Obviously the DLP mob are 'also rans' rather than front runners, nevertheless they may well have a place in a coalition headed by Big Clive with a bunch of rats & mice parties to make up the numbers. I've never voted informal to date, but I'd seriously consider that if the only other option was supporting either the RAbbott or the red-headed witch. I'm chasing up info on preferences & the results might change my strategy, however my present preferences are for the Palmer mob first, LNP last, ALP just ahead of LNP, and the space in between filled with the rats & mice. Whilst the red-headed witch is disaster personified, I figure the RAbbott is a significantly more devious & scheming and hence even lower on the desirability scale than witchfeatures.

"I've run over better rabbits than these people" How does a slug drive a car? just wondering, he has no arms or legs, Maybe he was driving a horse and buggy.

I disagree with Senator Madigan on many things but admire that he spoke out about increases in salary and allowances to politicians, while they were telling everyone else to pull their belts in. In fact didn't he give his payrise away to charity?

He reminds me a bit of Bob Brown in his steadfastness whether you agree with either of them on their beliefs and policies. I cannot support his strong Catholic view of the world but like everyone in politics you can agree even with your opponents on some issues.

I am also glad to see a blacksmith amongst all the lawyers in Parliament. We need a few more people with different backgrounds. Bob Brown and Brendan Nelson were doctors and had a more compassionate approach and involved themselves in less politicking than many. Maybe we need more GPs to go into politics and less lawyers.

As for 24/7 trading, things changed when women started going back into the workforce. There is no longer many windows of opportunity for shopping when the majority of people work 9-5pm. I work shift work so it doesn't matter to me but for the majority I imgaine they would be stuck to get the groceries done in their lunch hours, go home unpack the cold stuff and race back to work once a week. And imagine the queues.

pelican - We need a few more people with different backgrounds

EXACTLY, in fact I'd happily ban both lawyers and priests completely. A legal background trains people in lying, obfuscation, twisting words into totally incomprehensiible forms, avarice on a grand scale and probably a lot more evils as well. Both lawyers & priests seem to have a level of megalomania that is rarely found in any other industry / trade / profession / occupation. Look for example at Slippery Pete, the RAbbott & ex Brisbane mayor Surley Jim. The lack of ANY lawyers or priests in the 39 candidates endorsed by Big Clive has really impressed me, to date they all have 'normal' real world backgrounds & if he manages to keep that up with the whole 150 that will be a huge step forward. I would however love to see Madigan with a place in the next gubmunt, his Citizen Initiated Referenda bill alone warrants his inclusion. Same goes for Pauline Hanson, if only to give the RAbbott a much needed slap around the gills.

Pelican, it's easy to be the 'good guy' and grandstand in politics when you are a party of one. Compare the contribution of Nick Xenophon has made to this parliament and that of Mad Dog. Until his rabbit comment little has be heard from the good senator over the past 3 years.
I don't know what kind of 'political' advice some politicians got on this $20m deal, incidentally the rest of the package was a vote winner, now the whole lot is trash. As one who has acted as an "adviser" to candidates in the past I must say this would have been a "gimme", I would have said "In the light of the present political climate, denounce the cash grab and praise the rest as great stuff, so easy."
One of Gillards failings has been her total lack of political savvy, she is constantly falling in holes.

....Leave me questioning why I continue to come here.

So why do you come here Belly, as all you do is put others down, by either saying, or implying we are il informed, or, you whinge and carry on, yet when challenged, you piss off.

So tell me Belly, why are you here?

Then this...Do we understand? that the senate may cripple them/the will of voters? that like Labor, spoilers may stop an elected government doing anything?

My tip is that Abbott will find a trigger for a DD election, shouldn't be hard, then we will go off to the polls again and throw the whole senate out and start afresh.

No more greens.

Of cause both Rudd and Gillard had their chances to do this, they just didn't have the balls.

Continued