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'Pig Iron' Bob Menzies. From the other side of the cultural divide
Bob GosfordSep 25, 2016
It is interesting that Howard, only the second PM to lose an election along with his seat now clings to Menzies as if to wipe out that historic defeat. Growing up under Menzies was an enervating experience: no wonder so many urban Australians got out, from Patrick White to Richard Neville and beyond: Chips Mackinolty
Blacks in the back cunts in the front. New work by Therese Ritchie
Bob GosfordSep 25, 2016
Blacks in the back, cunts in the front and the response to it, is emblematic of how non-indigenous Australia embraces and yet looks away from aboriginal people at the same time. This ruptured thinking process is the stringy bond with our earlier task of occupying, claiming and settling Australia, in particular the ‘wilderness consciousness’ that in its day encouraged mate-ship, an easy going attitude, and above all, manners (you could not swear at the dinner table or in front of your mother) whilst allowing rape and killing to be seen as pragmatic.
The NT electoral system is a joke. But can Hare-Clark fix it?
Bob GosfordSep 22, 20168 Comments
Welcome to politics as farce. There is little doubt that the NT electoral system is broken. The bigger question is how we fix it. Discuss.
Northern Territory – a tale of systemic dysfunctional governance
Bob GosfordSep 13, 20163 Comments
Political cronyism is hardly unheard of in other states, but its sheer extent and audacity in the Northern Territory over the last four years is deeply troubling. The higher levels of the public sector have been utterly politicised and any semblance of a professional public service able to advise government without fear or favour no longer exists.
The right to drink? Wrong
Bob GosfordSep 13, 20161 Comment
We’ve just had another change of government in the Northern Territory, and they’ve promised to bring the BDR back in, thank goodness. We now have a golden opportunity to make it stronger, smarter and more effective.
The CLP got Gunnered ...
Bob GosfordAug 28, 2016
On Saturday night, as gracious as Giles' speech was, so Gunner's was shambolic. "Tonight is extraordinary" he said three times while the baying crowd called for blood and more beer.
Wave Hill, Communists and a Bedford two-tonner. An interview with Brian Manning
Bob GosfordAug 19, 2016
"Dexter [Daniels] died unrecognized and unsung. I learnt that he died on fucking Christmas day the year before ... I reckon that Dexter Daniels achieved a fucking good sight more than Charlie Perkins." Brian Manning, Australia Day, 2011.
Vincent Lingiari Art Awards - David Frank is the CLC Delegate's Choice
Bob GosfordAug 16, 2016
Mr Frank’s painting captured the hearts and minds of our elected members,” said Central Land Council chair Francis Kelly.
"You might wonder why I'm here ...". Jeff Kennett, the CLP and why "Territorians are tired"
Bob GosfordAug 15, 2016
There is little apparent support or advice from the south this time around--either from prominent Liberal politicians or back-room workers--and this bolsters the widely held view that right now, Adam Giles is the Typhoid Mary of Liberal politics.
"Because kartiya never give us fair go, that’s why we bin walk off from Wave Hill Station."
Bob GosfordAug 12, 2016
‘No, we had enough with all you mob now, we bin working real hard with all you mob, but never get pay. We only bin work for tea, flour and sugar, and sick of tobacco, that’s all.’: Vincent Lingiari