SteeleRedux,

I have to admit that it was refreshing to hear Lambie apologise for initially supporting the Government's proposed financial advice changes, adding that she was now better informed.

"I'm proud to say I'm going to vote with like-minded senators - the coalition of common sense - to fix an injustice that I helped create just a few months ago," she told the chamber.

It's such a rare occurrence to come across a political representative who's willing to admit such a thing - especially in time to undo it - and it's possibly only the relative naivety and openness of Lambie that allows such an admission.

It is rare to hear an apology from a politician, but it has happened.

Kennedy apologised for the Bay of Pigs. Fiorello La Guardia, mayor of New York, apologised for his mistakes. Kevin Rudd apologised to the Aborigines. Obama in his Cairo speech admitted that the US had sometimes done the wrong thing. Perry, governor of Texas, admitted being arrogant.

Some politicians leave public office rather than support what they think is wrong. Michael Foot resigned at UK ambassador to the UN rather than support British colonialism. William Jennings Bryan resigned as Secretary of State when Wilson led the US into WW1.

The above were all honorable acts, and Lambie has joined that select circle.

Independent Senator Nick Xenophon has announced he will launch a new national political party with candidates in all states and territories at the next federal election.
I am an admirer of Nick X but, is he being a bit of an opportunists with this latest move of his. Considering the disarray of the hard right Abbott regime, and given the lackluster performance by the Labor Party is that just political opportunism with Nick trying to raise his political profile, with him virtually unknown to the average voter outside South Australia.
With the failure of PUP, there is fertile ground for a center center party to pick up 5% plus of the vote. The problem is to achieve the desired result, which is generally to win senate seats, a party needs enough active support, and money, to stand candidates in all the lower house seats, to maximise the Senate vote. Other that the big two, The Greens is the only party to have consistently achieved that, and now holds 10 Senate seats.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2014-12-07/independent-senator-nick-xenophon-to-launch-political-party/5949534

p/s According to Nick, no Lambie's allowed.

Lambie has been on a steep learning ramp .and has done very well,as soon as she gets some good support she will do better .

hope her colleague Muir gets himself up to speed he might surprise us as well.

both come across a lot better then "the Pain" from SA

ben

Ben, I can only assume the pain you refer to is Xenophon, but it would seem the voters of SA do not feel the same way. In 2013 Nick X ran a very close second to the Liberal Party with the primary vote, and out polled Labor state wide, quite an achievement. The motor man from Melbourne Muir got about 0.5% of the vote and was elected, by preferences from people who didn't even know he was a candidate, he has no policies, no platform, except maybe a free grease and oil change for all. You said about Muir "he might surprise us" yes he might, if he does more than front a rev heads convention and eat a cold pie!
p/s Welcome to the forum, and no I'm not from SA and I'm not a Nick Xenophon sycophant, although I think he has made a positive contribution to Australian politics. Fully paid up member of The Greens.

Lambie might have jumped ship at the right time, with voter support for PUP slipping 60% in the latest poll, down from 5% to 2%. PUP wouldn't win a prize in a chook raffle with that level of support, even if they held the only ticket.