Reflections on the Miracle of Democracy at Work in the Greatest Nation on Earth

Monthly Archives: May 2006

Till death us do part

Monday, May 29, 2006 – 5:00 am

It’s been a long-standing article of faith at this site that Queensland state politics will be dominated by Labor until the Liberals elbow the Nationals aside and assume their rightful place as the senior coalition partner. But given the Nationals’ use of their institutional dominance to defend the status quo, it was hard to see [...]

By William Bowe | Posted in General | Comments (13)

Changing of the guard

Monday, May 15, 2006 – 3:30 am

Piers Akerman of the Daily Telegraph has thrown the cat among the pigeons by reporting that "political minds with close ties to the Howard camp" are talking of an "elegant departure" by the Prime Minister at the end of the year. Akerman, who for various reasons is known for the quality of his Coalition sources, [...]

By William Bowe | Posted in General | Comments (12)

Rowallan and Wellington live

Saturday, May 6, 2006 – 4:19 pm

WELLINGTON
Primary
Swing
2PP
Swing

LABOR
43.2
-3.4
60.4
0.9

GREENS
26.1
-1.6
39.6
-0.9

Marti Zucco
14.4
-

Christian Democratic
5.3
-

Paul Hiscutt
8.1
-

Stephen Roomes
2.8
-
73% COUNTED

Sunday 4.00pm. The table has been amended to factor in late results and new intelligence on preference flows (thanks Kevin), and also to correct a calculation error that was inflating Labor’s vote after preferences.
7.38pm. Not sure if they do notional preference counts on election night – I could forgive them [...]

By William Bowe | Posted in Tasmanian Periodical Elections | Comments (17)

The f*ckin’ legend of Jeff Kennett

Friday, May 5, 2006 – 7:58 pm

The Jeff Kennett will-o’-the-wisp came and went before I had the opportunity to comment on it. Long-time Kennett antagonist Stephen Mayne surveyed the damage in today’s Crikey email:
Late this morning, after less than a day of frenzied speculation, Jeff Kennett formally withdrew from the Victorian Liberal Party leadership race. Which is the worst possible outcome [...]

By William Bowe | Posted in Victorian Election 2006 | Comments (13)