Goodbye and good riddance!

As usual, the frequency of blog posting has skidded to a virtual halt these last few weeks. And as usual, my excuse is the same, so I won't bore you all with the detail. I could not, however, allow this post election week to pass by without some mention of this momentous occassion.

I don't think there is any doubt that I am pretty satisfied with last Saturday's result. It is important to make clear, however, that my joy does not come through any great support for Rudd, but like so many, for my deep disdain of the Howard government. I also take great comfort in the knowledge that the Australian electorate is concerned about more than just their wallets, that they do in fact give a stuff about other things. I don't mean to say that economic management is not a big factor, nor am I oblivious to how important such an issue is to young families with mouths to feed, and minds to educate, and 30 years of mortgage repayments ahead of them. This, however, is not the only issue that holds importance for families, or for Australians in general, and I am most comforted to know that this has prevailed.

While I fully support Rudd's promises to roll back work choices, sign Kyoto, and issue a formal apology to indigenous Australians for the stolen generation, the promise I really want to see realised is the restoration of proper parliamentary processes, and a return to ministerial responsibility. No more passing the buck down the chain to the public service, or private companies doing outsourced work on the governments behalf. Our system relies on ministerial responsibility, and ensuring proper accountability within government ranks is paramount. This, I suspect will be one of the most difficult promises to keep, particularly if the Rudd government enjoys a long stint in office like the previous government. Mistakes will inevitably happen, and ministers will be asked to take responsibility. How Rudd deals with these situations will be most interesting .. particularly if/when his own support as leader is in doubt.

I think Paul Keating summed up my feelings about Saturday's result best. When asked on ABC radio if he felt happy upon hearing of Rudd's win on Saturday, he sternly answered, " .. no, I was just so relieved that the toxicity of this government had gone".

Couldn't sum it up any better. I don't fear a new direction for this country John, I've been hoping and waiting for it for a very long time!

Bravo Rabbitohs !

Don't ask me how they are going this season. All I know about the South Sydney Rabbitohs is that they play Rugby League, they come from South Sydney, and they are planning to remove all "Pokie" machines from their club rooms.

There are few things I hate more than Pokie machines. As Tim Costello explains, they exploit those who are most vulnerable in the community, to fill the wallets of the gaming industry. Sure, a lot of this money comes back to the public through taxes, but who wants to live in a society that exploits, and feeds off the misfortunes of their fellow citizens. In any case, it is public money that will inevitably be used to support those families who cannot afford to eat because of money lost on these machines.

Pokie machines have no place in a civilised society, and I hope the Rabbitoh's decision is the start of something bigger.

"You can't sell what doesn't exist"

If there was ever a "why didn't I think of that!" idea, then surely this one is it. On ebay last week was something you would struggle to buy in a shop, borrow from a library, or indeed, stumble upon at a trash and treasure. In fact, this item is so hard to locate, that ebay itself deemed it not to exist at all, and promptly removed it from their site.

On offer, was something quite special:

The Prime Minister of Australia, Mr John Howard's integrity (pictured right).

Seller’s Item Description:

You are bidding on an original 1950’s mind set. Genuine period flaws make this a truly unique item. While the internal mechanism (not in photo) is damaged it still spins at full speed. The veneer is in splendid condition. You will be disappointed or your money back.

Bidding reached $US51.00 before ebay removed it from the site. Ebay, of course, does not allow the selling of things that do not really exist.

If, like me, you think this is brilliant, vote for it on: ScoopIt

More coverage:

http://blogs.smh.com.au/sit/archives/2007/05/invisible_assets_not_for_sale.html
http://www.defamer.com.au/2007/05/bid_for_john_howards_integrity.html

"For your vote tonight Bennelong, I thankyou"

I'm no political expert, but as strategies go for the federal Labor party, I think this one is pretty darn good. Maxine Mckew, former ABC journalist, is going to run for pre-selection to contest the seat of Bennelong at the next federal election. That's Johny's seat, and with 13 consecutive election victories to date, he has made quite an arse imprint on that seat as well. The thing is, his grip on this seat has been steadily declining over the last few elections, and with retirement looming, it is quite feasible that the good voting people of Bennelong may look else where.

There is no doubt that McKew has universal appeal and has earned herself much respect from her 30 years with the ABC. What I like about this contest is that it places John Howard in the unusual position of being genuinely threatened by a fresh new option, while also denying him any means of claiming some sort of underdog status. The other aspect I like about this is that it makes what would normally be viewed as a shoe in for the coalition, a genuine contest. Now John Howard has to contend not just with a very real threat from Rudd, but also in his own backyard from McKew.

The real value of all of this as I see it, is that regardless of the outcome for McKew at the next election, their is great value in the symbolism of this contest. To see Howard being threatened like this, while also struggling to tackle Rudd as the alternative Prime Minister, gives one a sense that their is a real alternative to consider at the next election. It also puts the focus squarely on Howard, which is probably a good thing with his retirement looming. Labor will be wanting to de-stabilise Howard as much as possible, and keep the attention on the old bloke who's time is coming to an end.

Labor most certainly have the momentum, and I think it goes a little further than the simple "breath of fresh air" honeymoon period after a leadership change. There seems to be a growing mood change, and one that is very much against the government. Whether this means anything when the real vote comes around is, of course, a complete unknown. It will be a very interesting election indeed. Whatever happens, I just hope that if Maxine wins in Bennelong, she invokes her trademark end-of-interview pleasantry: "for your vote tonight Bennelong, I thankyou"

Flag's days must surely be numbered

(posted originally as a comment at Benambra (Rob's blog)

I can't say I agree with the stance the BDO has taken about discouraging the aussie flag at the Sydney festival this Friday, but I do think they have highlighted a very real problem with our flag that I don't think we're going to resolve without some serious change. Surely our national flag's days are numbered . I find it funny that a flag that is supposed to unite us all as one nation, appears to divide us along so many different racial, cultural and political lines. I for one have no affinity with the flag whatsoever, and long for the day when we realise we are a mature nation, and deserve a flag that reflects who we are, not who we were. We need a flag that truly unites us, and perhaps most importantly, one that doesn't get confused with New Zealand's.

what about Hicks?

From this article about the Americans' release of Saddam to the Iraqis prior to his hanging:

"The Americans said that 'We have no issue in handing him over, but we need everything to be in accordance with the law'," the Iraqi official said, adding that they did not wish to break the law.

It's a shame the Americans cannot afford this same basic right to David Hicks, who unlike Saddam, has killed no one.