IT’S OOOOOOOOOON

Carps definitely scared of Cuddly Colin

I always felt, growing up in WA, that it was a very Liberal state, but J-D is right in that it has had periods of conservative and ALP governments, whether we consider the last Court govt as an interregnum or as a return to previous pattern might help. When Richard Court was in things seemed to turn back to the bad old days of old style Liberal govt of “if it moves, shoot it; if it doesn’t, mine it”, but Gallop was a genuine change. I disliked Burke because he was, frankly, dishonest and corrupt, but still, much good also came from his government. Gallop steadied the ship, was a good premier, and allowed significant developments to go ahead but not at the expense of communities. Carpenter appears to be in the same mould, if a tad more conservative.

WA would then appear to be an inherently conservative state (which is not necessarily Liberal). The odd policy mix of One Nation seemed to do well, linked as it was to protectionism and conservatism, and the ALP in WA has also seemed to be centre-right govt. The issue for the Liberals is that they really haven’t had a lot of places to go, policy-wise, to differentiate themselves. Barnett’s canal was an attempt to provide a radical policy solution to break this nexus, but was a VERY dumb idea. But this shouldn’t mean that Barnett, portrayed as a safe pair of hands, middle-of-the-road kinda guy wont get up this time either. The redistribution works against him this time, but in future could well deliver a Liberal govt not reliant on the Nats.

Why not take the largest possible sample? The first Western Australian election which was clearly a two-sided contest between Liberal and Labor was in 1905. If we start the count with that one, we have a total of thirty-two elections, and each side has won sixteen.

Barnett needs to start thinking on a national scale, not just WA.

A canal from the Kimberleys through Alice Springs down to the Murray. Could then float barges laden with goods from the Alice down to Adelaide and Melbourne, save on transport costs, solve the Murray water crisis, bring water to the Gippsland basin,across to NSW. Cubby can also keep their water.

He needs to get the lib leaders in SA, Vic, NSW, QLD and federally on board.

“Mr Buswell is expected to get a key portfolio, possibly Treasury, despite his chair-sniffing scandal. Mr Barnett said he had immense ability and could win back community confidence.”

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24140133-5006789,00.html

LABOR'S dark past with Brian Burke and its economic management will be the centrepiece of new Liberal leader Colin Barnett's bid to oust the Carpenter Government at the West Australian election, tipped for October.

Mr Barnett was unanimously elected yesterday to lead the Liberals out of the turmoil generated by Troy Buswell, who resigned on Monday.

Laying out his battle plan, the new leader said the election would be about good government. "In the past four years, five Labor ministers have been either sacked or stood down," he said.

Three of those ministers lost their jobs over links to Mr Burke and his business partner Julian Grill.

"How could we really in Western Australia consider re-electing for another four years a government where one-third of the members of cabinet had to stand down? They were ministers. They had executive power, they had control over the finances of the state."

http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24140133-5006789,00.html

Inside State believes that the polling had the Liberals winning in four marginal seats polled. In the litmus seat of Bunbury, held for the Liberals by former mayor John Castrilli, the Liberals are believed to have recorded a whopping 60-40 two-party preferred result.

Hmm, I wonder if Swan Hills was one of the other 4 marginals polled, which would add weight to the parachuting of Barnett into the seat if Deidre refused to budge ?

The West also reports Constable has “agreed to join forces with the Liberals at the next election”, but has ruled out joining the party. However, there doesn’t seem to be any meat on these bones beyond the fact that she will be “involved with the campaign”. That she would support a minority Liberal government was never in doubt. The report quotes Constable speculating on the possibility of her joining cabinet and citing the Karlene Maywald precedent, but there’s not much to the story unless she gets a concrete offer.

Liz has always said she’d support a Minority Liberal Govt, it was even speculated she would at the last election as well.

So basically there is nothing new to report from Robert Taylor then ?