Here’s two subscriber-only pieces I wrote for Crikey last week. The first is from Friday, and is showing its age only insofar as Centrebet is now offering $3.50 on a Liberal win.
For all that’s been said about the lessons of Northern Territory Labor’s near-defeat a fortnight ago, expectations that Alan Carpenter’s government will be comfortably returned in Western Australia are dying hard.
Saturday’s Newspoll showed 61 per cent of respondents expecting a Labor win, compared with 21 per cent for the Liberals. However, the poll put Labor’s two-party lead at just 51-49, and it was echoed by a 50-50 Westpoll result published the same day in The West Australian. This doesn’t seem to have impressed betting agency Centrebet, which has not revised its starting price of $4.25 for a Liberal win.
With just over a fortnight to go, Labor is taking to such perceptions with an axe. The process began on Wednesday when Alan Carpenter told television reporters his party faced a “knife-edge political situation”, and said he “always believed that we could lose”.
It was ratcheted up a notch yesterday morning when the ABC was told Labor had abandoned its most marginal seat of Kingsley to direct resources where it still had a chance. “Concern” was also expressed over Ocean Reef, Swan Hills, Riverton and Jandakot. The latter was particularly interesting, as just two weeks ago the party was trumpeting a 56-44 lead fuelled by gratitude over the Mandurah railway and Fiona Stanley Hospital projects.
Then came the real bombshell, courtesy of Geof Parry on the Channel Seven news: leaked polling across the five seats showed a swing to the Liberals of 7 per cent, which if consistent would give them 32 seats out of 59 along with another three for the Nationals. This was accompanied by findings that 57 per cent of respondents still expected Labor to win, while only 25 per cent thought the Liberals “ready to govern.
Later in the evening, a Labor candidate using a pseudonym wrote on my blog that the party’s strategy group was “cr-pping itself” over the data, which was “very real” and “not a tactic to scare voters”. Particular concern was expressed over the strategists’ failure to scotch the snowballing perception of Alan Carpenter as “arrogant” — a theme which has developed a life of its own since the early election was announced a fortnight ago.
When respondents to Saturday’s Westpoll survey were asked unprompted to name the single issue that would most influence their vote choice, fully 10 per cent responded with some variation on “Govt/Carpenter arrogance”. The apparent potency of this message has not been lost on the Liberals: the word “arrogant” appears twice, delivered with carefully modulated emphasis, in their latest 30-second radio advertisement.
Of course, the polling leak and accompanying talk of internal panic might just be a ruse to boost Labor’s winning margin rather than avert defeat. On the other hand, the shift to the Liberals recorded in last weekend’s polls was entirely consistent with the anti-Troy Buswell effect that was well understood to be at work in the preceding surveys. We have evidence now that is not merely anecdotal that the perception of arrogance is starting to bite. And those generous odds from Centrebet are still there for the taking.
The second is from Monday: I should add that Wendy Duncan is a better chance than I believed at the time, as she has done very well on the preference tickets.
The range of issues turned up by state elections these days (law and order, hospital waiting lists, water supply) is usually so narrow it can be hard to tell one campaign from the next. Two concerns which don’t often rate a mention are equal opportunity and sexual harassment.
It is an indication of the extraordinary state of affairs in the WA Liberal Party that Labor is pursuing these unconventional lines of attack in its first negative advertising of the state election campaign. Commercial radio audiences are being targeted with ads in which a young girl declares her aspiration to grow up in “a place where women have a voice in the community” and “a society which respects women”. An older female voice then breaks the bad news that the Liberal Party “boys’ club” has “only one woman running in their held seats”, and that “Liberal Shadow Treasurer Troy Buswell thinks it’s funny to play with a woman’s bra in public and to sniff a woman’s chair”.
The two issues are closely related. As well as making him poison in the eyes of women voters, Buswell’s heavily publicised indiscretions clearly presented a stumbling block to the party’s efforts to recruit female candidates. His emergence as leader in January also coincided with the departure of the party’s existing two women in the lower house. Shadow Tourism Minister Katie Hodson-Thomas announced her retirement plans before entering the party room meeting that confirmed Buswell as leader, having earlier complained he had subjected her to “inappropriate” remarks in the presence of male colleagues (she admits to regretting the decision now her long-standing ally Colin Barnett is back at the helm). Shadow Attorney-General Sue Walker quit the party a fortnight later, citing factionalism and her lack of “trust” in Buswell. Walker will attempt to hold her seat of Nedlands as an independent against Bill Marmion, who won Liberal preselection as the only male nominee in a field of four.
One failure at least could be put down to misfortune rather than carelessness. When Barnett announced his retirement in February, the unopposed preselection nominee for his blue-ribbon seat of Cottesloe was Deidre Willmott, policy director for the Chamber of Commerce and Industry and a front-bench shoo-in. Willmott of course was compelled to stand aside when Barnett returned to the leadership a fortnight ago, and could not be persuaded with alternative offers of an upper house seat or a shot against Sue Walker in Nedlands. She has now been appointed chief-of-staff to Barnett and will no doubt take his place in Cottesloe if the Liberals lose the election, although this is not openly acknowledged.
When nominations closed on Friday, it was revealed the Liberals had managed a grand total of six female lower house candidates out of 58. Current polling suggests this will translate into two elected members out of about 24, both marginal seat newcomers with no obvious claim to a position on the front-bench. The situation is only slightly better in the upper house, where the most likely result will be four Liberal women out of 15. The Nationals too are likely to emerge with an all-male complement of three or four lower house MPs plus one in the upper house, unless their existing female MLC Wendy Duncan can pull off an unlikely win in Mining and Pastoral region.
The best Barnett has been able to make of the situation is to offer a front-bench position to Liz Constable, the long-standing independent member for the naturally Liberal western suburbs seat of Churchlands. Constable has been a notable presence alongside Barnett on the campaign trail, despite not yet having had much to say relating to her nominated portfolios of public sector management and government accountability.
178 Comments
Even if raw polling suggests the result will be tight, this might not translate into the required seats. The effect of the (so-called) one vote, one value redistribution was to boost Labor seats at the Liberal’s expense. On the 2005 results, the Libs will need to obtain a 2PP vote of 51.5% to deprive Carpenter of his majority. And then Barnett will need to obtain the support of the Nationals and Independents Walker and Woollard (assuming they win) to govern. A tough ask.
On these figures, Barnett needs more like a 54.0% of the 2PP to govern in his own right.
I don’t doubt Carpenter is in a worse position than Gallop was at the same point in 2005, but I’m still comfortable in putting my money on a Carpenter win. Even if it’s a repeat of 1989 where he loses the majority vote, but hangs on regardless.
That lack of congruency between betting markets and and what purports to be polling figures is very difficult to reconcile. Reinforces the uncertainty and tentativeness noted before.
On another matter, I used to have a strong perception in the olden days, that if you did not vote, you were fined. That perception is now much weaker. This raises a number of questions:
1. Is there a trend where people are simply not turning up to vote?
2. Were there sufficient vote dodgers in the NT to skew the outcomes significantly? In particular, were labor’s losses basically more or less equivalent those who did not turn up? If so, does labor have a turnout problem?
3. In the NT did the sudden election call have an impact on people not having time or the opportunity to register? If so, were these votes that might normally have gone to labour?
4. Are there similar issues (vote dodgers and unregistered voters) that may impact on WA outcomes?
2 “That lack of congruency between betting markets and and what purports to be polling figures is very difficult to reconcile. Reinforces the uncertainty and tentativeness noted before.”
There is another element to this that has not been discussed so far. The punting in the NT was almost exclusively for Labor. Bookies would be keen to get a bit of conservative money into their bags before the money comes for Labor in the WA election.
I really cannot see a Labor loss,
1. Carpenter is so confident he called an election 6 months early
2. The state is booming, unemployment is record low
3. The state has so much money to bribe the electorate
4. The Lib leader has been at his job for 10 days, and was retiring
Labor is too long in the betting
dovif @ 4
Apart from your no 1, which might just as well represent a miscalculation as anything else, your other points would normally be regarded as received wisdom. They are good points. This leaves the alternatives that the polling is way out, or factors other than the usual received wisdom are operating.
Apparently the debating worm went well down on anything negative and up on anything positive about the state and the future.
Maybe the voters are heartily sick of what they regard as a choice that is only about awful stuff that should be in the past: as represented by a compromised tweedledum and a compromised tweedledee?
Highlights of the Debate on West TV.
http://www.westtv.com.au/
dovif, the swinging voters at the debate last night were 57% undecided.
Hmm.
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=94189
Out of a sample of only 30, hardly scientific.
It would be an extraordinary defeat for Labor if they did in fact lose.
William, what seat are you in? (You’re a Perth local yeah?)
Frank Calabrese @ 8
Is a movement of the odds from $1.22 to $1.23 within the MOE? *grin*
This from the Lassiters guy.
What Anti Labor feeling across the country ?
Is this guy for real ?
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/libs-firming-with-bookies-20080826-42mu.html
Frank
You mean you did not notice how unpopular Ruddie is? LOL
He might have a little point, but it probably has more to do with the Anti-Howard vote disappearing, I think that was worth about 4% in the last NSW election
The only ‘feeling’ I detect in the Balcatta electorate is one of ennui. One neighbour complained: We’ve only just finished one year-long election, now we have another one. When I pointed out that the November election was federal and the September 6 one is for the state parliament, she said: Oh, they’re all the same.
It must be hard for pollsters, trying to be all scientific and mathematical, when the electorate simply couldn’t give a sh*t yet. The numbers will bounce around until polling day, then people will go with their gut feeling on the day.
The ‘anti-Labor feeling across the country’ is more likely anti-government feeling; people are sick of hearing about politics and politicians, especially when the MSM reports are so often so negative.
How can anyone claim there is an anti – Labor vote across the nation with national and state opinion polls showing otherwise and only one state or territory election being held so far.
Daffy doesn’t mention how much money has come in for the coalition.
Sounds like the betting agencies are struggling to get people to bet on the Coalition, actually. They wouldn’t be talking the Coalition up if they really thought it would win.
I agree with #4dovif about the reasons why Carpenter should win, and he also has a favourable redistribution.
There’ll probably be a swing against Labor though.
I must say, from my eastern states vantage point, I’ve heard buggerall about the actual election policies of either side, except the Libs promise to pay teachers more, and the Nats demanding more mining revemnue to go to the bush.
The parties are so scared to have their policies stolen these days, that they don’t announce new policies till late in the campaign. And they even have the “campaign launch” near the end of the campaign. Bizarre.
And the media(ch7) were complaining how the ALP would only give them 90 minutes notice to attend a location, with no detail in the SMS message.
This of course is designed to prevent the enemy from finding out what your policies are – standard practice of course.
Mind you, if you want detailed policy info, the ALP to it’s credit usually post the day’s announcement media release and policy document by late afternoon at http://www.visionwa.org.au/ while the libs usually post theirs a day later.
Latest ALP ad targeting Barnett which makes excellent use of the news footage of the 2005 election campaign where he got his sums wrong
http://visionwa.org.au/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=15&Itemid=35
The two questions I ask myself as a political observer is what has Labor done wrong in WA to deserve to be tthrown out and what have the Libs done to deserve to be elected? I have no doubt there will be some swing against Labor but probably not enough to see them beaten.
Hmm, it wasn’t the one that I was thinking.
More “ennui” from the Balcatta electorate here (local obsessives will have seen this already).
Pseph, I’m in Fremantle. I can tell you the Labor postal vote application form hit by letterbox nice and early, despite the seat’s non-importance – nothing else of interest though.
Gary @19,
The answer to the first question is a very long list. The answer to the second is a very short one. It might account for the ennui in (inter alia) Balcatta. It may also account for your second sentence.
8 The Liberals are firming in the betting odds, with one bookmaker urging Opposition Leader Colin Barnett “to have the removalist on standby”.
Indeed, but did the bookmaker tell us whether the removalist destination is the retirement village or the knackery?
Either way come September 7, I get the feeling that a lot of people (bookies, so called experts, Colin Barnett etc.) will be having omlete for breakfast…..get it, egg on face etc, etc…… LOL.
Uranium mining scrubbed.
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/uranium-ban-to-be-made-official-carpenter-20080826-42nx.html
And note that the Libs have announced NO policies or announcements whatsoever today.
William @ 21
lol, but sobering.
0/10 for balance, 0/10 for nuance, n/a for facts.
Actually I stand corrected on the Libs.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/26/2347065.htm
actually,
http://www.wabusinessnews.com.au/en-story/1/65879/WA-Libs-promise-250m-in-tax-cuts
barnett promised $250m of tax cuts
he didn’t identify what would be cut and by how much
And that is the key, Barnett makes vague announcements with very little detail nor prduces any figures, unlike the ALP’s Policy Documents which ALWAYS have a table with the relevant figures etc.
I love a good “fistful of Dollars” policy always to unspecified people at an unspecified rate. It really is the Liberal campaign strategy at its best. If under pressure begin to throw money like confetti.
And Labor can quite easily ask which services/programs will be cut to fund the Tax Cuts .
If Barnett doesn’t supply the costings Labor will do it for them.
How does the WA media let this crap slip by? They are so utterly useless, only the ABC will probably mention it.
I mean can you imagine what The West would do if Carpenter promised $250m of tax relief without saying which taxes and by how much?
“Tax cuts possible under Libs”
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=94266
Possible? Maybe? What a pathetic excuse for policy
Just like his Extended Trading Hours policy
And Eric Ripper is on the attack
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/250m-tax-cuts-in-first-term-libs-20080826-42w5.html
William has kindly uploaded one of the Liberal Party Flyers being sent to voters.
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/ALPRun-Hide1.jpg
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/ALPRun-Hide2.jpg
Wow – there’s a huge level of ALP support in this site. I am unquetionably conservative but at least try to maintain some distance.
However, since a response needed to be made, here you go -
There seems to be little need for a new audit of state taxes and possible room for relief. Hasn’t there already been such a process underway for some time – can’t remember who headed it up but it was a partner at one of the big law firms…
As for no mention of the specifics – it is hardly a new strategy by an opposition leader – announcing forums and panels and committees is the small target approach to winning an election. Mr Rudd used it extensively just a few months back with great success. All Barnett needs to do now is announce a post-government junket of our ‘best and brightest’ to plan strategies that can’t cost any money, sound nice, but will achieve absolutely nothing. Now that’s government!
I noticed that Carps tried to claim the benefit last night of abolishing state taxes that were REQUIRED to be cut by the GST agreement…
Tax policy is not an easy area and without a) Treasury or b) enough funding to do private costings, it will always be tough for oppositions to put together a comprehensive package. Doesn’t mean they won’t do anything and it is beyond doubt that this is not a low-taxing government!
Steve @ 25 – the ALP have promised that before, hence the cheeky title of the Greens’ anti-uranium mining bill Uranium Mining (Implementation of Government Commitments) Bill 2007.
(disclaimer: Greens member and candidate low down on the E.M. ticket)
The other announcement by Carpenter today along with the scrapping of Uranium Mining was the funding for renewable energy. Perhaps the Uranium lobby might begin to give up on their clean, green uranium rhetoric and consider other options for the future.
“Mr Carpenter made the announcement in Albany, at the same time as he revealed a $7 million financial sweetener for baseload renewable power schemes.
A 10 cents a kilowatt-hour incentive, in addition to contract prices, would be paid for the production of wave and geothermal-powered energy.
At present there is about 270 megawatts of renewable energy generated in the state, mostly from wind farms, Mr Carpenter said.
Carnegie Corporation, which is trialling wave energy technology in the region, welcomed the announcement.
Managing director Mike Ottaviano said it showed state governments were now recognising the potential of wave energy”
http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/uranium-ban-to-be-made-official-carpenter-20080826-42nx.html?page=2
“Barnett promised $250m of tax cuts”
Story says will go to businesses and householders.
If ALL of the tax cuts go to householders it works out at about $90 per household per year, or about $1.80 per week.
Whoo hoo, thats less than Amanda’s milkshake, about half the cost of a coffee per week.
Thats if ALL goes to householders.
I think the pressure is starting to get to them Rod.
Here’s a pretty fair assessment of the situation. Given the reaction of the worm last night we may well see the rest of the week taken up with positive policies for the future.
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24244008-5017005,00.html
Liberal Economic Policy in detail, minus the tables of course
http://www.wa.liberal.org.au/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=115&Itemid=117
Liberal Party Campaign Launch, which I believe is the 10 minute version which is screened on the ABC.
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=UEawRTxfwSU
45 Frank, loved the little copout hook in that policy document.
“Windfall state budget surplus revenues will also be directed to tax cuts, unless needed to meet unexpected contingencies such as natural disasters.”
“I think the pressure is starting to get to them”
Could be that Barnett has a wry sense of humour also steve.
If the tax cuts are split 60/40 business households works out to 2c a day per household member, ie Barnett throwing his 2c worth in.
Very funny and odd whichever way you look at it, Rod.
Perth Now on Ripper’s response.
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24247021-2761,00.html
40 Damien, just noticed your comment. Probably one of the better titles of a Bill I have ever seen. It was also interesting that Buswell was this afternoon addressing some Uranium gung ho conference at the same time Carpenter was making his announcement. Good luck on the sixth, it looks like being a great day.
Re Carps’ uranium statement – is this Richo ‘96 over again… get disgruntled ALP voters to go Greens but put Labor second?
50 “Two hundred and 50 million dollars is a major commitment that will bring down rates of tax … and they are in addition to whatever tax concessions have been included in the budget forward estimates,” Mr Barnett said today.
Hope Barnett hasn’t got any minor commitments if this is the case. It seems the only winner here is the Liberal Party via the $400 000 donation given to them by this lot.
Sorry – meant Rich ‘93
I think you actually mean 1990, Hereford.
I’m in Riverton – supposedly a key, highly contested marginal electorate.
But you wouldn’t know it.
I’ve had stuff from Labor, Greens and Christian Democrats. Nothing from the Libs yet – I couldn’t even tell you the name of their candidate.
Also no signs up in anyone’s front yard. Normally you’d see quite a few by now in an election campaign. (There are quite a few signs up in nearby Alfred Cove though)
Most boring election ever.
Carpenter will surely win because no one sees any reason to change.
The Libs, as expected really, have been caught on the hop. This is showing up in a number of ways obviously judging by comments here.
Now, there is a turn up for the books. Labor in NSW want to privatise electricity and the champions of private enterprise don’t want to.
http://www.news.com.au/couriermail/story/0,23739,24247764-5003402,00.html
56 HoV:
I love the way the right-wing ‘think tanks’ have such neutral sounding names, don’t you? Anyway, that’s your guy… he probably doesn’t need your vote. He’s a member of the good ol’ boys club, so he’s got all the votes from those nice houses on the river in Rossmoyne. Political Hack with a capital H.
Meanwhile, I’m in Belmont (safe Labor seat), and I’ve got similar to William – the postal vote thing from Labor a couple of weeks ago, and that’s it. I don’t watch much telly, so if it wasn’t for this website I probably wouldn’t even remember there was an election on.
I’m in the seat of Ocean Reef
I’ve gotten heaps of stuff from the local labor candidate in the mail, louise durack. – and she has door knocked.
Have received zilch from the Lib guy, except some small ads in the local rag.
BTW Ocean Reef is the 4th/5th most marginal seat in the state.
So much for Labor having written off everything < 2% then.
ABC TV story on the Tax Cuts.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2008/08/26/2347275.htm
Uranium Mining Ban.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2008/08/26/2347258.htm
Swan Hills (THAT retiring Member – she of the Shirtlifting incident)
Letter from Lib Candidate/Postal vote form.
Postal Vote Form from ALP.
Flyer from ALP Candidate
Lib Flyer posted earlier.
Letter from ALP Candidate addressed to Parents re Free Public Transport for Pensoners/Seniors.
And that’s it.
Frank,
Cottesloe – nothing at all. But I have only just got on the roll here.
I’ve noticed both Ocean Reef candidates are good-looking 28 year olds (Labor female, Liberal male).
Considering doing Political Perfect Matching William ?
Can anyone tell me the last time there was a Liberal government in WA please and what year it ended?
Ive spoken to Louise Duracks campaign manager (Ocean Reef)
He sounded quite upbeat and more than happy to receive help, they seem to be well resourced
On another note, i got one of those whats carpenter hiding from flyers in the mail today with the burke behind the flip thing.
Full of dribble on the back about crime, power etc, however i think it is quite effective
Is it the same dribble which is here:
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/ALPRun-Hide2.jpg
Richard Court was the last Liberal premier I believe. I’m not sure when Gallop was elected.
Frank @ 70
Yes thats the one, according the Peter Kennedy it will be put into every single mail box in the metropolitan area
Darn – it was Richard Court’s government, in the 90’s. He beat Carmen Lawrence in 1993 and got beaten by Geoff Gallop in 2001. Son of Charles (premier in the 70’s), brother of Barry (current Liberal Party president, Buswell’s biggest fan), etc. When he got beaten, he retired and tried to get Julie Bishop to run in his nice safe seat and become the opposition leader… I remember that being about as popular as a fart in a spacesuit.
Richard Court lost government in February 2001.
Gallop was elected in 2001
Thanks GB (71). Perhaps someone else can tell us when Gallop was first elected.
Thanks Frank (75)
I am in the new and safe seat of Cannington.
So far I have received:
A flyer from Bill Johnston and
A flyer from Ryan Chorley.
I think I told you all I got a phone survey about a month ago – not completely sure but certainly sounded like it was ALP funded.
That’s it.
What irked me is that both the phone poll and the ALP flyer referred to Bill Johnston as ‘a senior member of Alan Carpenter’s team’ (can’t remember the exact wording). Now – I can’t say that State Secretary isn’t but I took it to refer to a senior member of his PARLIAMENTARY team…
On the other hand – being very close to Riverton I have seen several ads in local papers from Nahan and McRae… just between all of us here I pity the poor buggers in Riverton – Mike Nahan is probably bright but 1) he’s a septic, and 2) he comes across as a bit obnoxious IMHO. On the other hand, you’ve got a failed, dodgy wannabe who comes across as quite self-obsessed (again IMHO). (While we’re on that – what exactly is the line between corrupt and mistaken when it comes to dealings with Burke and Grill??? The same Carps who made his position on those lobbyists last night was standing right next to McRae in the flyers and ads… hypocritical???)
What worries me much more is that my oldest child came home from school today with a thick glossy brochure paid for not by party funds but authorised and paid for by the WA taxpayer trumpting the achievements of WA public schools and with McGowan’s mug on the inside cover. This is patently political advertising and should be a) paid for by the ALP, and 2) be properly authorised under the Electoral Act. (Apparently its the third issue – haven’t seen any previously though).
This seems to me to be a clear breach of the Caretaker Conventions…
Ok – clarification on the EDWA publication. Although it is very difficult to tell, it seems like it might have been published in July (the only way I worked that out is because of a competition close date…).
Why is my kid bringing it home now? Who knows – it wouldn’t be the first time something got lost or delayed but it would be the first time it was delayed for over a month! Seems unlikely but, who knows.
Still, it makes me wonder – why is EDWA doing this and what must it be costing? Do they think they can reverse the trend to private schools by printing glossy brochures?
I believe it’s the Department of Educatiuon and Training’s “School Matters” publication which comes out once a month during Term time and thus is permitted under the Caretaker Conventions if it was first distributed prior to the Election was called.
http://www.det.wa.edu.au/education/schoolmatters/deadlines.html
UnionsWA will be starting TV ads showing the state Liberals anti-worker industrial relations record
http://www.theaustralian.news.com.au/story/0,25197,24248027-5006789,00.html
The pathetic Teachers union refused to contribute, however the police union surprisingly decided to contribute
Re The Police Union.
I wonder how this arrangement will affect the Libs Mandatory Sentecing Bill for Assaulting Public Officers, which even though were drafted in consultation with the union, the union do not support the jailing of Juveniles.
No doubt the PLATO faction would’ve had a say in this – considering the Bribe they got from Colin
Speaking of Unions, I’m surprised the Libs haven’t brought out the Kevin REynolds/Joe McDonald ads and Kevvie’s link to Burke
How many days til Barnett does one of his classic royal cock-ups?
It can’t be too far away now?
I predict it will happen when the full costings are released like in 2005
BTW I noticed Ripper say in some article today that the Liberals had made $3.5b in commitments and Labor only $800m, i don’t think that’s quite true, but Labor has definitely made small commitments in the last few days
eg sunday libs $350m, lab $70m
mon libs $50m lab $13.5m
tue libs $250m, lab $7.5m
Is Carps saving up for something big or are they going to portray the libs as reckless?
Today’s West.
Page one: Photo story blasting Carpenter for flying to Albany to discuss renewable energy, with an extra serve for “another back flip, this time on uranium”. Concluding line says Barnett “could not say how” his tax cut promise would be costed. Lead story says WA Police Union calls for violent juvenile criminals to be “named and shamed”; says Jim McGinty, “who has been the target of much of the public outcry over the so-called truth-in-sentencing laws”, would not return calls.
Page four: Robert Taylor reiterates the attack on Carpenter over the Albany visit. Large two-column graphic savages Carpenter over “U Mining U-Turn” and “Other backflips”. Fran Logan hammered again over the Varanus Island FOI request that was yesterday’s front page lead.
Page five: “Labor does U-turn on uranium: Carpenter stuns industry and opponents by backing mining ban legislation just weeks after claiming it was not needed”. Smaller items on Institute of Public Affairs call for rail network and electricity generation privatisation, and shortening of bookies’ odds on the Liberals.
Page six: Negatively framed lead on Barnett’s tax cut promise; Police Union criticises Liberals’ “school-based police officers” policy.
Page seven: Gary Adshead colour piece on low debate ratings. WACOSS accuses both parties of failing the homeless and disadvantaged; Greens want Labor solar energy payment plan expanded.
Page 20: Alston cartoon depicts naked Premier with small willy.
Page 21: Wide-ranging attack on Labor by Tony Rutherford, mostly on education, with a small number of milder criticisms plus some praise for the Liberals.
Page 22: Generally balanced set of letters to the editor, but headline reads “The Labor party has lost its way”.
William,
In other word the usual high standard – NOT of our only daily paper which is used as the benchmark for morning talkback radio.
The West is certainly ramping up its anti-Labor campagin
Todays (tuesday) was particuarly bad with the “things you wont find out before the election” scare piece and assorted crap about veranus
William re Inst. of Pub. Affairs calls for the rail network to be privatized, is that as in the passenger railway system or freight railway system?
Passenger.
Hmm, considering that the Liberal Candidate for Riverton was an employee of said think tank, the ALP Riverton Campaign should be turning up the heat on this.
In that case watch Allanah go into overdrive
Privatization goes down like a lead balloon in this state – hopefully someone will put the pressure on barnett to rule it out or something – and watch him stumble
Privatise the trains? What the hell…..? Right, for the first time this election campaign, one of the political parties (or associated hangers-on) has managed to make me angry. Grrr. Sic ‘em, Allanah.
Speaking of which… here’s the first paragraph of the piece on the debate:
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=94076
I’m not even sure what they’re trying to do here. Are they trying to say Western Australians don’t like infrastructure? The worst you can say about that word is that it’s hard to spell and pronounce.
And voters should remember that if the Bus Drivers do decide to go on strike later this week – even though the Dispute is with Transperth, the drivers are employed by Bus Companies which were privatised by the Court Government.
Well since the West have been trying to paint Allanah as the Devil incarnate since Day One, and have been a vocal opponent of Public Transport, in particlular the Perth To Mandurah Rail line, but trains in general – I think they’re trying to perpetuate the myth.
though the bit about Allanah is in this video clip.
http://www.westtv.com.au/?vxSiteId=43c6a3c7-abf1-4c32-b98d-c27f8fa83360&vxChannel=News&vxClipId=1416_WAU1428&vxBitrate=300
Ah, I see. Funny thing about the ‘worm’, though… it was flat for the most part of both speeches, but slightly lower for Carpenter (and went that way as soon as they gave him the mike). Makes me think there was just slightly more Liberal sympathisers in the audience – even one extra would skew it, in a sample of 30.
As for the next clip, ‘Stubborn Carpenter’… geez. Robert Taylor sounding pretty much exactly like an opposition member, not a journo. Hmph. I remember again why I don’t read this paper any more…
And according to Ten News, the Debate rated 250,000 fewer viewers than last election.
There are 2 reasons for this.
The first was that Monday’s Debate was screened between 6.30-7.30pm, while the 2005 one was between 7.30-8.30pm.
And the Second most important reason was that this debate was shown on the 4th rated Ch 9, instead of Top rating Ch 7.
The Freight Rail system has been largely privatised (asset lease and running agreement), although wheat farmers were calling for the State Government to resume control from B&B not so long ago.
The Minister for Planning and Infrastructure has been a fantastic Minister and should be exceedingly pleased with her achievements in what is a most angst portfolio. It is difficult to imagine any of the libs in cabinet having anything approaching her ability.
I did note that in the West’s summary of the leadership debate that they lead the article by saying that the worm dipped noticably whenever Alannah was mentioned. Second paragraph they conceded that it also dipped whenever Troy was mentioned, so according to them they are equally poisonous in the minds of the electorate.
A female politician judged on her eccentric hair is deemed as politically unpalatable as a male politician judged on his overt and admitted sexual harassment.
they really don’t do anything to dispel the State’s redneck reputation.
skink I think it goes to show how much of politics is ‘image’ and how very little is substance – if this were not the case then the Libs would have no chance whatsoever.
You have to feel sorry fro the Liberals.
http://www.watoday.com.au/opinion/who-is-behind-climate-change-deniers-20080802-3ou6.html
of course it is image and perception – MacTiernan has shown herself to be one of the more competent ministers in the State government, and even the West admitted she deserved praise for delivering the railway, albeit through gritted teeth. Buswell however has tripped and fallen at every step in his political career. He couldn’t effectively manage the budget of Busselton Shire Council, but is seen as competent enough to be State Treasurer.
Troy does however look good in a suit and fits in at the 500 Club.
William, is there any chance you’ll open a thread on the really important election campaign curently under way in WA: for leadership of the CFMEU? We could be seeing the last days of King Kevin Reynolds and his Court Jester Joe McDonald, after a 30-year reign.
If the liberal party had their way there would be no passenger line to the northern suburbs and the Perth to Freo line would be covered in mcmansions, shops and car parks.Alannah is my favourite minister,she is tough,competent and articulate. I wish i could say that about all ministers.
Mark Mcgowan and his lies about his meeting with the hyphen shows him to be untrustworthy.His handling of the education portfolio is poor and may well cost Labor the election.
From today’s Crikey email:
I can’t help thinking of the term “Counting your chickens before ….”.
Barnett won’t win. The Liberals will collapse sooner or later
Is Carps saving up for something big or are they going to portray the libs as reckless?
Big infrastructure announcement coming? In spite of hiccups, the Perth-Mandurah line seems to be proving successful and popular in practice. Desal plant ditto. I can’t immediately bring to mind anything in the pipeline (sorry) for the next term, which surprises me for a government that, so far, has been enthusiastic about building big things.
Another major rail project would be nice (airport link maybe, or even something really big like reinstating the rail to the Hills dormitory towns).
In my previous life in the Public Service, Alannah McTearalong was my minister. She always came across pretty well, and only did one thing that I can recall really making my frontal lobes throb. Not bad considering the generally low standard of WA state pollies.
Parody Song from Perth’s 92.9 regarding Troy Buswell at the height of the Chairsniffing fiasco.
Courtesy of Skink at The Worst Of Perth
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=eBF7AV3snAU
$1.5 Billion Schools announcement from Carps.
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/comments/0,21590,24249782-948,00.html
Predictable comments from the great unwashed, including the Crikey bit William posted.
I found that video at TruthAboutTroy.com, a site which gives all the gossip about Sniffer.
The site says it is authorized by the ALP.
http://truthabouttroy.com/index.php
If you’re so certain Sean there’s $1.25 in it for you for every buck you’re prepared to put on the line (according to Sportingbet) against $3.80 for the Libs
I’m asuming they had that site ready and waiting if he was still leader – but still it will be gold if he is Treasurer.
115 VPL – How sure are you? There’s $3.80 in it for you for every buck you’re prepared to put on the line (according to Sportingbet) against $1.25 for the Labor.
Call me cynical, but I can see an ulterior motive in banning uranium mining in WA. The state can barely cope with the volume of mining it’s doing at the moment. There aren’t enough miners and facilities in mining towns. Keeping the uranium in the ground is great insurance for when the orders for iron ore run out. At that stage, the WA Government, of whatever party, can then start digging out the uranium to keep the state economy going.
On the other hand, I suspect the uranium miners will be contributing more than small change to the Libs campaign in the final week.
Gary, VPL wouldn’t back the Libs with your money. If he really believed what he says the Libs would be unbackable short odds by now.
Grahaeme Armstrong on the Libs whinging about the Early Calling of the Election – and he gets stuck into the West to boot
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24249960-5017005,00.html
Another Liberal Sattler File Policy.
http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=77&ContentID=94436
State Opposition leader Colin Barnett and shadow attorney-general Christian Porter announced the policy at the scene of a violent attack on a woman with cerebral palsy.
“For too long young offenders who commit serious crimes have been able to escape the consequence of their actions and hide their identities because of their age,” Mr Barnett said.
“It is time the crime of young offenders is given propriety over their age.”
FC #120….objective journalism, such an extinct animal in this state.
FC #121…I cant wait for the return of public floggings under these guys!! Lets hope they make bra-snapping a floggible offence!
Hmm, Troy might not be in Barnett’s cabinet.
The Liberal Leader, Colin Barnett, is refusing to say if he will make Troy Buswell his Treasurer, or include him in his Cabinet if he wins the election.
After a tumultuous six months, Mr Buswell stood down as leader in order for Mr Barnett to return to the leadership.
At a media event today, Mr Barnett said the Shadow Attorney General Christian Porter would definitely be in his Cabinet.
But he refused to give the same commitment in relation to Mr Buswell.
“I’m not going there, I’m not going there,” he said.
“Look if I win the election, if I win the election and we’re a long way off that, come around and have a coffee with me on the Sunday morning and I’ll tell you about the Cabinet.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/27/2348150.htm
Hmm, something happened to the Blockquotes. Can you please fix it William ?
FC #123……”But he refused to give the same commitment in relation to Mr Buswell.”……
We all know that “Sniffer” will get a jersey, whether it be as Treasurer or not. Why do you think he stepped aside like he did.
If its not Treasurer my guess it’ll be the something like Sport and Rec and Tourism…..plenty of wine-tasting, free tickets and partying. About the only thing that “Sniffer” excels at!
Apparently the Liberals have promised to build the Fremantle Eastern Bypass Road (ie extension of Roe Hwy to Fremantle) they can kiss their southern suburbs hopes goodbye
This was apparently in the local rag (Cockburn Gazette)
They promised the exact thing last election
That’s always been Liberal policy, put more trucks on Roe Hwy, instead of putting freight on Rail.
Regarding the Mandurah rail line, can anyone tell me if this is the first time that trains have ever run there, or was there a previous service that was closed? (Also, what is the northern line that Carpenter has talked about extending)?
Great to hear you have such a dedicated, switched on, transport minister over there. We’d kill for one of those here in Victoria. Our’s is bloody useless – her most famous quote being – “Do I want to run a railway. I don’t think so”.
Gary, Steve – I am not at all certain about a Liberal victory. Nor am I certain about a Labor one (although that certainly seems the more likely). I wouldn’t bet even if I were.
However, it seems like easy money for anyone who IS certain…
Regarding uranium mining, I can’t see the big deal myself but Carps obviously thinks it is one NOW (not so much just a short time ago). However, the Federal Government obviously considered it had some power in this area (ie former 3 mines policy). Not sure of the source of this jurisdiction but could the Feds override any State position – pro or anti??
RE 128 Darn
No there was no rail service to Mandurah or the southern suburbs at all.
There was a piss-weak mini busway that Richard Court built, and one or two buses an hour from Mandurah
The Liberals were going to build the line through Kenwick then onto the existing Armadale line, restraining capacity and adding half an hour to a trip to the city
Labor bit the bullet and did the direct route with 2 new underground city stations. The 80km trip from Mandurah takes 45 minutes or so.
The Northern suburbs line was built by the Labor Lawrence government in the early 90s going all the way to Joondalup (30ks or so from city).
They also extended it to Currambine.
The Gallop government extended it more north to Clarkson in 2004.
Carps has pledged to extend it even more north to Butler.
Butler and Clarkson are the sprawl growth area’s north of the city, and the rail service is very popular.
Darn, having googled the name I came up with this.
http://www.webace.com.au/~chook/trains/mandurah.html
VPL @ 29
The High Court in the Workchoices case seemed to indicate that the Feds have power to “cover the field” with regard to laws wth respect to Constitutinal Corporations. No reason why this could not extend to mining (also could use the external affairs power).
Presumably the Feds could also squash any attempts to export Uranium as well if the libs get in.
129 VPL – I’m wondering why you can’t be certain but not bet. You don’t have to bet to back up your certainty surely. You don’t bet and wouldn’t even if you were certain.
Darn @128
the rail line to Mandurah is a completely new one which runs down the centre of the freeway.
the line north was built ten years ago, again down the centre of the freeway. Since it was built several new sandpit suburbs have grown up beyond the end of the railway as Perth sprawls further up the coast. The plan is to extend to those new suburbs, only a couple of stops really. No great vision required there.
Note that there are only four rail lines in Perth – one west to Fremantle, one north, one south and two east. It hardly compares with Melbourne’s train and tram network. Perth folk are still welded to their cars, usually single occupancy.
oops, was typing my post as Sean did his, and said the same thing
That would be 5 rail lines skink at 134
The DPI has been working on a light rail route and Carps recently announced a commitment for 20 years of ongoing public transport investment.
http://www.dpi.wa.gov.au/mediaFiles/regional_railstudy_routoption.pdf
I wouldn’t be surprised if we got some more PT announcements in the campaign, everybody loves rail.
This line still may be built. The section near Kenwick had tunnels dug under roads and a freight railway before the Gallop government came in, so that got turned into a 2 km spur line to Thornlie. There’s also a tunnel in the middle of the freeway median down at Jandakot, so it’ll be pretty easy to extend the Thornlie spur to the existing Mandurah line, via Canning Vale – more sprawl suburbs in the south-east of Perth, which is growing at a huge rate. If built, this would be the first passenger line in Perth which doesn’t go through the CBD.
er, make that five rail lines (I can’t add up today)
http://www.railmaps.com.au/perth.htm
In fact, if Carpenter doesn’t want to play the ‘Liberals are reckless with money’ card, the Kenwick-Jandakot line could be the big announcement they haven’t made yet. Now that’d be good to see.
Apparently the DPI wants to make the circle route (98,99) (the city’s most patronized bus service) into a light rail route
it basically circles the entire city taking in universities, tourist spots etc
BTW here as some excerpts from the locked article. Apologies if its too long I would give a link but it is via subscription only
Upper house the main game
Opinion: 28-August-08 by Joe Poprzeczny from West Australian Business News that came out today
Mr Sullivan, who is contesting an upper house seat for his new party, recently sent to resource companies and other business houses, a copy of which has been handed to State Scene.
“The next state election is important for the resources sector, including [company's name removed],” the Sullivan letter begins.
“The prospect of a Labor government now seems inevitable, with the Greens holding the balance of power in the parliament.
Put bluntly, it is that the political situation is essentially a clash between two ideological blocs, with Carpenter-led Labor still quietly confident it will hold power.
With Mr Barnett as leader it seems the Liberals are now far more likely to win a handful more seats than they would have had Mr Buswell remained leader.
Barring a major scandal, Labor is likely to be returned with, at worst, Mr Carpenter having to rely on the support of former Labor minister John Bowler, who has a good chance of emerging as an Independent pro-Laborite MP for Kalgoorlie.
The prospects in the lower house for what can fairly be described as WA’s conservative bloc – the Liberals, Nationals, Family First and Christian Democrats – therefore remain bleak, with Labor likely to hold firm on 29 of the 59 seats.
As State Scene has pointed out, even if the Liberals won, say, a whopping 26 seats – which would include 23 by the Liberals and the three Independent Liberals, Liz Constable, Janet Woollard, and Sue Walker – they’d still need the Nationals to come on board as formal coalition partners or minority government backers.
True, nothing is impossible at any election, but to expect Mr Barnett to emerge with 23 seats is an almighty ask.
Luke – fair enough on the Corps power I guess, don’t think the external affairs power would extend to MINING but it would be nugatory if you couldn’t EXPORT (which would be covered). However, since they already allow exports from SOME mines wouldn’t a prohibition on WA mines breach s 117 (might be a stretch???)
As for that crazy Mandurah railway, wow huh? Time and budget blow-outs be damned it is a nice piece of engineering. As a daily train user myself (albeit on the sadly neglected Armadale line) I like a nice train – they have that lovely new train smell. One thing that struck me as odd though – the urban infill/sprawl hasn’t been even – you pass through development, bush, then development again…
Ok – drifting from the election a bit – back on topic, that announcement about naming and trying juveniles (albeit older juveniles) as adults… I don’t much like it but presumably someone thinks there’s votes in it???
Whatawat? That’ll be very hard now… where that road was originally planned in Beaconsfield / White Gum Valley has been a bit of a dead zone for years (near Wood St and Curedale St, for the locals), but since the reserve got deleted there’s been a lot of the old derelict houses being renovated or replaced – this is ~1km from the coast on top of a hill, so the blocks are being sold for quite impressive prices. It’ll be a lot harder to build that road now than it would have been in 2005, had Barnett been elected then.
Nice little Libs /Greens clash over biofuel Power station.
“The Liberal candidate for Blackwood Stirling, Wade de Campo, says he supports the development of a 40 megawatt biomass power station near Manjimup.
The Greens’ candidate, Luke Petersen, says the station should be split into smaller plants to reduce the impact on local produce growers who oppose it.
But Mr de Campo says the plant has received environmental approvals and has been found to be safe to the community.
He denies he has a conflict of interest since he also serves as the local shire president, and is the owner of a trucking company.”
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/27/2348035.htm
VPL@142
yes, people think there are votes in locking people up, especially yoof offenders, hoons and taggers. takback radio always talk it up. Despite Perth having low crime rates, and the rates falling in all catagories except burglary, Perth voters are all in fear of crime. they should try living in Sao Paolo
as evidence, I given you the party blurb for Christain Porter, shadow attourney-general, who rates these issues as more important than schools, but less important than heavy trucks passing through his electorate (see above)
http://www.wa.liberal.org.au/christianporter/
did someone move all the keys on my computer whilst I was out of the room?
can’t add up, can’t type. if my IQ drops any further I’ll be reaching for the phone and calling talkback radio
142 [Ok - drifting from the election a bit - back on topic, that announcement about naming and trying juveniles (albeit older juveniles) as adults… I don’t much like it but presumably someone thinks there’s votes in it???]
Springborg in Queensland has lost two elections so far with that as his favorite them. Hopefully after the third strike here it will disappear for ever. I doubt there are any votes in it.
144 Steve: There was a story about this on Landline a few months ago:
http://www.abc.net.au/landline/content/2006/s2202852.htm
Apparently the local farmers are worried about pollution from it… and, it’s being financed by Babcock and Brown. They were just talking about closing 1000 km of wheat rail in the Wheatbelt and Great Southern last week, so that’ll look pretty shaky.
Thanks to everyone who provided all that enlightening info regarding the rail (and light rail) development in Perth and surrounds. I haven’t visited your fair city yet but this certainly gives me a lot of incentive to make the long trip over – especially if the progressive Carpenter government comes up trumps again in two weeks.
VPL @ 142
The external affairs power allows you to sign all sorts of international treaties which you can then impose on the States (and of course it allows you to control export permits).
New Liberal TV ad – with not a lot to say – literally – so much for vision impaired people
http://au.youtube.com/watch?v=11ghZTF-95Y
From the Perth Now article mentioning the ad.
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24250445-5017005,00.html
FC #151…..Ditto. I think those ad’s are going to annoy people to be honest, and good point about the vision impaired issue.
“can’t add up, can’t type. if my IQ drops any further I’ll be reaching for the phone and calling talkback radio” LOL – couldn’t drop that low surely.
Interesting how most (maybe all of them) of the TV adverts by both parties have been negative to date. No “vision for the future” stuff.
Well, the Libs have wasted some of their hard earned already. That ad is a shocker. Cheap and nasty.
Actually the initial ALP ad released just after the Election was called was quite positive, as are the regional ALP ads.
http://visionwa.org.au/index.php?option=com_docman&task=doc_download&gid=3&Itemid=35
nice advert:
“what have the Romans ever done for us?”
God that ad is annoying
FC #157……Thanks for that, I was away for the first few days and must have missed it.
Typical Liberal Response re School’s Announcement.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2008/08/27/2348336.htm
Is this you Steve ?
http://www.news.com.au/perthnow/story/0,21598,24250445-5017005,00.html
Luke @ 150 – yes, that’s what I said. The external affairs power might allow the Feds to stop you from exporting, but how could it stop you from mining?!?
Also, I still think it might infringe s. 117. If they allow it in some states surely they must allow it in all???
I still don’t see the votes in banging up teenagers – even if they are unpleasant little yobbos (which some surely are and many others not). Even the most rabid vigilante must acknowledge that kids are just kids – doesn’t mean they shouldn’t be punished for crime – just means that they aren’t the same as adults…
As for Christian Porter – I would have thought his time as a prosecutor would have taught him that crime is more complex than ’string ‘em up’, of course, that assumes that the electorate also is aware of this. However, Bateman is almost quartered by the Freeway and Leach Highway so transport is a big issue there I guess.
Frank – what sort of response would you have liked from Collier “Nice to see the Premier investing in education at last?”
with that ad, I can’t really think of many significant changes to society in the last century that were not made by the labor movement
at the weekend I went past the monument to the Eight Hour Movement in Melbourne, and thought that if things were left to the Conservatives we would still have a six day sixty hour week and children working in mines, or AWA’s as they became known.
welfare state, public health, women’s rights, public education…all of it from the labor movement.
but let’s look at recent history in the terms that the Libs can undertsand. If I want to be a selfish middle class git, I can point out that in the last eight years my income has increased by 227% and the value of my house has increased by 330%.
Skink – you should add to that list… the labor movement is also responsible for:
1. The sun coming up in the west
2. Gravity
3. Rainfall and
4. Sliced bread.
Can you think of anything bad that has come out of the labor movement?
Let me help you…
a. Kevin Reynolds
b. Painters and Dockers Union
c. ‘No ticket – no work’
If I wanted to be a normal middle class voter (which most people are and of whom you seem to be nothing but disdainful) I could say, maybe my wages have gone up but so has my mortgage/groceries/fuel. Yes, the value of my home has increased but how will my children be able to afford homes of their own. Do I think that the State Government had anything to do with either of these things – well, wages increase has to a large extent been a product of growth which has been a product of resources – so only a little and largely indirectly. As for house prices, there was a national house price boom but housing and land is very much a state-based issue. Interest rates however are principally federal and even then only influenced (rather than caused) by governments (under normal circumstances – of course government COULD adopt highly inflationary and destabilishing strategies but the best examples of these are the previous two ALP federal governments).
So, what’s your point?
Jesus, VPL, if you’re correct, what were Howard and Costello banging on about during the last election? Surely their formidable talents were responsible for providing all this largesse on a national scale?
skink,
I would also add that, in reality, all of those advances had already been “won” by the vast majority of people before they got into legislation. In many ways they actually hurt the poor by enforcing rigidity in the economy, reducing employment and output as a result.
FC (151) Thanks for linking the Liberal ad. Even if your perspectives are skewed towards one side, I have to say that you are a fountain of knowledge on politics in your state. GB @ 156 (as often occurs with his plentiful posts on PB threads) is half right and half wrong. The ad is indeed, ‘cheap’, or at least economical with words, but it is not ‘nasty’. The message is sound: the Australian Labor Party government of the great state of Western Australia is seeking a third term so, if the electors are good (or bad) enough to return it, it gets another four years. No harm at all in reminding them of that.
Very true David and there is no harm in reminding them that the economy of Western Australia has been handled relatively well.
http://www.dtf.wa.gov.au/cms/bud_index.asp
skink
You would have to add all the work that labor has done and continues to do on giving women freedom, equality and protection both in the workplace, the marketplace and at home.
166 Fulvio, Howard and Costello had much to thank the WA and Qld government for achieving but I never quite heard them get around to it.
Barnett Sums Wrong Ad on Front Page of ALP site.
http://visionwa.org.au/index.php?option=com_frontpage&Itemid=1
Rod,
And a conspicuous success that has been, hasn’t it. The trends in improvement of womens’ vs. mens’ employment conditions were given a huge push along by the legislation.
Oh – it wasn’t? I suppose it was not that useful then, was it?
168 david – I take it you haven’t heard of the expression “cheap and nasty” before. It just means that it is not sophisticated, basic, with no real effect. Not nasty as in “mean and nasty”.
It’s so good of you to keep an eye on me David. Where would I be without you?
ABC TV News regarding Buswell’d future in a Barnett Cabinet. Also note the bit about the Liberal Justice Policy being a recycled document from former Shadow A-G Sue Walker.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2008/08/27/2348391.htm
And here is Carpenter launching the ALP’s Education Policy.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/video/2008/08/27/2348404.htm
Gary, you don’t understand.
It requires being calm, measured, temperate and in control of your emotions. You must be sophisticated, suave and capable of asserting your moral and intellectual superiority at all times. The benefits of your Public School education must be patent and demonstrable at all times.
Yet your public persona must be impeachable, charitable and incapable of unworthy thoughts and actions.
It is called being a liberal Party Supporter, the possessor of a certain je ne sais qua, sang froid and gentility, which entitles your opinions an utterances to be awarded an importance and unquestionable authority not otherwise afforded to lesser mortals.
In short, you, like the name your pater has bestowed on and bequested to you, are the stuff of political royalty.
Never mind that you genuflect only to the god of Mammon, that your heart is flinty cold and hard, that you treat the rest of mankind with odious contempt, and that you brook no opinion but that of your kind. Never mind.
It is called being a Conservative.
Gary, you are not aConsevative. Accept your station in life , be obedient and obsequious, as is your duty. Do not dare to question your betters.
I trust and hope I have taught you something.
176 Fulvio – thankyou. I needed that. I must recognise my station in life. You have opened my eyes.
New thread.