Middle Road

[Lamplighter]

Zen's post today lead me to re-read the entire thread,
and then get into casi's 8/24 link to the sbs.com website.
It's a fascinating read for someone like me who has never followed Australian politics.
Been there once, but only as an in-and-out business trip.

I can't say I am really understanding yet it as much as I should.
The parliamentary system is still new to me, but I'll keep learning.
But it's been a happy morning in the rain peeking in on all this.

Thank you Aliantha, ZenGum, casimendocina, et al.

[casimendocina]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

I'm really happy with this result, both for the immediate political arrangement and for the reinvigoration of the parliamentary process.

I don't think the public have paid this much attention to an election since Gough Whitlam (I am making this assertion with no back-up evidence whatsoever) although everyone I knew was on the edge of their seats last election to see if John Howard would finally get ousted or not. I, personally, would have liked to have seen Tony Abbott's implosion on receiving the news that he was not to be PM. I wonder if they'll start letting him speak without a script again.

[ZenGum]

Ya, Tony must be seething inside. He is carrying himself well, so far.

[Aliantha]

Yeah well, just wait till a couple of days into the next sitting of parliament!

[ZenGum]

Ali, can you say why Queensland went so against Labor? I hear the economy up there has been below par lately, is that it? Or were people ticked off about the Rudd dumping?

[Aliantha]

It was partly about Rudd, partly about the mining tax and partly because our labor Premier is a dingbat. In a nutshell anyway.

It's important to remember that before Labor sank their teeth in with Labor, Qld was a National's stronghold (although that was largely in part thanks to Joh's gerrymander), but even so we'd traditionally been a very conservative state ruled by rural decisions. Remember, Brisband was still considered to be a big country town until about 20 yrs ago.

I doubt Labor will win the next state election, particularly if they keep Spanna Bligh as their leader. She is such an idiot.

[casimendocina]

Was checking out the ABC website looking for an interview with a media guy from Afghanistan and found this. It's got a bit of everything including the election.

http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2...m?site=thedrum

[tw]

Originally Posted by casimendocina

It's got a bit of everything including the election.

Where is the part about this spring's expected locust plaque?

[xoxoxoBruce]

That's between the locusts and their dentist.

[casimendocina]

Originally Posted by tw

Where is the part about this spring's expected locust plaque?

You see...the guys who were doing the locust survey that we met in Cradock pub 10 weeks ago still haven't made it back to the capital city to submit their report. They're still busy surveying locusts (i.e. Do you swarm often?).

[ZenGum]

Not only can we not settle an election, we can't settle the footy either.

Grand final of the Aussie Rules football, Collingwood Vs St Kilda, two old Melbourne teams. The last time they played a final It was St Kilda 74 - 73.

This time St Kilda came back from 24 points down around half time to edge in front near the end, only to have the match finish in a draw at 68 - 68.

Extra time? Not us.
Golden goal? bah!
Penalty kicks? for sooks.
Come back next weekend and play the whole game again? Brilliant!

[xoxoxoBruce]

Does everyone have to buy new tickets?

[casimendocina]

Originally Posted by ZenGum

Not only can we not settle an election, we can't settle the footy either.

Come back next weekend and play the whole game again? Brilliant!

Bit of a shame for those who had scheduled their wedding to be AFTER the end of the football season and the grand final.

[xoxoxoBruce]

Wedding? Trivial... insignificant... we're talking about FOOTY!

[casimendocina]

Big screens at the reception and everything is solved.