SteeleRedux, if you really believe Palmer has "bought his way into our political system" what you're really saying is that the Australian voters are utterly stupid and are influenced by political campaigns funded by "money".

As we all know, Australian voters are certainly not influenced by political campaigns funded by money, can truly think for themselves and are extremely intelligent - NOT.

Nhoj.,
All elections are vote buying. We all want to get as much as possible out of them for our benefit.
Why do you think Labor gets voted in after a Coalition has filled the coffers again ?
To say voters aren't influenced by campaigns funded by money is simply the cream of ignorance.
That's where the Left/Right thing comes into play. The left clambers for as much as possible for as little as possible & the Right simply wants more reward for effort rather than sharing the bulk with the Left for nothing.
That's why the public service is so huge because it is always Labor no matter who is in power.
Perhaps Clive got a strategy of finally putting the brakes on the bandwagon and, if so he'll get my vote.

SteeleRedux,

Regarding Jackie Lambie, who appealed to me as decidedly vacuous on the subjects on which she is required to be cognizant

Her commentary on climate change was particularly vacant, saying things along the lines of "I'm not really up on the carbon thing"...and "the scientists are 50/50".

In fact, she was on a par with Palmer as far as her knowledge on that subject.

Not impressed.

individual,

What do you reckon about the govt running up a further $68 billion in debt in a mere 28 weeks?....that's way ahead of any rate Labor was running.

Vacuous. Thanks Poirot, that's just the word I was looking for when discussing Ms Lambie.
Sorry Steele Redux, we will have to agree to disagree on this lady.
As passionate as she may be about her little party, she appears to be way out of her depth.

Like some here I didn't know how to take Jackie Lambie on Q&A and PUP in general, I'm sus of Big Clive and what motivates him.
Suse, I always considered Pauline Hanson to be some kinda unfunny version of Dame Edna Everage, and Sir Joh Bjelke-Petersen as an even funnier version of Sir Les Patterson. talking of funnies I have a bit of a soft spot for Bob Katter and his 10 gallon hat.

Indie, Hasbeen, Runner and Rehctub, I though you fella's would be morals to vote ONE Pauline, Two Joh and THREE Sir Les, given the chance.
Nhoj, Ludwig, Poirot, SteeleRedux, Foxy and Susie keep up the good work, the forum couldn't do without you guys, and your intelligent comments. Otherwise look what we'd get from the 'Usual Suspects' and you never know someone from the outside world could read their comments and tell their friend "I read Aussie political forum! Those Aussies, what a bunch of Wombles, just like their fearless leader Mr Abbott," It's embarrassing enough for us that Abbott goes overseas and opens his trap, and the outside world hears him. Can't the Mad Monk pretend he's got 'laryngitis' or something, and keep his trap shut, and save Australia the humiliation? All he'd have to do is stand there in his taxpayer funded 'budgie smugglers; and say nothing. It would be an improvement

It will be interesting to see how the PUP
goes in the Senate and how long they do
last in politics. As for the Senator from
Tassie? Again, we'll have to wait and see.
And of course how much Mr Palmer will allow.
Interesting times ahead. Either way, people
did elect them - and things could not be
any worse in the politics of this country
than they are at present - surely?

Anyone watch "Q and A," last night - 28/04/14?
Malcolm Turnbull was given a run for his money.
Great viewing.