Well JWH may not yet be officially gawn, but if I was a bookie, I’d be real nervous about taking too much exposure on Labor winning. This time its not a fat lady, but a ghostly Pavarotti who reminds us what singing truly is. Memo: Must remember Pavarotti arias cd for election night party.

Because these last few days look to have finished Howard. He’s lost that crucial few percent of voters who take no real interest in politics but go with personality nuances like whether they are likely to win or lose. As for the industrial relations policy with the name that can’t be mentioned, I can see it being added to the Politics 101 syllabus, perhaps under the heading ‘How to alienate the constituency.’ For some reason I keep wanting to type the word ‘GAWN’.

But with the advent of Rudd, Howard is a necessary evil who’s no longer necessary!

One thing I’ll say for JWH. His taste in ties is infinitely better than Ruddie or Costello’s. (Sometimes I wonder if Pete has more than 3 ties)

THE embattled Australian Democrats are to be deregistered in the Australian Capital Territory because of a plunge in its membership.

Democrats leader Lyn Allison admitted membership had fallen across the board, and blamed the media for presenting the party's demise as a foregone conclusion.

News of the deregistration came as a Morgan Poll yesterday found minor parties may take control of the Senate after the federal election, to be called within weeks.

The July-August survey of more than 7200 voters across all states found Labor would take 17 Senate seats, the Coalition 13, and the minor parties six. But Labor's gains would not give it majority control of the upper house, with only half of the Senate up for re-election.

The Democrats were long-term holders of the balance of power before suffering a major setback in the 2004 election, when their representation was slashed to four. The Greens have gained popularity in the same period and now are ahead of the Democrats.

Last month, Elections ACT called for objections to its intention to deregister the Democrats, for the ACT elections only, on the ground the party's membership did not meet the minimum limit of 100. Elections ACT confirmed yesterday that no objections had been received when the objection period closed on Thursday. It would now move to formalise the deregistration.

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,22382056-11949,00.html

I was under the impression that once the writs were issued the only way something could be done would be if the Opportsition agreed, gee could be Howard’s wedgie attempt at Rudd.

That’s what I thought, hence the reason why the bills won’t be law in time for the Election.

I thought this happened often. Don’t they just get the govenor general’s deputy to give the assent if the GG is elsewhere (i.e. polishing his saber).

Actually I think once the writs are issued everything legislatively stops as I believe you can’t seperate the writs, unless Howard decides to only hold a HoR election on one date and delay the half senate election till a later date.

I’m pretty sure those who are familiar on such constitutional matters like Adam etc may wish to comment on this.

“BTW fellow pollbludgers, this is Shane Easson, the former Chief of Staff to former NSW Premier Barrie Unsworth…”

Hope you weren’t the bloke who picked-out his cardigans for him.

Sorry. My attempt at humour.

Pleased to meet you and Welcome.

(BTW It’s actually not that stupid a comment. I did know-Biblically and otherwise-one of John Winston’s early minders. Poor woman had to pick out the old coot’s ties for him before they shoved him in front of a camera as hit taste left something to be desired). AAAh. The old days………….

But there is still the problem of getting assent if the legislation is passed on late Thursday night - I don’t think the GG would appreciate being pressured to give assent urgently for what basically is political legislation, as opposed to anything due to war etc, if you get my mangled drift.

I thought this happened often. Don’t they just get the govenor general’s deputy to give the assent if the GG is elsewhere (i.e. polishing his saber).