I have always thought that this new PM would do things differently in Canberra, but I believe his decision to live at the Police Academy while in Canberra is completely strange!

http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/nsw/tony-abbott-abandons-possuminfested-lodge-in-canberra-to-live-with-afp-recruits-until-renovations-are-complete/story-fni0cx12-1226719229780

How embarrassing for Australia that the best place we could come up with for a Prime Ministerial residence while the Lodge is renovated for up to a year, is a Police Barracks?

What fun for the First Lady, and the First Hot Daughters, to come to Canberra to stay with the PM and hang out with the police recruits.
All the news articles and TV news shows on this subject this morning are barely restraining themselves, and laughing at the decision.

Imagine what international dignitaries will say when they hear about this residence for our PM? They will be appalled!
Surely Australia can do better than this for our Prime Minister?

I can see the Liberal supporters nodding their heads religiously as they praise their thrifty leader for saving money and resisting more appropriate, but more expensive digs, while Abbott is running the country in Canberra.

I am embarrassed by this decision.
What does everyone else feel?

' I am embarrassed by this decision.
What does everyone else feel? '

I am alot more embarassed by having such an incompetent Government for the last 6 years. The left always have misplaced shame.

Dear Suse,

According to newspaper reports one of the major problems
in finding suitable accommodation for the Prime Minister
was security, therefore hotels were not a considered
option. The PM cannot move into the possum-infested Lodge
in Canberra until renovations are completed. Dodgy wiring
has to be replaced, asbestos removed and the roof has to
be replaced on the 1927 property. Plus possum urine was
causing problems. Former PM Julia Gillard okayed the
renovations as a necessity - a few years back.

The up-side of sharing accommodation with AFP recruits are
many, The place is close to Parliament, around the clock
security will be provided, the facility is not shabby -
it has king-size beds, on-suites,
private kitchens, an impressive gym,
which a fitness fanatic like the PM can appreciate, plus
there's lounge areas, dining-rooms, billard-rooms, and so on
and it doesn't cost $3,000 a night (more like $120).

And, if there's a need for the PM to entertain foreign
visitors - the PM's offices in Parliament can be used.
Also when his wife and/or daughters visit - I'm sure that
alternative accommodation will be found for them.

This is only a temporary arrangement afterall - therefore
I wouldn't make a big fuss over it. Mr Abbott has always
admired Ben Chifly (one of Labor's greats) and Mr Chifly
preferred to stay at the Kurrajong Hotel while in Canberra.
The Kurrajong was owned by the Party.

Yep Suse, as Foxy says, it is only while they evict the possums, & it is only somewhere to sleep. I'm sure he will spend most of his time in parliament house, with more facilities than any tourist resort in Oz.

Besides he will need the security. Such a handsome bloke will need someone protecting him from the ladies.

Dear Hasbeen,

You mean his brain is not his greatest asset?
;-)

Lol Hasbeen, yes I would imagine he needs to be surrounded by police recruits to keep the women away!

Foxy, I read about the security problems too, but surely something more appropriate could be found for the PM?

I read where it may take 12 months for the Lodge renovations, so he could be residing at the 'Academy' for some time yet.

The police academy has an impressive gym on the premises.
Maybe that is the main reason the 'action man' is staying there?

He would be wrong in anything he did, wouldn't he?

Suse you really do start to sound sick.

Parliament has a great gym, so perhaps he should kick one of the shadow ministers out of their office, & move a bed in.

One thing is really amusing is the thought of the KRudd trying to live in one of those rooms. Imagine the explosion when he didn't have the right sized shelf for his hair dryer.

Well Hasbeen, it would seem more appropriate to me if he DID live at Parliament House rather than at a Police Academy.

As for Rudd, no one cares where he would have lived....

For less than $200 K you can pick yourself up a glamourous transportable home, so just renting one for a year would cost much less, then simply place in on the grounds.

I also note the libs have downgraded international flights, from 1st class to business class, as apparently a 1st class tick averages $35K.

Perhaps the new pope is re-writing the way leaders spend tax payers dollars.

Nothing wrong with that.

Looks like a smart move to me.

If he keeps up the trend what a contrast to those pollies who tell the rest of us we need to tighten our belts while they are busy indulging themselves with perks of the job.

If Abbott is smart about it he will conspicuously lead by example and forgo unnecessary perks. Plenty will laugh but I suspect that a lot of those who do it tough who will be pleased to see someone in Canberra who is willing to put practicality and cost ahead of prestige. Makes a great contrast to having a hissy fit over a missing special breakfast.

I think Foxy summed up the practical side pretty well and there is a political element to it that looks smart. Plenty of taxpayers who work too hard for those dollars taken by the tax department are heartily sick of seeing them so conspicuously wasted on perks for pollies (and other with access to other peoples money).

I hope this is the start of a trend in the way Abbott intends to lead.

R0bert

RObert,

"I hope this is the start of a trend in the way Abbott intends to lead."

If you mean "weirdly" - I think you may be onto something.

But seriously, I've been down south all day - tell me, have they let Abbott out of his post-election lock-down box yet?

No Poirot, Abbott isn't out of his post election lock-box yet, as he is too busy working out with the police recruits! : )

No seriously, I was just beginning to wonder if I was the only one on this forum who thinks the Australian Prime Minister's living arrangements are somewhat....strange?
I suggest this will be just the first instance of what I see as eccentric behaviour of our new PM.

And no RObert, I don't think he is trying to show all the poor people how he can save money. We shall just wait and see how much public money is spent on 'renovations' of the Lodge.

He seems to have had no problems suggesting paying well-off women earning $150,000 a year a full wage while they take 6 months off to stay home with their baby.

the only way our resident lefties could possibly say anything about Abbott is if he turned out to be a closet 'gay '.

runner,

Considering he's been ensconced in a closet since the election - anything is possible!

(This cartoon explains it all:)

http://www.smh.com.au/national/editorial-cartoon-20130518-2jt83.html

Dear Poirot,

I don't get what's going on; the nature of your posts of late do not smack of the Poirot we have come to know and love.
Couldn't be that you've been having a bad hair day, for the last few months, could it? Or can you really be that dark on the Abbott?
(Maybe the election has been a strain. Understandable.)
We miss you (the 'real', dinky di); please hurry back.

Dear, Dear, Suze,

Thanks for a bit of levity; OLO's been getting rather 'dark' lately.

However, there's an aspect to this story that all have failed to pick up:
Considering in China they can erect something like a fully furnished 10-15 storey apartment block for 100 people in something like 15-20 weeks - yet in OZ a whole YEAR to do some renovations (including replacing one little ol' roof) on the little ol' 'cottage'? (Ok, it's a 'lodge' - big deal.) (Of course, Possums are a protected species, so handling that must add 6 months or so, I suppose.)
And, for heaven's sake, how many Aussies actually move OUT, holus-bolus, just to have a few renovations done?
What, are they re-doing the whole joint, Taj Mahal Style, or what?
(Or is the planning based on the Mr FussyRudd formula?)

No wonder this country's in a mess. Nobody wants to WORK, obviously.
(Waiting to call in some 457's maybe?) (Perhaps it's time for Work Choices-II?)

Saltpetre (me old salt:)

"Dear Poirot,

I don't get what's going on; the nature of your posts of late do not smack of the Poirot we have come to know and love.
Couldn't be that you've been having a bad hair day, for the last few months, could it? Or can you really be that dark on the Abbott?
(Maybe the election has been a strain. Understandable.)
We miss you (the 'real', dinky di); please hurry back."

Funnily enough, I have noted the same regarding your good self.

You appear to have become infatuated with the thought of a government led by Tony "the pamphlet" Abbott.

My good man, if I may be so bold, can't you tell a poodle on an IPA leash when you see one?

(This may call for divorce!)

: )

Thanks Salpetre, I did think it was a somewhat lighter political discussion than what we have had lately, but I don't think Runner finds it funny we are making light of the Lib's shining light at all.

I hadn't thought about the year-long renovations aspect of the story before.
I would have thought that if the PM was really looking to save a few bucks, he would be saving the country $120 a week to stay with and work out with the recruits, if he stayed at the Lodge while the renovations were being done.

Julia Gillard also lived at the Police Academy for a time, whilst she was Prime Minister.

Suze, I would suggest the closer to a normal person our PM can be, the more accepted he/she would be by the every day voters, those who make up 90% of us.

I said in my last post that a 1st class flight cost $35K.

It may have been $23K, I'm not sure, but either way, when you consider the number of flights, for ministers, their partners and support crew, the cost would be staggering, and I have no doubt any savings are good savings.

Couldn't PM Abbott just stay at Kirribilli House and use the NBN to videoconference with Canberra?

(Whilst I ponder if all's well at Downton between the Earl and Countess of Grantham, does anyone know if there are any pink batts at The Lodge?)

Gauwd Runner, you are right, the ladies are sharpening their knives for
when Abbott becomes PM.
I guess they have to get into practice because now they have to do a
full inversion and praise the opposition and condemn the government.

Talk about storms and teacups, it must be global warming !

'but I don't think Runner finds it funny we are making light of the Lib's shining light at all.'

actually Susie I find it pathetic but predictable. Abbott himself would definetly find it funny.

But, ah, runner...you're insinuating that Abbott has a personality....

PJack is right. Please find the thread we posted when we made a fuss about Julia Gillard living at the Police Academy so we can compare notes!

I would say the same thing if any PM was living at this academy actually.

However, I can't remember Gillard actually choosing to LIVE at the police academy for up to a year? She was able to put up with the Lodge for some time I believe.

Runner, you had no problem constantly running down absolutely everything to do with Rudd and Gillard while they were PM, so how does it feel having the holy Abbott run down?

Surely you can't expect us never to question his questionable decisions?
If we didn't do that, then OLO would have very little to discuss : )

I think it's a great idea. It's an example of frugality, provides for security and gives him an opportunity for contact with a segment of the common people, the police. If this sets the tone for his administration it will be a welcome departure from the pomp of the past. I felt that Australia would be the winner if either Rudd or Abbott lost.

Now I have some hope that Abbott will be different in other ways from past politicos. He's off to a better start than I expected.

david f,

"Now I have some hope that Abbott will be different in other ways from past politicos. He's off to a better start than I expected."

Gawd!

This guy gets elected on nothing but a pocketful of slogans and loony tunes policies (PPL and boat buy-back....Hockey waves around 8 sheets of paper as an excuse for "costings")...and an intelligent gent like you reckons he's just fine.

Sheeesh!

That's what they call Putin.

Abbott's thrifty use of taxpayers' money is commendable. Credit should also go to his family.

Meanwhile old pear-shape, ex-PM Julia Whatshername - the one who just bought a $2 million bungalow on her golden handshake from exasperated taxpayers - is still throwing Ranga excreta at Rudd, without whom there would have been an even more catastrophic fall of Labor.

otb,

"Meanwhile old pear-shape, ex-PM Julia Whatshername..."

What happened to the defender of women, etc.?

"...old pear shape...Whatshername..."

Hmmm.... I always knew your defence of women's honour and integrity was only an excuse to put the boot in.

"...old pear shape..."

(not sexist at all...Lol!)

Poirot,

Others do not pose as a women representing women's views like you, dear Old Tin of Fruit.

Which is why your post is very funny.

Keep going Dear, but do try and buff up your language a bit to appear more woman and not just an old woman. Er sorry, Old Lady.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NwC7ph9FD54

LOL

That should be 'woman' in the first sentence. Even a superior being like Poirot can only be one Lady at a time.

Too funny.

otb,

"Others do not pose as a women representing women's views like you, dear Old Tin of Fruit.

Which is why your post is very funny.

Keep going Dear, but do try and buff up your language a bit to appear more woman and not just an old woman. Er sorry, Old Lady."

Oh, excellent....Mr defender of women's honour.

I was merely pointing out your hypocrisy, seeing that you regularly feign outrage on this subject so you can have a go.

However, I'll take it all back if you can provide an instance where, when you've been commenting on a male politician, that you've described their "shape" or any other physical characteristic.

Or is that avenue of description only reserved for women?

Your language needs a considerable buff up to resemble that of a woman, Old Tin of fruit.

You are a very complex superior being, aren't you, dear?

Meanwhile, back to the thread, this author puts his finger on it (don't get excited Poirot, Old tin of Fruit, it is only an expression),

"When the electorate moved, the hives were pushed aside. They now buzz with rage"

http://www.theage.com.au/comment/welcome-to-the-abbottoir-20130915-2tsrm.html

Susieonline is "embarassed" about the PM living economically because it never occurs to leftists to think of the money they are wasting as actually belonging to anyone before the government took it. Leftists think of government the way children think of the cookie jar.

Susie obviously prefers the days when Labor was flying to New York on $32,000 first class tickets. Yes that's what they were doing while telling their subjects they're consuming too much energy and forcing little old ladies to freeze in the dark.

Neo-feudal is the name for your political opinion, Susie.

Unlike the socialists, Tony Abbott apparently believes that his office is a service, not a dignity, as the criminal clowns from Labor obviously thought of themselves as some kind nobility among the peasants.

Do try to grow up Susie. Think of it this way: if the question was whether *you* would pay, which would you prefer Tony Abbott stay at: a five-star hotel a la Rudd and Gillard and Hawke, or perfectly appropriate accommodation that the government has already paid for?

There's always more than one side of the story - regardless
of what the Newscorp papers tell you, so,
before Mr Abbott and the Coalition are given sainthood,
here's a small reminder:

http://www.smh.com.au/comment/lies-damned-lies-and-australias-future-20130906-2taav.html

Foxy, "before Mr Abbott and the Coalition are given sainthood"

Was Jardine K. Jardine trying to do that? Or was he simply acknowledging that Abbott used the available, practical and cheap alternative?

I thought too that Jardine K. Jardine's reference to Neo-Feudalism could warrant some discussion at least.

Dear OTB,

Why don't you ask Jardine what he was attempting to
do? I would not presume to speak on his behalf.

My reply was not directed at him - otherwise I would
have addressed the post to him. But thanks for your concern.
And, by all means discuss whatever issues you wish on this
thread.

Cheers.

Dear Poirot, (Light of my feeble life),

>My good man, if I may be so bold, can't you tell a poodle on an IPA leash when you see one?<

Who or what is an/the IPA?
(Independent Philosophical Acolytes?)
(Intellectual People's Association?)
If it's providing any worthwhile guidance for 'the Tone' it must be something pretty special - since he's such a helluva good guy!

Oh, could you mean the 'Institute of Public Affairs':
"Australia's leading free market think tank. Promoting public policy based on individual liberty, limited government, free markets, and peaceful international ..."

From 'The Age', of 25 August 2013 (extracts):
"A source said the IPA would maybe have only one donor among Australia's top 100 listed companies. The IPA's current make-up is a marked change from a few decades ago, when it was supported by large blue-chip companies and a who's who of the Australian business establishment."

"Mr Roskam (Liberal party member, John Roskam) confirmed it had received money from a Gina Rinehart-backed organisation, Australians for Northern Development and Economic Vision. The IPA collaborated with Mrs Rinehart to promote northern development through special cuts to taxes and regulation.
Both major parties now broadly support that policy."

So, is it because John Howard and Tony Abbott have both had nice things to say about the Institute, or the Institute's evaluation of the prospects for the development of our country's north (and possible lobbying in this regard) that causes shock, horror, 'Reds under the Beds'? Or is it the Institute's 'hard line' on climate change action? (Or, is there simply no place for a 'think tank' in Oz? No place for 'alternative' ideas?)
'Liberal' thinking, or liberalised thinking; such 'arrogance'??

Tony is no puppet (or poodle), and I think he deserves a fair go, before all and sundry go running around crying 'crucify him'.

david f,

"Now I have some hope that Abbott will be different in other ways from past politicos. He's off to a better start than I expected."

Poirot wrote: Gawd!

This guy gets elected on nothing but a pocketful of slogans and loony tunes policies (PPL and boat buy-back....Hockey waves around 8 sheets of paper as an excuse for "costings")...and an intelligent gent like you reckons he's just fine.

Dear Poirot,

Where did I write that he was just fine? The question asked how did we feel about that particular act of Abbott. I don't have to either automatically approve or automatically disapprove of everything he does. The question did not concern his lack of costings or anything else concerning his election. It concerned his decision as to where he decided to stay pending the refurbishment of the lodge. Why did you bring in extraneous matter which had nothing to do with the question?

I hope he will make other decisions that seem good to me.

david f.,

"Why did you bring in extraneous matter which had nothing to do with the question?"

I don't know what came over me...sometimes I can't help myself.

........

On the whole, it's pointless commenting here at the mo. The place appears to be overrun (more than usual) with gullible right-wingers.

Think I'll mosey around elsewhere for a while.....

'Runner, you had no problem constantly running down absolutely everything to do with Rudd and Gillard while they were PM, so how does it feel having the holy Abbott run down? '

actually feels good Susie. The country would be right down the tube if it had the sisterhood cheer squad on its side. They did there best to ruin the country. I would much more concerned if you and others supported Abbott having read your illogical dogmas over the years.

The sisterhood cheer squad?
What are you on about Runner?
Was labor run by the 'sisterhood' then was it?

Obviously Abbott is being very careful not to let women have any say in his he-man government .
He only has one woman on his front bench.
No wonder you worship him!

You are right Poirot, there doesn't seem to be much more to say on this subject any more.
We will wait and see how much is spent on the renovation of the Lodge before we start crowning Abbott as the King of Thrift...

The Lodge overhaul was ordered by Labor. Remember.

Did they leave the money for the 'overhaul' then Hasbeen?
Are you suggesting that Abbott won't have any say in the renovations of the Lodge?
Rest assured everyone will be watching Mr.Thrift very closely.

Seems like Tim was also into the 'entitlement'industry along with Thomson and other Labour/unionist. Maybe another slush fund was needed for Tim. You would think they could afford to pay just a little of their own way after sucking the public purse. No wonder they hate Abbott so much.

http://www.perthnow.com.au/news/julia-gillard-wrote-personal-cheque-for-4243-to-department-of-finance-because-partner-tim-mathieson-misued-taxpayer-funded-car/story-fnhnv0wb-1226720672955

Dear runner,

Enough of your nonsense and finger-pointing at only
one side when certain members of both major parties
are equally culpable. Look into Mr Abbott's use of
private jets to promote his book, his presenting a
bill for his "charity" bike ride, plus his "slush-
fund," and the list goes on.

Give it a rest old chap. The election's been won.
Now lets wait and see what good comes out of it.
You need to move on and lighten up.

Conversion to private us and 'catch me if you can'. Ms Julia Whatshername and Tim must be sitting back in that $2million bungalow and laughing at what they managed to get away with.

Any wonder politicians are forever wanting to make the Public Service 'more responsive' by lateral recruitment of political appointees to senior positions.

<JULIA Gillard wrote a personal cheque for $4243 to the Department of Finance because her partner, Tim Mathieson, had misused her taxpayer-funded car to drive around Victoria selling shampoo and other haircare products in breach of parliamentary rules.

Documents released to The Australian under Freedom of Information laws yesterday show that Ms Gillard made the payment on March 9, 2007, as deputy leader of the opposition because of concern over a breach of rules forbidding the use of the car for commercial purposes.

The documents were provided yesterday after a 10-month battle by the former prime minister and her office to prevent the Department of Finance from following through on its decision to release the material>

http://tinyurl.com/pjodebe

Interesting. But let's not be selective in examining
the "wrong-doings" of only one side of politics.
To balance things out lets also take a look at the
leader of the opposition's actions and how he measures
up to the former PM's pay-back actions. This should
bide well for all those with an appetite for that sort
of news:

The Fairfax media has pointed out that:

Mr Abbott was forced to pay back the Commonwealth $10,000
of taxpayer's money in travel expenses which he spent
while promoting his 2009 book, "Battlelines."
And there's more - In the 2011 "Pollie Pedal" for charity,
Mr Abbott claimed $3,657.00 in "expenses." In the
2012 "Pollie Pedal for charity Mr Abbott's claim for
"expenses" was $3,141.00. The expenses for 2013 are yet to be
released.

Foxy,

You want to play tit-for-tat as a way of lessening or even forgetting the wrong of your 'side' of politics.

It is obvious rhetorical trickery to divert and deceive that only serves to confirm that you are partisan and ethics will be sidelined to 'win' a point. That way you and others can flop into your ruts to repeat the same old, same old.

However, as has been pointed out many times before, there is a larger issue at stake which is accountability. That applies to all who access government entitlements or make decisions affecting them.

So what about dealing with the first matter raised which was lawyer Ms Julia Whatshername's responsibility for the safe keeping and proper use of her guvvy car?

Then by all means allegations affecting others can be discussed.

To be blunt, don't excuse one by making allegations against another.

Dear OTB,

You were the one who took part in finger-pointing
on this thread Sir. I actually tried to keep a
fair and even balance in my comments. And now
your claim about "accountability" seems to only
be held against one side of politics. That's being
selective and biased. I was merely responding and
trying to present both sides as having to be
accountable - if we're going to discuss "wrong-doings."

You however seem to have a problem with that.
Which I simply cannot accept.

Foxy,

That is no answer, just more of the same.

Dear OTB,

That is an answer. It simply is unacceptable to you.
Tit-for-tat - is your game not mine.

I'm stopping raving about Tony Abbott because I'm fairly confident he's going to disappoint me, just as he's bound to disappoint a lot of other people. He's human after all, and imperfect, like the rest of us. Maybe we'd like better, but 'you can't always get what you want' (as the saying goes).
And he's not a sole agent - there are a lot of others in the boat, and a lot of competing interests and priorities.

Still, what Foxy has advised us about Tony claiming expenses when being on a charitable fundraiser (bike ride) does disturb me, even if he paid it back - and even more so if he didn't pay it back. A fundraiser is a fundraiser, not an election campaign. This is troubling.

As for LNP policies and agenda, I'm going to wait to see these unfold, and keep my fingers crossed.

Saltpetre,

Tony gets away with his charity/volunteer/surf events because he manages to somehow integrate them with his parliamentary career - those travel expenses "are not paid back".

http://phonytonyabbott.com/blog/how-the-taxpayer-paid-for-tony-abbott-to-compete-in-surf-races

The $9,400 that he was made to pay back came from a series of trips to promote his book "Battlelines" - and included flights to various cities and comcar use.

Come on kiddies, for god sake, try to talk about something a bit more important than MPs expenses.

Do any of you really think any senior member of either party sits down & works out their own expense account? If you do, it's time to go back to school.

The fact that Gillard's or Abbott's secretary got it wrong, or tried to crib a bit is of such little importance, when the actual people can cost us billions by falling for the global warming scam, or getting us involved in some damn fool errand like trying to save Muslims from each other.

Get real please.

Fellas,
I think you will find that Abbott likes the barracks because they have inbuilt gyms and sauna facilities, just what a working PM needs to start the day.

Well then Chris, can we expect to see a big gym and sauna facility built into the newly renovated Lodge then?

I have no problem with a PM who wants to keep fit, but please spare us from constant action man photos and news stories about Abbott's many physical pursuits!

Maybe he has taken some hints from that other well known action hero leader, Vlad Putin.......shudder.....

Suseonline,
Unfortunately the renovations were ordered by his predecessors and more than likely will include lots of mirrors to the exclusion of fitness gear.

Not to worry Chris.
Tony will make good use of the mirrors to watch himself work out : )

Dear Chris,

Actually I have it on good authority that mirrors
and gymns won't be considered in the Lodge at all.
They were found not to be necessities by the
previous government as Parliament House caters to
these things rather well. However what will be added
in addition to upgrading the basics that are needed,
will be a library and art collection, promoting
Australian literature and works of art - which the
previous government thought appropriate.

Mr Abbott will be able to exercise his mind at the lodge.
He can use the gym at Parliament House for his brawn.
Or he can do the morning walks around the lake as his
mentor Howard used to do.

Easy to see why the RSPCA isn't involved in handling the possums that 'infest' the Lodge after its recent concreting solution for rabbits to 'protect its staff'.

http://www.canberratimes.com.au/act-news/rspca-denies-using-concrete-to-kill-rabbits-20130909-2tgkn

Must have been this sort of dangerous bunny,

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cCI18qAoKq4

Possums like that would be unthinkable.

Maybe import more Kiwis to deal with the menace? -With apologies to our wonderful NZ neighbours, who really can take on giants and win,

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2013-09-19/america27s-cup3a-team-new-zealand-one-win-away-from-capturing/4967230

Foxy,
Sorry your sources are off.
I have it from Tony himself (as his traveling caterer) that there will be a gym at both residences and he expects to use it, along with his security staff, for the next 9 years.

Lol Chris.
If the Australian economy, as a whole, turns out as bad as the WA economy has, under a Liberal Government, then 3 years in the Lodge gym will be enough for Tony.

Dear Chris,

A gym is probably where Mr Abbott has his most contemplative
moments - either there or on a bike.
Some people have theirs sitting on the toilet. ;-)

Funny I thought parliament was a toilet

Dear Chris,

Parliament according to Dennis Pryor in his satirical
dictionary, "Political Pryorities: How to get on top of
Australian politics," is, "an expensive mockery
consisting of the House of Representatives and the Senate,
bodies which spend their time in spiteful and absurdist
debate while the real decisions are made by Ministers,
public servants and pressure groups. The normally
nonsensical rituals of Parliament occasionally break into
moments of high drama when a government, a leader, a Minister
or members are caught lying, with fingers in the till or
stabbed in the back by their own party."