May 20, 2008
Another day, another series of calamitous events for the Federal Opposition. It's like a soap opera where nothing nice ever happens.
The Newspoll which was supposed to give Nelson a bounce didn't. Despite all those semi-naked pensioners' threats and complaints, opinion was fairly evenly divided between those who liked the budget, those who didn't, and those who couldn't care less which, in reality, probably goes for a reasonable chunk of those who said they did or didn't like it, but, confronted with the question, came up with an answer.
As usual the real action is going on in the opposition sandpit, where Brendan has ruled out sacking Malcolm (which means somebody suggested he should by asking the question), Julie ruled out a career move to WA (apparently Malcolm's suggestion), Joe ruled out a career move to NSW (also apparently at Malcolm's suggestion), Alexander ruled out retiring (after Nick told everybody he was going to), and worst of all possible worsts, Brendan declared he has Malcolm's full support (which means he doesn't, he knows it, and doesn't expect anybody to believe he does).
Alexander is cross with them all, saying they need some steely, steely discipline if they want to win the next election, but Alexander seems only half convinced that they lost the last one and he's no longer in his old portfolio. He says military intervention is warranted in cases like Burma and the security council should have a long, hard think about that. Who is the Opposition spokesperson on foreign affairs anyway? And would whoever it is mind Alexander telling the world what the Australian Opposition thinks it should do?
Back when they lost, at least they had an electable prospect in Turnbull, but that's been cruelled mostly by Turnbull himself. None too bright. You have to wonder what Minchin's been thinking, or whether he's been thinking. Or whether most of this is the sacrifice the rump are prepared to make to get rid of Turnbull and keep the Queen.
Meanwhile, all of their high profile people are being damaged, being forced to say things that can be held against them should they try for leader in the future. As if being part of Howardism wasn't bad enough by itself. Crap politics but great theatre. Pass the popcorn.
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Lyn
it's much ado about nothing. Turnbull is dead right. Reducing the petrol excise tax is bad policy. As Shadow Treasurer he is obliged to say so in party counsels. His position was that he was opposed but that he would support it publicly as it was Coalition policy.
Why is it assumed that Turnbull leaked? Why not a pre-emptive strike by Peter Hendy, Nelson's chief of staff? Who looks bad from this? Turnbull not Nelson.
There is so much spin about this in the media. It's the Liberal Party turning on itself as it struggles to confront the political reality of being in opposition for many a long year.