The Right Aussie

New Home for The Right Aussie

2011-05-14T06:45:00.002+10:00

Because of continuing problems I've had with Blogger, coupled with a desire to try out some new stuff, I have moved The Right Aussie to a new blog hosting site. I will leave this site up and running although no new posts will be made here - for time being, anyway. Please update your bookmarks! Thanks.

Would someone please test the watercoolers at AFL House

2011-05-11T18:00:00.003+10:00

Congratulations AFL Tribunal. With your moronic, inexcusable and baseless Trengove decision, you have pissed off hardened AFL supporters regardless of their team, and I'd say you have done more to disenchant new members and interstate supporters than you possibly realise.

UPDATE

Support Jack.

***

Bolt's away after a shaky start

2011-05-09T18:58:00.004+10:00

I really hope Andrew Bolt's new venture on Channel Ten takes off.

Last Sunday's premiere was a good, although slightly nervy effort.

It is very hard for someone used to radio (as Andrew is) to slide in to pieces to camera. Alan Jones tried it (also on Channel Ten), and his show lasted for about 12 weeks before it was canned. I watched The Bolt Report on Sunday, and it really did sound to me like a radio interview to camera.

Two pieces of friendly advice:

1: The show should have been preceded by a warning that viewers will need their sunglasses. I could't believe the brightness of that red set!

2: More seriously (no pun intended), let the person answer your question without interrupting them five times. Andrew's constant interrupting of Tony Abbott was embarrassing. He then proceded to do the same to Mark Latham on the panel segment later on.

I'm sure Andrew's many followers on his blog have pointed out to him these, and other suggestions.

As I said, I hope the show does well. Ratings were very good.

***

Jon Stanhope resigns, but we may not be rid of him just yet

2011-05-09T16:05:00.004+10:00

Jon Stanhope (or Stan Nohope as he is popularly known) has resigned as Chief ~~Idiot~~ Minister of the ACT.

ACT Opposition Leader, Zed Seselja said today that Stanhope was the "most capable" performer in ACT Labor. Which doesn't say much for the rest of them.

Stanhope's replacement is Katy Gallagher, for whom I have a nickname that I can't repeat here. What regime she will lead beggars the imagination. Needless to say, I'm glad I don't live in Canberra

Apparently Stanhope has designs on Federal politics. Good grief. The last thing Federal Labor needs is another hard left, doctrinaire socialist imbecile in their ranks.

No, Jon should pack up the family and move to a far-flung corner of Australia and out of the spotlight for good. And he should dig up all those public objets d'art erected during his tenure, and take them with him.

***

The Royal Wedding - fashion highs and lows

2011-04-30T09:33:00.002+10:00

My mother was glued to the coverage of The Royal Wedding. I admit I was also. The latent Brit in me enjoys a bit of pomp and ceremony every now and then. Mum loves the fashion. I love the fashion faux pas - and my God there were some corkers, from Princess Anne looking like she got out of bed still wrapped in the bedclothes; Tara Palmer-Tomkinson's avant-garde headwear that could have caused serious injury to anyone within two feet of her; and David Beckham wearing the OBE on the wrong lapel - actually, David Beckham attending the wedding at all is faux pas enough.

Below is probably the worst howler of the day, together with how it should be done, and finally, a cameo appearance by Julia Eileen Gillard.

Princess Beatrice (on the right, in case you haven't worked it out), put her own reputation back ten years with a get-up more suited to the opening of a safari lodge in Kenya than her cousin's wedding. What was she thinking? Take out the 'what' of that last sentence, and you would be closer to the money.

For me, the highlight of the evening (apart from Kate's sister Pippa's stunning dress) was Samantha Cameron's teal Burberry outfit, wonderfully accessorised by neck and hair bling, and a tangerine pashmina. She looked gorgeous, and shows how perfectly acceptable it is to pull off a regal occasion without recourse to a silly fascinator. Beatrice, take a lesson.

Finally, Aussie Prime Minister, our own Julia Gillard. She looks different to what we are used to each night on the news, but I wouldn't necessarily say she looks "better". She could certainly be a bit bolder with colour (and I'm not talking about her hair), and be introduced to dresses. Thankfully, Julia didn't do her nation any great embarrassment over her choice of ensemble. Her policies and diplomatic skills are another matter entirely, but it will take more than a fashion makeover to change those.

***

Rejoicing for choice in New England

2011-04-18T21:10:00.000+10:00

Interesting development in Federal politics:

BARNABY Joyce has confirmed he is considering contesting the northern New South Wales seat of New England now held by independent Tony Windsor.

It could be a gripping clash between the National Party senator, and the National Party renegade now an independent, who have made clear they don't like each other.

Barnaby, or more to the point, the pre-selectors in New England, will have to make some decisions pretty quickly, as an election announcement could come sooner rather than later.

Funny how perceptions change. When Barnaby was first elected to the Senate, many conservatives considered him a loose canon, a bit feral. Now he is refarded as one of the best grass-roots politicians of either side. Someone who can dissect issues and explain them in simple, matter-of-fact terms - often very matter-of-fact.

If Barnaby Joyce decides to stand in New England, I predict the seat returning to the National Party with a swing comparable to those we saw in the recent NSW election.

***

Still hip after all these years

2011-04-18T20:35:00.001+10:00

Samuel’s Musician of the Week is Paul Simon – quite appropriate considering earlier this month saw the debut of his latest solo album ‘So Beautiful or So What’, and also because Simon is one of my favourite solo artists (although he was pretty good with that Art bloke, too.)

I hope Samuel won’t mind me joining him this week on a tribute to this gifted songwriter.

Rather than include a song from Simon’s latest album, I have looked back to 1973 for the following seldom-heard, musically intense elegy. To be accurate, I should have said 1973 and 1727 (the latter due to a melody line from J S Bach.)

Many’s the time I’ve been mistaken
And many times confused
Yes, and often felt forsaken
And certainly misused
Oh, but I’m alright, I’m alright
I’m just weary to my bones
Still, you don’t expect to be
Bright and bon vivant
So far away from home, so far away from home

And I don’t know a soul who’s not been battered
I don’t have a friend who feels at ease
I don’t know a dream that’s not been shattered
Or driven to its knees
Oh, but it’s alright, it’s alright
For we’ve lived so well so long
Still, when I think of the
Road we’re traveling on
I wonder what’s gone wrong
I can’t help but wonder what’s gone wrong

And I dreamed I was dying
I dreamed that my soul rose unexpectedly
And looking back down at me
Smiled reassuringly
And I dreamed I was flying
And high up above my eyes could clearly see
The statue of liberty
Sailing away to sea
And I dreamed I was flying

We come on the ship they call the Mayflower
We come on the ship that sailed the moon
We come in the age’s most uncertain hours
And sing an American tune
Oh, and it’s alright, it’s alright, it’s alright
You can’t be forever blessed
Still, tomorrow’s going to be another working day
And I’m trying to get some rest
That’s all I’m trying to get some rest

Don't let the facts get in the way ...

2011-04-16T13:41:00.000+10:00

The March 11 earthquake and tsunami in Japan was the most reported distaster ever. Consequently, we were bombarded with levels of misinformation, factual errors and exaggerations never before seen. So much so, that a group of native English speakers living in Japan started a website 'wall of shame' to expose those so-called 'journalists' to whom 'facts' are as obscure as the most complicated kanji.

The video associated with this story is here

and the website.

***

Words of wisdom 16/4/11

2011-04-16T11:58:00.000+10:00

Over the years I have collected a number of quotes and phrases, and I think a good way of remembering them (for me), and a good way of sharing them, is to commit them to paper - albeit of the electronic variety.

The first series will contain words of wisdom for managers and leaders. If my experience in working under those in positions of authority is anything to go by, they need all they can get.

So, no time like the present....

"An organisation is an interacting network, not a vertical heirarchy. Effective leaders work throughout; they do not sit on top."

-J Gosling & H Mintzberg, "The Five Minds of a Manager", Harvard Business Review, November 2003.

***

Flight delays

2011-04-05T17:59:00.000+10:00

The on again off again second Sydney Airport saga is on again.

Build the bloody thing already.

Where? Good question. I agree with the Premier of NSW when he said that he can’t envisage it being built in the Sydney basin. I would go further and say I can’t envisage it being built within 100ks of the Sydney CBD.

There is a perfectly decent airport at Canberra. Connect it to Sydney with a very fast train and the two cities would be 50 minutes apart.

Still too far away? Then what about building an airport offshore? From an engineering point of view I have no idea if that is even feasible at Sydney, but, if they can do it elsewhere, then why not here?

But I still think a VFT would be cheaper, and quicker to build.

***

Good on BOF (better late than never)

2011-04-05T17:35:00.000+10:00

I have been asked why I haven’t blogged on the NSW state election held last Saturday week. Well, two reasons: I was crook with some ‘-itis’ or other the week prior to the election and didn’t really feel like writing about anything, let alone about something which was such a forgone conclusion that no one would read it anyway; and that was the other reason.

All of that being said, I congratulate Barry O’Farrell on a tremendous result, which exceeded my expectations, and I daresay those of most on my side of the political fence.

They say the job of opposition leader is the hardest one in politics. Surely the job of Premier of NSW must be a close second - when the incumbent has to fix the mismanagement and stuff-ups of his predecessors going back a decade-and-a-half.

***

Whilst on Barry ... I was most impressed at how he handled Kerry O'Brien on election night. The snub of snubs! Video below.

***

Earth Hour tomorrow as the lights go out for Labor in NSW

2011-03-25T22:29:00.000+11:00

Tomorrow we have Earth Hour. Pffft! Please remember, Earth Hour is an eco-fascist political movement, not some warm and fuzzy CWA meeting. Don't be sucked in by all the feel-good ads! For me, it is a happy coincidence that Earth Hour occurs on the same day as NSW goes to the polls. I will use the EH time (8.30pm - although I will have started long before this) to celebrate the dawning of a new era in state politics - with my lights on, the TV blaring, and champagne flying.

***

Brief Happiness

2011-03-25T14:15:00.001+11:00

Japan has been through a hellish couple of weeks, and the trouble is a long way from over. To cheer myself up, I dig in to my eclectic playlist, and give this one a spin. I hope you like it, too.

There aren´t any stars in the Tokyo sky  
Well that´s what was written in the letter you sent  
Everything´s the same as always here nothing´s changed  
During this time of year we´re preparing for the festival   
The bamboo shoot decors in the store by the station  
You´re familiar with this scenery too  
With all the children happily running around  Nothing´s changed since then   
I remember walking along with you  on nights when the Tanabata Festival neared  
I wonder if you still remember  
Come and see that full starry sky  we once looked up at together   
The frogs croaked as we walked along the wheel tracks  
We headed off to pick the bamboo grass  Do you remember that?  
You always chose the blue strip of paper  I remember that   
I remember walking along with you  on nights when the Tanabata Festival neared  
I wonder if you still remember  
Come and see that full starry sky  we once looked up at together   
You´re the one who works too hard  
Why don´t you try and give it a rest sometimes?   
Let´s recall the wish you wrote  on that old strip of paper   
I remember walking along with you  on nights when the Tanabata Festival neared  
I wonder if you still remember  
Come and see that full starry sky  we once looked up at together   
Lalala...   
Meet me under that full starry sky  
Meet me under that full starry sky

***

How to Lose Your Audience 101

2011-03-16T03:04:00.000+11:00

I am unimpressed with Channel Nine over the appearance of Professor Richard Broinowski on National Nine News last night. Although, to be fair to Nine, I am not sure if they knew that one of their so-called subject-matter experts was going to drop a clanger on air.

Broinowski was interviewed in studio by Peter Overton on the nuclear crisis in Japan. I do not have the transcript, but in answering one of Overton’s questions, the professor gratuitously added: “there’s Australian uranium in those reactors.”

Well, colour me stunned, thanks for enlightening us! Interesting, but as irrelevant as gathering figures as to how much of the clothing of world dictators contains Australian wool.

Australian uranium has kept Japan warm and prosperous and running like clockwork for many years. What a shame we don't use more of the stuff in our vast (and seismically stable) country. The professor would likely disagree.

Perhaps - from what I have heard of Richard Broinowski's comments on Fukushima - the former General Manager of Radio Australia would be better-suited interviewee material for his old stomping ground.

***

Safe and Sound - Back from Japan

2011-03-14T21:00:00.001+11:00

Thank you to those who have enquired as to my safety. I have honestly never had so many people concerned over my well-being! This evening my travel agent called me (from her home) to see if I got home OK. DFAT rang mum this morning to check (I registered with SmartTraveller.gov.au), and I returned home to 23 unread emails on my Yahoo account, many of which were of the 'are you ok' variety.

I am back in Australia after a very enjoyable 9 days in Japan. I mean that. I had a ball. I was not caught up in the earthquake drama - except for the final night at the hotel near the airport, which shaked, rattled and rolled about half a dozen times through the night from the aftershocks.

My travel schedule fortuitously had me leaving the country on the day I planned to leave, and on the flight I was booked on. I did not need to change any travel plans.

I was in Nara - about 6 hours by car, south of Tokyo - with a tour group when the quake and tsunami happened, and I never felt a thing. The first I heard of something was when I received a text message from mum.

I got back to the hotel in Kyoto that night to saturation coverage of what unfolded on 12 of the 13 channels.

In Kyoto, Shinkansen trains stopped running from the time of the quake until about 7.30pm that evening. I was due to get the Shinkansen back to Tokyo the next day, and my train duly left on time - to the minute - and arrived - to the minute. Of course, no one bats an eyelid when trains run to schedule, but when they run to schedule not even 24 hours after the biggest earthquake the country has ever seen, is just astonishing.

Once in Tokyo the drama started when I tried to get to my hotel at Narita - something which should, on public transport, take me about 1 hour. It ended up taking me four and-a-half hours - which I thought was appalling, until I mentioned this to an English guy checking in at the same hotel who said it took him eight hours! Trains were not running on all lines from Tokyo and many people walked for two and three hours just to get to public transport. Fortunately for me, I just waited (and waited) for the trains I needed..

On the way back to Australia, in the lounge in Singapore Airport, I read in the Weekend Australian words to the effect that the quake had caused destruction all over Japan. This is just heifer dust. In Kyoto, everything was perfectly normal. Trains and buses were running and people were going about their business in their usual happy, determined manner. You would not know anything was wrong.

Of course, many things are horribly devastated in northern Japan, and, in many cases, probably permanently so. It will take many years for things to return to normal.

This episode has not deterred me from returning to this amazing country.

***

Dydd Gwyl Dewi Sant Hapus i chi!

2011-03-01T14:48:00.000+11:00

Here is a very beautiful tune from Wales (you certainly won't hear this at the rugby!)

Huna blentyn yn fy mynwes
Clyd a chynnes ydyw hon;
Breichiau mam sy'n dynn amdanat,
Cariad mam sy dan fy mron;
Ni cha' dim amharu'th gyntun,
Ni wna undyn â thi gam;
Huna'n dawel, annwyl blentyn,
Huna'n fwyn ar fron dy fam.

Huna'n dawel, heno, huna,
Huna'n fwyn, y tlws ei lun;
Pam yr wyt yn awr yn gwenu,
Gwenu'n dirion yn dy hun?
Ai angylion fry sy'n gwenu,
Arnat ti yn gwenu'n llon,
Tithau'n gwenu'n ôl dan huno,
Huno'n dawel ar fy mron?

Paid ag ofni, dim ond deilen
Gura, gura ar y ddôr;
Paid ag ofni, ton fach unig
Sua, sua ar lan y môr;
Huna blentyn, nid oes yma
Ddim i roddi iti fraw;
Gwena'n dawel yn fy mynwes
Ar yr engyl gwynion draw.

Sleep my baby, at my breast,
’Tis a mother’s arms round you.
Make yourself a snug, warm nest.
Feel my love forever new.
Harm will not meet you in sleep,
Hurt will always pass you by.
Child beloved, always you’ll keep,
In sleep gentle, mother’s breast nigh.

Sleep in peace tonight, sleep,
O sleep gently, what a sight.
A smile I see in slumber deep,
What visions make your face bright?
Are the angels above smiling,
At you in your peaceful rest?
Are you beaming back while in
Peaceful slumber on mother’s breast?

Do not fear the sound, it’s a breeze
Brushing leaves against the door.
Do not dread the murmuring seas,
Lonely waves washing the shore.
Sleep child mine, there’s nothing here,
While in slumber at my breast,
Angels smiling, have no fear,
Holy angels guard your rest.

The fourth estate diminishes itself, once again

2011-02-09T17:05:00.000+11:00

Tuesday 8 February, 2011, represents a new low in the history of Australian journalism.

What was started by the gutter tactics of Mark Riley on Channel 7, during his pathetic ambush of Tony Abbott, will be supplemented by an offering from Channel Nine's Laurie Oakes, this evening.

Mr Abbott's response to Mark Riley should have been: "Mark, you should think yourself lucky I'm a politician, because if I wasn't, I'd knock your bloody block off."

That'd give the press gallery something to talk about at recess, wouldn't it.

***

Peter Costello, AC

2011-01-26T05:29:00.001+11:00

I would like to congratulate Peter Costello on receiving the Companion of the Order of Australia in the Australia Day Awards announced this morning.

The citation reads: For eminent service to the Parliament of Australia, particularly through the development of landmark economic policy reforms in the areas of taxation, foreign investment, superannuation and corporate regulation, and through representative roles with global financial organisations.

Thoroughly deserved.

***

Someone hasn't told the fog about GW

2011-01-23T07:46:00.000+11:00

This was the view from my back verandah at 7.15 this morning. Just to clarify, it is summer here in New South Wales, Australia! I have lived here for well over thirty years, and we get many fogs. I just can't recall one in January before.

***

On the road in Canberra

2011-01-15T08:24:00.000+11:00

Here's me (well, I'm driving), on a trip from Woden in Canberra, to the Barton Highway. This 2:27 video covers a real-time journey of sixteen minutes. If only I could do this trip in under three minutes!

***

Queensland floods - for my sanity, please mind your language

2011-01-13T18:39:00.001+11:00

My television will be wearing a size ten shoe the next time I hear someone refer to the "enormity" of the flood disaster.

Time for Grammar 101.

'Enormity' does NOT mean enormous, it means excessive wickedness, or something monstrously evil. Now, many people might indeed believe the floods were evil, nevertheless, most who use 'enormity' do not have this context in mind. 'Enormousness' is used of size.

As the dictionary on my Mac explains:

USAGE This word is imprecisely used to mean 'great size,' as in : it is difficult to comprehend the enormity of the continent, but the original and preferred meaning is 'extreme wickedness,' as in : the enormity of the mass murders. To indicate enormous size, the words enormousness, immensity, vastness, hugeness, etc., are preferable.

Many people nonchalantly use enormity where enormousness belongs. If the shopping centre is enormous, do not speak of its enormity. That would make no sense at all.

My prayers to all flood-affected victims.

***

Michael Clarke quits wrong form of the game

2011-01-07T17:36:00.000+11:00

I must admit I did a double-take when I heard this news item today. I had a bit of a 'what the...' moment.

After their humiliating loss to England, Australia's stand-in captain, Michael Clarke, has announced he is quitting the 20-20 form of the game of which he was the captain.

Does Clarke think that quitting 20-20 will save him from the axe from the test side?

What does 20-20 have to do with test matches anyway?

Clarke's recent form has been atrocious in all versions of the game, and yes, he does need to focus on his performance at test level, but all this sounds very much like he is making the short form of the game some sort of scapegoat for his unremarkable recent form at test level.

Australia were comprehensively outplayed by England this summer - especially they were outbowled. The selectors made some God-awful decisions, and the coaching staff should not be blameless either. As a result, it isn't just the jobs of some wearing the baggy green that are looking very shaky.

Bring on the footy.

***

Usman Khawaja - a good start, but let's calm down a bit

2011-01-04T08:32:00.002+11:00

I need to point out that I am not a cricket commentator; however, this vignette - my first foray into the genre - has been prompted by my reading a lot of effusive dribble from the Australian press about the debut innings of Usman Khawaja.

From the outset, I am a huge fan of Khawaja, and, if you read my last blog post, you will see that I supported his inclusion into the Australian side for the Sydney test. He earned his place in the team and thoroughly deserves to be there.

On a rain-marred morning at the best cricket ground in the country – his home ground – Usman Tariq Khawaja batted very well, and, until his dismissal ball, solidly, for his 37.

Make no mistake, 37 on debut is a good effort, but, to be more flattering than that is to get carried away with ourselves; and this is precisely what many have done. You would think he scored 137.

Mind you, had he been able to achieve a century, the Australian cricket world would have shifted on its axis, and the Islamabad-born New South Welshman would have secured the number three position in the test team for as long as he wants. It still might happen – there’s always the second innings.

Khawaja is a bright young prospect for the future success of Australian test cricket. But the same is said for all test debutants. What sets the truly special ones apart from the plodders is when a youngster can consolidate and log some post-50 scores - consistently. If Khawaja can do this then we will all whoop and cheer to our hearts' content.

Let's just support him now, and encourage him, and let him get on with his no-nonsense brand of cricket. I think he will be a joy to watch.

I like the cut of his jib; and, from the sounds emanating from the SCG yesterday, so does Australia.

***

Bye bye, Punter

2010-12-29T17:50:00.001+11:00

Summer is here bringing with it the cricket and soon, tennis, to our TV sets and the sports pages. Although I can tolerate cricket a lot more than I can tennis, I happen to be no expert on either. Nevertheless, the debacle of the Australians' performance in the cricket this summer has promted me out of my post-Christmas slumber.

Australian Cricket captain Ricky Ponting has had a foul season, "horrible" he called it, culminating in an ignoble performance in the third Ashes test in Melbourne this week, and becoming the first Aussie captain to lose three Ashes series. This summer will surely be Ponting's last as captain on Australian soil.

Ponting should be replaced as captain by Brad Haddin. However, I fear Michael Clarke will get the nod ahead of him, although I hope I am wrong.

Ponting's eventual retirement from the captaincy and test cricket will make way for NSW left-hand top-orderer Usman Khawaja - who should be in the side already at the expense of Phillip Hughes, who lacks the skills for this level of the game. Hughes needs a couple more Sheffield Shield seasons under his belt before I will be convinced of his entitlement to be in the Australian test side.

Other postmortems will be done, but not by me. I've said (and had) enough.

Still sort of on the cricket - Shane Warne is a total oaf as a commentator. I read a Facebook comment that 'Warne would be a better commentator if he stopped talking'. Quite.

UPDATE

Aussie selectors have got it completely wrong with their side for the final test in Sydney. However, I do applaud the selection of Usman Khawaja.

Phil Hughes, should not be in the side, as I have said above. Nathan Haurtz should be in the team, as should Trent Copeland. My team is: Marsh, Watson (vc), Khawaja, M Hussey, B Haddin (c), T Paine, N Hauritz, S Smith, M Johnson, P Siddle, T Copeland, D Bollinger (12th).

I also think Tim Paine should be brought in and given the gloves so that Brad Haddin can captain the side. I would sooner barrack for New Zealand, than an Australian side captained by Michael Clarke - and I'm not Robinson Crusoe there.

***

Done and dusted for 2010

2010-12-19T22:41:00.000+11:00

A somewhat poignant but very beautiful Christmas song.

Thank you all ye patient and faithful readers for stopping this way on your blog-surfing travels. Next year I have plans to post more frequently but with a subtle change of tack, maybe even with less emphasis on politics – although our philosophy and credo will never change.

Christmas peace and joy,
New birth in Him for us all -
Including bloggers.

Pax.

:)

***

My thoughts on 2UE's new line-up for 2011

2010-12-06T23:21:00.002+11:00

Some good decisions, and some howlers. And you won't be in two minds as to which I think are which.

Here we go:

(Updated).

WEEKDAY
5.30am - 9am – to be confirmed (but we all know it’s going to be Jason Morrison.) I think this is a good choice. I like Jason. My only criticism of him is that he sounds like he is reading from a script – which he undoubtedly is – I just wish he didn’t sound like he was reading from a script.

9am - Noon - David Oldfield. I liked him on overnights on 2GB, but mornings is very different - and very cut-throat. I don't know how he'll go, but, as he will be up against Hadley, for that reason alone, I hope he does really well.

12pm - 3pm – Michael Smith. Excellent and underrated interviewer from UE’s sister station 4BC. It's a big move from Brissie to Sydney, and it deserves to pay off.

3pm - 6pm – Paul Murray. Paul is making the switch to UE from TripleM – which is like switching from a double espresso to decaf. I don't listen to FM, and I know nothing about Murray (there are going to be lotsa Murrays at this joint next year), so I will reserve judgement.

6pm - 9pm – The Two Murrays. As I was saying … aka Olds and Wilton. I’m not really a fan of double-acts on talk radio - I think they work better on FM because the more casual format allows for more free-flowing dialogue. So I’m afraid I’m in the ‘meh’ camp when it comes to these two. “Generational change” fail number 1 for the new line-up.

9pm - 12am – Stuart Bocking. Reportedly is pissed off he didn’t get the morning gig as part of the new look. If he had, I don’t think the audience would ever have woken up. GB apparently want him (or Ben Fordham) to replace Morrison. Good luck Stuart ... if Fordham beat me for a radio position I think I'd top myself. Bocking was at his best as Lawsie's 'co-driver', but that was a long time ago.

12am - 5.30am – Mike Jeffreys. Substitute “Williams” for “Jeffreys” and UE would be on a winner. I still can’t work out why Jeffreys sounds like he’s an Irishman who’s been living in the US for the last twenty years. "Generational change" fail, number 2.

WEEKENDS

5.30am - 9am - John Stanley. Finally moved off weekdays, where he never belonged anyway. Is so boring you’d fall asleep half-way through his name. I'm tempted to ask whether there's a radio station in Invercargill looking for a jock - except that I like Invercargill. “Generational change” fail number 3.

9am – 2pm – George & Paul. Double-acts again. They should be pensioned off. Sydney’s seniors are at the malls when their show is on, so probably don’t listen anyway. “Generational change” fail number 4.

2pm – 6pm - Tim Webster. Will Tim’s cast of a thousand regular guests join him on weekends, or will he have to stand on his own two feet? Almost a Generational Change fail, but I will give him the benefit of the doubt.

Sat 6pm – 8pm – Healthy Living – Dr Ross Walker. I like listening to this doc far more than the one on the other station. Snaps to UE for keeping him.

Sun 6pm – 8pm – Legal Matters – TBC. Two hours of legal stuff on a Sunday night? Uh, well, I'm sure there's an audience for this, but I think this is a very brave choice of a timeslot.

Sat 8pm- 12 am – Saturday Night Live – Pete Graham. Sure, why not?

Sun 8pm – 12am – Psychic encounters – Sharina. Oh good grief. Get rid of this woman and replace her with Robertson! ‘Revenge is sweet’ the latter would say, I’m sure.

Overnights: John Kerr. The Brian Henderson of the mid-dawn shift. He may not represent 'Generational change', but rules can be broken.

2UE are on the right track, and obviously don't want to be too radical with changes so as to not shock their entire demographic in one fell swoop.

I've just realised UE have composted their gardening segment. Having John Stanley on weekends instead of gardening will have many secateuring their radio aerials in protest. Never mind. At least then they won't be able to tune in to that insipid offering on 2GB.

***

Victorian election? Oh, yeah - sorry

2010-12-01T20:18:00.000+11:00

I was reminded that I hadn't written anything about the election down in Mexico. I was going to write a few words - once I, and the rest of the population, knew the actual result.

I congratulate Ted Baillieu on a magnificent victory. A victory, incidentally, I predicted the night of the last Victorian election. Back then, late on election night, I wrote in the comments of an online article that Labor had a great many now marginal seats and that they would face the perils of encumbancy come 2010, and probably lose. And so it goes (or went). The link to my comment - no longer exists, so you're going to have to take my word on that one.

Tony Wright, in The Age:

With the anti-Labor swing setting in, what, one wondered, might be on the mind of New South Wales Labor Premier Kristina Keneally? If Brumby’s Labor could crash into a wall of unimpressed voters in the relatively benign Victoria, how horrifying might it be when the comrades north of the border face maddened voters next March?

He makes a good point. So - am I up for another prediction, apropos NSW? In (the once) Premier State, I reckon Labor will be lucky to finish with 9 seats after March 26, 2011. Bear in mind that if the swing against Labor at this year's Penrith by-election was to be replicated state-wide next March, Labor would be left with one seat.

***

How NOT to tell a candidate they didn't get the job.

2010-11-26T19:14:00.001+11:00

I once worked in recruitment. It was hideous. Nothing gets done faster in recruitment than in any other section of an organisation.

Recruiters are essentially good people, but they are bereft of creativity. Viz:

I received a job rejection letter today. Nothing new in that - if I'd kept all such letters and emails I've received over the years I'd have quite a collection.

But this letter began the same way just about all of them did - by telling me that
"We had a number of highly qualified applicants for the position..."

This phrase is perhaps THE most mealy-mouthed excuse when it comes to job rejection letters. I've lost count of the number of times I have been told this. I couldn't give a monkey's about the highly qualified applicants! Tell me if I was I one of them, and the phrase might be a quarter useful.

So, to all recruiters: I accept that I didn't get the job, but for God's sake, come up with something original and meaningful when you tell me!

***

New Canberra Airport terminal...

2010-11-14T20:08:00.000+11:00

...is very nice indeed. Came through at 4.20 today. Sorry for no photos - iPod touch battery was as flat as a nun's shandy, Im afraid :(

Very funny moment when we were standing in the aisle of QF flight from Sydney, and waiting, and waiting. Finally head honcho flight attendant came on and apologised for the delay and mentioned that we were waiting for the aerobridge to join the aircraft. He said the aerobridges were new and that the ground crew "haven't learnt how to use them properly yet"(!)

***

What's a classical top 100 without Uccellini?

2010-11-10T19:42:00.001+11:00

Last week ABC Classic FM ran their Classic 100 as voted by their listeners. But their list omitted this tune below. Any list of 100 classical tunes that leaves out the Aria Quinta Sopra la Bergamasca by Marco Uccellini is a travesty! Sit back and enjoy this joyous piece.

The good old days

2010-10-30T14:22:00.001+11:00

I was going through some old boxes today and I found a little card being used as a bookmark:

Circa 1997.

One of the many things I miss about Ansett is the in-flight catering. The meals on Qantas domestic aren't half as good as they were on even the shortest Ansett/Kendall flight.

***

Costello whacks Howard

2010-10-27T18:01:00.000+11:00

Having bought Costello's memoir, I reckon he speaks better than he writes, but this is probably the best stuff Costello's ever put to paper.

***

A memoir too far

2010-10-23T15:27:00.001+11:00

John Howard has released his memoir. I don’t know what it is called and I won’t be reading it as it is likely to be another tendentious and selective recording of events by someone now consigned to history - where they belong.

I and other Conservative faithful will never forgive Howard for his disproportionate arrogance, selfishness and utter pig-headedness in hanging on to the leadership of the Liberal party, only to witness the conclusion which was inevitable to all - except, it seems, Howard.

If I never hear of the man again it won’t be too soon.

***

Ho Ho Huh?

2010-10-16T09:22:00.002+11:00

Reading this announcement from The Langham Hotel during my recent stay, I was drawn to the 'Christmas Day' entry. It would seem that the only people to be surprised by a visit from Santa will be those too young to read - and aren't they always surprised to see him anyway?

***

No beating around the bush with this Air NZ ad

2010-10-15T20:41:00.001+11:00

Watch. Very funny.

***

Melbourne looking pretty at 8pm

2010-10-14T09:55:00.000+11:00

Night streetscapes and cityscapes always appeal to me. I took this from The Langham Hotel on Southbank on Monday night. Cosindering it was shot through glass, it turned out quite well.

Nikon D5000 in Night landscape mode. No tripod. Image not altered except for cropping at left by about 3cm to remove a reflection caused by a curtain.

Sad, but necessary

2010-10-10T17:31:00.000+11:00

One of the most entertaining hosts of breakfast television has resigned.

I'm going to miss stuff like this.

***

Kevin does his bit for the planet

2010-09-27T17:26:00.001+10:00

How does our own champion of global warming practice what he preaches? By purchasing this environmentally-friendly, low carbon footprint, modest suburban bungalow in Canberra:

How else?!

***

Sydney does transport disruption SO well

2010-09-18T21:04:00.000+10:00

As if getting from A to B in Sydney isn't tortuous enough...

Early start tomorrow as I do a day trip to the big smoke. Have found out that my trip coincides with the Sydney Running Festival. How fricking serendipitous. Said festival might be in aid of a good cause, but my view is that roads are meant for motorised vehicles only (call me old-fashioned). Want to raise money for a cause? Try a read-a-thon. Want exercise? The choices are endless - but can you just stay off the roads - especially Sydney ones!

***

Missed opportunities

2010-09-14T18:22:00.000+10:00

Tony Abbott announced his Shadow Ministry today. He clearly doesn't read my blog, more's the pity.

A couple of clangers:

Oh dear: Keeping Peter Dutton in Health. What the - ? All I can say is Dutton must have covert skills and ability that just do not translate across through his media performances. Adding to his difficulties is the fact he is not a doctor, but his two junior shadow ministers in Andrew Southcott and Andrew Laming, are. Good luck with that one!

What the hell was he thinking: Status quo with Joe Hockey and Andrew Robb. For heaven's sake, look, I was listening to Jason Morrison interview former Peter Costello staffer Nikki Savva this afternoon, and both agreed that Robb and Hockey should have swapped portfolios - as do I. Robb has out-performed Hockey at just about every turn, and, if Joe's past performance is anything to go by, I don't think he will be Shadow Treasurer come the next election.

Pay attention: Tony didn't listen to my advice re Bruce Billson, in that I thought he should be relieved of shadow ministerial responsibilities so he could concentrate on holding his ultra-marginal electorate of Dunkley. Will the Libs hang on to Dunkley? Very, very iffy.

All in all, some good appointments, but, as I said, some opportunities missed. The overlooked should bide their time, though - they don't say a week is a long time in politics for nothing.

***

Bird watching

2010-09-12T17:26:00.000+10:00

The Rosellas are fluttering about the backyard again. Their colourful plumage is a welcome sight from the kitchen window after the bare twigs of winter.

I have a bird feeder set up, into which I put a quarter of a cup of sunflower seeds - nothing more - morning and afternoon. Rosellas love 'em.

***

Happiness is...

2010-09-12T17:17:00.000+10:00

Finding a bottle of your favourite Scotch at your local Woollies for under 30 bucks. Mmmmm, lovely!

***

A proposed Shadow Ministry

2010-09-11T19:45:00.001+10:00

Today, Julia Gillard has announced her new ministry, with a few surprises.

Tony Abbott has said that he will keep changes to his shadow ministry to a minimum. With that in mind, today, I announce The Right Aussie’s Shadow Cabinet – with just a couple of surprises of my own.

Just to be clear, this is my own proposal for a shadow cabinet makeup, and any resemblance with this list to the final annoucement by Tony Abbott is coincidental - but would show he had great discernment - anyhoo ...

I will shift Peter Dutton from Health to replace Ian Macfarlane in Industry and Resources; replacing Dutton in Health and Ageing is Malcolm Turnbull, returning to a shadow portfolio where he shouldn’t cause too much harm (if you’ll pardon the pun.)

Andrew Robb to replace Joe Hockey as shadow Treasurer. To me this is a no-brainer. I think Hockey will be a better fit in Finance, up against Penny Wong.

Sharman Stone replaces Bruce Billson in the Small Business portfolio. This was a hard one because Billson is very capable, and this should not be seen as a demotion; however, his Victorian seat of Dunkley is on a knife-edge, and relieving him of a shadow ministry will free up more time for him to devote to campaigning in his electorate. Ministries and marginal seats do not mix. Therefore, to get Billson back in the ministry, the Liberal Party would do well to find Billson a safer electorate. Geographically, the closest safest seat to Dunkley is Greg Hunt’s seat of Flinders, which would cause a few problems (though probably not for Billson.)

Replacing Sharman Stone in the Status of Women and Early Childcare portfolios is Nola Marino from WA.

Finally, I have removed Tony Smith from Broadband, to be replaced by David Bushby, a Senator from Tasmania, where he can match-up directly with his Labor counterpart.

Let’s see what happens.

***

This election ain't sorted yet, folks

2010-09-07T22:00:00.000+10:00

A great perversion of the political process has taken place today in Australia - one not seen in this country for generations.

On August 21, 2010 the people voted for a change of government, as evidenced by the popular vote, the two party preferred vote, the total number of votes, and the number of seats won. Yet, all that pales into insignificance to Rob Oakeshott and Tony Windsor.

Today, democracy was usurped by the opportunism of a couple of self-aggrandising demagogues who have pledged to support a political party ideologically the opposite of more than half of the voters in their own electorates.

Those voters in Lyne and New England have been treated like fools. Listening to the radio and reading blogs today, I get the feeling that Oakeshott and Windsor are going to find out very soon that they have bitten off more than they can chew.

Ms Gillard might have cause for a little worry, as well.

***

Hold your horses - don't forget Corangamite

2010-09-07T16:29:00.001+10:00

The result today of 76 Lab - 74 Coalition, is predicated on the Labor party winning the Victorian seat of Corangamite. However, the AEC have not declared this seat, and the Liberal party candidate is about 700 votes behind with about 2000 to be counted. If the Libs get up in Corangamite then it will be 75 - 75 ... and very interesting!

***

Electorates will not forget shameless deserters

2010-09-07T16:07:00.005+10:00

Tony Windsor has announced previously that he most probably will be resigning at the end of this parliament. He will, therefore, be able to live with his decision, and take the brickbats from his electorate knowing that he will not need to defend his decision to the voters of New England in three years time.

Rob Oakeshott has a bigger problem. He is relatively young and will be hopeing there is more than three years left of his political career. The people of his electorate of Lyne might have something to say about that. Oakeshott's performance, has, over the past 17 days, been one of the most shameless, vacuous, self-absorbed and vainglorious displays I have ever seen. He spent the better part of fifteen minutes of a news conference this afternoon assailing the nation with the sound of his own voice whilst saying nothing. It took him 10 seconds right at the end to state he was backing Labor.

Democracy died in Australia this afternoon. Why? Well, consider that in 2007, the coalition got 42.1% of the primary vote. Labor's primary vote in 2010 is currently below 38%. Yet Oakeshott and Windsor give their imprimatur to Labor. It is nothing short of a gross subversion of the political process.

If what happened this afternoon in Canberra is not a textbook example of why Australia should adopt a first-past-the-post system of voting, I don't know what is.

UPDATE

Andrew Bolt posts:

Oakeshott really is on another planet;

This is going to be a cracking parliament. It’s going to be ugly but beautiful in its ugliness.

***

Oakeshott speaks now

2010-09-07T15:31:00.001+10:00

Still waiting for Oakeshott's announcement.

Good grief, he's still waffling on, and on.

This is ridiculous. He's been talking for a good five minutes now and still hasn't announced he will be supporting Labor.

This is idiotic. I think he's been talking for nearly ten minutes, without saying anything.

He eventually (finally) announces he will be backing Labor.

Three years of chaos ensue.

***

Windsor announces he's backing Labor

2010-09-07T15:11:00.000+10:00

75 - 74.

Katter breaks for the coalition.

2010-09-07T13:40:00.007+10:00

One down, two to go.

I think the tally is now 74 -74.

UPDATE

If Oakeshott backs Labor (which is almost unanimously tipped), and Windsor goes for the Coalition, then it will be 75 - 75 and back to the polls.

If Windsor backs Labor (with Oakeshott), then it will be 76 - 74 in Labor's favour.

I don't need to tell you which one I think should happen.

UPDATE 2

It has been brought to my attention that if Katter has come out with his announcement first, and sans his other two amigos, then it almost certainly means that he has broken ranks with Oakeshott and Windsor, and Labor has won.

UPDATE 3

Windsor announces he's supporting the Labor Party. 75 - 74.

***

Canberra charade nearly over

2010-09-07T08:42:00.000+10:00

The independents purportedly are close to making a decision and will announce something this afternoon.

About freaking time.

These yokels have had more than enough time in the spotlight. My fervent wish is, that after they announce which side they are going to support, that they are never seen nor heard from for at least the next three years. I would prefer longer, of course, but, unlike them, I'm not greedy.

***

Christchurch earthquake

2010-09-05T20:50:00.000+10:00

I have been meaning to post something about the Christchurch earthquake, but a bad head cold sounds a trite excuse compared to what Canterbury residents are going through right now. Ironic, isn’t it, that in the 2000 years since Christchurch’s partial namesake walked the earth, no one has invented a cure for the common cold, and no one can tell us where the next big earth rattle will happen. Life is weird.

As I wrote in the shared items on the right, Christchurch is one of my top five cities in the world. I first visited in 2004 and was captivated by its charms: its river, its stately buildings, its lively street scene, its very Englishness.

I nearly applied for a job in Christchurch last year, but my precarious financial situation at the time meant that idea went on the back burner. However, were I to ever move across the ditch, Christchurch was always the first place I would have considered making my new home. Buildings might have crumbled since, but my feelings remain the same.

I am saddened at the damage the earthquake has caused, and my thoughts go to all affected residents of Christchurch and Canterbury. If I could get some time off work, I would be on the next plane, to assist where I could, and give a little back to the city that will always have a special place in my heart.

Christchurch is the shining beacon of the south island. At the moment its light has gone out, but I know Cantabrians will stick together to restore their city and their region’s sparkle. It will take patience and time – and buckets of money … some of which I hope makes its way there from the folks on the big, funny-looking island to your west.

***

The journey from Abbott to Sainthood

2010-09-04T08:49:00.000+10:00

Dennis Shanahan writes today in the Weekend Oz of the rise of an unlikely saviour of the Liberal Party.

The test of Abbott's leadership now rests on how quickly he can fashion a vote of no confidence in a likely Gillard minority government, and get us back to the polls.

If Abbott can do that, and garner enough first preference votes to enable his side to govern in its own right, then his canonisation will be a mere formality.

***

Wilkie sides with Labor - anyone surprised?

2010-09-02T17:45:00.001+10:00

Andrew Wilkie, the Tasmanian Independent (who got elected on Liberal preferences) has decided to back Julia Gillard, making her one step closer to a high tea date with Bill Shorten's mother-in-law.

Wilkie can kiss those Liberal preferences good-bye come the next election.

The three ex- National Party Independents have yet to make up their mind which side they dislike the least. My guess is that Oakeshott will go with Labor, Tony Windsor will go with the Coalition, and Bob Katter won't be able to make up his mind until about April next year.

***

As the Independents get more demanding, so should Australians - for a new election

2010-08-30T16:13:00.000+10:00

The Independents are acting like kids in a candy shop. They are all writing their letters to Santa. News.com.au reports from the home of little Bobby Katter:

QUEENSLAND independent MP Bob Katter is drafting his own list of proposals to take to Labor and the Coalition.

Mr Katter said for every item on the list, he had to drop three or four others, which broke his heart, as they were for his north Queensland electorate of Kennedy. But at this point he had to look at the big picture for Australia, he said.

"I will be drafting a set of proposals, suggestions that I will be putting up," he said.
"It's not good enough to say we want a different paradigm for Australia."

Someone tell him we don't want a different effing paradigm, we want a different government, that's all. That's what we voted for.

This intolerable, excruciating mess must be sorted out this week; if it is not, then, with apologies to Xavier Herbert, 'poor bastard, my country.'

That epithet, will, I fear, be applicable to Australia, whatever the outcome.

***

He says we want action on climate change. Really?

2010-08-30T15:06:00.000+10:00

Memo to Adam Bandt, the Green elected as the Member for Melbourne: Please do not assume that your ideology and political wants reflect anything other than those views of the few thousand deluded souls who elected you. Mr Bandt is entitled to represent the views of said people, but it is arrogant in the extreme for him to infer that those same views are held by the majority of the wider community.

***

All hat, no cattle

2010-08-26T20:41:00.000+10:00

If you voted Green, then you're partly responsible for this gem. Honestly, expecting reasoned debate from Bob Katter is like waiting for Laurie Oakes to appear at the Melbourne Comedy Festival.

***

The AEC declares it, and so do I - a bloody shambles

2010-08-26T19:04:00.000+10:00

The Australian Electoral Commission has now declared all seats with the final tally being Labor 72, Liberal/National 73, Greens 1 and Independents 4.

The Green will go with Labor, the Tasmanian Independent and one of the NSW independents are so left they walk with a permanent slant, so they will most likely go with Labor; the other two independents and the Western Australian National who knocked off Wilson Tuckey could go anywhere.

In short: utter chaos. A poisoned chalice to whomever the independents decide to anoint.

I would almost not like to see Tony Abbott offered the role, knowing that as Prime Minister, he would be held over a barrel at the slightest contentious issue by a few former National Party raving lunatic agrarian socialists, and a couple of loony lefties hell-bent on reforming parliamentary procedure at the expense of far more pressing national and international concerns.

Therefore, were Abbott to get the nod, after taking the oath of office, he should immediately request the Governor General dissolve parliament and call another election.

The Australian people deserve another chance at the polls, now that they can see what a vote for the Greens and a vote for Labor can produce.

I hope we get it right the second time – and that the Greens and the Independents rightly get it.

***

Election aftermath. Let's have it again

2010-08-22T17:41:00.000+10:00

Regardless of whether it is Julia Gillard or Tony Abbott who visits the Governor General, one of the basic tenets of forming a commission to govern the country is that the Governor General must be convinced that you can provide stable government. As someone said last night, she (the GG) is not going to accept a wing and a prayer."

With the balance of power in the House of Reps looking like being in the hands of one Green, three ex-conservative independents, one ex-green independent, and one WA National party member who said he wants to sit on the cross benches, all I can say is good luck with the stability thing. If that lot isn't enough to wilt a greenhouse full of tulips, don't forget that the Greens will hold the balance of power in the Senate, also.

Peter Costello said last night that we could be going to another election in less than twelve months.

The Australian people nearly got it right last night. Let's give them one more chance.

***

Prime Minister ....?

2010-08-22T00:17:00.000+10:00

What an extraordinary result we have seen tonight. I do think Tony Abbott can form government. He has achieved something truly remarkable.

I would also like to congratulate Alby Schultz in romping home in my electorate of Hume; and special kudos to Wyatt Roy, Member elect for the Queensland seat of Longman - the youngest Member-elect in the history of the Australian Parliament. A brilliant result.

Good night, one and all.

***

Thoughts from the polling booth

2010-08-21T10:39:00.000+10:00

Cold, wet and windy here in the Southern Tablelands of New South Wales. Lovely morning to vote. Not. Even worse if you have to stand in the rain handing out leaflets.

I have just completed my first two hour shift of the day. Reactions among the voters were interesting. A high number of people were not taking any how to vote cards from any party. I lost count of how many actively sought a Liberal Party one. I did not hear one person ask for a Labor Party one.

The vibe was encouraging if you are a Liberal Party supporter - but that needs to be balanced by knowing that Hume is a Liberal Party seat with a margin of 5.3%. I return to the front line at 4pm - my fingers should have thawed out by then.

***

Election-eve thoughts

2010-08-20T22:29:00.001+10:00

Labor are giving every indication that they are in crisis. They are certainly losing their grip on this election, but the party, along with Prime Minister Gillard, are also losing credibility.

Today Gillard looked gutted and desperate as she flogged the old Workchoices horse. Dear me. Julia, in the Penrith by-election a couple of months ago, at the three booths where ALP volunteers were wearing 'your rights at work' t-shirts, the swing against the ALP was over 30 percent. Do you not see any messages there? Workchoices has as much traction as a skateboard on ice.

I look forward to tomorrow. I will be handing out how to vote cards in the morning when my local booth opens, and again for a couple of hours before closing.

I am increasingly hopeful of the dawn of a new era in Australian politics, and that tomorrow night we can once again proclaim that the people understood, and voted accordingly.

***

Debating debating challenges challengers

2010-08-15T22:53:00.000+10:00

Julia Gillard wants to debate Tony Abbott a second time. Abbott wants another Rooty Hill-style forum. Gillard will not get the former, but Abbott needs to be careful with another forum - it worked for him once, but many a weekend hacker have broken 80 on Saturday, only to return to the course on Sunday, full of bravado, to shoot 97.

***

We can't afford another three years of Labor

2010-08-15T21:23:00.000+10:00

It is going to be a busy week, and I fear that posts will be sparse - and short. So, while I have the time, here are my thoughts for this coming Saturday.

The Courier Mail editorialises today:

RARELY has a government squandered goodwill and confidence as quickly as did the Labor administration.

Kevin Rudd's spectacular approval ratings dramatically collapsed and made him unelectable, according to party powerbrokers.

His demise came on the back of a clumsily administered home insulation scheme, a wasteful Building Education Revolution and an undeliverable commitment to address climate change. The great communicator was unable to sell his message and his rapport with the people was submerged in a tidal wave of jargon.

Kevin Rudd was an accidental tourist to the Lodge – almost as if he arrived there not knowing what to do once he unpacked his bags. As Prime Ministers go, he was a complete disaster. He had neither the managerial nor corporeal qualities for such a demanding position. It was fortunate for Rudd that he departed when he did. I believe his health would probably have suffered had he decided to tough it out.

For all of Rudd's deficiencies, voters have a right to be cranky, not just because of the manner in which he was despatched, but for the fact that they will not be able to have the chance this Saturday to do to Rudd what the backroom boffins of the ALP - and Julia - did instead. Queensland and NSW voters are particularly livid. They are the ones with baseball bats at the ready come Saturday.

The ALP will most certainly lose seats in Queensland – at least eight by my reckoning, but possibly as many as ten, as well as three or four in NSW. The anti-ALP swing appears to be neutralised in Victoria, although I wouldn’t be surprised if Corangamite went back to the Liberals.

Thanks to Labor’s squandering of the surplus they inherited, it will take many years for this country to get back in the black.

On Saturday, Australians should vote for proven economic managers – true fiscal conservatives. We need a return to a government that knows what to do to ensure a high quality of life for its citizens - a standard of living that once made us the envy of the rest of the world. We need a return to a stable, competent government, lead by a Prime Minister with courage and humility.

It is unfathomable that Labor could be given a second chance after so many stuff-ups in three years. Don’t risk them again. Vote for the coalition on Saturday.

***

The Federal government: your infrastructure dollar at work

2010-08-14T13:59:00.001+10:00

I was flicking through 2GB's website and an interview between Jason Morrison and Warren Truss, Leader of the National Party, grabbed my attention.

I have said before on this blog how backward and second world the rail infrastructure is in Australia.

Well, get a load of this: it turns out that from August 8th, there have been no passenger rail services between Sydney and Melboune. If you want to catch a train from Sydney to Melbourne, you can only go as far as Albury (three hours from Melbourne) and transfer to a road coach to complete the journey. This situation is indefinite, and all because the track infrastructure in Victoria has not been maintained by the government-owned corporation responsible.

This is gross political and economic negligence.

Welcome to Australia in the 21st century.

***

The Liberal Party: a few ads short of a campaign director

2010-08-14T12:57:00.000+10:00

I complete agree with this. I said as much here.

The Liberal Party advertising campaign should be attacking Labor for the shameful waste, mal-administration, in-fighting, and sheer incompetence of the last three years. The ads have simply not occurred.

The coalition cannot rely solely on Andrew Bolt and Alan Jones to get them over the line next Saturday.

Why have we not seen commercials ripping into Labor? It is not bloody good enough.

If the Liberals lose this election, then federal campaign director Brian Loughnane should resign his post immediately, or be sacked.

***

When the vanquished resort to vitriol

2010-08-14T10:29:00.000+10:00

I live in the federal electorate of Hume – ‘an electorate the size of Belgium’ as everyone seems to refer to it. Give me Hume any day.

The current sitting member is Liberal MP, Alby Schultz. Mr Schultz is re-contesting for the Liberal Party. Schultz is 71.

Against Mr Schultz, I have heard the terms ‘seat-warming’, ‘lazy’, ‘past-it’, and the plain-speaking ‘too old’ bandied about. ‘How could someone who will be 75 by the time of the next election, possibly have the energy and enthusiasm to represent a huge rural electoral containing over 220 villages and towns?’, they ask.

I know Alby Schultz. I have met him, shaken his hand and spoken to him on many occasions. I don’t always agree with everything he says, but I have never doubted his ability to represent his constituents. He is a true, hard-working, grass roots politician. He is also part of a duo, the other half of which is Alby’s better half - his loyal and dedicated wife, Gloria. Gloria often accompanies Alby on his trips into the heart of the electorate, and takes over some of the night driving for Alby, who lost the sight in one eye in a chemical accident several years ago. The Schultzes know Hume backwards.

In my local paper yesterday, the Labor candidate for Hume at the 2007 election, David Grant, revealed, in a letter to the editor, why he was not standing as a candidate again in 2010. He mentioned that his reasons were a combination of work commitments and a desire to pass the baton to a “much younger” candidate (Grant is 61).

Grant’s letter was as subtle as a draughthorse’s fart. Replete with sly references to the age difference between Schultz, himself and the current ALP candidate, it was distasteful in the extreme – the very thing you would expect from the ALP.

If Mr Grant thinks 71 is over the hill, he needs to re-evaluate his definition of geriatrics - the oldest member in the UK House of Commons is Conservative MP Sir Peter Tapsell. Tapsell is 80.

I can tell people why David Grant is not standing again for the ALP in Hume – he is not standing because he knows he would not have won. The voters of Hume got it absolutely right in 2007; and Grant knows that in 2010 he would have had Buckley’s chance of getting intelligent, responsible and classy individuals to vote in their very opposite.

Age has nothing to do with it.

***

Gillard Abbott Public Forum (Stunning performance by Abbott)

2010-08-11T21:11:00.005+10:00

The public forum is just over and it was the best performance I have ever seen Tony Abbott give. To say he was impressive is an understatement. He was engaging and comfortable - and very candid at times, as well. I must say I was nervous at the start, fearing that Abbott would appear wooden and aloof, but, thankfully, he was just the opposite.

There are certain game-changers in every election campaign, one that jolts the audience awake. This could just be once such occasion, and all in Abbott's favour.

The Labor spin doctors will be up all night. Clearly, from the questions and reactions of the audience tonight, the ALP/union attack ads and a predictably negative campaign, is not working.

All Tony needs now is to employ a youth adviser once he becomes PM.

UPDATE

Andrew Bolt avers that ~~Abbott~~ correction, 'the Liberals' will be wishing tonight's coverage of the forum was not limited to SkyNews, the ABC's 24 hour news channel and a live stream on news.com.au. I don't think Tony should worry - it will probably be all over YouTube in a few hours.

***

The wheels are off and Labor's firing blanks

2010-08-03T18:58:00.000+10:00

Ooh wah, did you hear what Tony Abbott said today?

Good, so did I - and he was one hundred percent right and without fault.

Credence should never be given to anyone with such puerile minds who feel the need to extract every ounce of innuendo where none could ever be found. Do you want to know when 'no' means 'no'? 'No' means I will never vote for any party who seeks to use non-stories such as this to divert attention from their own leaking, farcical campaign.

Muckraking so-called 'journalists' do themselves absolutely no favours when they proselytise this anti-conservative hysteria. Get a life.

***

Masterchef - winner announced, but scoring a bit wiffy

2010-07-26T18:39:00.001+10:00

For the non-Australians reading this blog who haven't the faintest idea about the TV phenomenon that is Masterchef - it might be time to make a cup of tea.

So, the record-breaking finale of Masterchef has delivered what all the pundits were predicting - a win to Adam Liaw from Tokyo (via Adelaide), and a win to channel 10 in the ratings.

My favourite contestant right from the 1st episode was Liaw’s fellow grand-finalist and South Australian, the happy-awkward former engineering student, Callum Hann.

Although the odds were stacked against Callum to win the title, the fact that a 20-year old kitchen hand with no formal cooking training went as far as he did in the competition is a great credit to him.

In last night's episode, I was happy with the way it all went, except for the final round of scoring - which had me raising my eyebrows to new heights.

I think Callum was robbed of three points on the final dish, the guava snowball dessert. Adam scored four nines for his effort, and Callum got one 9 and three 8s. In my opinion Callum's desert looked better and got just as favourable, if not better comments, from most of the judges. So why didn't the scoring reflect this? Surely if both contestants’ invention test dishes got nines across the board, the pressure test round should have been scored likewise. It would have made the scoring very boring, but it demonstrates how matched both Hann and Liaw were on their cooking skills. It was Liaw’s food knowledge that won him an early, and ultimately, unsurpassable lead.

Even if Callum had received four nines for his dessert, he still would have trailed Adam at the end of the night, but I would hope that, for future series, the scoring is far more transparent, and at least is consistent with the judges' comments.

Adam deserved to win the competition, just as much as Callum deserved to be in the grand final with him.

***

Memo to Liberal HQ: Tell the people to Vote Liberal. There, that wasn't so hard, was it?

2010-07-24T15:24:00.000+10:00

I am bored to tears with this election and it’s only the end of week one. This doesn’t auger well for the month of campaigning to come.

Speaking of which, if there is one sure bet, one dead certainty in this election, it will be that the coalition will have a disastrous campaign. Even if they win, it will be a terrible campaign. It always is.

Here are the problems the coalition faces:

1. Television ads. The Libs never do them well. They are nearly always too polite, too weak and too subliminal. You never see or hear the Liberal Party brand mentioned, except in the virtually inaudible authorisation mumble right at the end. SOLUTION: Change your advertising agency or get rid of the old farts in HQ who approve the tosh that the agency gives them. Get punchy and mention the brand - use it, or lose it.

2. First term governments hardly ever get kicked out. Added to the problem with this election is the fact many voters have too much of the 'fair go' spirit in them for their own good and will want to give Julia Gillard a chance, seeing as she’s only been PM for a few weeks. SOLUTION: The Libs need to go for the jugular and point out that Gillard is Rudd-light. She was there when all of Rudd’s disastrous decisions were made. She backed them, she supported them. Now she wants the public to move forward with her. Like lemmings, we probably will.

3. The coalition never get traction in the mainstream media, and when they do the coverage is usually negative. SOLUTION: Lack of media coverage of coalition policy announcements needs to be counter-acted by targeted TV advertising (see point 1 above.) Also, a radical alternative to the established media is sorely needed in this country. A Fox News-style channel would be a good start.

4. Leadership. I happen to like Tony Abbott. I think he will be a very good Prime Minister. Unfortunately this view is not shared by a majority of voters. SOLUTION: After this election is over, and playing devil’s advocate by assuming Labor will get re-elected, the Liberal Party should do a Lazarus, this time on Peter Costello, and pre-select him, posthaste, in a safe Melbourne electorate.

***

Moving forward ... hopefully to oblivion

2010-07-19T22:30:00.000+10:00

To the lexicon-challenged, eco-fascist Whitlam worshippers in cloud-ALP-cuckoo land who dreamed up the ‘moving forward’ slogan: Don't you realise that there are enough people to loathe in the world already without your working so hard to give us more? As if ‘working families’ wasn’t bad enough. Once again the Australian public are being assailed by slogans that mean nothing, deliver nothing and promise nothing. Voters are being treated as if we have the IQ of lint, by people who clearly do.

***

Neil Perry gives a spray to Masterchef

2010-07-18T17:01:00.000+10:00

Want to read a jealous, embittered rant by someone frightened of a bit of competition?

The schadenfreude is barely masked; the inflated view of his own importance, is not.

I really hope one of this years' Masterchef contestants goes on to open their own establishment, and give Perry a run for his money.

***

My source was correct

2010-07-17T12:25:00.001+10:00

The federal election will be August 21.

My previous blog post is here. Speaking of which, to allay any confusion ... while my source was indeed correct, and did tell me August 21, it was my failing memory, together with a lot of background noise at the time of our conversation, that led me to write a date for October also. As the weeks have unfolded since, however, it became increasingly obvious that it would be August.

***

A dream is a wish your heart makes

2010-07-15T21:29:00.000+10:00

Omne solum forti patria est...

A young pal of mine has been working as a volunteer English teacher in Japan for the past three months. He had applied for a working Visa, but when the expiry date of his tourist visa got nearer, he started to pack, thinking that he would have to leave his rural idyll.

Yesterday I heard via ‘effbook’ (he calls it that), that his working visa came though and that he can now stay in Japan and work (and get paid) for the next three years. He's ecstatic, and I'm really happy for him, too.

They say that youth is wasted on the young, but when the dream you imagine becomes the reality you live, it’s hard to escape the conclusion that the earlier you dream the better your chances are. I wish I’d started dreaming a bit earlier…

***

Sir Charles Mackerras

2010-07-15T18:42:00.001+10:00

I am quite partial to classical music. I occasionally listen to ABC Classic FM on my way to work when the signal to 2GB gets a bit static-y.

For a long time, though, I undervalued the role of orchestra conductor. Indeed, I was of the belief that going to the opera based on who was conducting was a bit like betting on a horse depending on who was riding it.

A giant among conductors has put his baton down for the last time.

Sir Charles Mackerras was 84.

***

The flawed UN convention on refugees

2010-07-11T12:39:00.000+10:00

Greg Sheridan writes in The Weekend Australian:

...At the heart of the problem is the 1951 UN Refugee Convention. It is not only not working any more, it is setting up positively perverse incentives and having all manner of unintended and destructive consequences.

It is in desperate need of reform, but any conservative politician who addresses such a question will instantly be denounced as a racist, and almost all progressive politicians lack the stomach to confront the leftward end of their own constituencies on it. Julia Gillard's pretty bizarre balancing act, where she has accepted the absolute need to stop the boats getting to Australia illegally, but has proposed an almost certainly fanciful regional centre in East Timor, is an illustration of the dilemma progressive politicians face in office.

The rest of the article is here. It is an eloquent disquisition of the problems in and the misunderstandings of the UN refugee convention.

However, I need to bring to Mr Sheridan and others' attention, that the correct name for East Timor is 'Timor Leste.' Following its independence, its government requested that the nation be called 'Timor Leste', and we should have the decency to abide by this naming protocol.

***

Decisions, decisions...

2010-07-10T21:15:00.001+10:00

Can't make up my mind whether to buy one of these

or go on on of these instead.

***

Let's hope Rudd was a one-off

2010-07-04T14:23:00.000+10:00

Rather long, this - but hardly surprising, given the subject: A damning critique of the former Prime Minister:

On the evening of June 2 this year, the Labor Prime Minister was at it again. This time, he was holding court in his Parliament House suite to a handful of the country's top miners over drinks. It was at the height of the furore over the new mining tax and Rudd had been advised to extend the hand of friendship to guests such as BHP Billiton chief Marius Kloppers, Minerals and Metals Group boss, Andrew Michelmore, Xstrata Coal's Peter Freyberg.

The cream of business, arguably with the future of the nation's economy in their hands, they were ripe for some charm from the PM. Instead Rudd began skiting about his international credentials.

" I am," he announced to this startled group of senior executives of global business "the most globally recognised person here."

Not any more!

It is great, indeed, to see the back of this megalomanic; and may political parties give more careful consideration as to who they choose as leader, less the likes of such an arrogant and amateurish individual be once more placed in the role of Prime Minister.

***

I was told the date of the federal election, but I forgot to write it down

2010-06-26T16:15:00.000+10:00

I hang around Canberra a fair bit. As I work there, its literally and figuratively an occupational hazard!

Anyway, last week, before Jerlia became PM, a Canberra insider, in a fit of unexpected candour, told me when the next election would be held. This is where I should have been concentrating more closely, or had a dictaphone handy (negative to both) - and I can't for the life of me remember whether he said it would be August 21 or October 16. It was definitely one of those.

Apparently dates for these things are decided months in advance, and even so-called 'snap election' dates are decided on well before they are announced.

Either way, I expect the next Conservative federal government to be sworn in by a dispirited-looking Governor General well before the first Tuesday in November.

***

Masterchef sparks Sydney vs Melbourne rivalry

2010-06-26T15:56:00.000+10:00

There is talk that next year will see the third series of Masterchef move from Sydney to Melbourne, ostensibly because the show is somehow "more Melbourne." Apparently Masterchef is more popular in Melbourne than Sydney. Another reason slated for the move was that the show's three judges, Gary Mehigan, George Calombaris and Matt Preston are all Melbourne-based. Well bully for them. They are all probably delighted to get out of the joint for seven months of the year.

Really, this Sydney versus Melbourne rivalry is childish and inane. What difference does it make where Masterchef is filmed? It is primarily shot inside a custom-built warehouse, for crying out loud!

In spite of the awful over-acting by Calombaris and Preston, I have really enjoyed this year's Masterchef. The contestants seem much more likeable, and, the food they have produced, light years ahead of the fare from series one. And I really hope Callum wins, btw.

***

The Gillard & Rudd thing

2010-06-24T17:57:00.000+10:00

Sorry was not able to blog today during the momentous events in Canberra - I was at work, where blogging is not sanctioned!

So we finally have Madame Gillard installed as Prime Minister. Will she be the beacon of fiscally conservative light that the electorate and the markets want? Or is she simply Kevin Rudd in a skirt? I fear the latter. Very much so.

The dim-witted comment of the morning, however, must surely go to Labor Senator Kate Lundy who said on radio, and I'm paraphrasing, that Julia Gillard would be the most effective weapon against a coalition who wanted to bring back WorkChoices.

Um, Kate, dearie, are you so out of touch with the sentiment of the community, and did you pay no attention to last weekend's Penrith by-election, whereby at the three booths where ALP workers wore Your Rights at Work t-shirts, the swing against Labor topped 30 percent? Oh yes, WorkChoices will give you great traction, no doubt about it. In fact, keep talking about it, because I would love to see a federal swing against Labor of thrity percent. Absolutely.

***

Rudd to hand over the keys to the Lodge tomorrow?

2010-06-23T22:29:00.005+10:00

I said on June 1st that Kevin Rudd's days were numbered.

Rudd has just announced at a press conference that Julia Gillard has told him she wants his office, and, as such, Rudd will be contesting the leadership of the party tomorrow morning.

Tomorrow we will see Julia Gillard as Prime Minister of Australia.

God help us all.

UPDATE

BS of the night award goes to a non compos mentis Laurie Oakes, who just called Rudd's press conference a "brilliant performance."

UPDATE 2

Friend just emailed to say that Labor would be better off talking to Turnbull than Julia! Somehow I don't think the Labor caucus can wait for Malcolm.

UPDATE 3

Andrew Bolt makes a good point:

Global warming a year ago was seen as the policy supported by everyone of sense, and by all political parties. Since then the leaders of the both the biggest parties have lost their jobs essentially over this issue. And had Tony Abbott not won the Liberal leadership by a single vote…

UPDATE 4

Kevin Rudd has absolutely no one to blame but himself for the predicament he is now in. Over the past three years he has proved to be one of the most disappointing prime ministers Australia has ever had. I simply don't think the position suited him. He was never a leader. He thought too much, talked too much, and tried to be too many things to too many people - and failed. His disproportionate arrogance belied his human side, and his lack of economic credentials showed him up for the doctrinaire socialist he always was.

***

Labor died in western Sydney tonight

2010-06-19T22:01:00.001+10:00

I find general elections truly fascinating. Funny thing is, I have never been able to get my rocks off on by-elections: to me, they can be as interesting as checking the pressure in one's tires.

The Penrith by-election was held today, and, as predicted, the Labor Party got an absolute thrashing.

What was interesting with this one was not the result (which everyone predicted), but the scale and consistency of the swings against Labor.

ABC election analyst Antony Green, a paragon of caution early in the evening, ended up speechless:
20:56 - I'm running out of things to say. I have never seen a table of swings like the one I've published on the results page. This result is unprecedented.

Here is the table he's talking about (data courtesy http://www.abc.net.au/elections/nsw/2010/penrith/result.htm). You will notice that after preferences, every single booth recorded a swing against Labor of more than 20 percent.

Rethink whether Australia should bid for soccer world cup

2010-06-15T08:33:00.001+10:00

After Australia's disastrous opening round soccer match where Germany pounded the living sauerkraut out of us, people are starting to mutter whether Australia should even be bidding at all for the rights to host the world cup in 2018 or 2020. For if the result of the last few days were to replicate itself on home soil, the sense of national embarrassment would be almost unendurable.

On the positive side, none of the current Socceroos will be playing for the national side in 2020, and the current coach won't be around either. So, while there may be a glimmer of light at the end of the tunnel, I believe the money that this bid will cost should be spent on far more pressing concerns.

***

The joys of winter

2010-06-15T08:24:00.000+10:00

“Winter is an etching, spring a watercolor, summer an oil painting and autumn a mosaic of them all.” - Stanley Horowitz

I have been away for a few days, travelling up to the central west of NSW, and enjoying the terrific scenery around Cowra, Canowindra and Orange, before heading over the Blue Mountains to Sydney where I spent and a couple of days visiting rellies.

I love this time of the year. The colder the better, as far as I'm concerned. The best thing about winter is that it enables one to fashion a warmth for one's body and soul that just feels so damn good!

Victorian government should not reward Woods

2010-06-09T21:58:00.000+10:00

In paying a huge sum (they won't admit how much it is, but it's seven figures) to get Tiger Woods to return to Victoria in November to defend his Australian Masters title, the Victorian government is both condoning Woods' bedswerving, and betting on his pulling power ('scuse pun) remaining undiminished to draw in the crowds and the dollars to Melbourne later this year.

ABC News Radio's Tracee Hutchison* (rightly) grills aggrandising Victorian Tourism and Major Events Minister Tim Holding, for what is ultimately an ill-considered use of taxpayers' money.

*For some reason the start of the interview is missing.

***

Pay politicians more

2010-06-05T16:52:00.002+10:00

Talk that federal politicians' salaries could increased by as much as $50,000 per year in a bid to curb rorts, is a good idea. If implemented, it would bring the base salary of an Australian backbencher to around $180,000 p.a. However, for me, the overhaul doesn't go far enough.

All politicians should be paid a base salary of $300,000, out of which they must pay for all their expenses, including travel, postage, accommodation. As politicians take on ministerial or leadership roles, their salary is increased to say $400,000 for ministers and leader of the Opposition and $500,000 for the prime minister.

And the stupid current practice (not confined to Australia, either) of departmental heads getting paid more than the prime minister, should cease forthwith.

***

Doubt

2010-06-03T22:08:00.000+10:00

Scenario (actual – today, at work, in fact)

I get very uncomfortable when someone tells me how I should have done something after I have already done it. I did what I was asked. I completed a task – completed it well, I think. But I was told – politely – that I should have done it differently to avoid a situation that “occasionally” takes place. Incidentally, the method suggested to me by my well-meaning colleague would have resulted in precisely the same outcome.

The upshot of this is that a seed of doubt was planted in my mind; a seed that gets nourished by my own insecurity. This is beginning to happen too regularly for my liking. Things need to change.

The office can be a withering environment, where the sun needed for one’s emotional healing is impeded by concrete and steel. Work seems endless, but one’s lifetime is ephemeral. There is imbalance all around.

Remedy

Recognise the futility of being concerned about something that will probably go unnoticed.

Concentrate on how well a task was done, not on how one's actions should have conformed to a colleague’s subjective convention.

“Confound doubt by concentrating on all the reasons you have in life for being grateful. Don’t focus on the things that to you seem imperfect. Habitual doubt is a manifestation of self-centeredness. Love truth. Love! Fill your hearts with generous sentiments, and doubt will flee like night shadows before the sunrise.” – J. Donald Walters

Now, heal thyself.

***

Rudd's just about finished

2010-06-01T17:58:00.000+10:00

The latest Newspoll is very bad for Federal Labor. Not that I think Tony Abbott, upon seeing his side’s figures, will be hugging himself and rocking back and forth. He has a lot of work to do to convince voters who are jack of Labor not to be foolish and vote Green.

Back to Rudd. By virtue of his disproportionate arrogance and litany of stuff-ups, his position is virtually terminal. I cannot think of a post-war PM who is more despised - including by many on his own side.

Whenever the next federal election is called – August, October ... my prediction is that Kevin Rudd will not lead the Labor party to the election.

If he does, they will lose.

***

Malcolm 'who?' quits the Liberal Party

2010-05-26T17:58:00.000+10:00

Fraser, I believe his name is.

Many will be more surprised to learn that the former Australian Prime Minister is still alive, than the fact he has decided to resign from the Liberal Party - something, incidentally, he should have done the day after he bawled on stage in 1983 when he lost the election.

I didn't have anything fizzy in the fridge with which to celebrate this wonderful day, so I will have a Gin and Dubonnet instead, and pretend it's pink champagne.

***

Costello explains what Rudd, Swan and Tanner cannot

2010-05-20T21:17:00.000+10:00

The former Australian treasurer has eleven federal budgets under his belt and his vast experience shows in this interview.

Costello has quite a way with words, and after listening to him you certainly get a better idea of why the mining super profits tax is such a dog.

Peter Costello says that listening to Rudd and Swan try to explain how the tax will work is "excruciating".

Let me tell you, Pete, listening to dumb and dumber talk about anything, is excruciating.

***

The fourth estate go feral

2010-05-20T20:23:00.000+10:00

I completely agree with Ian Smith, and how refreshing to read a reasoned and intelligently written article.

Watching shadow treasurer Joe Hockey's speech yesterday I was reminded of how disrespectful many journalists within the federal press gallery have become of those who provide them with a living: the politicians.

Politicians frequently are attacked for their excesses, yet those who report on those perceived indulgences, the journalists, are living examples of the cliche "all care and no responsibility".

Yesterday it was best illustrated by the acerbic performance of Andrew Probyn of The West Australian, who berated Hockey for showing poor form by not distributing his speech and detailed spending-cut measures before his appearance at the National Press Club. After a wild rant, Probyn got around to asking a question on e-health.

If he had had the requested papers in his hand during the speech, Probyn and many of his peers no doubt would have flicked through the documentation and taken scant note of Hockey.

***

Tony Abbott should ignore the hypocritical attacks from Labor

2010-05-18T18:08:00.000+10:00

I should say at the outset that I do not watch the ABC's 7.30 Report. Kerry O'Brien reminds me too much of Julia Gillard. Besides, that's my ablutionary time.

After listening to excerpts pretty much all day of Tony Abbott's performance on the 7.30 Report last night, I don't know whether to offer Tony a consoling hug, or a not-so-consoling damn good shake.

It is clear to me, that on media matters, Abbott is either very poorly advised, or else he is well advised, but chooses to ignore what he's told.

The interview was poor. No doubt. But the outcome is yet another case of Labor, aided and abetted by the Australian MSM, extrapolating every obscure nuance from a statement by a Conservative politician, and inventing a scandal to distract the public from the other side's own calamities.

Of course, the hypocritical, vituperative attacks by Labor have started. Tony Abbott should counter them by saying "I have no doubts that Labor are the best party to lead Australia."

That should shut them up.

***

UPDATE: Andrew Bolt on Labor's hypocrisy.

A friendly handshake between fifth cousins, twice removed

2010-05-15T16:41:00.001+10:00

This, from Charles Moore, in the current edition of The Spectator magazine:

The most moving thing was the photograph of the handshake of the Queen and her new Prime Minister. It is an excellent innovation to allow the ceremony to be seen, because it reminds people how the constitution works. After the days of uncertainty, we needed this more than usual. There is also something touching in seeing this beautiful old lady confer authority on a man who was minus 15 years old when she came to the throne. If it were not slightly unconstitutional to suggest it, I would add that the Queen looked very pleased.

It is a lovely photograph, and the Queen does, indeed, look delighted.

Picture: JOHN STILLWELL / PA

Not a teleprompter in sight

2010-05-12T22:13:00.000+10:00

I will say this for David Cameron: he does excellent extempore.

***

Britain finally has a new Prime Minister. Now, would everyone please calm down

2010-05-12T21:28:00.000+10:00

Throughout the day I have been reading articles from the UK trumpeting what has occurred over there as a ‘momentous moment in politics’; ‘politics has changed forever’; ‘a political masterstroke’, and so it breathlessly goes on. All of it is absolute bollocks. This is nothing more than a marriage - not of convenience, but necessity. Think of the alternatives: A Lib-Lab partnership would not have worked without the support of a host of Northern Irish and Welsh parties; a Con minority government would have had every contentious bill defeated in the commons. The only options left are a Lib-Con coalition or another general election – the latter would have been both unwanted and unaffordable, and who is to say that the result of a run-off election would have been any more conclusive than the first one?

The only viable alternative was for Cameron and Clegg to enter into discussions to form a coalition government. Both men knew this, as did most of the press commentators (the sensible ones, at least); but reading about the outcome of events, listening to all the 'oohs' and 'ahhs' one could be forgiven for thinking that a cure for cancer had been discovered.

I think a cold shower is in order.

The facts are that David Cameron, 43, is now Prime Minister of Her Majesty’s United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland. And jolly good luck to him - he will need it. He has a herculean job ahead of him: not only to get the country back on track, but to convince his backbenchers and the traditional conservative support base that he has not sold their souls by conceding too much to the Lib Dems.

I wait with interest to see if Cameron can indeed put party politics to one side and embrace the task of leading change that Britain needs, whilst maintaining the traditions it was built on.

***

David Cameron and the election that nearly got away

2010-05-09T11:30:00.002+10:00

An alternative title for this post could well be 'David Cameron and the election that's buggered Britain.'

The result of the general election in Britain last Thursday is clear. The outcome of the election, however, is anything but.

The Conservative Party won the most seats with 306, followed by Labour with 258 and the Liberal Democrats with 57. A host of minor parties and assorted rabble won the rest between them.

The polls have been declared in 649 out of 650 constituencies. There was a death of a candidate in one before polling day, so voters in that constituency will vote next month.

We now have the situation whereby no party in Britain has enough votes to govern in its own right (326); David Cameron is the PM in waiting; the ever-ebullient Gordon Brown is squatting at Number 10; and Nick Clegg is wondering whether it was something he said.

Horse-trading is currently underway between David (call me Dave) Cameron, the leader of the Conservatives, and Nick (where’d my Superman cape go) Clegg, leader of the LibDems, to see if some coalition between the party that won an additional 100 seats, and the party that did the most disastrously and actually lost seats, can be formed.

The reason Cameron has so eagerly embraced talks with Nick Clegg, is because, as individuals, Cameron and Clegg are nowhere near as ideologically disparate as the two parties they lead.

But Cameron has foisted his ideology on the conservative party and in the process it has become a progressive, enviro-loony, all-inclusive, euro-hippy rump of its former self.

Yes, the Conservatives picked up a swag of seats at this election. But Dave should be under no ego-tripping illusions that he was solely responsible for that. This is nowhere near the overwhelming display of voter love for Cameron and his 'new Tory' malarkey that he and his coterie would like us to think it was; rather, it was a collective hand signal from the electorate to the sheer idiocy and incompetence of the Brown/Blair Labour government.

David Cameron is no more a true conservative than I am the Sultan of Brunei’s head gardener. As a ‘conservative’, Cameron obviously had the same social politics lecturer as Kevin Rudd, albeit a different economics one.

True died-in-the-wool conservatives in Britain are not amused at Cameron, nor the path on which he has taken their once-proud party, nor the way in which Cameron has performed in this election campaign. For many of these true believers, a coalition with the LibDems will be the point of no return.

David Cameron is a true social networking wonk, proselytizing his cause with his Facebook page and WebCameron video diary. The problem is, no matter how media-savvy and telegenic you are, if your message is confused, if your message is contrary to the wishes of your party faithful, and if your message is just plain stupid, it will all be for nothing.

Throughout this election campaign, and indeed since he became leader of the conservative party in 2005, Cameron has tried to be all things to all people – well, ninety percent of people. Eschewing most of the hard decisions, and sugar-coating the rest to appease his neo-con following, is no way to lead. The result of the election is testament to that.

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Australia's Embarrassment of a Prime Minister

2010-05-07T19:26:00.000+10:00

Please read this terrific piece by Michael Kroger, and pray that later this year, after Australia goes to the polls, that we will never see nor hear from Rudd again.

***

UK general election

2010-05-02T14:35:00.000+10:00

On Thursday Her Majesty's United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern Ireland will go to a general election to boot out one of the most disastrous administrations since WW1.

I usually fence-sit with my predictions when it comes to elections, but I am not going to this time.

Before I give my two-bob’s worth, let’s hear from The UK’s The Daily Telegraph:

Assuming a uniform national swing, analysis by John Curtice, professor of politics at Strathclyde University, shows that the figures – if repeated on Thursday – would give the Conservatives 279 seats, Labour 261 and the Lib Dems 78.

This gives us an idea, but the problem is that swings in elections are never uniform. Indeed, they tend have minds of their own.

I predict that there will be Labour-held constituencies that will fall to the Tories that were never on the Tories’ radar; also, seats that the Tories thought they could win from Labour will, after Thursday, frustratingly remain red - although I think the former will outnumber the latter.

My final of piece crystal ball-gazing (current make-up of parliament is bracketed) is Conservative 333 (212), Labour 199 (344), LibDem 88 (63) and others 29 (30).

I won't be surprised, of course, if the end result is nothing like the above; but I, like most Conservatives, like to think that people see their party as bastions of optimism and aspiration, and thus will vote accordingly. The Great British public will not have a better opportunity, come Thursday, to test this premise.

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Bits from the past week

2010-05-01T07:35:00.000+10:00

Incorporating the week that was, here are my highlights:

Last Friday I Qantased down to Melbourne for a couple of nights. I stayed at the Hilton at the airport cos I love hanging around airports and taking photos of airporty things. Then, on Saturday night I caught the Skybus to Southern Cross Station and then found a train to Flinders St, where I got off and hoofed it over to the MCG where I met a mate of mine and his folks and we watched the Melbourne v Brisbane Lions game. Mate is a MAD Melbourne supporter and he couldn’t believe the final score (M103-B53) needless to say, he would like to make me an honorary member and go to all their home games - you see, it was the first live AFL game I’ve ever been to.

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Adding to being among several thousand cheering Demons, I came home on Sunday to find that the Rabbitohs had triumphed over the Raiders at Canberra Stadium. Could the weekend get any better?

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My flights last weekend were great – both ways. CBR – MEL with Qantas and MEL – CBR with Virgin. The Qantas Club at Canberra Airport was absolutely packed on Friday night, but I managed to find a seat. Thankfully the crowd dispersed and I was able to stretch out a bit. Being on the last flight of the evening I ended up helping the lounge staff clear the tables just as it was announced that “the Qantas Club is now closed”. I will be pleased when they finally pull that wing of Canberra’s terminal down, as it is well and truly past its used-by date.

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I flew back to Canberra on a Virgin 737-800 and I didn’t realise that Virgin had seat-back TVs. It must be at least four years since I’ve flown with them. As it was such a short flight, I didn’t swipe my credit card, I was content to look at the moving tracking map (I love those things!)

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The great Autumness is enveloping the valley where I live, with morning fog and chill calling for heater and dressing gown. Lovely. Autumn could last all year long and I would be a contented man.

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I see ANZAC Day was unable to pass without yet another debate on whether we should change the flag and whether April 25 should be our national day instead of January 26. The answer should be a deafening ‘no’ to both. The flag contains a fine juxtaposition of where we as a nation came from, and where are now. It encapsulates both an ode to the past and a song of the future. January 26 is a day for celebrating. I do not feel like celebrating anything on April 25. Were April 25 to become our national day, celebrations would be inevitable, which would only lead to accusations that war is being glorified – I’m not convinced that it isn’t already - but it would become much more difficult to refute the notion.

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Enjoy the weekend. I will be washing the car and planting bulbs, washing and shopping. Ah, domestic bliss.