There’s one thing we can predict about the upcoming vote in Wentworth — it will be a Chris Gayle by-election. That is, it’s going to swing hard.
When unpopular governments begin the doleful trudge to the next election almost anything can trigger the descent into abject despondency.
At the fag-end of the Labor Kirner government in 1992, a government beset with turmoil, scandal and chaos, the tram drivers went on strike. Not only did the drivers pull the pin, they decided to make their displeasure known more starkly by driving trams up to the top of Bourke Street and along Spring Street, before parking them in long lines just outside Victoria’s Parliament House.
For the weeks the strike lasted the motionless conga line of trams remained. Labor MPs would look out their windows from their parliamentary offices at the traffic chaos below, shudder and draw the curtains before having a long lie down with a cold compress on their foreheads. It was an excruciating reminder when one really wasn’t needed of the belting that was coming their way.
Full column here.
Ironic really. They’ve just usurped a PM who had a good chance of beating Shorten at the next election – and today we learn that the economy has exceeded growth forecasts.
What fools. Did they not know that?
Well done, Tony.
Boa
Turnbull had no chance of winning – he has been a divisive element in the Liberal Party ever since he entered parliament.
They are at war with themselves and one can only hope that ScoMo can settle them down.
Turnbull was a divisive element from the time he entered parliament?
By Jove, I believe you are right! What a splendid fellow, I’m beginning to believe that is why he joined the Liberal Party in the first place! What a cunning plan brilliantly executed.
When he said he was having the time of his life, he really meant it! That’s what this country needs, more chaps like Turnbull joining the Liberal Party. Oh, kudos to Abbott too. No planning required there, that boys a natural.
In his final press talk as PM, Turnbull made special mention of Bishop and their 30yr friendship and her loyalty and now we read that he offered Dutton the role of Deputy Liberal leader in a bid to secure his PM’ship. Loyalty appears to be a one way street with Turnbull.
Morrison may have just picked up the vote of those teetering in the 60’s. You know who you are!
Not me old mate
He may have Milton, although I doubt it…..but if you were watching the Richmond/Hawthorn game last night, when Morrison’s face came up on the scoreboard, the boos were loud and clear, bi-partisan booing shall we say
Strewth, Mr Insider who would do this?: “Russia suggests International Space Station ‘leak’ was DELIBERATE sabotage: Officials claim hull may have been damaged before lift-off by someone using a drill with a ‘wavering hand”
https://tinyurl.com/yahka3zt
Just checking in to see if there are any further changes at the top.
Tony Burqa?
Have a quick look at the Royal Commission thing. Between 1902 and 2017 there have been 135 Royal Commissions. It took 68 years of ‘politically free’ RC’s until the Liberals discovered that these expensive witch hunts could be used in attempts to wedge Labor. In just about every case they failed but at massive expense to the taxpayer and rivers of revenue for the lawyers. Mostly mates of the Liberals.:-
Royal Commission of Inquiry into the maritime industry (1973–1976)
Royal Commission into alleged payments to maritime unions (1974–1976).
Royal Commission on the Activities of the Federated Ship Painters and Dockers Union (1980-4)
Royal Commission into the activities of the Australian Building Construction Employees’ and Builders Labourers’ Federation (1981–1982)
Royal Commission into the Building and Construction Industry (2001-3)
Royal Commission into the Home Insulation Program (2013-4)
Royal Commission into trade union governance and corruption (2014-15)
Some of these go on for years. Must run into the hundreds of millions and even billions for the whole 135 of them!
Wow, not one RC for 68 years?
So taxpayer dollars now get thrown around like confetti for political fights whilst our hospitals are starved of funding, teachers now must ask parents to buy classroom supplies & Mediscare no longer provides free CT scans and MRI’s for aged pensioners.
Politicians don’t give a rats about seniors without savings having to wait months for tests because the newly required co-payment is just unaffordable.
Rich politicians need a lesson in the real world in this country.
There WERE RC’s from the 1900’s but none of a wedge/political gotcha nature that the Looters use at taxpayers’ expense.
As we Punters know Mr Insider never ever bet odds on as one goose did on Roger Federer today in the US Open: “An unknown punter has lost $35,000 after betting the huge sum on Roger Federer to beat John Millman in the fourth round of the US Open.
The Australian journeyman shocked the tennis world on Tuesday with his four-set upset victory over arguably the greatest tennis player of all-time.
But perhaps most unbelievable is the return one punter considered strong enough to warrant a $35K bet on $1.02 odds, paying a paltry $700.”
A crazy QLD Punter in the 70’s, Eddie “the Fireman” Birchley ended up eating grass after taking on the like of bookie Bill Waterhouse backing odds on.
What election is Palmer putting ads on for?
Another chap who kicked out an incumbent PM (albeit after nearly 9 yrs) was Keating. Hawke resigned and the by-election was one by an independent.