demos, I can only agree with you completely

Romany,
You won't learn much more from plerdus, or this or any other topic, I suggest you continue to post your own opinions and view the responses on their merit. There is a great deal of knowledge in this site, if you stand back and observe it, good luck mate.

And demos wrote ....

< i conclude his real concern is that the other gang of political bandits are in power, and his gang is not. >

A secret ballot on all issues in all Govt Institutions could maybe help to create more (better?) harmony within all gangs?

Abbott and Costello ?

Of course I'm referring to the unique situation where the two leading (comedy duo?) politicians of the land (the PM & HIS DEPUTY) are diametrically opposed to each other, in relation to a (said to have been), matter of honour between them.

And what's so "unique" about it, you may ask?

Well .... It seems that .........one of them is telling the truth!

There is no record of Evans ever demanding his Labor colleagues in Queensland create a house of review in that State. Hypocrite is the best words for Evans.

Here we go again, blaming your opponents for winning. The reason the coalition have a majority in the senate is because the alternative (Labor) we so uninspring, so stale, so pathetic that Australians were left with no option.
The blame for the current situation rests firmly on the shoulders of you Mr Evans and your fellow mediocre colleagues. The sooner you realise this the sooner you can formulate alternate ideas and policies. Ten years on I am yet to see one. Appears at this stage Labor will continue the policy of rolling up in a ball and hoping the Coalition will trip over their own feet. As a former long time member of the ALP I am saddened to see a party that was once an organisation brimming with ideas, visions and excitement now has the appearance and taste of a loaf of week old bread.
PFH

I was impressed by Senator Chris Evans' article. Of course he drew a clear distinction between the government's voting majority in the Senate - not the issue here - and its new propensity to emasculate the Senate's debate and review powers on matters of government accountability - which is the issue here . I think the initiative to establish independent review committeees with Labor, Greens and other senators taking part is a good one. It will expose up what the government is trying to do. They should choose their issues carefully, to maximise public interest in their deliberations. Also, senators have many other ways to bring on public criticism on important matters e.g. in adjournment speeches, MPIs, censure motions. Opposition Senators should not be discouraged by the government's temporary present majority in the Senate - the Senate still matters a great deal in our threatened democracy. Our media should report the Senate more seriosly - their usual neglect of the Senate compounds the problems Chris Evans discusses here. Thanks, Chris, for a good essay.