You may have heard the phrase, much-beloved by corporate types and politicians alike, “in the space”.
During question time this week, the Minister for Social Services, Dan Tehan, in receipt of a Dorothy Dixer from the member for Tangney, Dan Morton, lauded his colleague for having “a keen interest in the welfare space”.
If you keep an eye on reporting of the corporate world the same phrase pops up with monotonous regularity. A bloke who works in a bank is almost invariably described as having a “long history of working in the finance space”.
It’s an annoying phrase, vague and faddish, and I regret having to use it – but I fear I must because there is something deeply, deeply wrong in the Canberra space.
Come yesterday, the crazy-meter was already quivering at the red extreme after government senator Michaelia Cash’s outburst the previous day. It slipped into “dangerously unhinged” when Labor senator Kim Carr reached deep into his Godwin’s Law sack of epithets to refer to Liberal senator James Paterson as a member of the Hitler-Jugend.
Full column here.
Most amusing Jack, most amusing
It may be the failing memory or some new medications but I seem to recall lots of historical instances of our MPs and Senators behaving like kids on the red lemonade, even the distinguished among them.
I think Gough threw a glass of water over Paul Hasluck and called him something like a truculent runt, though the Hansard reporters may have got that phrase wrong.
Doesn’t seem to happen as often these days, maybe greater scrutiny and reporting of it, or it could be that since the move up the hill the absence of a decent on premises bar might have something to do with it.
I don’t want to sound like a puritan, mate, but giving these clowns more alcohol would be asking for even more trouble.
i wasn’t asking for more of it, merely observing that there is less of this spectacle of MPs and Senators losing it since the move.
though I did like the old parliament house and it’s non-members bar, and I much prefer the more free-wheeling approach of those days.
Not a fan of bonk bans and all that palaver.
This Hare-Clark Electoral System they use in Tasmania a bit strange, Mr Insider. Wouldn’t take off here in QLD , we like a good Gerrymander, well Joh did anyway.
https://www.tec.tas.gov.au/Info/Publications/HareClark.html
Sad news that Vanessa Goodwin has passed away today. Too young. She was a close friend of premier Will Hodgman – who must be struggling with that news on this election day. Vale.
JB, I’ve been ruminating over your scathing critique of my personal attributes (2 Mar 4.59pm previous article) where you assessed me as being, amongst other things, an “old fart”. I especially take umbrage with your use of the word “old”. You may recall that your outburst arose as a result of my earlier criticism of you having a lusty guffaw at the expense of firearm tragedies resulting in loss of life that regularly occur in the US.
Whilst there may be some validity in occasionally exchanging character assessments of one’s blog colleagues, as we have done so in this instance, it gives one some comfort in knowing that any such spray is held only in the mind of the beholder. I don’t think it should remain a lasting corrosive belief of each others’ persona.
Therefore I’ve decided to unreservedly withdraw the recent personal expressions directed at you that may cause others to consider you may have reprehensible elements attaching to your otherwise good character me old mate.
All the best.
Yep, Dismayed’s favourite song is Cher- Gypsies, Tramps & Thieves, Have to put him in the old farts club. Sheesh! Too much of this “old” word getting slung about. He has the hide to call me a dinosaur!
MTK you are a dinosaur and you have a comprehension deficit and/or continue to deliberately misrepresent. I did not say it was my favourite song just that I prefer it to the other one posted. Cher has had hits in each of the last 5 decades. But at your age you have probably forgotten that or did not know it in the first place. I am pretty sure you still listen to both sorts of music, country and western. No Surprises.
Perhaps “fresh” fart could be in order, Mack?
Yeah, alright you silly old fart.
Takes one to know one
Sorry, I forgot to mention you.
Takes one to know one – cheer up old thing
We have an expert in the house!
Maybe you overestimate yourself, JB
So, how would you know? Think it through.
What can one say about Champion Racehorse WINX, Mr Insider. Champion mare Winx has won her 23rd consecutive race in her Autumn comeback with a comfortable win in the Group 1 Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick.
It was Winx’s 16th Group One win, eclipsing the previous Australian record held by Black Caviar.
https://tinyurl.com/yafwwcku
Now a paltry $16 million in prizemoney Henry, surpassing Black Caviar on that score also.
She is now tied with your namesake John Henry the American champ. It was a tidy win, they were lucky to fit second placegetter in the same finishing photo.
Not being a punter, Henry I doubt she’d be worth betting on? You’d no doubt get better odds on donkeys like Turnbull and Shorten.
As much as we might “scream” to get rid of Turnbull and his bumbling Government, Mr Insider, the voters haven’t much to look forward too with “Bruvver” Bill as our PM. Picturing Bill standing victorious on Election Night already makes me dream of “other shores”. Still he may surprise, Malcolm sure did. Bill’s biggest “hits” below a short but concise summary of the man imho.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5cAyfsd67_I
Footy tips Jack.
Just watching the NZ v Eng one dayer from Wellington, the groundsman’s been having a bloody good time on his mower.
Ok.
Why does THAT photo of Cash remind me of one of Stephen King’s best?
https://www.google.com.au/search?source=hp&ei=DPiZWuisJ8mW8wXHno3gBA&q=the+shining&oq=the+shining&gs_l=mobile-gws-hp.3..0l5.2991.6600..7054…0….305.2772.2-10j1……….1..mobile-gws-wiz-hp…..0..46j0i131j0i46.FD4vqKqr3qs%3D#imgrc=jMJiOVQLtEUPtM:
On the ipad so sorry, no tiny url
This young lady’s primal scream would not have been out of place alongside Ms Cash’s outburst imho, Mr Insider. Not sure why this lady is so upset though I thought the USA was a Democracy and the result of the legal vote was accepted with grace!
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=q2qraZKD4hI
Thanks Dwight, much appreciated.