The Australian politics thread

[Burgey]

Wondering why they got a law firm to do a report like that? Most lawyers I know wouldn't know how to climb a ladder, let alone about roof insulation.

[Ausage]

Not necessarily, but I think if you're the third wheel and a long way from power like the Greens, it's easy to stay pure of heart. Garrett's an interesting case, as are lots of pollies who come into the main parties from other areas where they've been free to espouse their personal views. He's simply the most high profile atm.
Do you stay outside the political system and agitate for major change, or enter the system and do your best (whether it's good enough or not is another matter) from within that system?
Interesting choice to make. And in Pete's case, you can't say he needed the cabbage or the security to become part of a major party.

Thing is the Greens aren't that far from having meaningful power. He's not joining the sex workers union (could be a completely fictional party) or anything like that. If Garrett was truly committed to his principles he would have attempted to boost the profile of the one party that would have allowed him to express his "views". Sort of a hybrid change it from the inside/outside model.

I actually think he has likely changed his outlook from his musician days. I can't imagined someone as principled as he comes across in his music settling for Labor, and I can't imagine him being naive enough to believe he could change the machine from the inside. Musicians crystalize their feelings/opinions in song, but people's opinions are by no means set in stone.

[Burgey]

That attack on Garrett in QT (before the censure) was diabolical. Horrendous stuff from Hunt, real warm lettuce-leaf material. Dire.

[Jono]

Malcolm Fraser on the 7:30 Report right now.

[James90]

Thing is the Greens aren't that far from having meaningful power. He's not joining the sex workers union (could be a completely fictional party) or anything like that. If Garrett was truly committed to his principles he would have attempted to boost the profile of the one party that would have allowed him to express his "views". Sort of a hybrid change it from the inside/outside model.

I actually think he has likely changed his outlook from his musician days. I can't imagined someone as principled as he comes across in his music settling for Labor, and I can't imagine him being naive enough to believe he could change the machine from the inside. Musicians crystalize their feelings/opinions in song, but people's opinions are by no means set in stone.

Think it's worth noting that Garrett aligns himself with the Right faction of the ALP rather than the Left. That suggests to me that he doesn't actually want to create change from within but just wants a cushy seat where he can continue to be seen as important in the public eye.

Still rate him as Environment Minister even though he's done a poor job of recognising the warning signs about a good scheme with the potential to be exploited.

[stephen]

Think it's worth noting that Garrett aligns himself with the Right faction of the ALP rather than the Left. That suggests to me that he doesn't actually want to create change from within but just wants a cushy seat where he can continue to be seen as important in the public eye.

Still rate him as Environment Minister even though he's done a poor job of recognising the warning signs about a good scheme with the potential to be exploited.

It is my experience that ALP candidates allign themselves with whomever they feel gives them the best chance of power. That is why in the Beattie bielection the ALP candidate changed from "left" to "moderate".

Really really hope that the knives come out for Bligh soon. Absolutely sick of her running this state. Worst premier we have ever had in my lifetime. I'm really hoping she has a monumental dummy spit as well, along the same lines as Borbidge.

[James90]

It is my experience that ALP candidates allign themselves with whomever they feel gives them the best chance of power. That is why in the Beattie bielection the ALP candidate changed from "left" to "moderate".

Grace Grace is amazing! Definitely a lefty at heart.

Really really hope that the knives come out for Bligh soon. Absolutely sick of her running this state. Worst premier we have ever had in my lifetime. I'm really hoping she has a monumental dummy spit as well, along the same lines as Borbidge.

Knives have already pierced the skin.

The amount of work some people have done to keep her in the top job...at some stage they'll dessert a sinking ship and save their own bacon one feels.

[James90]

In other news, Q&A was fantastic tonight. It's gotten to the stage where if you raided Turnbull's wallet you wouldn't be surprised if you found an ALP membership card.

[social]

In other news, Q&A was fantastic tonight. It's gotten to the stage where if you raided Turnbull's wallet you wouldn't be surprised if you found an ALP membership card.

I know the guy and, as I've said on here before, he's going to take people down with him one way or another

[Craig]

Grace Grace is amazing! Definitely a lefty at heart.


Knives have already pierced the skin.

The amount of work some people have done to keep her in the top job...at some stage they'll dessert a sinking ship and save their own bacon one feels.

That is an awesome name. Right up there with Neville Neville.

[stephen]

Grace Grace is amazing! Definitely a lefty at heart.

I hate the whole ALP factionalism and caucus. It seems to prevent good policy more than help it. The only thing that the ALP machine seems to be good at is winning elections.

Was utterly gutted at the rolling of Iemma/Costa in NSW, who were by far the best ALP team NSW had seen in years. At least in terms of policy.

I am a staunch Lib, but would change to a swinging voter the moment that the ALP removed the power of the unions from the caucus and allowed their MPs to cross the floor.

The Liberal Party is far more pragmatic than the ALP and that, to me, is the key to good governance.

[Burgey]

I hate the whole ALP factionalism and caucus. It seems to prevent good policy more than help it. The only thing that the ALP machine seems to be good at is winning elections.

Was utterly gutted at the rolling of Iemma/Costa in NSW, who were by far the best ALP team NSW had seen in years. At least in terms of policy.

I am a staunch Lib, but would change to a swinging voter the moment that the ALP removed the power of the unions from the caucus and allowed their MPs to cross the floor.

The Liberal Party is far more pragmatic than the ALP and that, to me, is the key to good governance.

And that, mate, is the only game in town.

Haha - Nicola Roxoff with golf balls as props in QT - gold.

[howardj]

I hate the whole ALP factionalism and caucus. It seems to prevent good policy more than help it. The only thing that the ALP machine seems to be good at is winning elections.

Was utterly gutted at the rolling of Iemma/Costa in NSW, who were by far the best ALP team NSW had seen in years. At least in terms of policy.

I am a staunch Lib, but would change to a swinging voter the moment that the ALP removed the power of the unions from the caucus and allowed their MPs to cross the floor.

The Liberal Party is far more pragmatic than the ALP and that, to me, is the key to good governance.

Good man.

The Liberal party are easily one of the most successful post-war political parties.

Been in power for 43 out of the last 61 years, Federally.

And will return to the Treasury benches later this year, under Staight Talker's stewardship.

[Burgey]

Good man.

The Liberal party are easily one of the most successful post-war political parties.
Been in power for 43 out of the last 61 years, Federally.

And will return to the Treasury benches later this year, under Staight Talker's stewardship.

There are really only two that count though. So yes, they are one of the most successful parties.

[Top_Cat]

There are really only two that count though. So yes, they are one of the most successful parties.

Agree, definitely in the top 2.