Let me take you back. Way, way back to the evening of December 2, 2017. The Prime Minister and his deputy stood arm in arm at the West Tamworth Leagues Club. Joyce had just won the New England by-election by a thumping margin and Turnbull declared he was “putting the band back together.”
Ah, good times.
Alas, rock stars and politicians are, if nothing else, a difficult and unpredictable lot. Velvet Underground reformed and got halfway through a European tour in 1992 before the band’s two enormous egos, Lou Reed and John Cale, remembered why the band had split up in the first place. The two men hated the sight, let alone the creeping presence, of one another. The tour and the reunion ended abruptly, and Reed and Cale went their separate ways.
The Turnbull-Joyce combo did not come to grief because of crippling personality conflict. although it may do so at some time in the near future. But back then the band had only broken up when Joyce discovered his unfortunate New Zealand-news. We subsequently learned the High Court did not so hold and Joyce was off to a by-election that on the parliamentary numbers at least, threatened the Turnbull government’s majority.
Full column here.
Record pork barrelling continues from the coalition in coalition states. $4 to $1 in infrastructure spending NSW to Vic. Most corrupt government this Nation has seen. . Even without Barnaby this government is the worst parody of a government ever seen. No Surprises.
I say Dismayed, do you realise the ongoing connotation attaching to “pork barrelling” sees pigs getting bad press? It started in the US in 1817and its been happening ever since. It’s not fair on the pigs and it should be stopped.
Why not surprise us mate and come up with something new.
“…. sees pigs getting bad press ………. ” I hadn’t noticed, and I suspect as usual you are reading something into the press that no-one else is.
Dismayed is quite right tho, this government is blatantly buying votes.
Fruit flies have decided to join the surge of immigrants to Tasmania.
A newsradio reporter was having a bit of trouble the other day.
Try saying “fruit fly free” zone quickly. She eventually had to slow it all down…..
https://goo.gl/images/mpyaJ6
Fruit flies are regarded as having the shortest attention span, which may explain why they have , ahem, “decided” to join the surge of immigrants to New Zealand.
Perhaps if they were reminded just before boarding, who lives in Tasmania they might reconsider
That should read Tasmania. Not New Zealand. Attention span wavers when I hear Tasmania mentioned.
It’s the people who live there I think.
How I laughed when i read your first attempt, JB. Shot yourself in the foot, so desperate were you to have a go.
Tasmanians are very genuine people who care about others and their environment.
Sadly, as mainlanders surge down here, the demographic is changing. I have watched with a sinking feeling how this affecting our beautiful state . My neighbourhood is virtually an Airbnb now. In fact 1 in 27 homes are now Airbnb in Hobart. People are living in tents at the showgrounds because ordinary rentals have all but disappeared as mainlanders snap up properties. Its a serious issue. In Vancouver whole houses are not permitted to be used as Airbnb. Unfortunately i think its too late for Hobart.
We have a state election this weekend. For the first time I have no idea who to vote for.
I’m not sure i even want to vote, tbh.
Nationals pick Michael McCormack as new leader in contested vote against George Christensen, Mr Insider. The Nationals fade to grey and irrelevance imho, a headless chook.
https://tinyurl.com/ybj3kt9s
Come on HB, you’re just being an opportunist. Never thought I’d see you trying to be popular by surfing with the lefties. You’d fade to grey yourself if the Nats weren’t there. They put food on your table, unless you chow down on that inferior o/s crap.
Jesus Christ on a jet-ski Carl. If we applied that line of logic (reckless use of the word logic) to it’s natural conclusion we’d all end up as crazy as you.
You are a legend in your own lunchtime Carl, we are all very “impressed” yairs. Cheers buddy
I certainly hope so Henry cos McCormack’s a nasty piece of work.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2018/feb/26/who-is-michael-mccormack-the-life-and-controversies-of-australias-new-deputy-pm
Democracy my arse-the Un Nationals get 21 people in parliament, a swag of Ministries and the Deputy PM ship with 4.9% of the vote, n ot counting Qld LNP. Far too much power for the small rump they represent.
The article in today’s Oz from Amos Aikman about conditions in the outback community of Epenarra – site of the rape of a 2yr old – is an extremely concerning, sad and depressing read. The reality of the clash and incompatability of cultures, and the ravages of alcohol and drug abuse, spawns a nightmare.
I see that the Nationals’ Deputy Leader, Sen. Bridget McKenzie, wants the contest to become Australia’s next Deputy Prime Minister and leader of the National Party to be a one-horse race.
Does this mean they’re going to nominate Incitatus and we’ll finally have the most qualified Deputy Prime Minister we’ve had in a while?
Closing Ceremony from the 2018 Winter Olympics tonite (Sunday) Mr Insider and Norway has cracked it for the most Gold. Australia 2 Silver and 1 Bronze. Next Winter Olympics in China in 2022. We read China will have almost 1000 Ski Resorts operating by then, Snow Skiing taking off big time in China.
https://tinyurl.com/yba56jt7
While I am grateful that the Olympics, for the children of the worlds top 5 percentile*, are finally over Henry, I am pleased to report our medals only cost five and half mill per unit.
*Wouldn’t it be marvellous if they had events like shovelling snow and running up the piste that might make for a more even playing field and inclusive of the worlds poorer youth?
Here’s some stats.
https://thenewdaily.com.au/sport/winter-olympics-2018/2018/02/24/winter-olympics-2018-olympic-funding/
I say “give ’em heaps Henry”. Kimmie says you are a wagging flag wally. Reckons if he couldn’t beat you with one hand behind his back he’d be in traction.
Nothing wrong with sporting endeavour, JB – until the days of drug cheats arrived and countries bankrupt themselves trying to put on the best show ever! Rio is probably one of the worst. So many poverty stricken people were moved out of the area designated for the Olympic arenas. Last I saw they are now deserted and decaying.
Quite so old girl. Bring back amateurism I say. And that goes for tennis too. The hoi polloi have no business pretending to be champions.
Give ’em heaps. Flog the servants.
Bridget McKenzie handled herself quite well on Grinsiders. Much better than most of the dopey strawmen I have seen in the Un Nationals. She should throw her hat in the ring for leader. At least she speaks coherently which was not one of the Beetroot’s better skills.
She’s a senator and tradition requires the leader to be in the Reps.
I know dat but she could move…others have. Move…..would be good for women …women that the Looters seems to ignore.
This is the woman who wants to allow rapid fire shotguns into the country she crossed the floor on the issue.
This is the woman who supported a group who shot to pieces and burnt an effigy of someone who spoke in favour of gun controls.
Labor and the Greens, backed by GetUp to oppose transparency for political donations.
No surprises!
The IPA are also against the legislation Milton. Again you prove you are blind to facts. Careful razor will call you a zealot, oh wait you are his kind of blind right wing ideological zealot so never mind. No Surprises.
Its outrageous Milton, and you’re right, no surprises!
The purpose of this proposed bill is to shut down dissent so let’s be very clear about this dodgy government’s intentions.
You can get a passport or buy a house without a stat dec BUT if you want to stand up for a cause you believe in & donate even $5 a week, you’ll have to have one signed & witnessed.
Who’s interests does that serve Milton? Those in government who do not want a true democracy with people who uncover & counteract their devious motivations here. No surprises alright.
Good on Labor & the Greens & Get-up for opposing it.
Those Forint-denominated donations are hard to explain.
Correct. Turnbull just refers to donations from foreign billionaires.
The Looters will not agree to stop all foreign donations with Labor and the rest…wonder why?
Labor supports banning foreign political donations but they don’t support silencing charities.
Any law that punishes Australian charities is quite frankly non-Australian but so is the current government.
…..but tax the churches
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ft8M0bsuhrc
spotto Smoke. And keep the Koreans at each others throats. South Korea the second largest purchaser of US arms in the world.
https://pbs.twimg.com/media/DW3ESmiVwAA5CJW.jpg