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.
Dreadful game of footy last night. Seven’s commentators went seriously gushy afterwards and I thought they were going to demand that the flag and mug be sent around to Melbourne’s rooms straight away. Melbourne weren’t good. The Cats were shocking. Hawthorn must be grinning.
But i did like the bit with about 13 minutes to go when Bruce predicted that Geelong would bang on 4 goals on ten minutes and win. This was three and a half quarters in and they only had four at the time.
I reckon Melbourne will have Hawthorn’s measure, mate. Perhaps it’s my loathing of the club speaking but I don’t rate Hawthorn this year. Melbourne will need to kick straight to win though. By the way, that idiot Taylor suggested the same with less than four minutes to go. The Dees were four goals in front at the time.
I certainly hope you’re right. I think Hawthorn were insanely lucky to go top four. Some might say the same about the Pies of course…
Waiting to see who gets to send Hawthorn on holidays. Melbourne doing the better…
I find it a bit tasteless when you mention money, Henry. G and I find our love transcends mere material matters.
Has anyone told Tony, yet?
https://www.perthnow.com.au/politics/tony-abbott/bizarre-twitter-post-from-tony-abbott-on-anniversary-of-his-government-ng-b88953438z
A great song by a great band, the title of which describes Abbott’s thinking perfectly:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EsCyC1dZiN8
An old favourite mate
Yes, a few disgruntled thin-skinned folk in the LNP are intent on publicly squabbling themselves and the coalition into oblivion.
Carl,
I agree, although I don’t recall you being so concerned about LNP public squabbling ahead of the leadership change.
In particular, the delightful Concetta Fierravanti-Wells from NSW, who got her just desserts following the spill, has been an outstanding performer with regard to publicly airing dirty LNP linen.
Moi concerned? Not so TO.
I’m simply a non partisan observer nowadays and follow the passing parades with a mixture of amusement, bemusement, mirth and melancholy.
The Confucian philosophy re politics being personal and governmental morality, working relationships, justice, sincerity, etc has long been abandoned by those practicing modern day polity, don’t you think.
They’re already consigned to oblivion in case you haven’t noticed.
Yes, it had crossed my mind Tracy. But your man Tony may live to fight another day, eh?
Dick having a rant about the cost of using online booking services.
This is a tip of the ice berg as these services really are a severe impost on all businesses.
Kind of Catch22 – encourages competition but at the same time the services themselves becomes a monopoly or a duopoly and their ability to screw business increases exponentially.
https://www.dicksmithfairgo.com.au/dick-smith-exposes-foreign-booking-sites-for-extorting-millions-from-australian-small-businesses-in-the-middle-of-a-drought/.
There’s still a spot of Kill Bill going on around here it seems?