Natasha has style

Democrats Senator Natasha Stott-Despoja sent out a press release shortly after Kevin Rudd announced his ministry, praising the inclusion of the highest number of women in senior Cabinet roles since Federation.

After watching her own party get decimated at the polls, she still looked to the positive for Australian society - now that's what I call grace and style.

Never heard a peep from the Liberal's new deputy leader, Julie Bishop.

Ruddock refused to budge on sedition laws - will Rudd be any different?

One of the unsettling features of the recent federal election campaign was its narrow focus. There was barely even lipservice paid to concerns about the extensive anti-terrorism and sedition laws created by the Howard Government over the last seven years.

 

Every parliamentary committee or independent commission appointed to review Australia's sedition laws recommended major amendments to and sometimes scrapping of much contained in that new legislation covering 'sedition'.

 

The Howard Government had rushed these laws through parliament on the promise that it would accept the Australian Law Reform Commission review findings and recommendations when these were tabled at a future date. However, then Attorney-General, Phillip Ruddock reneged on full acceptance of the Commission's recommendations and his department has not been overly enthusiastic in its approach to the little which Ruddock did endorse.

 

The question which now confronts the Australian community is whether Kevin Rudd will rescue our civil liberties and remove these potential impediments to free speech. During the recent election campaign he was quick to promise a change to Freedom of Information legislation and regulations, but was silent on our sedition laws.

 

Rudd now heads a Labor government with an extremely healthy majority in the House of Representatives. By next July it will have a strong ally in the Senate, the Greens, on matters relating to civil liberties and social justice. So will Rudd move on these flawed sedition laws or have we just exchanged one right-wing philosophy for another?

 

I hope that Kevin Rudd and Labor will recognise widespread and legitimate concern over sedition law evidenced by submissions, and move quickly to implement all of the recommendations outlined in the Australian Law Reform Commission's report. Legitimate dissent is a vital part of the democratic process and deserves to be protected by law.

 

'New-look' Libs still flirt with the political dark side according to Clarence Valley media

The new Liberal Party leadership team are not to enjoy a honeymoon period in the Clarence Valley.

Yesterday's editorial in The Daily Examiner took the Liberal Party and Brendan Nelson to task for the continuing refusal to say sorry to indigenous Australians.

 

Saying of the Liberal Party attitude: "Even though the wealthiest benefactors/supporters of the Liberals, and the Nationals for that matter, had made their fortunes by dispossessing Aboriginal tribes for two centuries, white Australia was not responsible.----they still flirt with the Hansonites on the political dark side."

 

Many in the Clarence Valley are shocked that this 'new-look' Liberal Party seems to have learnt next to nothing from its recent electoral defeat, and the editor was merely reflecting a growing 

disquiet within the community.

NEWS FLash - John Howard reveals his Christmas destination

Following a conversation with former PM, John Howard, NCV is able to reveal startling "relevations" (sic) [yep! that exactly how JWH put it] about where he will be on Christmas Day.

NCV can confirm that JWH WILL NOT be spending Christmas with the Doug Anthony All Stars.

Avid JWH fans ... watch this space.

Former PM admits he's been getting his dates mixed up

Exclusive

North Coast Voices has had the luxury of a private viewing of former PM John Howard's diary entries.

JWH said his diary will be heavily used when he appears on the public speaking scene in town and country halls across the country in the New Year. However JWH confided to NCV that he hasn't had any luck in securing the services of an agent who would be prepared to take him under its wing and organise what he is very confident would be a block busting success.

Should he fail to appear on the public speaking scene by Easter, JWH said he would opt for the far more lucrative option of going straight to the big screen and produce and direct a movie about himself.

JWH said he figured a public speaking tour was the very least he should do in order to repay his followers across the breadth of this great nation. In an aside, JWH remarked that he thought the many public appearances he could make would provide him with ideal opportunities to use the blanket appeal strategy and collect any loose coins and folding money his mates had left. "My finances are not what some people say they are. Living off a mere $300,000 pa will be no easy matter. My good wife and I have become accustomed to a life style that we won't be able to throw away lightly. Why else do you reckon I hung in there tooth and nail?"

When asked how 2007 had unfolded for him, JWH exclaimed, "Drats! I thought, sure as eggs, that 2007 was the Chinese Year of the Rat. In fact, I was so sure of myself I would have put good money on it. Not that I'm a gambling man. No sirreee! I'm a Sunday School goer. Mind you, it wouldn't have been my money anyway because, as you all know, I've had my hand in the public purse for so long that I don't even have a wallet I call my own. After all, why would I need one?"

"I've been the nation's prime rodent for over 11 years. Just quietly, some of my best mates reckon I'm the best lying rodent this nation has ever had. And who am I to argue with them?"

When told 2008 was the Year of the Pig, JWH said that made things a whole lot better for him.
"Phew, that's a big help. I'll be able to use that in my speeches. That'll get me off the hook. I'll tell the good folks out there in voter land I had every right to pork barrel because it was the Year of the Pig."

Our very last Howard poll

In a mood of rollicking good humour, a liquid lunchtime discussion turned to canvassing the ideal place for John Howard to spend his retirement. Transylvania and Iraq both got a mention, as did locations close to George Bush or Maggie Thatcher.

The final list is now up in the North Coast Voices sidebar as a poll. Tell us what you think!

And the latest news from Bennelong is.....

According to the Australian Electoral Commission's Virtual Tally Room at 6.51pm on Friday 30 November 2007 the vote in Bennelong now stands at:

John Howard     41,159 two-party preferred or 48.75%

Maxine McKew  43,272 two-party preferred or 51.25%

 

Maxine McKew has rightfully claimed victory, but John Howard is such a wimp that he is waiting for the Electoral Commission to concede defeat on his behalf.

At least on the NSW North Coast all the losers on both sides showed a bit of spine.

No accord in the Liberal camp

There are no harmonious sounds issuing from the Liberal Party these days. They are a sad and sorry lot at present.

John Howard, through Tony Abbot, let us all know that the reason the Coalition lost the 2007 federal election was that Australia just wanted a change. Apparently that Saturday morning we all went to the wardrobe, didn't like what hung there and decided to go out and buy a new summer outfit.

Peter Costello is saying that the lack of new Coalition leadership led to its defeat and obviously wondering where to go from here.

Judith Troeth is blaming Costello's leadership ambitions for the party's electoral trouncing.

The Queensland Libs are now busily tearing the party apart ostensibly on state issues.

West Australian Libs are looking sideways at each other and pointing the finger.

While the accord between Brendan Nelson and Malcolm Turnbull apparently never really began.

"Malcolm Turnbull stormed into the new Liberal leader's parliamentary office within an hour of Thursday's leadership vote, tearing into Brendan Nelson over his "funereal speech" and urging him to toughen up."

The Australian today:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22852012-601,00.html

And their Nationals partner is quietly blaming Mark Vaile as well as the Liberal Party for its own poor showing at the ballot box.

Across the board many Coalition MPs are considering whether it is worth the effort to honour their contract with Australia and serve out full terms.

Despite a few brave words for public consumption it seems that a number of those in the Coalition team don't expect to regain federal government in 2010 or even 2013 for that matter.

It is beginning to look as though being the Opposition is not going to suit these former tall poppies.

A message to the Rudds

Now that Kevin Rudd is the Prime Minister of Australia, the Rudd family needs to look back on the Howard era for lessons in how not to proceed.

 

Lesson 1: Don't make the mistake of keeping Kirribilli House as a principal residence. The cost alone will make ordinary Australians rather annoyed at such indulgence.

 

Lesson 2: Don't go in for any major refurbishment of either The Lodge or Kirribilli House. Live with the Howard's suspect taste in interior design. Australia didn't elect a Labor government to see money wasted on more expensive furniture, drapery or silverware.

 

Lesson 3: Remember at all times that the Governor-General is the Australian head of state and act accordingly. Don't show yourselves as ignorant as the Howard's on this matter. 

 

Lesson 4: Australia elected the politician in the family not the life partner. Don't give Australia the impression that Ms. Rein has undue influence on the Prime Minister's political strategy. The country doesn't need or want another 'Mrs. Bucket'.

 

Lesson 5: Never forget that the Rudd family are ordinary folk and don't attempt to throw your weight around simply because one of the family just happens to hold a powerful position. Despite the Howard years, Australia is still not America and we won't accord you any respect for forgetting this fact.

Now John Laws is gone can Alan Jones be far behind?

John Laws has retired from Australian airwaves at long last. I chiefly remember this glorified disc jockey for the hysteria he whipped up in my callow youth which caused a run on a NSW building society. This building society later went on to become a successful bank. John Laws went on to become a rather rich man.

Alan Jones in his pursuit of ratings did much worse and will forever be remembered for fanning the flames of racial tension just prior to the Cronulla Riots.

In December 2000 & Kevin it's time state and federal politicians reconsidered the level of access given to Jones and began to starve this radio 'personality' of the oxygen which keeps him going.

Alan Jones belongs to a far-right past that Australia is now hopefully shrugging off.

Is Australia now seeing the return of a genuinely secular federal government?

After almost eleven years of a Howard Government which pandered to fundamentalist religious  elements in Australian society for its own political purposes, there is now a glimmer of hope that a more balanced approach to social and economic policy may be at hand.

 

"KEVIN Rudd makes no secret of his religious beliefs, but as prime minister he says he'll take advice from public servants, not God.

The committed Christian says he is not praying for guidance on how to run the country.
Mr Rudd said he would keep religion and politics separate.
"I go to church on Sunday like millions of other Australians, and I am always conscious in the business of politics of what I don't know, and therefore the need to seek advice," Mr Rudd told Southern Cross Broadcasting in Melbourne.
"That's usually obtained, however, from well-crafted reports from public service advisers."

News.com.au today:

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22847361-29277,00.html

 

There are many who will be more than relieved if Kevin Rudd is seen to keep his word on this matter. Meanwhile, careful vigilance with regard to this new government is the order of the day in my household.

Climate Change predicted to set 'diabolical' policy challenges for Rudd Government

Something I guess we all expected. The road ahead will not be easy and a hostile and bitter Coalition-dominated Senate for the next seven months will likely make matters even harder.

 

"CLIMATE change is already more advanced than the world realises, and tackling it will present "diabolical" policy challenges, says the head of Labor's climate change review, Professor Ross Garnaut.

In his first speech since starting his policy review for state governments and Prime Minister-elect Kevin Rudd, Professor Garnaut indicated that he would recommend a stronger framework to secure rapid cuts in greenhouse gas emissions than that proposed by the Howard government.

He implied that emissions trading could start as soon as 2010, suggested there was a strong case for high carbon prices from the outset to drive change, and opposed free permits to existing polluters, as the Howard government envisaged.

An internationally known economist who has been adviser to former prime minister Bob Hawke, Australian ambassador to China and head of the Hawke government's tariff review, Professor Garnaut said he was confident that global warming could be brought under control without derailing global growth."

The Age full article today:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/climate-worse-than-we-thought/2007/11/29/1196037074795.html

NSW North Coast MP becomes Minister for Aging in new Rudd Government

Justine Elliot the Labor MP for Richmond became the new Minister for Aging yesterday when Kevin Rudd announced the makeup of his ministry.

Well done, Justine. I wish you well with this portfolio which is of special interest to us on what is often affectionately called the 'retirement coast'.

All the former Howard Government ever offered a North Coast MP was the consolation prize of Deputy Speaker of the House of Reps and precious little the incumbent did with that position.

Crikey puts the boot into "The Australian"

At http://www.crikey.com.au/ yesterday. A not so subtle dig at the national newspaper which the blogosphere dubbed 'The Government Gazette' during the Howard era.

Libs still baulk over the 'sorry' word

His term as Leader of the Liberal Party not even 24 hours old and Brendan Nelson has been on national television refusing to support any formal Federal Government apology to the indigenous 'stolen generation'.

It seems this political party will never learn.

The Liberals will be privately close to apoplexy when they realise that the largest successful Native Title claim in New South Wales has just come into being on the North Coast and in the north-west of the state.

Congratulations to the Githabul people.

 

Enter Brendan Nelson (dodging daggers)

Well it's official. Brendan Nelson has been given the poison chalice as initial Leader of the Liberal Party in the 2007-2010 Federal Opposition.

He will have to be quick on his feet as both Malcolm Turnbull and Tony Abbot will be swift to capitalise on his mistakes. With Nelson's history there are bound to be a few of those.

I give Nelson about ten months in the job at most before he is successfully ousted by one of his 'loyal' compatriots.

Once they recover from Saturday's face slap the Coalition is bound to fight IR rollback

The media is making much of current Coalition internal dissent over its possible post-election stance on the Rudd Government's intention to change WorkChoices legislation.

The Age:
 http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22834177-601,00.html

 

However, I am sceptical that any softened attitude to this industrial relations change will survive the first few weeks of the new parliament sitting. 

The bulk of Liberal and Nationals political donations come from businesses and industries which have been able to make hay under WorkChoices. Given the recent decline in campaign funding received by these two parties, I doubt that they will do more than pay lipservice to the mandate received by Federal Labor on any IR rollback because both Libs and Nats need to recover financially before federal election 2010.

As it appears that quite a few Coalition MPs may be considering retirement halfway through their present term of office and might look to big business to provide them with a lucrative second career, I also cannot see them deciding to bite the hands they hope will feed them in the future.

When it comes to the Coalition's response to Rudd's foreshadowed industrial relations changes, it's likely to be a case of right-wing leopards and spots.

John Howard, the Grunge who stole Christmas

Due to John Howard's stubborn insistence on a late six-week election campaign, up to 500 ministerial staffers will lose their jobs just a month out from Christmas.

You really were a piece of work, John!

"Opps! I accidentally took that Sidney Nolan sketch", said departing MP

The Secretary of the Department of Parliamentary Services at her most diplomatic.

"Ms Penfold said many offices in the sprawling Parliament house were hung with significant artworks belonging to the national collection and on loan to MPs to decorate offices.

Pictures could also be inadvertently taken in the clean-up, she told local radio."

The Australian yesterday:
 http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22836567-12377,00.html

The only Nat I know who would try to milk a bull

In The Age on Monday the Nationals were casting about for issues to raise and casting doubt generally.

"Senator Joyce also raised concern about the future of rural issues under Labor, questioning whether any Labor frontbenchers had a country background."

The Age article:
 http://www.theage.com.au/news/federal-election-2007-news/dismayed-nationals-doubting-alps-country-credentials/2007/11/25/1195975872454.html

 

Come on, Barnaby. Time for a reality check. The National Party is now littered of business men who wouldn't have any idea of what it was like to farm the land.

Take your recently unsuccessful candidate Chris Gulaptis. About the only time he steps on rural land is to survey it for subdivision into urban lots.

 

Looks like the Nationals are running up the white flag

In the aftermath of its crushing loss in Saturday's election it's good to see some members of the Coalition have a bit of a sense of humour. How else could the suggestion that Luke Hartsuyker, the National Party member who is struggling to retain the seat of Cowper, nominates for the position of deputy leader of the Nats be viewed?

What's that? You don't believe such a ludicrous proposition could be aired in public because it would frighten the horses, cattle and little children?

See the publication of this very idea for yourself at
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/national/its-time-for-generational-change-vaile/2007/11/26/1196036812247.html

Google Trends begins to chart Howard's exit from world stage

The red line in this graph represents global Google searches for Kevin Rudd and the other represents searches for John Howard.

For the first time since Google Trends began, John Howard has lost dominance in these comparative search term trends for Australian political identities.
Google Trends:
http://www.google.com/trends?q=%22john+howard%22%2C+%22kevin++rudd%22&ctab=0&geo=all&date=mtd&sort=0

Business sector decides it's now time to worry about The Greens?

Inside Retailing shows post-election ambivalence towards John Howard, is cautious of Kevin Rudd, and worries that its once favourite political party the Liberals may now be locked out of government by The Greens.

Another amusing moment this week.

 

"The boot is now on the other foot with no viable parties on the right to weigh in with preferences for coalition candidates but with the Greens, on the left, electing Labor candidates with their preferences.
It is dangerous to predict too far ahead in politics as there are always twists and turns but the Greens ascendancy, an ageing party support base and business and industry leaders less partisan in their political charity all make the road ahead for the Liberals a steep climb."
Inside Retailing Online yesterday:

http://www.insideretailing.com.au/articles-page.aspx?articleType=ArticleView&articleId=1761

The Greens have earned their bragging rights

"THE Greens have declared themselves Australia's third-largest political party claiming to have out-performed the Nationals by a "country mile".

The party says it attracted nearly 1.1 million (9.02 per cent) senate votes at Saturday's federal election compared with less than 6 per cent for the Nationals.

News.com.au yesterday:
 http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22830818-29277,00.html

 

The Greens have certainly earned bragging rights after election night, and as a number of new Labor MPs in the House of Representatives gained their seats on the back of Green preferences, the incoming Rudd Government will ignore this party at its own future electoral peril.

 

WorkChoices may have been a principal concern of the Australian electorate last Saturday, but worry and alarm over climate change ran a very close second.

 

Technical aspects of ratifying the Kyoto Protocol are going to take some time to organise, so Federal Labor needs to hit the ground running with regard to domestic climate change mitigation measures.

 

The Rudd Government also needs to urgently consider facing down Monsanto acolytes in the agricultural sector and working towards a national permanent ban on genetically modified crops. In the meantime supporting state governments who have moratoriums on these crops and bringing Victoria back into line on this issue should be a priority. 

The Age on Monday:

http://www.theage.com.au/news/national/labor-mps-fight-to-keep-gm-ban/2007/11/26/1196036811771.html

 

Brand new Opposition begins its early whiteant campaign

It didn't take that NSW North Coast Nats more than a matter of hours to decide that the reason they lost Page and Richmond at Saturday's federal election was not the calibre of Nationals candidates or the party's history in government. No, it was because the election was run as a 'presidential' campaign which personally pitted each Nats candidate against the Labor candidate Kevin Rudd. 

A rumour is now spreading that the Rudd Government intends to raise the GST to 15% as soon as possible. Give you one guess as to the source. Twitter and bisted little losers aren't they?

It wasn't just the Libs, Nats and Democrats who failed at this federal election - the Christian Democratic Party bombed also

Gordon Moyes analysis yesterday of the Christian Democratic Party's failure to gain ground on 24 November 2007.

"We have moved too far to the right in conservative terms. We have become an extremist group.-----

We appear to be obscurantist and unthinking people as well as being unchristian. Christian leaders have almost without exception rejected us.-----

Our founder, Rev Fred Nile, is 75 and has outlived most of his strongest supporters. No political party anywhere still has a leader of that age.-----

We must be ruthlessly honest about the reasons for our losses instead of banning post election analysis or covering it with spin and gloss."

Gordon Moyes editorial:

 http://www.gordonmoyes.com/2007/11/26/learning-from-our-federal-election-failure/

 

It seems that some in this faith-based party are finally willing to squarely face the mirror, but will it really change for the better?

 

The West Australian thinks it knew something about Page

This was in The West Australian on Sunday.

 

"Nationals candidate Chris Gulaptis' vote collapsed as Labor's Janelle Saffin captured a swing of 9.31 per cent. The seat is still in doubt today and a recount is likely."

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=28&ContentID=48263

 

Seems rather a strange view of the situation as voters in Page are under the impression that Gulaptis conceded defeat on election night. Could it be that Chris still has some enthusiastic relatives left in WA who were giving out with an overly optimistic view of his chances or did he briefly flirt with the idea of trying to recant his acceptance of defeat?

Spare a thought for voter fatigue in Queensland this week

Yesterday the Australian Electoral Commission announced that the promised plebiscites on council amalgamations will begin in 85 local government areas across Queensland this week.

Thankfully the approximately 700,000 eligible people on the electoral roll will all receive ballot papers by mail.

Closing time for return of these postal votes is 2pm Friday 7 December for Caboolture, Caloundra, Gold Coast, Noosa, Pine Rivers and Redcliffe Councils.  The closing time for the other 79 Councils is 2pm on Friday 14 December 2007. 

 

Voting in these plebiscites is not compulsory, so I'm wondering if voter fatigue will cause a large number of Queenslanders to ignore this ballot now that John Howard is no longer around to gee them on.

The Federal Coalition is in such disarray that I don't think it has even noticed that this vote is underway. The plebiscites have all but lost their wedge factor anyway. 

Did my ears deceive me?

Did I really heard Tony Abbott last night telling the world that he would make a great Liberal Party leader because he had relatively good people skills?

And did I also catch the sound of a business group spokesperson calmly opining that the Howard Government had actually been too right-wing?

I know I witnessed the cock crowing thrice as a number of Coalition members sought to deny policy which they had previously said was set in stone and vital for the future of Australia.

Ah, strange fruit is beginning to grow in the orchards of those who had thought the former Howard Government electorally invincible.

Drop the hanky

It's not so much a matter of simply asking who will be the new head honcho of lurks, perks and jerks in the dishevelled Liberal Party (of course, most of those needy, greedy buggers really require the public funding associated with their positions of public office because they're obviously down to their last bits of folding money), but rather how many of the sore losers now find that being in Opposition is simply too much of a burden.

Naturally enough, "family" now comes first, so rather than occupy the benches to the left of the Speaker, there'll be a rush to the exit doors because all of a sudden Family First is the flavour of the day.

How strange! Their altruism with respect to the public interest and the concept of the 'common good' was only applicable when they were in office.

Real democracy demands the government of the day is challenged by an opposition that is capable of being a genuinely viable alternative. The Lib AND Nat MPs who'll decamp as quick as a wink will say it all. Their commitment was self-centred.

Now, for something totally radical ... could all members of the Coalition who have no intentions of going the full distance to the next federal election on the Opposition benches please raise their hands right now.

Let's set one day aside in the New Year for all the by-elections. That'll assist the AEC - it can conduct all the fill-in-the-spots on one day. The savings in advertising and administrative costs will fund a new hospital.

Unfortunately, April Fools Day doesn't fall on a Saturday in 2008.

How the newspapers saw North Coast election victory: Labor landslide hits Richmond and Page

In The Daily Examiner today "Shellshocked Gulaptis camp closes ranks":

"Down the road, in the Nationals camp, a little before 7pm and with barely one per cent of the vote counted, Page Nationals campaign director Murray Lees leaned towards Mr. Gulaptis and advised 'we're in trouble'.

Standing in his Lismore campaign office, surrounded by about 20 volunteers and party faithful, Mr. Chris Gulaptis still had some reason to hope Ms Saffin's early lead might be reversed, but it was a bad start.

"It's going to be tight", Mr. Gulaptis said.

Half an hour later, and with two per cent of the votes in, the tears streaming from wife Vicki Gulaptis' eyes said it all...Mr. Gulaptis and his campaign party watched in horror as polling booth after polling booth were lost to Labor."

 

In The Northern Star today:

"THERE were scenes of jubilation at the headquarters of Richmond MP Justine Elliot on Saturday night as Labor recorded a landslide victory at the polls.

Ms Elliot, who retained her seat, put on beer and pizza at low-key celebrations at her South Tweed campaign office as polls started emerging in her favour. Labor supporters had spent much of the evening quietly dissecting the televised election coverage.

However, the subdued celebrations soon turned rowdy as news of Labor's decisive win filtered through the crowd.

Supporters erupted in spontaneous applause and cheers when Labor officially declared victory about 8."

The Northern Star articles on Richmond and Page today:

http://www.northernstar.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3756412&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=
 http://www.northernstar.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3756414&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=

http://www.northernstar.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3756413&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=

 

"The Nationals once held all five coastal seats in NSW north of Newcastle, but now hold only two. In the northern NSW seat of Page, where the Nationals MP, Ian Causley, had retired, the former upper house Labor MP, Janelle Saffin, won with a swing of more than 8 per cent.

"People here had been expressing their desire for change throughout the election," she said. "From what I saw, the Nationals had really lost touch. We see ourselves as a rural area. But the Nationals just weren't having the conversation that the people wanted: on the cost of living, on Work Choices, health and education."

The Sydney Morning Herald article yesterday:

http://www.smh.com.au/news/national/nationals-fortunes-at-lowest-ebb/2007/11/25/1195975871057.html

Brendan Nelson tipped for leadership? Heaven help the Coalition!

"FORMER defence minister Brendan Nelson is being tipped by Liberal Party insiders as the next leader of the opposition, one of Australia's biggest bookmakers says.

Neil Evans, analyst and media chief with Centrebet, said he had today been told by "a well placed and reliable Liberal party source" that Mr Nelson would be asked to take on the leadership."

Herald Sun report yesterday:

http://www.news.com.au/heraldsun/story/0,21985,22818399-662,00.html

 

This is the same politician who has made such a botch of being Minister for Defence. Is nobody in the Liberal Party remembering the various blunders this man has overseen? Multinational defence contractors appear to see this minister coming from a mile off. Surely this says something about Nelson's judgement or lack thereof.

Sad to see you leave, come back soon

In the midst of celebrations over the demise of the Howard Government I'm a little sad to see the Australian Democrats on their way out the political backdoor.

It was always hard to keep faith with this party once Meg Lees had betrayed us all over the GST, but Natasha Stott-Despoja was worth hanging in there for, and her previously announced retirement meant that the Democrats has little left to offer during this last federal election campaign.

Howard's media cheer leaders change their tune now there's a new boy going to The Lodge

Yes, a week is definitely a long time in politics and for some journalists one special day can change their tune completely.

 

It's all Howard's fault and "Work Choices was his fatal obsession and climate change his historic oversight." cries Glenn Milne. Then he goes on to lament that "Lazarus with a triple bypass" has reached from just beyond the point of political extinction to achieve his ultimate personal aim; denying Peter Costello his chance to lead the Liberal Party.

There is only one conclusion here; Howard has likely incinerated two generations of Liberal leadership on the bonfire of his own vanity. The most accurate statement the outgoing prime minister made in his concession speech on Saturday night was that he "owed the Liberal Party more than the Liberal Party owed him".

The Australian Milne articles yesterday:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22818328-33435,00.html

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22819422-5014047,00.html

 

Piers Akerman pontificates that it is all Howard's fault because "The exit polls from yesterday's election would indicate that Mr Howard's decision to hang onto the prime ministership last year may have played a major factor in his government's defeat."

The Daily Telegraph Akerman article yesterday:

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/opinion/story/0,22049,22816512-5001031,00.html

 

Howard is all but ignored by a reborn Dennis Shanahan who gives an upbeat opinion on the new Prime Minister-elect under the headline "New PM on the edge of greatness".

The Australian Shanahan article today:

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22820719-17301,00.html

 

Janet Albrechtsen is yet to publish this week, but I bet her piece will be a doozey.

Lismore's Northern Star called for Howard's End

Although the election's done and dusted, it would be remiss of this site not to make special mention of Lismore's Northern Star, which came out strongly in its editorial on election day. Its editor, Russell Eldridge, wrote:

"We endorse the view that it is time for change. It is time to vote out a Government that has no case for re-election and is leading this country down an increasingly narrow, selfish and short-sighted path.

Read the editorial at:
http://www.northernstar.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3756359&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=

Well done, Northern Star!

Day after election debacle Libs go from bad to worse

This morning Peter Costello announced that he wasn't willing to stand for the now vacant position of Leader of the Liberal Party in Opposition.

This afternoon Malcolm Turnbull put up his hand for this job.Brian Loughnane, federal director of the party, is saying today that the Liberal Party is not in disarray, but one has to wonder if it has a death wish.

Malcolm Turnbull appears to have still unresolved matters concerning his alleged misleading of the HIH insurance group in the two years leading up to its spectacular $100 million plus collapse.

It would not be a good look for a Liberal Party leader to have a judgment for significant damages found against himself and eight others including Rodney Adler. If nothing else this legal matter will be before the court well into the second year of this parliament.

If the Liberal Party looked elsewhere for its leader, where would that be?
Tony Abbott's mouthings would be likely to immediately bring the party into disrepute and if uttered during a doorstop interview might see him in court.
Alexander Downer's inane giggle would quickly become as grating as Peter Costello's famous smirk, and the AWB scandal would continue to haunt him.
Phillip Ruddock is perceived by the electorate as cold-hearted and careless of the rule of law.
The list can go on and on.

There is no real chance of generational change in the Federal Liberal Party - it is still composed of the usual suspects.

The Age June 2007 article on Turnbull and HIH:
http://www.theage.com.au/news/business/turnbull-adler-to-face-530m-hih-damages-claim/2007/06/22/1182019371254.html
The Brisbane Times November 2007 article on Turnbull and HIH:
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/news/business/adler-could-face-more-suits/2007/11/06/1194329223879.html?s_cid=rss_business
News.com.au article today and Loughnane:
http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22818207-29277,00.html

The morning after the election night before

Well the fat lady sang early last night and Australia now has an incoming Labor federal government, with the Nationals no longer able to dominate on the North Coast of New South Wales.

Neither Sue Page or Chris Gulaptis can console themselves with the thought that it was merely a national electoral swing which saw them fail to win the seats of Richmond and Page.

Gulaptis in particular was reaping the results of his develop-unsustainably-and-damn-local-quality-of-life voting pattern; first a Maclean shire councillor and mayor and later as a Clarence Valley shire councillor.

Wish me luck as you wave me goodbye

John Winston Howard conceded electoral defeat on behalf of his government late last night.

It is expected that he will eventually be forced to also concede defeat as the Liberal Member for Bennelong.

Make no mistake, despite his long time in Parliament and as a holder of the office of Prime Minister, this man deserved to go.

Australia was not only tired of Howard and his Coalition Government, it was increasingly afraid of being governed by these neo-fascist bullies.

The majority of Australians were afraid of both where he had taken our country and where he might lead it in the future.

It was obvious as he spoke last night that John Howard hopes that history will treat him kindly. He does not deserve a generous re-writing of history and Australia cannot afford to forget just how close it came to having its character and culture irreparably distorted and corrupted by this now outgoing Federal Government.

Labor wins 2 out of 3 NSW North Coast seats

Justine Elliot retains the seat of Richmond for Federal Labor. This strong win was never in doubt from very early on in the vote count.

Janelle Saffin gains the seat of Page for Federal Labor. Her comfortable win was buttressed by Green preferences.

Luke Hartsuyker retains the seat of Page for the Federal Nationals. His seat remained officially a close call for some part of election night but he pulled ahead to a winning position midway through.

 

None of these seats have been officially declared by the Australian Electoral Commission at the time of posting. However the results are not in doubt.

The Howard Government is gone, gone, gone....

and I'm so glad, glad, glad!

Australia votes 2007: AEC Virtual Tally Room and ABC election coverage online links

Australian Electoral Commission Virtual Tally Room federal election vote count from 7,700 polling stations across the country, with information across 1,200 pages and updates every 90 seconds beginning after 6pm:

http://www.aec.gov.au/index.htm

 

Australian Broadcasting Corporation website:

http://www.abc.net.au/elections/federal/2007/

Last word from local media as the NSW North Coast heads to the ballot box

"IT would take a brave, almost reckless, bet to try and pick the likely election winner in Page.

A poll in The Daily Examiner two weeks ago hints at a Labor win in the contest between Labors Janelle Saffin and the Nationals Chris Gulaptis in Page, but points to a result so tight that it could easily go either way.-----

The other party to watch in the counting tonight and tomorrow is The Greens. The party has run an unusually vigorous campaign in Richmond, largely due to the efforts of its candidate there, Giovanni Ebono."

The Daily Examiner full article today:
 http://www.dailyexaminer.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3756341&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=

 

"THE choice for Australia's 13 million voters today is to stay with a familiar team, or vote for change.

We endorse the view that it is time for change. It is time to vote out a Government that has no case for re-election and is leading this country down an increasingly narrow, selfish and short-sighted path.

Kevin Rudd's Labor team has recognised the best features of John Howard's Coalition policies and kept them, chief among them being economic responsibility and stability.

But the differences that Labor offers are fundamental.-----

Our foreign policy has spilled into domestic affairs. The Government drafted internal security laws befitting an old-style Communist state and the public is encouraged by TV advertising into paranoid neighbourhood spying. Is this the sort of Australia we want?

Mr Rudd's team is yet to be tried, but if elected today it will know that Australians are looking for a new style of leadership, one which will encourage fairness and open-mindedness. It will need to be leadership that allows this country to breathe again."

The Northern Star editorial opinion today:

http://www.northernstar.com.au/localnews/storydisplay.cfm?storyid=3756359&thesection=localnews&thesubsection=&thesecondsubsection=

Last minute campaign stupidity leaves 'em laughing: Robb on GetUp!

The Liberal Party's Andrew Robb once again makes us laugh as he attacks GetUP!

 

He forgot to factor in the high non-response rate of Coalition candidates in some electorates. If candidates didn't register their responses to the questionnaire it would be nigh impossible for the online computerised How Should I Vote? program to throw up their names in response.

Something that everyone on the NSW North Coast who tried this program would be well aware of, as local Nationals candidates also appear to have ignored this possibility.

 

When Andrew Robb couldn't get the computer program to advise him to vote for himself, he ran to the media with: "This outrageous website is likely to deceive thousands of voters, especially young voters who are genuinely seeking information from the internet".

 

The response was measured.

"Getup! executive director Brett Solomon said most Liberal candidates and the party had not submitted policy details for the site, meaning they were listed randomly after those who did.

"The system itself does not allow for parties that don't complete the form to have a rating because there's no data," he said."

 

Truly Andrew, you've excelled yourself at introducing last minute red herrings this week.

GetUp! didn't shoot you in the foot - you did that all by yourself.

 

GetUp! and Robb article:  

http://www.news.com.au/story/0,23599,22812209-29277,00.html

Federal Election 2007: finally, it's your call

After such a long election campaign and an even longer pseudo-campaign before that, Australia finally votes today. I find myself torn between the hope that the country will vote wisely and a fear that John Howard will be returned to power.

 

For those earlybirds out there who may share this fear - a collection of online headlines from around the map.

 

"Finally, it's your poll call"

http://www.theage.com.au/news/federal-election-2007-news/finally-its-your-poll-call/2007/11/23/1195753307345.html?page=fullpage#contentSwap1

 

"Howard braces for brush-off"

http://www.theage.com.au/news/federal-election-2007-news/howard-braces-for-brushoff/2007/11/23/1195753307367.html

 

"Money on Labor, but more bets on Coalition"

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=145&ContentID=48142

 

"We stand behind a man of our state and our times"

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22805578-13360,00.html

 

"Key cog in Liberal fortunes"

http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,22799944-13360,00.html

 

"Libs stage late surge"

http://www.news.com.au/mercury/story/0,22884,22808142-921,00.html

 

"Turnbull threatens byelection if he loses"

http://www.smh.com.au/news/federal-election-2007-news/turnbull-threatens-byelection-if-he-loses/2007/11/23/1195753310946.html

 

"Sweet taste of defeat"

http://www.news.com.au/dailytelegraph/story/0,22049,22810080-5001031,00.html

 

"PM hopes those polls were just joshin' with us"

http://blogs.theaustralian.news.com.au/spincycle/index.php/theaustralian/comments/pm_hopes_those_polls_were_just_joshin_with_us

Campaign over, election day here - gone fishin'

Having voted early, I intend to spend today in the pleasurable pursuit of a feed of fish. At least John Howard and his mates have yet to find a way to spoil a day on the river.

Some writer bloke once said Australia is a lucky country, run by second-rate people who share its luck.

I hope that while I'm casting my line today, Australia will prove him wrong and the Howard Government will be voted out of office.

Uncle Johnny wants you!

The country needs John Winston Howard. He told you so at the beginning of this election campaign when he realised that all was not well with the polls.
John Howard needs you. He told you so after the polls failed to bounce and he began to despair.
The real question is - do you really need John Howard?
Come tomorrow, will Australia get the government it deserves or will it get Howard & Costello. It's up to you.

Silly sods still exist in Howard's mates club

Senator Bill Heffernan has the reputation of being a colourful character, renown on the NSW North Coast for introducing himself over the phone as "the Devil" and treating local journalists to his views on proctology issues. However, colourful is one thing - downright bizarre is another.

From http://www.crikey.com.au/ yesterday.
"Accounts diverge, but what’s not disputed is that the New South Wales Senator was a passenger on a Qantas service from Canberra to Brisbane. It was early evening, shortly after sunset. The flight landed hard. Teeth slappingly hard. The pilot in charge decided to perform a full-power go-around. The jet made a second, normal landing. Crikey understands it was inspected for any damage and passed as fit to return to service. Qantas promptly and correctly filed a safety incident report with the Air Transport Safety Bureau. All over? Apparently not. On landing Heffernan presented himself to the pilots in the plane. He allegedly made impolitic remarks and represented himself as a Civil Aviation Safety Authority officer. A meeting was then hastily convened in the Chairman’s Lounge with the Qantas duty manager to discuss events, with the Senator insisting the aircraft concerned be grounded pending a full inspection. Heffernan disputes the account. “This is complete sh-t mate,” the former Parliamentary Secretary to Cabinet told Crikey. “They knew who I f-cking was, it was on the f-cking ticket, Senator Bill f-cking Heffernan. “I presented myself as the chairman of the Senate Rural and Regional Affairs and Transport Committee, who do all the investigations.” Heffernan denies the alternative account. “They are telling you f-cking lies,” he said. “Why do you people run this sh-t? You’re as bad as the f-cking Chaser. You’ve got to retract it and f-cking apologise, or fair dinkum I’ll f-cking go you.” Heffernan denies any confrontation in the Chairman’s Lounge. “I requested the f-cking meeting.” He added “If I ever run across you, you f-cking better … you’re f-cking gone mate.” CASA seemed to be anticipating Crikey’s call. We were told that it is not a specific offence to impersonate a CASA officer. There is, Crikey understands, a provision in the Commonwealth Crimes Act which defines the impersonation of a Commonwealth officer as a criminal offence, for which the maximum penalty is two years' jail."

One more sleep until polling day and the real nightmare begins

Basic Newspoll details released by The Australian at 4pm today.
Results for Friday 23 November 2007.
Coalition 48 ttp
Labor 52 ttp
The Australian basic timeline breakdown:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/files/poll.gif
Dennis Shanahan begins to hope for his little mate:
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22808891-601,00.html

Political donors to 2007 federal election campaign won't be revealed until 2009

The lengthy time lag, which sees donors to political parties not publicly revealed until almost 14 months into an Australian federal government's term, has got to stop.

Not only does this time lag make a mockery of political transparency, after polling day it leaves us still wondering exactly what The Exclusive Brethren called themselves this year if/when they helped underwrite the Howard election campaign or how much Malcolm Turnbull personally splurged to keep Coalition candidates afloat.

The Age article yesterday:
 http://www.theage.com.au/news/federal-election-2007-news/political-donors-to-be-revealed-in-2009/2007/11/22/1195321917699.html

One response to Howard's last ditch campaigning

The Age readers poll.

 

Howard's way
Is Australia 'stronger, prouder, more prosperous' than it was in 1996?
Yes - 22% No - 78% Total Votes: 1355