Comments on: Seat du jour: Wentworth

By: Stephen L

Stephen L — Sat, 06 Oct 2007 02:52:21 +0000

I always thought that Wentworth would swing much less than the rest of NSW, and Labor would only win if it was a real landslide across Sydney. Never saw it as anywhere near as likely to fall as Bennelong.

However, I do think there is a real chance that the Pulp Mill issue will bite, and for all the fact that Turnbull’s position is effectively identical to Labor, he could end up carrying the can in a protest vote that could see him tipped out.

The claim that he needed to endorse the Mill in order to save the candidate for Bass shows just how out of touch some politicians are. It seems pretty clear that the majority of people in Bass oppose the Mill, and with increasing strength. Some might resent national intervention, but blocking the Mill would be the only way the Libs could have hoped to save Bass. Turnbull may have cost them two seats with this decision (unless of course Gunns suddenly announces the restrictions are too severe and pulls out, in which case Turnbull will be hailed as a hero).

By: Martin B

Martin B — Fri, 05 Oct 2007 00:48:53 +0000

I note that Lateline picks up errors from this site and then amplifies them

The seat in Sydney’s wealthy eastern suburbs has been held by the Liberal Party since federation.

By: William Bowe

William Bowe — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 02:49:36 +0000

Thank you, George.

By: Stewart J

Stewart J — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 02:40:09 +0000

Hmm, nice to catch up with this next-door-to-my-seat thread (after having no connection for 2 days). Couple of comments: the Eastern Suburbs Your Rights @ Work launch will be tonight at the Bondi Junction-Waverley RSL. That campaign is now leafletting Wenworth. All the coreflutes re Cape York and landclearing are still on poles on the way into Bondi Junction so people can’t say they haven’t heard about that campaign. The pulp mill issues has certainly been canvassed in the Southern Courier (which is Kingsford Smith) and as far as I know in the Wentworth Courier, so todays announcement will get more coverage, with both Greens candidates visiting the mill site last week and doning media concerning it. In some respects Turnbull has trumped Garrett with his “world’s best practice” report (and various recommendations). This is what Garrett had said he would support – does he now do so (and lose by credibility over support a Liberal Minister) or does he attack the decision (and contradict himself).

With respect to a “Jewish vote” – these characterisations are always dubious, but there are some pretty strong networks in the area. Turnbull has tried to work them, but Newhouse has one over him on this.

By: envy

envy — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 01:09:05 +0000

Along with Serfchoice, the Tanmanian Pulp Mill has symbolised the very bad years of the Liberal Party disaster on Australia(not to mention the rest of the world) Now Turnbull’s decision has sealed the fate of the Menziesque Dark Ages.
Looks like Turnbull has positioned himself for a place in the ALP, after the Liberals find themselves in the dustbin of history and never to gain power again, where is a borne to rule millionair going to go?—

By: dembo

dembo — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:54:42 +0000

Approved the mill, quelle surproise

By: dembo

dembo — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:42:58 +0000

In my experience, gay people do not vote according to that aspect of their identity. Turnbull will get his “fair share” of the gay vote simply because gay people vote mostly Liberal and Labor (but favour slightly Labor/Greens).

By: envy

envy — Thu, 04 Oct 2007 00:36:56 +0000

Turnbull’s fate will be decided at a press conferance 10:30am today,
when he makes a decision on th Pulp Mill in Tasmanin.
The fate of the Liberal Party’s future could also be hanging on his decision.
Thats a lot of preasure.

And where is George Newhouse, is he still running in Wentworth?
Ditto where is the great green saviour Peter Garrett?
All is quite on the ALP frount.

By: George

George — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:37:40 +0000

My mention of Potts Point was based on the colour key and the map of the area Mr Bowe. Perhaps I read it incorrectly. In hindsight there are a lot of elderly residents still in the Ruchcutter’s Bay and surrounding areas which may also explain the income levels. Apologies for my hasty analysis.

As for Turnbull’s chances, he certainly has a lot of fanatical supporters in the area. A friend of mine ran a campaign against him at the previous election and the ensuing attempts by Turnbull’s staff and supporters to sabotage our efforts reminded me of the worst that University politics has to offer. They tore down our posters and made up ridiculous slanders that were so transparent as to be laughable. Mr Pooly you are so wrong. There is nothing noble or idealisitc about our Malcolm.

The comments about Turnbull being a better PM than Howard are very flattering of Malcolm T. Mr Turnbull reminds me of the term “all show and no go” I think his leadership would be so poll driven as to make Howard seem like a real leader in comparison. Imagine having a vain, ingratiating used car salesman as a PM and that’s Turnbull. I actually think Costello would be a better PM than he.

By: Albert Ross

Albert Ross — Wed, 03 Oct 2007 22:14:39 +0000

^^^ should read “if St Kev”

Erratum: The ACT electorate is bigger than that of Blacktown City