There’s one thing we can predict about the upcoming vote in Wentworth — it will be a Chris Gayle by-election. That is, it’s going to swing hard.
When unpopular governments begin the doleful trudge to the next election almost anything can trigger the descent into abject despondency.
At the fag-end of the Labor Kirner government in 1992, a government beset with turmoil, scandal and chaos, the tram drivers went on strike. Not only did the drivers pull the pin, they decided to make their displeasure known more starkly by driving trams up to the top of Bourke Street and along Spring Street, before parking them in long lines just outside Victoria’s Parliament House.
For the weeks the strike lasted the motionless conga line of trams remained. Labor MPs would look out their windows from their parliamentary offices at the traffic chaos below, shudder and draw the curtains before having a long lie down with a cold compress on their foreheads. It was an excruciating reminder when one really wasn’t needed of the belting that was coming their way.
Full column here.
Saw 2 good doco’s tonight, one on Andre the Giant and the other on Chuck Wepner. Just thought I’d add that to see if it updated the posts.
Missed the Wepner one but the ESPN production on Andre the Giant was a ripper. Loved the stories about how he’d get really serious with wrestlers he didn’t care for, loud mouths like Randy Savage and give them a nice old touch up. At 7’4″ and almost 500 pounds, he could do some damage. A little heartbreaking, too. He was a man who could not find anonymity and people were cruel. If you missed it, catch up on SBS On Demand. 90 minutes or so long and a very nice sympathetic piece of work. He was a legend and he deserves to be remembered as one.
Certainly a big man with a big heart and Rabelaisian appetites. And not just big but strong as he grew up working on the family farm. Definitely not a bloke to get in a drinking contest or shout with. Wepner also had a fight with him which finished when Andre threw him out of the ring (as you do!).
So how are these non working au pairs surviving on a zero wage Jack?
Dutts knew they would well and truly be earning a wage, Ted.
“I granted a tourist visa on the strict provision they did not work”
That’s quite funny.
https://www.news.com.au/finance/work/leaders/claims-scott-morrison-planned-attack-on-turnbull-for-months/news-story/215f764a19c5cf62cfe97c31d4cc0b3e No Surprises.
I thought at the time, and I think it more now, that Morrison carrying a bloody great lump of coal like Baby Jesus into the parliament was a shrewd career move.
Sickening, snivelling, grovelling, but smart.
I think the reaction to Turnbull’s heave-ho may best described as a mild demurral. The only occasion I can recall the people being genuinely “angry” about a PM being shunted was Whitlam’s dismissal.
So business as usual in the Wentworth by-election, Carl? No swing against outside the historical say four per cent? Is that your tip?
I’ll tell you what mine is, the Liberals will lose Wentworth either in the by election or in the subsequent general election. In the by-election there will be a swing of between 15 and 20 per cent against the Liberal Party. It may be more.
No, its not my tip Jack, I agree there will be a swing against the Liberals of sorts. But that’s not what I was on about.
I was attempting to compare and contrast the mob’s atmospherics vis a vis the dismissal between Turnbull and Whitlam. Turnbull went without scarcely a whimper, while reportedly some folk are still maintaining the rage for Gough after some 43 years. I doubt that’ll be be case with the bloke who couldn’t skedaddle away quick enough OS.
I’ll put my bet in and say that Independent Kerryn Phelps will take the seat.
However those pesky preferences could do strange things maybe.
I heard yesterday that the by-election may not be called for some time?
Carl, voters rightly punished Labor for RGR. They will do the same to the LNP for ATM, with extra penalties for Barnaby, au pairs, and not being able to count.
Yes, the bleeding hearts’ present immigration policy seems to be open borders for any Tom, Dick and Mary, except au pairs.
You’ve got it wrong as usual. The objection is to inconsistency.
Oh rubbish JB!
You’re vainly attempting to compare an orderly well-managed immigration policy with a previously out-of-control, free for all disastrous Labor shemozzle resulting in the deaths of untold numbers of innocent adults and children.
It’s about Dutton’s obvious double standards Carl.
Call me a bleeding heart if you like mate but there’s nothing about me that will EVER be okay with keeping small human beings locked-up in Australian government detention camps, without hope for resettlement, is an obscenity that disgustingly stains all of us.
Hear Hear Bella, Hear Hear.
With the greatest of respect Bella, I think you’re are attempting to compare apples with oranges.
Kind regards as always.
Carl
Turnbull A – Labor – fund manager – renewables – Singapore. Yeah, it all adds up, no worries.
If Bishop is recontesting her seat with a view to getting the top job (leader of the opposition) then it is unlikely she will be offered, or if offered accept, the GG gig.
She has decided to be loyal to her constituents and I’d say she has an eye on leadership of the Libs (in opposition) after the next election. Whether the boys will let that happen is anyone’s guess, but they may think it a good idea to put her in as the fall guy after a drubbing at the booths.
Although anything could happen before then! A day is a long time in politics these days.
It’s early days, but it seems Morrisson may give Shorten a run for his money.
Did anyone mention Father’s Day? Anyhow, hope they all have a good one.
Somebody didn’t put his EPL tips in, you know who you are😱
I think that was me. Yes, it was. Damn.
Seems to be all quiet on the western front?
Im Westen nichts Neues
A first edition copy would be worth a quid. Especially a partially charred one.