooked the party because they now appear to be trying to position him for the sympathy vote and are predicting an as yet unqualified swing against their candidate.

NSW Deputy Premier, Nationals Leader and Oxley MP, Andrew Stoner, in damage limitation mode went to the media with this statement:

"I predict a swing against us which is why Chris will have to shake as many hands as possible and knock on as many doors as possible to secure his role as a member of government that will be in for at least two terms".

Poor Andy can have no idea how few people look forward to the idea of Chris turning up on their doorstop or how deep they'll have to dig to find a skerrick of sympathy for this ever opportunistic bloke.

Pic of Chris Gulaptis from The Daily Examiner

Dreaming out loud about an Alternative Abbott Universe

Deborah Cameron on ABC 702 Mornings 17^th October 2011:
“MR Abbott is finding it very hard to get a bounce in the polls, it's sort of proof that you can't scream your way into people's affections, it would seem from the recent polls. Now how do you think the Liberal Party is going to deal with the problem of Mr Abbott's continuing, sort of, he just can't get off. He's finding it hard to convert success into popularity, personal popularity. So can you picture a Tony Abbott who's not bellowing, and who can actually stop and talk, and listen, and think quietly?”

You lose, Alan Joyce

11am Sunday 30th October 2011

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Ms Barbara Ward, AM (Non Exec. Director)
Mr Gareth Evans (CFO)
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Mr Jeff Etherington (Investor Relations)

They just don't make politicians like they used to

Friday night's ABC TV news in Queensland had a piece where Premier Bligh was praising her fellow members of the parliament, especially those on her side of the chamber. Bligh was advancing the notion that MPs are very capable persons and especially skilled at multi-tasking. She remarked, "They can walk, talk and chew gum (all at the same time)."

Back in the good old days MPs were far more talented. Most were able to whistle and fart and drive a cart - all at the same time, of course!