Cory Bernadi has advised the PM that he is leaving the Liberal Part to sit on the cross bench.

Peter Dutton says that 'the people' will be angry that Liberal Party values have been 'betrayed''

What values would they be, Peter?

The Coalition is in crises all over Australia, about to be booted in Western Australia, on the nose in New South Wales, not wanted elsewhere. This mob could not win a chook raffle even if they bought all the tickets, as Money Bags Malcolm did personally at the last federal election, to just scrape in by the barest of margins.

For Turnball, its been one internal disaster after another. With this Corny Banana character shooting off to the extreme right to most likely form another gangster party, possibly even more way out that the lovely Pauline's One Nation. Looks as though a couple of other crazy Liberals could follow suit shortly. Time for an election! Australia needs good government, not the Gumball politics that the Liberals are delivering now.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1qiRaS9VP1M

It seems to be about the value of trust.
Most people as Kelly O'Dwyer pointed out
"would feel that their trust has been
violated if somebody stood for a particular
party and then left that political party
particularly so soon after and election campaign."

Former Senator Sean Edwards also stated that -
"It would be a gross departure as to certainly
six months into a six year term - what people
would have expected... I would prefer to see
Senator Bernardi stay within the Liberal Party
and do the work that all the members that
pre-selected him ...expect."

Is this an ego trip for Senator Bernardi?
And what will our PM do about it?
Will Senator Bernardi have to resign from his
seat as he will not longer represent the Liberal
Party and it was under that umbrella that he got
elected? He should have to contest his seat again
surely? So many questions...

Interesting times ahead.

Yes Paul, it must be frustrating for both labor and green supporters to have been presented with such a wonderful oportunity to strike, but can't due to not having the tools.

The likes of PH are lapping it up.

Hey Paul, it certainly tells us what real people think of the Greens, when those who have been totally disgusted by Turnbull have to turn to One Nation. Through all this not a single decimal point in extra green numbers, & Labor is doing little better.

It is a pity that Pauline & Tony Abbott, probably the only 2 possible leaders, with the general populations interests at heart, in parliament are both so flawed. However, neither are any where near as flawed as Turnbull, Shorten, or your lot of crazies.

We need leaders game to come out blazing & kill off the global warming scam, & the dreadful alternate energy industries it has spawned.

I don't know enough about Bernadi to even have an opinion on him. It will take time to find if he is genuine or simply self serving. However he couldn't be any worse than what is currently our leaders.

Hi Foxy, we actually elect people, not political parties. So this bloke is free to do as he likes. I would not be surprised if there is not some kind of attempt to form a new political party. Others within the government, such as George Christensen and Eric Abetz, to name but two, would find such a party attractive. Could they coerse Abbott into leading such a party, Why did he hang around? If not to make a comeback in some way.
The last federal election was the worse possible result for Turnbull personally, a loss would have been better. With a slim majority, the right wing party members have total control of Turnbull. I once admired the man as a future Prime Minister. Unfortunately circumstance, and his overriding lust for leadership seen him sell himself out to those he really can not stomach. He puts on a brave face, that all is rosy in the garden, the reality is, it is anything but. In a way he reminds me of a great Liberal John Grey Gorton. Gorton had the moral fortitude that when the crunch came, he voted himself out of the top job.

John Gorton: "I am a Liberal, not a conservative!"

Paul, "Turnbull. I once admired the man as a future Prime Minister".

Anyone who could ever have admired Turnbull after the republic fiasco, is obviously short enough of acumen to be a green.

Thanks for the confirmation of your capacity.

Senators owe their allegiance to the voters, not to any party as
such are an artificial body. If they think the government is not
doing its job they are really obliged to say so.
However they cannot do so and stay within the artificial party.

Re Turnbull, well he is a disappointment. Somehow the whole right of
parliament has to be reconstructed.
It is a real personality environment and best left to them to sort out.
They will have to work with each other and let them find the best
combinations to do the job.
As far as the labour party is concerned, well what is there to say,
they still believe in fairies.

Dear Paul,

It's the party that elects its leaders in this
country. And most people I know tend to vote
for the party of their choosing. Of course Cory
Bernardi can start his own party (anyone in this
country can) however how can he justify remaining
in the Senate after he was elected as a Liberal
six months ago?

Paul1405 - Quote "The Coalition is in crises all over Australia"

I would say you are right, this is why Turnbull is so desperate for America to take our refugees, and Trump knows it and the price we pay in return will be very big in whatever he asks for.

The 1,250 refugees to Trump are insignificant in the deal what is significant is it will greatly help Turnbull politically.

It seems it is your day for everyone agreeing with you for once Paul.

Senator Bernardi,

"The body public is failing the people of Australia," he says.

"It is clear that we need to find a better way. The level of public disenchantment with the major parties, the lack of confidence in our political process and the concern about the direction of our nation is very, very strong. This is a direct product of us, the political class, being out of touch with the hopes and aspirations of the Australian people."

The 'Safe Schools' program in Victoria is a case example,
"Don't let Safe Schools become a millstone around our necks"
http://www.onlineopinion.com.au/view.asp?article=18833

Add to that the debate that is going on about 'alternative facts' posing as news.

If the "Honorable" Senator really believed
that the Liberal Party is failing the people
of Australia why did he remain in the Senate
after he was elected as a Liberal six months
ago. Why did he not resign from the party but
chose to get elected as a Liberal Senator.
A bit under-handed on his part. Can such a
man be trusted. I doubt it!

Might I suggest that perhaps he has been trying to get change for
some time but after what he saw in the US relised it just was not
happening fast enough.
So he pulled the plug.
I read an article by Richard Heinberg today that would justify Bernardi's
departure if he had read it.

http://tinyurl.com/j6clfug

Basically he says that Trump is a feature of the winding down of our
civilisation in that it generates people who want to keep everything
going as before eg; "Make America Great Again".

Let me know what you think of it.

An issue I have here is that other members of Parliament have also done things like this. I live in the Mayo electorate, and former Foreign Affairs Minister, Alexander Downer, not long after getting elected (for personal reasons, that being he was in opposition at the time with John Howard losing Government) and was bored, quit as a politician. The bi-election cost a fortune and people (in Mayo) were forced to go back to the polling booths.

Jamie Briggs, was later elected, but with the popularity of the Nick Xenophon Team (NXT) and Jamie Briggs not having a high enough or qualified profile, Rebekha Sharkie was elected as our local MP.

Personally, I will never forgive or forget what Alexander Downer did, as I saw it as selfish and due to the cost to taxpayers, where as before, I had a good level of respect for Mr Downer as a member of parliament.

I am sure Cory's family will be looking forward to spending more time with him soon.

Turnbull is getting desperate, if he has to do this.

http://www.news.com.au/national/politics/malcolm-turnbull-axes-life-gold-pass-angering-mps/news-story/95e6acf2a36cadb1e14010d9eb1a754b

PRIME Minister Malcolm Turnbull has apparently “dropped a surprise bombshell” on MPs after announcing he will cut a generous retirement entitlement scheme towards federal MPs.

The Life Gold Travel Pass, as it is known, will be axed immediately, according to The Australian, which has left those close to retirement furious after expecting to enjoy the perks, which include free business class travel.

Approximately 200 former MPs are said to be affected by the changes, saving Australian taxpayers $1.5 million per year.

Mr Turnbull told MPs their priorities were “out of touch” during a party room meeting, according to the Fairfax Media.

Despite the perk still being available to former prime ministers, Mr Turnbull has announced he would not use it.

The move comes after the latest scandal involving former minister Sussan Ley, who was forced to resign after claiming taxpayer funded travel for personal business.

Mr Turnbull announced he would introduce an independent agency to investigate and report of MPs monthly spending.

According to The Australian, the Gold Pass has cost taxpayers $17.2 million since 2001.

How tiresome is becoming the meme that the "political class" have "lost touch" so we need a hive of Hansonite nutters and people without integrity like Bernardi to "drain the swamp" and bring back god-fearing and populist, simplistic policies.

Bad eggs like Susan ley et al are rooted out by the media and the public. We don't need a rabble of Rod Culletons to right matters, as if bad-eggs will be a thing of the past after "the people's" representatives chop up party politics.

Trump latched on to protectionism and God (all of a sudden), which got him over the line nicely. I only hope Australians have more sense than to be taken for a ride by similar snake-oil.

Some posters here believe anyone who doesn't share their right-of- Liberal ideology must be "out of touch" when it is they who suffer the Bernardi's egotistic delusions.

Luciferase - Trump did not drain the swamp he filled it with former Goldman Sachs Execs and former military Generals.

The future will give an indication as to whether he can make changes that help the people not the 1% of rich people.

Main party politicians the world over are on the nose with electorates.

Luciferase,

I hope you were not referring to my post as well, because you are getting me wrong if you did.

It is possible to agree that politicians and those who advise them are not having sufficient regard for the views of the electorate that put them there, without at the same time proposing Trump or lookalike as the solution.

In Australia for instance, both sides of the Parliament have rejected public benefit as a consideration in policy. The public and the public service are in clear and emphatic disagreement with the politicians on that.

Foxy, you very much express the feelings and thoughts of the general populous on this.

Hassy and Butch, you totally lack any comprehension of the reality of Australian politics. Unlike Abbott and Hanson, Bernadi has no "profile" outside of SA, and not much of a one down that way as I understand it. Forming a political party, aka Conservative Party, needs the backing of a high profile player like Tony Abbott. On the practical side any new party needs both financial backers and, candidates, both of which are not easy to find.

Who are likely to suffer by the formation of another far right party. Depending on policy, Firstly it would draw conservative Liberals and some Hanson supporters, back to the more traditional conservative fold, and depending on the rhetoric it spews, it could even draw a few conservative blue collar Labor voters. The Greens attracts the social progressives, like One Nation there would be no possibility of the new conservatives espousing socially progressive policies. The Green vote would remain unchanged or increase with a switch of disillusioned progressive Liberal and Labor voters . I personally would like the right to form a new political party every day of the week.
Having too many parties on your side of politics is no advantage, it causes your vote to fragment.

Politicians are like co-dependent women.
'Monkeys'; who aren't willing to let go of one branch until they have a firm grip on the next.

Dear Paul,

We now have to wait and see how successful
the Coalition will be in governing in such
difficult and challenging times (with internal
party problems, and an increasing debt that
has doubled, or it it tripled?, under their
watch). Out of all the choices available to
the voters in the current political arena
which ones will the voters decide will be
able to attempt to deal with the
key challenges of the 21st century?
Cory Bernardi? Pauline Hanson? The Greens?
or the Coalition or Labor?

It's no longer as predictable as it once was.
Things certainly appear to have changed.
I remember how the Rudd government was seen
by the Murdoch Press and by Coalition supporters
through the prism of debt and dysfunction
(despite the Coalition's own belated acknowledgement
in its costings that return to surplus was no
easy task in a time of falling government revenue).

Interesting times ahead.

Foxy,

I agree with you. A senator is elected on the party's ticket and not in his own right, and if he were to leave parliament, the party would be able to select the new senator. Even belonging to the libs an MP from either house is not obliged to vote on party lines, and changing parties so soon into a 6 yr term is questionable at least.

Paul,

You are partially right, the conservatives and One nation will mostly take voters from the liberals, just as the greens have taken voters mostly from labor. However, if ON and the Liberals preference each other (as do the greens and labor) it gives the liberals more opportunity to pursue more centrist policies while ON mops up the more conservative vote. This would leave Labor in its present form stranded on the left.

Yes Foxy, interesting time indeed.
Interesting because there are a number of very important matters
coming over the horizon.
First, one thing here is the confusing use of the word "progressive".
I see it being used often attached to people/things you
could not call progressive. It often causes me to have to reread
paragraphs to sort out the meanings.
Anyway, that is beside the point.

We have a very serious problem which must be solved this year.
Electricity supply; with the Victorian station Hazlewood closing next
month, by next summer NSW & Victoria will join Sth Australia in having
an unreliable power supply. The operators of Hazlewood are abandoning
the plant because with the priority given to wind/solar it is uneconomic.

At present NSW is hanging on by its fingernails. If the Victorian
government does not take over Hazelwood and keep it operating NSW and
Victoria will have major load shedding next summer.
It is simple arithmetic, not an environmental argument.
You cannot pull 2GW out of the network and not have dangerous and
financially ruinous situations occur.

None of the shenanigans in Canberra has done anything to fix our
debt problem. Isn't it about time we acknowledged that the debt will never be repaid ?

A longer term problem is coal. World peak coal is with us now.
Australia is the lucky country again. We can flog off what will be a
very much needed fuel in other countries.
Or we can use it to extend the time we need to build a new electricity system.
As no one except Sth Aust government has made any noise about nuclear.
It does not appear to be a goer for the new system.
No one has made any useful suggestion about what can be used for generating electricity.
Solar Thermal seems to work in Spain & Portugal but the cost of the
electricity produced was uneconomic.
This is the most serious problem that we have, except that liquid fuel
supplies are looking more risky judging by recent news.
Problems in that area will increase the demand on electricity.

Cont:
So, with our political scene in turmoil with new parties coming out
of the woodwork, how do we find one that can tackle these problems
without sacrificing us the alter of politically correct global warming ?
Mark my words, this is the most serious problem we have faced since
finding a way across the Great Dividing Range.

Dear Bazz,

Thank You for the very valid issues that you've
raised.

I certainly don't have the answers.
All I can do is hope that we are able to
get a government that will attempt to
deal with the key challenges of this
century for us. One who will have
reforming legislation and will attempt to
sustain growth with fairness in our
immensely challenging economic times.
Who that government will be - I have
no idea at present. As I stated earlier,
I'm waiting to see
how successful the Coalition will be in
governing in such difficult and challenging
times. I know that some people don't like
Malcolm Turnbull. I still hold high hopes
for him as a leader. Still we'll have to
wait and see, I guess.

'Why did he not resign from the party but
chose to get elected as a Liberal Senator.
A bit under-handed on his part. Can such a
man be trusted. I doubt it!'

strangely enough I agree with you Foxy on this. Cory has shown he is no better principled than Malcolm who undermined and then backstabbed a PM to get his job. Personally I think if elected under a banner you should see the term out.

cont'd ...

Here's a link that explains what the consequences
of Senator Bernardi's leaving the Liberal Party
may be for the government:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-08/cory-bernardi-senate-explained-liberal-party-defection/8247140

In reponse, Paul goes off the deep end with a tirade against the Liberal Party, Bernardi himself, and calls for an election. Not going to happen, and the Greens would lose more ground.

Foxy talks about the violation of 'trust' because Bernardi was voted in as a Liberal. Well, Foxy, most people, sick and tired of what is going, do not belong to any political party, and couldn't care less about political parties. They certainly do not use the word trust in connection with politics or politicians.

Bazz reminds us of the true function of the Senate – to be a State's House – which is now totally ignored. Senators, like their low(er) house cronies do what their party says; they do not do their job and represent their states. Only independents represent their states. Bernardi, will now be able to represent his/my state without have to refer to the Liberal Party to keep himself in work; the voters will be able to keep him there, or not, as they do Xenophon. Brilliant for us South Ausralians!

This is not about how rotten are the Liberal, Labor parties, and the Greens. It is about US, the people of Australia. I don't much care for Bernardi, but I like many of the things he says, and what he says are not Liberal Party weasel words. Same applies to Xenephon, who is of the Left, but not of the Labor Party or the Greens.

A pox on all political parties. We owe them nothing, and they certainly do nothing for us. We want people, not parties.

Dear ttbn,

Voting behaviour is complex some trends are clear
and confronting for the major parties.
Weaker voter attachment to them makes electoral
contests increasingly volatile. As I stated earlier.
Interesting times ahead.

ttbn, I predict an election before the end of the year.

Foxy; I have always been in favor of The Greens, both supporting Coalition candidates, where they offer a better choice than Labor, and supporting Government legislation where it is compatible with Greens philosophy, policy or values.

Shadow, I don't know how much politicking you have done in the past. I have been scrutinizing for political parties for many years. Rule number one, is not to watch the votes going into your pile, but to watch the other candidates votes, looking for votes to challenge. Then there is minor party and independents preferences. Surprisingly there is always a drift of preferences, sometimes just a couple of percent, but in a very close contest that drift of preferences can be enough to deliver an unexpected victory your way. Third party candidates do you no favors, even if they are "friendlies".

In the case of The Greens, Labor and Liberal. If the Liberals stand a "good" candidate, and there are good and bad candidates from all parties, and by good I mean a vote winner for various reasons. If that candidate is perceived as a rather small "l" progressive Liberal. The Labor vote will decline because of the friendly Green candidate standing. However anything up to 20% of Green preferences will flow to the Liberal.

The Coalition had a very serious problem in some country seats where there were three cornered contests Liberal and National on one side, Labor on the other. In many cases the conservative vote was split, giving final victory to Labor. where if it had been a head to head contest, the conservative would have won.

In politics it is a good idea to watch not only your enemies, but your friends as well.

Paul,

I'll hold you to that.

What I have found particularly amusing reading through media rantings is the opinions that Bernardi should have stayed in the Liberal Party; that he would have had more influence that way. Really? The Liberal Party didn't take a blind bit of notice of him during all the years he was in the Liberal Party; but, suddenly, he would have more influence by staying in the tent?

Paul,

We will have to disagree.

Considering that the majority of Nationals preferences will go to the Libs and the majority of the libs preferences will go to the Nationals, I find your scenario unlikely to be attributed to the split.

Shadow, I did ask what experience you had at elections, other than voting, Judging by your last post, I assume none, if you believe 100% of "friendly" candidates preferences flow to you. If I was a Liberal and trailed Labor by 2,800 and the Nationals had 3,000 votes I would be very worried about National preferences. I know I am going to get the vast majority but not all, I might miss out on only 101 of those preferences but I still lose by 2 votes.

Paul,

You give a somewhat nonsensical example. The most likely scenario would be that the combination of Nat and lib votes would be higher than either Nat or lib running alone irrespective of the leakage of preferences.

For example in WA, supposedly Labor is ahead 54:46 2pp, but that is assuming that ON preferences are split. As ON is running on policies very similar to Labor, many of its voters come from the labor camp. If ON swaps preferences with the libs, and ON polls the 10-13% it has recently, labor may well lose.

I can't see Cory's Tories doing well at the polls. I think it will be a party of one until the end of his term, at which point he'll be booted from the Senate and they will have no sitting members. I reckon they'll be totally overshadowed by One Nation, who are a broad church of right-wingers that don't share Cory's 'screw the poor' attitudes towards economic policy. A lot of One Nation supporters aren't wealthy people, and they won't be impressed by Cory favouring the haves over the have-nots.

He'll be a minor nuisance in an already difficult senate for the next 5.5 years, then he'll vanish into the annals of Australian political history.

Toni, most likely other like minded conservatives within the Liberal Party, and there are certainly a number of them, would be watching Tory Cory with interest. When they are not trying to white ant Turnbull, that is, they are sucking up to Abbott. A Turnbull thumping at the next election, which could happen as early as later this year, would see more than a few of the rats desert the sinking ship, led away by the Pied Piper himself.
Did you notice Abbott never got stuck into Bernadi for quitting the party. went very soft on him, maybe scoring a few future brownie points to trade later. Abbott is only sticking around because he thinks he can regain the top job. Maybe there is a way out possibility of that with a new Conservative Party.

Shadow,

Thanks for acknowledging you have no experience at electioneering at all. How do you go at filling out the ballot paper?

If you think the presence of minor parties and independents has no effect on the outcome, one way or the other, your wrong. If your the incumbent in a marginal seat the last thing you want to see is a long ballot paper.

In the bad old days when the Liberals did not officially contest local government elections in NSW, but would rather stand under independent banners such as 'Resident Action Group' or some such name. The critical result in a ward, was not who ran first, or who ran second, it was who ran third that counted when three were to be elected, as third elected would be close, and most likely determine who controlled council. We often had people stand as "independents" with basically the same message as our opponents, then they would naturally direct a percentage of preference to our second candidate, with the aim of getting number two elected in third position. Some were such good candidates that instead of ours getting elected, they did. You could bet, as soon as the candidate list was out, your "independent" would be contacted by some person asking "I like your policies, and I am thinking of voting for you, if I do who should I direct my preference to?". Stock answer "I have not endorsed any other candidate at this stage I'll wait and see how they are with the issues and policies." We would laugh when told, particularly the part about "I like your policies" which one since your "independent" hasn't presented any yet, possibly its the policy of 'shoot all dogs on sight' (not policy), that he liked so much. It happened from both sides of politics, at a State and Federal level in marginal seats as well.
This is even more critical today than ever, as the number of loyal "rusted on's" is diminishing and more and more voters are receptive to other messengers.

Paul,

I realise that the feeblest experience qualifies a green to pontificate about any topic, and that you believe that your experience at handing out pamphlets qualifies you as an election strategist. However, given your past record, don't be surprised when I don't take you seriously.

Dear Shadow Minister,

Many people (women in particular) find men who
don't take themselves seriously most attractive.
You should try it!

Shadow.

It must be a Liberal trait, to pontificate on a subject that one has no knowledge of, or experience with, not only do you do it, but 'Money Bags' Malcolm has taken to doing it as well. Just last evening after the third bottle of 'Bollinger' at his favorite eatery, 'Swanky's Five Star' in Point Piper, he told the assembled table of battlers, investment bankers, stock exchange heavies and other assorted money men, that he empathized with, and fully understood the plight of pensioners, now that as he understood it, many had been reduced to having lobster but twice a week. Before they could serve the 'Golden Opulence' dessert. Money bags had the whole liberal restaurant nodding in agreement. Where had Money Bags gleaned this humbling knowledge, from his butler of course!

Paul,

Funny that, the greens knowing the least about renewable energy and talking the most about it?

It looks like One Nation is now eclipsing the greens. How does that make you feel?

Dear Shadow Minister,

How does the behaviour of Coalition members, from the
Prime Minister,to Scott Morrison et al,in Parliament,make
you feel?

Shadow,

I have no problem with the Hanson vote, in so far as where it comes from, mostly from disaffected conservative coalition voters. These 'new' devotees to right wing radicalism would never vote Green anyway. So in that regard I see no problem. Ditto Corny Banana and any political party he may form.

How will you feel should five or six Liberals do a walk out on the party and throw their lot in with Corny. It would be even better should the five or six, each form their own ratbag party, noting like a bit of fragmentation. But according to you in your naivety that has no effect on the overall result.

Paul,

Perhaps you would notice that the WA libs and ON now have a preference swap. The last poll I read of in WA showed ON with 13% support, and a prediction that a preference swap would put the libs back in power, as a fair chunk of their voters (and policies) come from Labor.

I watched Bernardi on Sky today, and can't see a whole lot of difference between his policies and most of those of the Libs. I think that he wants a little more of the limelight. I don't see his ideas being different enough to solicit many more defectors.

How would you feel if Disease defected?

Foxy,

Compared to the noisy rabble in the opposition ranks, the coalition is well behaved.

Wow, earth shattering news there Shadow, a real scoop, One Nation and the Liberals are going to swap preferences in WA. To think all those die hard, rusted on ex-Labor voting brainless sheep, who are now voting for the One Nation ratbags, are going to preference the conservatives. Is this deja vu, cast your mind back to Germany 1933, then the National Socialists were able to stitch up a similar deal with the German conservatives, will we shortly see Primer Pauline in control? DESPERATION!

And to think The Greens had high expectations that One Nation and the Liberal would preference them. Can[t win them all! And what about the Coalition partner 'The Nationals' left out in the cold are they?

How low will the failing conservatives prostitute themselves in a grubby attempt to hang onto power? The desperates in Canberra have nodded their approval, with leading Liberal shyster Uncle Arthur calling it a good thing, Lets wait for the result in WA.

"The (WA) Barnett government's extraordinary move to give first preferences to One Nation ahead of its long-term coalition partners the Nationals, smacks of "desperation" and could backfire, according to political experts."

http://www.watoday.com.au/wa-news/wa-election-liberal-preference-deal-with-one-nation-smacks-of-desperation-20170212-gub28h.html

Paul,

Given that Labor has been giving preferences to the looney fringe greens, it is hypocritical for either the greens or Labor to get their knickers in a twist. However, I am surprised that they would preference ON ahead of the Nats, and would not be surprised if there is some backlash.

However, if it keeps Mr 50% renewables from wrecking WA, that is always a plus.

Dear Shadow Minister,

You mean you haven't noticed the recent hysteria of
Mr Turnbull and emanating from that side of the
House. "Well behaved"is not a description that
comes to mind. And I suspect it's only going to get
worse as their popularity (and party) ratings keep
dropping in the polls.

"Australian PM Malcolm Turnbull is fifth on the list, with an annual PM salary of $522,0000, only just behind American President Barack Obama, on $527,000".
I really hope the boss of Auspost doesn't talk to his juniors the way Malcolm does. Trump talks to Hillary that way but that's money talking.

Dear Shadow Minister,

Talking about "good behaviour?"

"On and on Turnbull went, bellowing, turning his ire
on the entire Labor Party, while MPs on the government
benches were whooping and cheering. For a fine
blazing moment Turnbull and the Coalition could forget
the insults of President Trump, the betrayal of
Cory Bernardi, plunging polls, and the harping of media
commentators..."

And it's only going to get worse as time goes on.

Foxy,

This is a prime example of your extreme partisanship.

Not only has Turnbull remained silent for the past 12 months while Shorten has cast innumerable slurs and name calling against him across the dispatch box, and the moment he responds in kind, you accuse him of bad behaviour?

Shame on you.

Secondly, the huge volume of deliberate ruckus and fake laughter that occurs every time a coalition member speaks is prime example of bad behaviour that you and your ilk have persistently ignored.

Dear Shadow Minister,

A case of "Pot kettle black."

And as stated earlier, it will only get worse
until the next election.

Sad really.

Foxy,

A little rich coming from you. Complete silence when Labor displays atrocious behaviour over the last few years, and confected outrage when Turnbull serves Shorten a touch of what Shorten has been dishing out for years. Also confected outrage when Bronwyn Bishop was chucking out labor louts who were deliberately baiting her.

Dear Shadow Minister,

Andrew Bolt wrote in today's column (Monday, 13th
February, 2017) the following:

"How blind. Check the Liberal MPs and journalists
high-fiving Malcolm Turnbull for abusing Bill
Shorten as a "parasite" and "social-climber."

"They just don't get that the Prime Minister's
carry-on last week is part of the old politics
that no longer works."

"And so they cheered as Turnbull having been called
"Mr Harbourside Mansion" by Shorten, shouted back that
the Labor leader, himself, was a "social-climbing
sycophant" who "sucked up" to billionaires.
Oh dear. These guys could perhaps get away with that
stuff before Pauline Hanson came back. Back then,
voters had basically only two choices - the Liberals
or Labor/Greens - and all the Liberals had to prove
was that they weren't as bad as Labor."

"They were the lesser evil. But the Liberals can't
get away with that rubbish any longer."

"Ask voters not to choose between "Mr Harbourside Mansion"
and "Mr Social-Climbing Sycophant" and they'll say,
"None of the above."

"They don't need to choose between between bad and worse,
because now they have other choices - Hanson or
Cory Bernardi, or the Liberal Democrats, or Family First,
or The Shooters and Fishers..."

It's an interesting article and well worth a read:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-bolt/malcolm-turnbull-portraying-himself-as-a-lesser-evil-than-bill-shorten-is-not-good-enough/news-story/142ee18d9231e29a0cc5f642dadffe98

cont'd ...

I mistyped a letter in the link. Here it is again:

http://www.heraldsun.com.au/news/opinion/andrew-bolt/malcolm-turnbull-portraying-himself-as-a-lesser-evil-than-bill-shorten-is-not-good-enough/news-story/142ee18d9231e29a0cc5f6a2dadffe98

Shadow, what have you done, things are going pear shaped in Canberra. Barnyard got so upset about this West Aussie thing'e he's taken his hay bail and headed back to mummy and daddy at the family ranch in Cootamundra! Not only that, Barnyard in tears, said the marriage with Money Bags was cactus, over, zilch, gone, forgotten, the pre nups has been torn up. Barnyard is keeping all the pigs and goats to vote for him, Money Bags can have the sheepy vote. Seems Money Bags has been look'n for a bit on the side, playing up to the Lovely Pauline! What Money Bags said about his new love just a couple of weeks ago is unprintable. But the latest has it when asked about One Nation wackeyness, Money Bags said "Yes I know they are wacko, but their wackeyness fit in perfectly with our wackyness, Besides, we have Uncle Arthur batting for us, so how more wacko can you get.

Father John from above has warned Malcolm, "Stop it, or you'll go blind!"

I knew the marriage would not last, Barnyard loves a feed of humble pie, whilst Money Bags is always eating crow!

Foxy,

Seriously? MT pointing out that BS sucks up to billionaires is not news. Shorten's free access to Pratt's private jet is not news. That Pratt completely squashed any union activity with no backlash from Shorten's unions shows that Pratt's backhands to Shorten got the quid pro quo that he needed.

I'm just surprised at the confected outrage at the relatively tame outburst by MT whilst ignoring multiple episodes of the same from labor.

Dear Shadow Minister,

The relevant point that Andrew Bolt was making
was that by using the same old tactics of the past
of attacking the other side no longer works.
Voters are no longer buying it. It merely makes
"Turnbull's mob look like a stand-for nothing
government."

Bolt tells us that "The more the government seems
merely the :lesser evil", the more voters will
prefer parties promising a more perfect good."

"They know the either Liberal or Labor model is
broken. But Turnbull's frantic attacks on Shorten
suggest he still can't give it up. There he was,
trying to make Shorten seem worse, not himself
seem good."

"That's the old politics of the 'lesser evil.'"

Time to change.

Foxy,

For 12 months MT has taken the high road, and Shorten has gone negative the whole way. You tell me which is working.

Shorten has had a free pass for too long. His election tactics were beyond unethical and bordering on criminal, his past is full of shonky deals and selling out workers he was mean to represent. If Shorten has not ceased from attacking MT's character, the voters deserve to hear about his shady past.

Dear Shadow Minister,

You still don't get it.

You don't get that the Prime Minister's carry-on last week
is part of the old politics that no longer works.

Gone are the days when perhaps you could get away with
that stuff and when voters had basically only two
choices - the Liberals or Labor/Greens and all the Liberals
had to prove was that they weren't as bad as Labor.

That they were as Andrew Bolt pointed out - the "lesser
evil".

But the Liberals as Bolt confirms can't get away with
that rubbish any longer.

Do keep up.

Bolt points out that - "Newspoll now says a record one
in three voters reject both the Liberals and Labor and
a Galaxy poll at the week-end showed Hanson's One
Nation could even help form the next Queensland
government, its support having shot up to 23 per cent."

"Liberals and Labor both stink. "

According to Bolt - "But the Liberals smell worse."

"Millions of voters have turned their backs on the party
over the past year, switching support to One Nation."

Foxy,

In sports politics etc, to win, your opponent has to lose. It is time that MT stops playing Mr congeniality and lets the voters know exactly what a scuzzball Shorten is. Negative attacks work.

Notably the greens are losing votes too, their votes are the lowest for a decade. With Rhiannon going off her meds and off the reservation, the greens will be an easy target. In fact they look like they will be displaced in 3rd place by one nation.

Dear Shadow Minister,

The PM is stuck in the antiquated either Labor-or-
Liberal rut, trying to prove that while voters
might think the PM a clueless, out-of-touch loser,
Shorten - that "simpering sycophant" is worse.

That's not going to work. Voters have turned their
backs on the party over the past year and things
are only going to get worse. The Liberals can't get away
with that rubbish any longer. The sooner they realise
it the better. Those old tactics no longer work.

Foxy,

I will stick with the polling experts that still say that going negative works.

"His election tactics were beyond unethical and bordering on criminal,"

What rubbish, only a hard nosed conservative would say and believe that. I assume you are referring to the Labor 'Medicare' campaign of pointing out the Coalitions plans of destruction for our popular universal health scheme. A scheme that has irked the conservatives ever since the day they opposed its introduction by the hated Whitlam Government in 1975. when did that attitude change, never it just got hidden in the closset. The very notion that we as as a people would come together to ensure every citizen received basic medical care, regardless of their means, is repulsive to the dyed in the wool, dog eat dog, conservative, as it smacks of the dreaded socialism.

The only thing that saves 'Medicare' from the conservatives knife is its popular acceptance by the vast majority of Australians, and that has never wavered since its introduction 40 years ago. Why don't the conservatives put their cards on the table,and show their true feeling about 'Medicare', for the people to judge at the next election.

Even the left-leaning ABC uses single inverted commas when referring to Shorten's and Labor's claim that the LNP planned to sell or privatise Medicare.

It was a lie. It worked and Shorten the consummate liar will keep it and other lies on foot.

ABC, "History lesson: A Medicare scare might not be fair, but it works"

Now along comes Paul1405 to show that no-one just no-one, not even Shorten, can tell bigger porkies than the Greens. But everyone already knew that.

Leo W, gee you remind me of previous strange poster onthebeach, maybe you are he, the only time I can recall the Conservatives ever being remotely socialistic, was when they conscripted as many young Australian kids as they could, and sent them off to die in their phony foreign war in Vietnam, When these war mongers want to protect their backers assets they become very socialistic. Or like The Donald do you have a set of alternate facts to present.

Paul1405,

You dropped the Mediscare subject real fast. The facts got in the road?

Shorten's and Labor's Mediscare is a lie that keeps on giving. Shorten puts Juliar to shame.

Maybe the ABC might render a service to its paying public and discover Bill Shorten's lies. Hope springs eternal. Not something that might happen on Tony Jones' Q&A though.

Dear Shadow Minister,

I don't understand quite frankly you cheering on
Malcolm Turnbull for his attacks on Bill Shorten.
But I suppose I shouldn't be surprised. You equally
defended Tony Abbott's viciousness against Julia
Gillard and when she lost it and defended herself
in Parliament (she'd had enough by then) with
her famous speech - I don't recall you coming to
her defence. Yet here you are defending MT.
However, do what you want - the voters will decide
at the next election despite what anybody does.
And we shall then see if the old politics still work.

Foxy,

Considering that for years and years you have turned a deaf ear to all the vicious bile heaped on Howard, Abbott and Turnbull which eclipses anything they dished out, makes it difficult to take you seriously.

Abbott was a past master on picking the issues that really hit home and shredded Rudd from the most popular PM to being knifed by Juliar, and then Juliar to record lows to being knifed by Rudd.

Turnbull has finally realised that being a gentleman when you opponent is not does not work, and should take some lessons from Abbott.

Dear Shadow Minister,

You still don't get that the Prime Minister's carry-on
last week is part of the old politics that no longer
works.

Time to change.

Foxy,

Then why are Labor and the greens still doing it?

Hi Shadow and Foxy,

As the Coalitions vote disintegrates, or goes off to the Lovely Pauline, a more and more desperate Money Bags Malcolm has been ordered by his controllers within, those of the radical right, to toughen up!

Last weeks attack on Labor's Silly Billy, and the support for the West Aussie Wackos, with his backing of the One Nutters at the expense of Barnyard's Boys, was nothing more that Money Bags demonstrating to the all sorts collection of Unterfuhrer's within, that he too can be tough. With Corny Banana jumping of the wobble wagon like he did, and god knows who else is ready to do the same, Malcolm got desperate!

I have been reliably informed by those two intrepid investigative jurno's, Miles Goodfly and Heath Ashbum, through their well know quality Nonews publication, 'Muck Rake', Shadow is well familiar with 'Muck Rake' being an avoid reader, that just this week, a truck carrying 10 tens of 'Alka Seltzer' was seen unloading at the Money Bags Mansion in Point Piper. seems the going on's in Canberra has caused a lot of upset tummy in the Turnbull household. Shame that. To add authority to their story Miles and Heath were able to provide a digitally enhanced photo of Money Bags looking like The Mad Hatter, just as their competitor 'The Daily Telecrap' does, again Shadow will be familiar.

Foxy, I know how you always provide informative links to everything you claim in your posts, I like to do likewise, but unfortunate my link button on my keyboard is presently out of action, so for the above you will just have to take my word for it.

Dear Shadow Minister,

They're still stuck in the past unfortunately
and voters now are sick of it. Unless the
parties change voters may well say in their
choices, "None of the above." Voters don't
need to choose between bad and worse any more
because now they do have other choices.

Dear Paul,

It will be interesting to see what happens next.
These are volatile times we live in.

Dear Paul,

It will be interesting as to what happens with Colin
Barnett in WA in the March election. I can't believe
that the Liberals are preferencing One Nation over
the Nationals. What's all that about? Smacks of
desperation doesn't it?

Hi Foxy, seems the WA One Nutters have the most votes to trade, all Barnyards Boys could offer the Liberals was a skinned rabbit and an ex milk cow in exchange. Got them the cold shoulder.

That's political loyalty for you.

Dear Paul,

So much for high principles!

Absolute phonies!

Barnett will form a three way coalition.

Dear Luc,

Are you from WA?

What makes you think that Barnett will get back in?

Paul,

Your post indicates that you are as high as renewable energy prices and may be heading for a blackout.

The only person that is now getting desperate is the corrupt unionist electricity bill, who is ducking and diving as his looney tunes renewables target is getting exposed.

Foxy,

As for principles, Labor has the worst closely followed by the fascist greens (with an offshoot of Stalinist from Disease Rhiannon)

You hypocritical condemnation of the libs preference trade with ON is laughable in the face of Labor's preference deals with the green fringe party.

Dear Shadow Minister,

I was merely expressing my surprise at the Liberals
preferencing One Nation instead of their own -
the Nationals, is all. But then I remember what Tony
Abbott tried to offer Mr Windsor and Mr Oakshott to try
to get their support. Now what were you saying about
Hypocritical behaviour?

Foxy,

You do realise that the preferences for ON were only for the senate. In the lower house, the Nats get the libs preferences and the spill from ON.

As for a hypocrite, Juliar sold the country down the drain to get the support of the greens with a carbon tax that would never happen under a government she led. What a liar.

Dear Shadow Minister,

You're still at it dredging up the old political
tactics. Give it a rest.

Shadow, you seem to be becoming as unhinged as the Liberal Party under Money Bags Malcolm. We talk about the WA election, and you start spruiking about the Federal Senate. A little info for the inexperienced, naive political novice that you are, where there is a sitting Liberal or National MP the other party agrees not to contest the seat. So the lower house preference swap is all but useless to either party, its only relevant in a very few seats ever. Of the 16 National Party MP's, 15 were elected with not one Liberal Party preference. In the seat of Murray, the Nationals took it from the Liberals with Labor Party preferences. Not one National Party lower house member can thank the Liberal Party for getting elected. The only place where the Liberals help the Nationals get elected is in the Senate! So giving the One Nutter their Senate preference is effectively cutting the Nationals out.

"You do realise that the preferences for ON were only for the senate. In the lower house, the Nats get the libs preferences and the spill from ON."

What a dumb statement. Besides, Barnyard and the boys are no friends of Money Bags Malcolm, anyway they would knife him given the first opportunity.

Unhinged to call The Greens Fascist, then Stalinist, words you heard at kindy, but don't know the meaning of, but sound good to throw around on the forum.

Which of the lunatic uncosted policies of One Nutter do you agree with Shadow, the 2% tax, the scrapping of the GST, they have a range of whacko policies which are right up your alley,

Hi Foxy,

I know my above post is beyond Shadows level of understand, but you can grasp what I have been saying. The National don't require Liberal preferences to win their lower house seats. In the one and only case where they took the seat of Murray off the Liberals last time, it was Labor which as the third party there determined the winner. Many years ago The Coalition realized they needed a M.A.D arrangement in seats where one of them was going to finish in third place with Labor second on first preferences, as a drift of preferences away from their coalition partner could be enough to give Labor the win.

In the days of Nationals (Country Party) leader, hard man and king maker John 'Blackjack' McEwen there is no way he would have accepted the Liberals doing any deal with any other party that disadvantaged the Country Party. McEwen would have simply threatened Turnbull, that if he didn't fall into line the agreement is over, and you are out on your ass. Barnyard Joyce is spineless in his dealings with The Liberals,

p/s Under McEwen's leadership, with the Nationals 100% opposed to Turnbull taking over from Abbott, it would not have happened. Just as in the way McEwen made it clear to the Liberal Party McMahon was not to take the PM job. McEwen hated McMahon with a passion, not just because McMahon was gay, but he perceived McMahon as weak, and he was. The Coalition has been a love hate relationship as long as i can remember. On the very few occasions when the Liberals have won enough seats to rule in their own right, there are those rumblings within that they should do so. But wiser heads prevail and they realize there is a tomorrow, and things can change.

cont

cont

The Country Party began life as a socialists party representing the sectional interests of farmers and the like, conservative on social and moral issues, god fearing people as they were, but radical on economic matters. My father (who would be well over a 100 if he was alive today) would say "The Country Party changes with the weather, give them a drought and they become the greatest mob of socialists you'll ever meet, In good times they are out and out capitalists."

Paul,

You're right, the understanding of your post is probably limited to your therapist after a stiff joint.

As to use of the word Senate, I was referring (as did Graham Richardson) to the WA upper house. While not being technically correct is understood by all but nitpicking pinheads.

Secondly, perhaps you could point to a single greens policy that has been costed. P.S. the Greens censorious attitude is the closest to fascism in Aus.

Shadow, the upper house in each state parliament is refereed to as the Legislative Council, (basic knowledge) except in Queensland where it is not refereed to at all, as they do not have one.
As a political novice who shows a high degree of ignorance, you cannot be expected to know of such basic things. To quote that ignoramus Richardson on anything is on a par with quoting Jones. The three of you should get together for a session of umbilicus-gazing, or for the educationally challenged such as yourself, navel-gazing.

You must have great difficulty on election day if there is more than one candidate. As then you would be required to number a ballot paper, I am sure that is something you as yet have failed to master.

The Greens are Fascists, another one of your political opinions, I'll flush that opinion down the loo where it belongs.
Your mob are now supporting the Australian Fascists, giving them their preferences.

Paul,

Most people know that the upper house is called the legislative assembly, however, being such a mouthful and having a similar function to the federal senate it is more frequently referred to as "the senate". Either you are the most ignorant of politics on the site or you are acting like an officious pinhead to cover up your previous blunder.

I also note that you have failed to mention a single policy that the greens have had costed. I am not a fan of ON, but they are less of a risk to Aus than the idiot greens.

"being such a mouthful" "it is more frequently referred to as "the senate"
BY whom Shadow, by whom, the ignorant such as you who do not know what they are talking about. For abbreviation all the members of the Legislative Council I speak to, simply refer to it as the LC, how more abbreviated can you get. BTW when was the last time you ever spoke to a member of the Legislative Council or any MP for that matter. Tie youself in a knot and make a fool of yourself getting out of it.

Next thing we know you will be referring to Premier Gladys Berejiklian as; Gladys Berejiklian the Prime Minister of New South Wales.

You did not tell us which is your favorite One Nutter un-costed wacko policy. It must be the 2% flat tax, or could it be the abolition of the GST. That mob love totally ignorant supporters like you!

Paul,

So an MP referred to the legislative council as "the LC"?

I hope that you didn't let the ignorant twit get away with using such a shameful diminutive of the correct term. I trust you pulled yourself up to your full 5ft and told the ignoramus off loudly in terms that left spittle on his face.

What is the world coming to? Thank God we had you there to defend civilisation against such an abomination.

P.S. I have no idea of any of the uncosted policies, or support the looney fringe parties such as One Nation or the Green Fascists.

Dear Paul,

Thanks for that.

I'm done arguing with Shadow Minister.

I am finding that a useful dialogue is
becoming more and more difficult. It's
always Labor's or the Greens fault.
Liberals obviously don't make mistakes
and are always right.

Shadow, again another silly statement from you; "or support the looney fringe parties such as One Nation or the Green Fascists."
In a federal election it is compulsory to indicate a preference for every candidate. Other than the candidate you number last, every other candidate receives some level of support from you.So if there is One Nutter and a Green which one do you choose? You don't follow the Liberal HTV and put One Nutter second? Such disloyalty!

I fully understand Foxy, Shadow can be tiresome, but we should make allowances for his political ignorance.

Dear Paul,

No. I'm done.

I have enough on my plate humouring others.
I don't need more dead-wood in my life.

Hi Foxy, take care of yourself, a political forum such as this can be upsetting at times, politics tend to do that to some people. Shadow don't know it, but he is actually one of my favorite forum jousting partners. Granted I have to tie both hand behind my back, and wear a blindfold, to try and make it an even contest, due to the lads total lack of experience in these matters, but like Burt Newton famously said of Muhammad Ali; "I like the boy!" I say of Shadow: "I like the boy!"

Time to fire another salvo!

Shadow, how much control of that poor excuse for a government, does Money Bags Malcolm actually have. The latest Coalition wombat to be running amok is 'Fat' George Christensen, when fronted by the media, and asked did he threaten to do a Corny Banana,and jump from the wobbly wagon, thus bringing down Turnbull and his turkeys, all 'Fats' could say was. "Nah! I just reefed him up the you know where, with my letter of demand, a Jenny Craig reject, making demands on the Prime Minister of Australia, unbelievable! Turnballs went to water, fell into line quick smart." So 'Fats' said.

If I had the dosh that Money Bags has, I would buy myself an island... like Tasmania... kick everybody else off, and declare myself King/Emperor, and live the high life of a hermit.

Foxy please cheer up, I hope my posts sometimes at least makes you laugh, just a little.

Link button working again, or at least I found one I can use:

http://www.abc.net.au/news/2017-02-17/george-christensen-denies-threats-to-resign-lnp/8279844

Foxy,

You are perfectly entitled to your opinion, however, attacking MT's speech after years of the same or worse from Labor and the greens is difficult to take seriously, Secondly, claiming that negative attacks don't work when clearly they do, and presently make up >90% of Labor and greens advertising lacks credibility. I personally believe that MT has been letting Shorten get away with murder, especially his dishonest and unethical mediscare campaign.

Negative campaigning is an artform. Done badly it creates backlash from voters, so one has to be careful to choose topics and attacks that have cut through for all voters. For example, Abbott's Juliar campaign worked stunningly. TV ads starting with her iron clad promise not to introduce a carbon tax, and she was done, while Kim Beazley's outrage at Howard during the AWB hearings fell flat when no evidence emerged, and people stopped listening.

It appears that MT has taken off his gloves and is hitting Shorten and labor where it hurts. There have been no recent polls, but I guess that Shorten's shine will have diminished.

As for One Nation, I disagree with most of their views, but can see that Pauline Hanson, is a lot smarter and better advised than she was previously, and she has carved out a niche that none of the other parties cover effectively, i.e. the battler that worried about the failures of multiculturalism, and the effects on the hip pocket of the more extreme progressive policies that Labor has adopted.

Previously they were a threat primarily to the coalition, but recent polling indicates that they are taking votes in almost equal measure from Labor, and that their primary vote now nearly equals that of the greens, so much so that labor was trying to elicit a preference deal in Queensland.

P.S.

Though this is too early for a definitive result, the fortunes of Mark (50% renewables) McGowan seem to be waning.

Latest Reachtel poll.

"Liberal and Labor are polling neck-and-neck in Western Australia but there's still a 7.3 per cent swing towards Labor.

It's a boost for the Liberals, who were trailing Labor 48-52 a month ago, according to a ReachTEL poll of more than 1650 voters published in The Weekend West.

The swing to Labor leaves it short of the 10 per cent it needs to win power.

Opposition leader Mark McGowan remains the preferred premier, leading Colin Barnett 53-47. But this gap has closed from 56-44 a month ago.

Support for Pauline Hanson's One Nation party has increased slightly to 11.1 per cent.

The numbers of undecided voters have dwindled from 8.5 to 5.5 per cent three weeks out from election day.

Of those still on the fence, 42 per cent are leaning towards the Liberals and 20.4 per cent towards Labor."

Dear Paul,

Thank You for your concern.

I'm fine. It wasn't anything on the forum that
caused me a bit of stress yesterday. What caused
an upset was the fact that a resident in mum's
wing of the nursing home who we'd gotten to know rather well
died suddenly. It came as a shock to everybody, including
the staff. He was
such a lovely man. We'll remember him with great
affection One moment he's talking to us and laughing
the next day he's gone.

cont'd ...

Paul, you may be interested in the following link:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/wa-election-liberals-own-polling-predicts-a-20seat-labor-landslide/news-story/cd5c853faaca66de2a2275746098d819

cont'd ...

I don't know what I've done wrong - but try
Googling the link yourself.

cont'd ...

I'll try again:

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/national-affairs/state-politics/wa-election-liberals0own-polling-predicts-a-20seat-labor-landslide/news-story/cd5c853faaca66de2a227574b098d819#&gid+18pid+1

Foxy,

The polling that you are quoting is more than a week old, and as the article say Reachtel was predicting an 18% slide to labor. The reachtel poll I quoted was from yesterday and quoted very different figures of about 10%.

Given what has happened in the last week, incl the ON preferencing, could things not have changed?

Dear Shadow Minister,

Of course things change all the time - especially
in politics. Predictions are not reliable, as you
know. It shall be an interesting election that's
for sure.

Hi Foxy, Yes it is sad when that happens in life, to lose someone who has become a friend. My condolence. Unfortunately as we get older these things seem to become more and more prevalent in life.

In my time associated with politics I have come across many politicians who would sell their soul to save their political hide.

Having said the above, the Australian public is generally cynical of politicians, believing they are simply out for the own gains, and bugger the rest of us. I don't believe that to be the truth for most I have come across, and that is from all shades of politics. People seeking office, some successful, some not, enter the contest believing they can do some good, and that includes members of Shadows team. I believe Pauline Hanson is motivated by a desire to do good, I may not agree with her message, but I don't doubt her sincerity. In the case of Malcolm, he is not in politics for the money, obviously, the power it gives is a strong enough aphrodisiac to keep him going. Bill must hate his job as Opposition Leader, no one ever wants to be in opposition, they all want to be pulling the leavers, that is just natural. The vast majority believe the best person for the top job is me. Tony still wants the top job, sincerely believing he is the best man for it, having tasted that power its only natural that he wants it back.

Dear Paul,

I may have written this previously - so I
apologise ahead of time if you've read it all
before. However, what Peter Costello wrote in
his memoirs years ago backs up the points that
you're making. Costello wrote:

"My eighteen years in Parliament - in Opposition and
in Government - have confirmed me in the conviction,
formed in my youth, that politics, for all its rough
edges, is a civilised and civilising calling. Despite
all the obloquy shovelled on the head of politicians,
they are men and women who work the machinery of our
liberal democratic way of life. They reflect public
opinion - and at their best lead public opinion - and
transmute it into laws that shape our society and our
country."

Of course there are unresolved problems that face us,
Problems that we must deal with to move forward as a
free, fair, and vibrant society. But, I agree with
Costello that I have no doubt that we can find the
solutions that suit us, provided as he points out,
that we do not succumb to the siren calls of demagogues,
charlatans and ideologues.

Corny Banana, is seeking members for his new Australian Conservative Party. With so many of the forums 'Usual Suspects' committed to the cause of conservatism. will they jump ship from the One Nutters and take solitude in the new far right party. Will they commit themselves to fight the evils of Bolshevism, Communism, Socialism, and all those other detestable ism's, or will they find the $25 joining fee too high a price to pay?

Come on Shadow and the rest of the motley crew, are you going to throw in with the new gang or what?

Is this the beginning of the end for Money Bags and his bunch of Liberal losers, or will they stick around to fight another day? Is the Mad Monk and his gang about to jump ship, and join with Corny? Where does Barnyard stand on all this? Interesting!

Could we witness a political marriage between Corny and the lovely Pauline, could they become Mister and Misses Banana in the mould of The Donald and Mrs Donald, Australia's very own first family? Mind boggling!

Plenty there for you to chew on Shadow, what do you think?

Paul,

Have you been sniffing your socks again?

Are you joining Disease Rhiannon's marxist party?