Comments on: Three for all

By: Crystal

Crystal — Thu, 17 Apr 2008 23:47:52 +0000

A shift away from the favoured candidate, the ALP has now preselected Darren McCubbin, who only joined the party on Wednesday! It seems the ‘faceless men’ were slightly concerned that Rowe would be tarnished by recent events in her personal life…

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,23558195-5013404,00.html

By: Kevin Rennie

Kevin Rennie — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:33:28 +0000

I am overwhelmed that Peter EI MacGuaran has no sense of irony, not to mention shame. How could any one forgetEquine flu: not responsible... again! Now he's planning a future in the thoroughbred industry. Beggars belief!

By: Michael Gorey

Michael Gorey — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:14:34 +0000

Bert, I think would Craig would struggle because he won’t have support in Sale, Traralgon or Morwell where two thirds of the voters live.

By: Bert

Bert — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 12:01:01 +0000

Michael.
If Craig Ingram decided to run, how would you rate his chances?

By: george

george — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 11:46:00 +0000

and then Chester could use that to set himself up for Gippsland East 2010 perhaps?

By: Michael Gorey

Michael Gorey — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 10:54:46 +0000

I grew up in this area and claim to know something about it.

Sale will vote National even if a rabbit is the candidate.

East Gippsland will vote for who they think is the best conservative candidate, providing they’re not Liberal or all rabbits.

Morwell/Churchill will vote Labor unless a rabbit is the Labor candidate.

Traralgon will vote for the best local candidate.

Hence: a strong candidate from Traralgon has the best chance regardless of which party they represent. The Nats won Morwell at the state election (against the odds) because their candidate Russell Northe had played for the Maroons (local footy team).

I hear all the noise for Darren Chester and agree he’s very competent, but in my view Peter Hall MLC would be more likely to win, thereby creating a vacancy for Chester in the state Upper House.

By: gbt

gbt — Sat, 05 Apr 2008 00:40:43 +0000

There was essentially no swing in Bairnsdale though.

Rowe is not that popular.

By: Bert

Bert — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 22:06:21 +0000

David, most of these poor performances have been because of the state party. Not the feds.
At state level the east has always been conservative.
Also, now we have the ALP in power federally, they can porkbarrell in gippsland, something they havent been able to do for 12 years.

By: David Walsh

David Walsh — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 20:25:17 +0000

A concerted local campaign is hardly an essential component if the swing is on. How much resources would have been poured into Dawson, Leichhardt and Forde?

Besides, if Labor can step up their involvement at this by-election then so too can the Coalition.

I am not saying the by-election won’t be close. But recent election results in the region do not provide Labor with great cause for optimism.

By: otiose

otiose — Fri, 04 Apr 2008 18:58:52 +0000

Rod Says:
April 4th, 2008 at 2:13 am

McGauran is taking a job with the Thoroughbred Breeders.

Rod,

An AQIS officer, recently in my taxi, declared that McGauran (as Minister) refused to accept departmental recommendations as to quarantine costs, under duress from the Thoroughbred Breeders. The figures he quoted amounted to less than $20/day in quarantine. Mebee the impending release of the investigation has played a part in McGauran’s decision to spit the dummy