Craig Emerson’s seat of Rankin has been held by Labor without interruption since its creation, but like all the party’s Queensland seats has looked precarious during the worst of its polling during the current term. The seat came into being with the enlargement of parliament in 1984, at which time it extended far beyond the bounds of the metropolitan area to the south-west, encompassing Warwick and a stretch of the New South Wales border. It is now located wholly in the outer south of suburban Brisbane, covering the northern part of Logan City from Woodridge and Kingston north to Priestdale and west to Hillcrest. The redistribution before the 2010 election drew it further into the metropolitan area, adding Algester, Calamvale and Drewvale north of the Logan-Brisbane municipal boundary. This territory accounts for much of Brisbane’s mortgage belt, and furnishes the seat with the equal lowest median age of any electorate in Australia. The Logan area is the source of Labor’s strength, but it is balanced by naturally marginal territory around Calamvale to the west and Springwood to the east.
Prior to the 1996 election, the seat was a highly marginal combination of Labor-voting outer suburbia and conservative rural areas, which Labor held by margins of between 0.6% and 5.5%. It was then transformed with the transfer of the rural areas to Forde and the compensating gain of low-income Brisbane suburbs, which boosted the margin by 9.8%. In the event Labor needed every bit of it to survive the Queensland backlash of 1996, which in Rankin manifested in an 11.1% swing. An unfavourable redistribution ahead of the 2004 election cut the margin by 5.3%, but there followed a 0.8% swing against the statewide trend at that election, followed by a 8.8% swing when the Rudd government came to power. The backlash of 2010 produced a swing to the LNP of 6.3%, cutting the margin to 5.4%.
Rankin has had only two members since its creation: Craig Emerson since 1998, and David Beddall beforehand. Emerson emerged through the Labor Forum/Australian Workers Union sub-faction of the Queensland Right, working over the years as an adviser to Hawke government ministers and then to Hawke himself, before taking on senior state public service positions in Queensland under the Goss government. After one term in parliament he rose to the shadow ministry, serving in the workplace relations portfolio in the lead-up to the 2004 election. He was then contentiously dropped after losing the support of his faction, a legacy of his defiance of powerbroker Bill Ludwig in supporting Mark Latham’s successful leadership bid in December 2003 (which by no stretch of the imagination spared him the lash of The Latham Diaries).
Emerson’s career returned to the ascendant after Labor came to power in 2007. spent the first term in the junior small business portfolio and further acquired competition policy and consumer affairs in June 2009, before winning promotion to cabinet as Trade Minister after the 2010 election. On the morning of the July 2010 leadership coup he announced he would support Kevin Rudd if it came to a ballot, but he took a very different tack during Rudd’s February 2012 challenge, accusing him of having undermined the government ever since the election campaign. Emerson achieved, for better or worse, considerable penetration of the soft media in July 2012, with his semi-musical critique of the Coalition’s campaign against the carbon tax.
An LNP preselection in July 2012 attracted six candidates and was won by David Lin, a 39-year-old Taiwanese-born solicitor who founded the Sushi Station restaurant chain at the age of 22.
And both write primarily about sport, Sohar.
Leroy@1731
I read the full article.
So for Jones it really is all about the money?
[Destroying the Joint @SpaceKidette
F@!king Brilliant! RT DEAR MR. SEXIST: A Thank You Letter from Tracey Spicer http://shar.es/5SUlr via @sharethis #auspol ]
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/2012/10/13/seat-of-the-week-rankin/?comment_page=35/#comment-1441760
[How did he get up 1100km/H? Terminal velocity for humans is generally around about a fifth of that:
Maybe because there is hardly any atmosphere at his starting point?]
Yes, atmosphere very thin up at the height he was jumping from.
Sohar
Brought tears to my eyes to read it.
So sports writers are out of the Canberra loop and are allowed to think for themselves. 😀
[Thinking of all the Coalition women leaping to Abbott’s defence, I am trying to think of the word that represents women who have adopted male-dominant attitudes]
In the Coalition, given Julia Bishop’s ambition and that of more than a few Liberal MPs (past as well as present, inc BBishop’s & Amanda Vanstone’s), I’d suggest rank hypocrisy. Remember Vanstone’s comment when Howard side-lined her: wtte Howard doesn’t take kindly to views other than his own?
I guess from Howard’s “love child”, Abbott, it’s subservience to LNP male domination, or another career.
“@watermelon_man: Have I understood – anything said by
Labor you “need to know the context”. Liberal statements are guaranteed context-free @lenoretaylor?”
“@lenoretaylor: @watermelon_man no you have completely misunderstood”
“@guytaur: @lenoretaylor @watermelon_man Explain context of Gillard promising a Carbon Price and media running Abbott lie theme unchallenged.”
“@watermelon_man: Have I understood – anything said by
Labor you “need to know the context”. Liberal statements are guaranteed context-free @lenoretaylor?”
“@lenoretaylor: @watermelon_man no you have completely misunderstood”
“@guytaur: @lenoretaylor @watermelon_man Explain context of Gillard promising a Carbon Price and media running Abbott lie theme unchallenged.”
Victoria, Yes, he does get it. I would never have expected something like that from Greg Baum. He always sounds so flat and unengaged when talking about the football on the radio.
I endorse SK’s recommendation.
http://thehoopla.com.au/dear-misogynist/
Some simple logistical questions for Mr Abbott:
HOW will he get the Australian Navy to turn around the Indonesian Fishing Boats carrying the tens of thousands of Hazara Afghanis that just today have stated that nothing will deter them from getting on the boats to attempt to get to Australia? Especially as they openly state that, when the NATO + friends’ troops leave in 2014 they will again become the persecuted targets of the Pashtun Taliban. They have baldly stated, as expected, that even an extended stay on Nauru or Manus Island, is preferable to hanging around for their inevitable persecution. Same goes for the Iranians, for so long as the Mullahs are in power there.
HOW will Mr Abbott connive to get the Indonesians to take this wave upon wave of people back, when they are a far poorer nation than we are?
HOW does Mr Abbott propose to police all the bays around the almost infinite coastline that is the nation of Indonesia?
HOW does Mr Abbott propose to counter the bribes paid to local officials by People Traffickers who get $1 to 2 Million per boat load of Asylum Seekers?
HOW does Mr Abbott propose that Temporary Protection Visas will work in practice, when all the Hazaras and Iranians will have to do, in order to stay in Australia, is point to the continued persecution of their people in the countries which they came from?
WHEN are we going to get a journalist, dismissive enough of their chances of future employment with Rupert Murdoch, that will ask Mr Abbott these questions? To place his feel good bravura in ‘context’, to use the word of the week, pin him down and get some straight answers out of him?
All else is just political piffle from their pens.
By the way, I am still a firm believer in the Bali Process and the Malaysian Arrangement as the only way to stem the tide of asylum seekers attempting to get to Australia via the People Traffickers. It’s the only way that they end up going around in a circle and getting nowhere for their trouble and money. So as to extend the Australian hand of protection fairly and equally.
SK
Tracy Spicer gets it!
lizzie,
The amazing thing about that piece is that I am sure that every woman that read it has a similar story. And that is without exaggeration. Just plain acceptance this is a woman’s lot in the corporate world.
The questions now for Abbott, are, will he again ever use the phrase “govt dying of shame”? Will Margie come out again in defence of him, in light of the PM’s response to him?
When Lib supporters come up with the lie theme over the carbon debate here is what I respond with.
Yes the PM broke the carbon tax promise. This was so she could keep the greater promise of bringing in a carbon price. Breaking a lesser promise to keep a greater promise is good, not bad.
Sohar I sent a letter to Greg’s wonderful article in the Age,
We published your comment:
Thank you so much Greg, another one who is seeing the light, like so many of us. Perhaps Fairfax you might give Greg a gig at political writer, and give most of the present political writers time off to think about their buzz word “context” while he writes the truth
As you can see it was published
“@lyndalcurtis: Parliamentary Budget Office up now at #estimates”
Lizzie
The term is ‘male-identified women’ and relates to women who defend the status quo of male superiority and patriarchal attitudes, particularly if they benefit from it.
Tracey Spicer is a gun. Love her work.
Puff
Ah, thank you. Yessss!!!
SK
Thanks for that link. I certainly have similar stories to tell. I was a bit stunned by the first comment – from someone called ‘Layla’, who says
[I like this reply, but jeez it’s hard to accept that this actually went on!..]
WENT on! It happens every day, to thousands of Australian women.
Sohar
A wonderful article. Thank you for the link.
That article of Michelle’s Grattan I linked earlier re the PM in Afghanistan. I was corrected correctly on Twitter, pointed out to me that even when writing a”positive” story about the PM MG can’t help herself there was one PM and seven Ms Gillard references to the PM. They are right and silly me though she could be “mellowing”???
http://www.dailytelegraph.com.au/news/greens-leader-christine-milne-says-julia-gillard-is-a-sexism-hypocrite/story-e6freuy9-1226495747948
I did not see the interview. So I bet Senator Milne is quoted out of context so Limited News can make their context appear credible
“@chrismurphys: As heads turn towards Julia Gillard desperate NewsLtd regime changers scream ‘Come Back!’.Relentlessly bash this marvellous PM. #auspol”
“@chrismurphys: As heads turn towards Julia Gillard desperate NewsLtd regime changers scream ‘Come Back!’.Relentlessly bash this marvellous PM. #auspol”
Yeah, the federal Liberal Candidate for Ballarat (the manager of Ballarat’s main radio stations) is clearly wielding his influence over them.
The two coalition stooges on the morning talk program are saying that Julia Gillard’s speech is defamatory to Tony Abbott, and how dare she call him a misogynist when he lives with women.
That’s a bit of reading between the lines there. And that they’re defending him must mean they agree with his views on women.
lizzie
Remember Babette Francis’ “Women Who Want to be Women” ? Now there was a sad lot.
I’ve long thought calling the Prime minister a liar (outside parliament) is defamatory.
“@latikambourke: Professor Ross Garnaut says the Carbon price has been introduced very smoothly and more more so than changes of this kind – eg the GST.”
“@joeobrien24: Expecting Bill Shorten media conf 1215 .. Govt response to review of Fair Work Act
Well done Qld Labor. They produce this
[But the Labor legacy also included a sophisticated water grid and dams with enough water in them for at least 10 years of supply at current low rates of usage.]
So what does CanJoh do ?
[Newman Government turns taps back on to raise cash.
RESIDENTS of the southeast will be encouraged to dump their drought mentality as the Government looks to boost revenue from its plentiful water supplies to pay down debt. ]
http://www.couriermail.com.au/news/queensland/newman-government-turns-taps-back-on-to-raise-cash/story-e6freoof-1226495751510
[The two coalition stooges on the morning talk program are saying that Julia Gillard’s speech is defamatory to Tony Abbott, and how dare she call him a misogynist when he lives with women.]
Of course he lives with women. He can’t possibly be expected to iron his own shirts, do his own washing and cook his own meals, now can he.
This reminds me of a man I once knew who also lived with women – a wife and two daughters. He had never had to do one thing for himself, ever. First his mum and then his wife had looked after every tiny thing, his wife even laid out his clothes for him every morning. The marriage broke up and this spoilt adult child moved into his own flat. He told me, in all seriousness, that he was going to advertise for a female flat mate because he needed someone to do the housework. I’m sure Tony would understand that need.
CanJoh promised 4.0% unemployment rates in Qld. We have seen wrong way Newman manage to see a 5% go to 6%. With most of the PS job losses yet to kick in and now this will he manage 8% by Xmas ?
[
A survey of Queensland’s coal companies shows they all expect to cut costs, including shedding staff, to cope with a hike in mining royalties.
The survey of 37 CEOs, conducted by the Queensland Resources Council (QRC), shows cost-cutting measures would include reducing employee and contractor numbers, slashing rail and port costs and cuts to exploration expenditure.
Ten of those surveyed also said they risked premature closure of existing operations because of the hike.
]
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/royalties-to-cause-queensland-mine-cuts-survey-20121014-27kmo.html#ixzz29K17tjAp
Eric Campbell @ericcampbellfcp
The News Ltd fight-back has begun. To prevent any sideways attacks on my program, I am ceasing to tweet. My decision entirely. It’s been fun
How much pressure was put on this brave man from higher up in ABC?
leone
Only housework required?? Methinks unless he was pushing 80 didn’t tell you everything
Nice bit of sacasm leveled at Vanstone….
‘accuses Abbott of negativity’?
Oh dear Amanda.
You mean like accusing a dolphin of living in water??
Abbott IS negative. Constantly
It’s the one political strategy he has.
Really sometimes I think women just aren’t intellectually as capable as men are of
sensible political commentary.
rosemour
Stupid political commentary is an equal opportunity defect.
mari
I think he would have had to run home to ask the ex for permission. He found a male flatmate, equally as useless. They never did find a female to move in. I wonder why?
as you demonstrate with demonstrable ease Gaytaur.
‘Women Who Want to be Women’ – I’d forgotten about that lot.
Babette Francis now runs the latest incarnation of WWWW, Endeavour Forum.
http://www.endeavourforum.org.au/index.html
You’ll need to tale some sort of calmative substance before venturing in there.
rosemour
Read your last sentence again. You generalised. I pointed that out
okay so I’ll reset my hairtrigger…
I’m so used to be slagged off here…..
leone
Posted Monday, October 15, 2012 at 11:19 am | PERMALINK
mari
I think he would have had to run home to ask the ex for permission. He found a male flatmate, equally as useless. They never did find a female to move in. I wonder why?
Don’t think we as women would need to wonder too much?
And a chat to a work colleague tells me that his wife used to work for that radio company. And she left in horror at the institutionalised sexism of the place.
Apparently the former general manager allegedly pushed a female staff member against the wall with his hand around her throat. He left a while ago though. I don’t know if any charges were laid (presumably so, he has since left town).
I just don’t understand how some men could do things like this to women. I respect women greatly and would never do any of the things I hear these chauvinist pigs do. Maybe it’s because I’ve been around a lot of strong women when I was growing up, I don’t know (family, teachers, friends, etc).
Von Kirsdarke1795
Thank you I feel much better after reading what you have said
BK – thanks for the Ed Show link. Why did I find this statement so pertinent
[Right wingers don’t like it when they’re not allowed to lie all day with consequence]
Familiar, isn’t it?
A view from over the Tasman from a kiwi woman pollie on PMJG’s speech.
[I cheered as I watched her speak, and I suspect many women politicians would have done the same.
It seemed to be a rebuke for all the indignities women parliamentarians have suffered over the years – and the appalling treatment so many women in public life have had to endure.
It was certainly the reality for our former Prime Minister, Helen Clark, who had to put up with continuous snide comments about her childlessness and questions about her sexuality.
It was the reality too, for former Labour MP Sonja Davies.
On her first day in the House, John Banks (then in Opposition,) called out “here comes Granny!” And he continued to yell this out whenever she spoke in the House or met him in Parliament.
Journalist Barry Soper used to continuously refer to me as “Parliament’s babe”……
Interestingly, Sonja Davies finally put a stop to the abuse she had to endure in Parliament when she stood up and demanded an end to it one day. When the then Leader of the House, Paul East, yelled out “here’s Auntie”, Sonja said the fire entered her soul.
She leapt to her feet and declared she wouldn’t put up with ageist or sexist comments any more. And they stopped overnight]
http://www.nzherald.co.nz/opinion/news/article.cfm?c_id=466&objectid=10840488
poroti@1778
AFAIR the head of their organisation was a man. Was it that Anglican priest who eventually went with great fanfare over to the Catholics when the Australian Anglican church ordained women as priests? (which happened in Adelaide btw. I remember saying they were welcome to him!)
Maybe not, I can’t quite remember.
The Coalition can no more throw the switch to fairness and equality than they can to policy.