Two further additions to the already voluminous Labor retirements list since my last preselection review:
• Greg Combet is calling it a day after two eventful terms as member for the Hunter region seat of Charlton. Mentioned as possible successors are Pat Conroy, whose background as a staffer to Combet, George Campbell and Anthony Albanese, and as an official with the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union and CFMEU, is detailed in The Australian; Daniel Wallace, a local organiser with the AMWU; and Sonia Hornery, who represents the local area in the state parliament as member for Wallsend.
• Simon Crean is calling it a day after 23 years as member for the south-eastern Melbourne seat of Hotham. Michelle Grattan in The Conversation reports the seat is effectively reserved for the Right, with Bracks government adviser Rosemary Barker spruiking backing from factional figurehead Stephen Conroy as well as a base of support from the Australian Workers Union. Also mentioned is Geoff Lake, a Minter Ellison lawyer and former Australian Local Government Association who shares Crean’s association with the National Union Workers.
Another two vacancies have been resolved:
• David Feeney has emerged victorious in the contest to succeed Martin Ferguson in Batman, after defeating Left candidate Mary-Anne Thomas by 383 votes to 247 in the local party ballot on Sunday. The matter was to be settled the following evening when the state party’s public office selection committee to determine its 50% share of the overall vote, but Thomas rendered this a formality by withdrawing.
• Alannah MacTiernan, senior Gallop/Carpenter state government minister and more recently the mayor of Vincent, is now confirmed as Labor’s candidate to succeed Stephen Smith in Perth after two other mooted contenders – Tim Hammond, a barrister who ran unsuccessfully in Swan at the 2010 election, and Matthew Keogh, a lawyer with Freehills – chose not to nominate.
And some developments in two further preselection races:
• Tony Bowen, mayor of Randwick and son of Hawke era deputy prime minister Lionel Bowen, has emerged as a second candidate for the preselection to succeed Peter Garrett in Kingsford Smith. Bowen says he has nominated despite being told “in no uncertain terms” not to run by the state party’s head office, which is evidently very keen on the candidacy of Senator Matt Thistlethwaite.
• The preselection for Craig Emerson’s southern Brisbane seat of Rankin looms as a contest between Brett Raguse, who won the outer Brisbane seat of Forde in 2007 before joining Labor’s Queensland casualty list in 2010 (and who claims the support of Kevin Rudd), and Jim Chalmers, a former chief of staff to Wayne Swan.
@1097 you could just as easily claim Australia is trying to dictate Indonesian policy.
[Is that why Abbott is too GUTLESS to debate Rudd ?]
It’s called tactics and it’s why Rudd is so keen to try and get momentum from debating Abbott which will be denied him. Rudd should first debate himself (old vs new) and then debate Gillard or her disgruntled supporters and Abbott can stomp on the leftover pieces. I think this PB site would take the world championship in underrating Abbott’s tactical brilliance.
Smaug, you’ve summed it up nicely.
[What the president has said effectively is that just acting unilaterally won’t work. You need countries working together.]
Utter crap.
We need Indonesia to stop letting THEIR boats sailing out of THEIR ports sailed by THEIR people packed full of boatpeople.
Thats what Australia needs, but unfortunately Indonesia is a corrupt country making a killing from the people smuggling business.
@Sean/1095
Now your making excuses about Abbott winning gov.
[What the president has said effectively is that just acting unilaterally won’t work. You need countries working together. I can’t see where he is telling us what policy we should have. He is right btw.]
He speaks for his country and his govt. Abbott and Morrison are trying to speak for Indonesia’s govt.
Who to believe? It isn’t rocket science.
He is saying no towing boats back into Indonesia waters. Or do people think Australia has the right to set Indonesian border policy?
I guess Abbott’s alternative Coalition policy will now be ‘Sink The Boats’. It is three words so he will be able to remember it and it actually reaches below the most base common denominator so it will appeal to him.
But he better hurry because I think Rudd has a meeting with Poseidon next week, so that could spoil the alternative Abbott policy.
@Sean/1104
Which can be done by two ways:
1. Co-operation.
2. Another war on their turf.
[Sean Tisme
Posted Friday, July 5, 2013 at 11:16 pm | Permalink
The Indonesian Government are crapping themselves that Abbott will win the election]
Anybody with more than two brain cells to rub together is doing the same. It is unfortunate that 50% of the population have below average IQ and that there is something to worry about.
[A reminder for everyone why Abbott will do all he can to avoid debating Rudd. ]
Abbott counter-challenged today for a debate on the HIP and what the then govt knew and to release all the relevant communication.
I expect the debate stunt will be quietly filed away.
“It’s called tactics”
Oh, it’s “tactics” is it ?
If you want to know about tactics, Rudd has got Abbott wrongfooted since resuming the PM’ship.
It’s clear that the LNP just assumed that they would just cruise to power on the back of having to Face Ms Gillard.
Abbott is a useless piece of fluff.
davidwh@1091
He is saying there will be trouble if abbott pushes it.
SBY is moderate – the next guy may well not be so disposed towards being polite.
Go ahead abbott – push it – cause a problem. Indonesia are directly challenging the crap you and mesma tried to bung-on as a ‘special deal’ a wink n nod with the Indonesians.
That crap is all being called as such.
abbott tried to ‘dictate’ Indonesian policy – that is what is being challenged!
Its fantasy he and mesma were ever going to get away with that.
If Abbott is clever (which he is) he could also hint that Oz will withdraw from UN refugee convention if all else fails. He’d never do it but what a vote winner that would be. As Labor pollies and union heavies would say: whatever it takes.
This is the reason why abbott refuses to debate rudd.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=UUdPabnXUNA
frednk
[50% of the population have below average IQ]
You arrogant pr**k unless you’re in the below IQ group and can’t count.
Tony Abbott will not go mano-a-mano with anyone from the government or any journalist that Peta thinks will call him to account.
[Mick77
Posted Friday, July 5, 2013 at 11:27 pm | Permalink
If Abbott is clever (which he is) he could also hint that Oz will withdraw from UN refugee convention ]
Sort of make lie of the Liberals bleeding heart response to the Malaysian solution wouldn’t it.
The amazing thing about the Coalition is that between them they have not been able to come up with a coherent policy on anything. Now while the public were in a contrary mood toward Labor this didn’t matter but now things have changed.
Rudd Labor has eventuated and now the public will begin to pay attention. Rudd can do his look at me act (while actually doing real stuff) and all Abbott has is …Sink the boats, and 3 year old pink bats. He is going to have to keep those bats flying around in the air for a long while.
“If Abbott is clever (which he is) he could also hint that Oz will withdraw from UN refugee convention if all else fails. He’d never do it but what a vote winner that would be. As Labor pollies and union heavies would say: whatever it takes.”
You must be retarded if you think that Abbott will risk upsetting the Indonesians over this.
@BBCBreaking: At least one person killed at demonstration in support of ousted Egyptian President Mohammed Morsi in Cairo http://t.co/0RtShsnkex
frednk
You see, we know what you’re trying to say about the “less clever” others, but in fact in any population there will always be 50% under average. Check your own IQ eh?
Rudd could say that Abbott will make Australia an international disgrace, an embarassment and bring shame on the country.
[ Mick77
Posted Friday, July 5, 2013 at 11:29 pm | Permalink
frednk
50% of the population have below average IQ
You arrogant pr**k unless you’re in the below IQ group and can’t count.]
I was wondering if there was anyone on poll bludger stupid enough not to know that the the statement is correct, and what do I get on the hook a Liberal hack. Look up the definition of average.
I don’t think boats will decide the election. We’ve already seen how an unpopular leader can drag a party down. Now it’s your turn Tone.
BTW Mick, quit telling how smart you think Abbott is.
No one buys that, and you only demminish yourself in saying it.
Yesiree Bob
Posted Friday, July 5, 2013 at 11:24 pm | Permalink
“It’s called tactics”
Oh, it’s “tactics” is it ?
If you want to know about tactics, Rudd has got Abbott wrongfooted since resuming the PM’ship.
It’s clear that the LNP just assumed
=====================================================
I doubt the libs thought rudd would actually come back
it was a tactic of theirs to keep talking about leadership and its now backfired on them,
guytaur,
Quelle surprise!
TP
[Rudd could say that Abbott ..]
Yes and Abbott could say that eating earwax in Parliament will make “Australia an international disgrace”, so ..?
[Mick77
Posted Friday, July 5, 2013 at 11:31 pm | Permalink
frednk
You see, we know what you’re trying to say about the “less clever” others, but in fact in any population there will always be 50% under average. Check your own IQ eh?]
Slow but you got there in the end.
[Rudd could say that Abbott will make Australia an international disgrace, an embarassment and bring shame on the country.]
When he says these things about the opposition you know the govt has given up all pretense of winning the election.
frednk
[Slow but you got there in the end.]
Nice way to cover your butt but we’ll never know …
“Yes and Abbott could say that eating earwax in Parliament will make “Australia an international disgrace”, so ..?”
Sheesh, keep digging yourself deeper why don’t you Mick ?
[Yes and Abbott could say that eating earwax in Parliament will make “Australia an international disgrace”]
And when the LOTO says these things about the PM, you know they’ve given up all pretense of winning the election.
“@TimCPetterson: Such irony. #LNP eulogises dead insulation wkrs, yet when last in office presided over dramatic fall in safety for building wkrs #ausunions”
frednk@1123
Actually it is not necessarily correct.
A correct statement is that 50% are below the median intelligence.
@Mick77/1128
Compared to someone sleeping in Parliament on important bills?
How about running from Parliament during a bill voting?
Well it’s been great and I’ll see you all on election night when it’ll be back to 54-46 to Libs or maybe worse for Labor if Rudd waits too long. Don’t believe me; convince yourselves that Abbott isn’t smart and that Rudd is the saviour. Enjoy. And then we can enjoy the next 3 years bagging the Liberal govt which they’ll probably deserve but right now Labor deserves everything bad that’s coming to them. ‘Nite
[Mick77
Posted Friday, July 5, 2013 at 11:37 pm | Permalink
frednk
Slow but you got there in the end.
Nice way to cover your butt but we’ll never know …]
So mick is it to be an “arrogant pr**k ” to state that 50% of the population has a below average IQ, or is a fact?
A conservative voter doesn’t necessarily have a below average IQ, it just helps.
every opp leader has debated a pm, at election time as far as I am aware.
so if abbott refuses it will be seen for what it is
he will be seen as a very unconfident person not fit for high office
, confessions why do u think abbott will get away with it? and why do you think KR will go quite on it?.
rudd is very good at debating I think he will do what he said book the venue and wait for abbott to turn up
[Pope Francis has given the go-ahead for his late predecessor John Paul II to be made saint by the end of the year and granted a rare exception for John XXIII to be canonised at the same time.]
That was quick. Don’t you have to wait decades for the requisite number of ‘miracles’ to take place before you can make it upstairs?
Some wait decades, if not centuries, while others are fast tracked. If the after-life is just like the actual life, where’s the appeal for ordinary folk to sign up?
[bemused
Posted Friday, July 5, 2013 at 11:38 pm | Permalink
frednk@1123
….
Actually it is not necessarily correct.
A correct statement is that 50% are below the median intelligence.]
I bow to your correct statement
HIP: the Coalition are attacking Rudd for admitting he made a mistake and apologising to the families. Good luck with that!
Boats: after today the Coalition now have to defend their position of “diplomatic conflict” with Indonesia against someone who has considerable foreign policy expertise. Good luck with that!
Getting a tad desparate, are we mick ?
Looks like Rudd will hold off on the election.
A mistake IMO.
Now I’m convinced you were covering yr butt frednk but at least you’ve learnt something, and even more accurately defined by Bemused. ‘nite
Forgotten, have you?
http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollytics/2010/10/19/insulation-fire-risk-%E2%80%93-the-data-is-in/
@GC/1144
Source ?
As I suspected. Many journalists and LNP supporters have no idea how actual industry works.
Of course the government isn’t supervising every detail and every part of what the worker’s environment during government initiatives. THAT’S WHAT CONTRACTORS ARE FOR.
What point is there in contracting out jobs if governments are expected to supervise every aspect down to the materials used? You might as well resurrect the old public works departments.
These clowns don’t live on planet earth.
It is an unwritten rule that quotes should be given source. Ignore the rest.
Rudd has totally outflanked Abbott.
Good to see.