In NSW Labor is in a shambles yet they look like getting back, maybe with an increased majority. This, on the face of it defies common sense. But the Liberals here are even less in tune with the electorate than Labor. Apart from recycling effluent rather than building a desalination plant they seem to have nothing sensible to say. Their law and order campaign is a disaster but they persist. Peter Debnam looks more and more like a thin, nerdy version of James Bond but he won't stay out of the water. What we are being offered is an annus horribillis no matter how we vote. So I wish you joy but unless your Liberals are better than our Liberals you had better learn to grit your teeth.

I agree Peter. Quite freqently the old annus horribilis is thrown in, which is in fact a disease. A virus enters thro the annus travels up around the body, finally settling behind the eyes. Symptoms include a brownish outlook on life.

'Is it possible to write a state Labor story - any state - without 'fiasco' and 'debacle' in it?'

Without bothering to read the article, I would say of course it is. It's just not as exciting without those words.

Tasmanian ALP in for an 'annus horribilis'?

Who cares about the ALP or the Lib’s or even the green freaks ?

It’s we Tasmanians who suffer horribilis of government that’s unfit to govern .

The current pattern will continue thanks to two despicable wrongs enacted by our glorious representatives .

These being smaller parliament (numbers should have increased) & four year terms (tenure) .

Recipe for arrogance .

All three parties are only interested in oiling squeaky wheels .

The trouble is most decent folk don’t like to squeak . Not considered polite .

To our politicians , Why do we only hear of new rules, regulations, restrictions & red tape ?

Surely with your more shielded positions you could use your legislative capacity to provide more liberty for ALL . That includes shielding one minority from another or the mob .
Indeed the only example of this that comes to mind in the last fifteen years would be gay law reform . A little irony there .

I for one would happily see you paid more for that .

Russian president Putin described recently his take on democracy as fulfilling the will of the majority whilst protecting the interests of the minority .

Or maybe it is just to fix special deals for special mates.