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| Blue and red numbers respectively indicate booths with two-party majorities for Liberal and Labor. Click for larger image. Map boundaries courtesy of Ben Raue at The Tally Room. |
The southern Adelaide electorate of Boothby covers coastal suburbs from Brighton south to Marino, extending inland to the edge of the coastal plain at Myrtle Bank and the hills at Belair, Eden Hills, Bellevue Heights and Flagstaff Hill. The seat’s Liberal lean is softened by the area around the defunct Tonsley Park Mitsubishi plant, the only part of the electorate with below average incomes and above average ethnic diversity. It has existed without interruption since South Australia was first divided into electorates in 1903, at which time it was landlocked and extended north into the eastern suburbs. Coastal areas were acquired when the neighbouring electorate of Hawker was abolished in 1993.
Boothby was held by Labor for the first eight years of its existence, and it remained a contested seat until the Menzies government came to power in 1949. This began a long-term trend to the Liberals which peaked in the 1970s, when margins were consistently in double digits. The seat’s member from 1981 until 1996 was Steele Hall, former Premier and figurehead of the early 1970s breakaway Liberal Movement. A trend to Labor became evident after the election of the Howard government in 1996, with successive swings recorded over the next five elections. The swing that occurred amid the otherwise poor result of the 2004 election was particularly encouraging for Labor, and raised their hopes at both the 2007 and 2010 elections. On the former occasion, Right powerbrokers recruited what they imagined to be a star candidate in Nicole Cornes, a minor Adelaide celebrity and wife of local football legend Graham Cornes. However, Cornes was damaged by a series of disastrous and heavily publicised media performances, and was only able to manage a swing of 2.4% compared with a statewide result of 6.8%. Perhaps reflecting a suppressed vote for Labor, the seat swung 2.2% in their favour at the 2010 election, compared with a statewide result of 0.8%. However, that still Labor 0.8% short of a win they had desperately hoped for to buttress losses in Queensland and New South Wales. With the seat off Labor’s target list in 2013, Southcott enjoyed a comfortable victory on the back of a 6.5% swing, which was 1.0% above the statewide par. Labor’s candidate in both 2010 and 2013 was Annabel Digance, who is now running in the seat of Elder for the March 15 state election.
Boothby has been held since 1996 by Andrew Southcott, who first won preselection at the age of 26 ahead of Robert Hill, the leading factional moderate in the Senate. The Right had reportedly built up strength in local branches with a view to unseating its bitter rival Steele Hall, and turned its guns on Hill as a “surrogate” when denied by Hall’s retirement. Unlike Hill, who went on to become government leader in the Senate, Southcott has led a fairly low-key parliamentary career, taking until after the 2007 election defeat to win promotion to Shadow Minister for Employment Participation, Apprenticeships and Training. After standing by Malcolm Turnbull in the December 2009 leadership vote, Southcott was demoted by a victorious Tony Abbott to parliamentary secretary, a position he has retained in government. Southcott’s preselection at the 2010 election was challenged by former state party president Chris Moriarty, following disquiet in the party over his fundraising record. However, Moriarty was heavily defeated, his challenge reported losing steam when Kevin Rudd’s first bid to return to the Labor leadership came to a head in February 2012.
I find it again, hypercritical, of you say going back on what Labor did or did not do, but not go back on what Howard did or did not do, that is a total pathetic excuse of an arguement.
WWP:
Why would Morrison be sacked? He’s fulfilled every one of Abbott’s stop the boats slogans he spent the best part of 5 years screaming at us day in, day out, and all in the first year of govt. Only Gillard in Rudd Labor can boast a similar achievement as far as I recall. And Morrison is no Gillard, not by a long stretch.
As I said yesterday, we may not like their in-yer-face, OTT inflammatory rhetoric which has pissed off so many of our regional neighbours, or even the appalling abuse of the Navy, or the lies and the obfuscating. But you and I not liking what he is doing is not a sackable offence.
Should he resign? I’d love for him to resign! He’s a disgrace IMO. But remember his likely replacement will be someone equally bellicose and belligerent, and quite possibly far less tolerable.
The consensus view emerging from all the contortions between Psephos & WeWantPaul seems to be that Labor protests re: Manus can’t be taken seriously because they support the policy anyway — but that Greens can’t be taken seriously either, because they oppose it.
What a convenient position for the brutal status quo!
With “friends” like these, the refugees don’t need enemies…
Morrison is not responsible for the death on Manus Island, a govt run institution, but Rudd is responsible for the deaths under the govt insulation program.
Is it just me? Or can others see the lying hypocrisy of the Liberals and their media supporters?
[The consensus view emerging from all the contortions between Psephos & WeWantPaul seems to be that Labor protests re: Manus can’t be taken seriously because they support the policy anyway — but that Greens can’t be taken seriously either, because they oppose it.]
I can’t speak for WWP, but I’ve never said anything remotely like that.
Confessions,
I’m struggling – who, apart from Our Dear Leader, could be far less tolerable than the current Dear Minister for Immigration?
[Morrison is not responsible for the death on Manus Island, a govt run institution, but Rudd is responsible for the deaths under the govt insulation program.
Is it just me? Or can others see the lying hypocrisy of the Liberals and their media supporters?]
No-one is responsible for anything until found to be so by a competent inquiry.
Oh, look.
Morgan Poll 1.5% swing to LNP Federally and WA 55-45 to LNP.
I thought you were all saying the LNP would be crucified for tow backs and Manus deaths?
AA
And twiggy Forrest isn’t responsible for deaths on Fortescue mine sites in WA. Sure as hell won’t be a royal commission to find out.
I can’t stand Morrison.
I’d love to play in the opposite team against the Scum and Abbott in a game of Rugby League.
I’d get life, but what a way to go!
Morrison isn’t going to be sacked because the Greens want him sacked!
The whole Abbott government should be sacked.
@Psephos/1457
Competent? Since when is any government competent?
If the government was competent, it wouldn’t have these schemes, there for, less “competent” inquiries would be needed.
Oh and usual suspects come out of hiding.
I want Morrison to resign because in weakens the Abbott team, burns a possible future Liberal leader even worse than Abbott and takes an odious cretin off the national stage.
fiona:
Good to see you again! I hope you’ve been well.
Yes, it’s a stretch, but I’m sure there is a Senator or odious Qld backbencher lurking in the shadows who could give Scott a run for his money.
[AussieAchmed
Posted Monday, February 24, 2014 at 9:08 pm | PERMALINK
Morrison is not responsible for the death on Manus Island, a govt run institution, but Rudd is responsible for the deaths under the govt insulation program.
Is it just me? Or can others see the lying hypocrisy of the Liberals and their media supporters?]
I did poo poo SHY’s call for a royal commission, but one could be argued for to see how things went from zero boats to 1101 deaths since the 07 election.
Crank
Don’t be an effwit.
Many have said that the ones to gain from any publicity on boats are the Coalition and the Greens.
Do learn to comprehend!
[Compact Crank
Posted Monday, February 24, 2014 at 9:10 pm | PERMALINK
Oh, look.
Morgan Poll 1.5% swing to LNP Federally and WA 55-45 to LNP.
I thought you were all saying the LNP would be crucified for tow backs and Manus deaths?]
Im looking forward to the WA Senate election as well. Gives the sand gropers a chance to fix the Senate and rid of the Carbon Tax.
[I want Morrison to resign because in weakens the Abbott team, burns a possible future Liberal leader even worse than Abbott and takes an odious cretin off the national stage.]
Hell yeah, plus that it makes the govt look weak to lose a Cabinet minister so early into their term.
Tweet from SHY
[Eye wittiness account from G4S guard on abc tonight confirms refugees were brutally attacked. What does the Minister really know?]
Confessions,
All is wellish here – my mother is settling in commendably after 60+ years in Canberra.
I wasn’t thinking senators, but now you have mentioned them, yes, the charming Senator Michaelia Cash has all of Scott Morrison’s qualities plus a fishwife’s voice and behaviour.
@rummel/1466
Would be funny to see people’s reactions that prices in Electricity/Gas/Water continue to rise 🙂
(as it was happening before hand).
– note to others, Newman didn’t stop anything.
s777
[I want Morrison to resign because in weakens the Abbott team]
And the rest of them are just so competent …
rummel, I like your gravatar, it suits you perfectly.
Funny I should mention Newman:
http://www.brisbanetimes.com.au/queensland/campbell-newman-questions-john-quiggins-power-privatisation-review-20140220-3336o.html
“Mr Newman could not promise that power prices would go down if the government was given a mandate to sell the generating corporations, as it has planned.”
[confessions
Posted Monday, February 24, 2014 at 9:16 pm | PERMALINK
I want Morrison to resign because in weakens the Abbott team, burns a possible future Liberal leader even worse than Abbott and takes an odious cretin off the national stage.
Hell yeah, plus that it makes the govt look weak to lose a Cabinet minister so early into their term.]
Im sorry, but if Labor can stand behind Thompson to remain in government, i’m sure the Libs can stand behind Morrison who is just running Kevin Rudds detention facility on Manus Island.
Centre
[I’d love to play in the opposite team against the Scum and Abbott in a game of Rugby League.]
So you could:
(A) share a beer after the game with them and hit the club scene;
(B) spear tackle them;
(C) squirrel grip them;
(D) Hopoate one or both of them?
fiona:
Mum went to Canberra recently for some arts charity thing, and visited the new building which has replaced the now-burnt pine forests in Duffy which went up in the 2003 fires.
She texted me photos of the building (inside and out) and surrounding gardens and it just looks amazing! It looks like a genuine community place, which is what the forest was for me – I used to take the dogs walking in that forest when I lived there.
[
William Bowe
Posted Monday, February 24, 2014 at 3:21 pm | Permalink
Guytaur, my point is not that opposition to Morrison is not getting air time.
]
It’s interesting that Morrison finds the need to hide behind Rudd.
@rummel/1474
How does that remotely come close to an analogy?
Tony Abbott said once to Kevin Rudd “Be man enough to admit that you got it wrong”
[Im sorry, but if Labor can stand behind Thompson to remain in government]
Thomson was forced to resign from the party, and ended up sitting as an independent.
rummel
That’s the point. Morrison has turned the Rudd detention facility into a catastrophe. So yes, he really should be sacked!
I seem to recall Thompson was sacked as an ALP member and became an independent.
Your brain doesn’t hold too much in memory storage does it?
Bemused
$28,000 was the criminal charge amount but the HSU is going after about $170,000 from memory. He still could have coughed up $100,000 and nit wrecked his life.
Tim Beshara @Tim_Beshara
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Woah. @SenatorSiewert gets the Enviro Dept to confirm that the Pink Batt Royal Commission funding came from the NHT Trust! #Estimates
Tim Beshara @Tim_Beshara
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I don’t think the govt realises what that means.
8:48 PM – 24 Feb 2014
2 RETWEETS ReplyRetweetFavorite
Tim Beshara @Tim_Beshara
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It may mean that the money was illegally allocated bc money from that fund can only be spent on things that meet the objects of the NHT Act.
Tim Beshara @Tim_Beshara
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Department very confused now and know that they are in trouble.
8:52 PM – 24 Feb 2014
1 RETWEET ReplyRetweetFavorite
Tim Beshara @Tim_Beshara
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I expect there to be some very creative accounting to be going on in the Environment Department tomorrow morning.
Shellbell
Clue: I’d make what Terry Lamb did to Ellery Hanley in a grand final look like a caress to the back of the head.
[I seem to recall Thompson was sacked as an ALP member and became an independent.]
lol oh yes, the same independent who had all his legal fees paid for by Labor 🙂 how could i forget.
And that rummal has to do the same:
[
rummel
Posted Monday, February 24, 2014 at 9:21 pm | Permalink
…
i’m sure the Libs can stand behind Morrison who is just running Kevin Rudds detention facility on Manus Island.
]
Looks to me William as if the Liberals are worried about your hill of beans.
[The consensus view emerging from all the contortions between Psephos & WeWantPaul seems to be that Labor protests re: Manus can’t be taken seriously because they support the policy anyway — but that Greens can’t be taken seriously either, because they oppose it.]
Well I think Labor’s difficult position is best highlighted by the different response and non-response of various members of Labor caucus. There is no united position, so we struggle to prosecute what should be an easy case of incompetence and dishonesty.
As for the greens, I’m inclined to the view that they should never be taken seriously regardless of the position they hold.
Morrison is the senior commander of operation secret borders. He has a 3 star dude reporting to him. They can’t keep boats in Australian waters, they can’t tell the truth to the Australian public because it is secret mission business, they can’t deal with perfectly reasonable media reports, and then they can’t either say ‘we are investigating’ or get it right. It is a case study in incompetence.
Morrison is hardly going to be sacked when Labor hasn’t even asked for it.
victoria:
Are you able to summarise those tweets? I’m having difficulty deciphering them.
I reckon there is a strong chance thommo will rat out people in the know to get leniency in sentencing for his crime.
After all keeping shtum hasn’t really helped thommo.
@Victoria/1482
Same NHS Trust?
http://www.theguardian.com/society/2014/feb/22/nhs-trusts-financial-difficulty-double-year
Diogenes@1481
There would probably have been a compromise settlement of less than that to save legal costs.
I am no fan of Thomson, but I struggle to see any criminality. It really should have been a civil action to recover his unauthorised expenditure.
The criminal case was all political.
scratch that reply at 1490.
I went away for a few hours and return to find that nobody claiming racism and xenophobia is not the motivation/ passion against refugees arriving by boat has come up with a coherent alternative. ‘That’s complete crap’ sounds like the ‘argument’ of someone who doesn’t have an argument. There is something about people arriving by boat that makes many people think ‘invasion’. Those claiming the 95+% of boat arrivals found to be genuine refugees are purely ‘economic refugees’ have not nominated a country between here and syria that is safe, and have not explained why, if the main motivation for coming by boat was economic, the majority of boat arrivals are not indonesian, thai, cambodian and other more proximate neighbours with much poorer populations than our own – those on boats come from iran, iraq, afghanistan, northern pakistan, sri lanka, syria, etc – all countries where there are massive numbers of REFUGEES due to war and persecution of minorities.
Australian’s by and large are racially tolerant, but there is a core of 10-20% who are not, and that’s more than enough to swing an election result. there’s something about people coming on boats that really riles people – it is not rational and many more genuine ‘illegals’ come in by plane. Morrison knows this (http://www.smh.com.au/national/morrison-sees-votes-in-antimuslim-strategy-20110216-1awmo.html), Howard used this . With both major parties supporting inhumane policies (and numbers wonks like phespos prepared to call it good politics and deride those taking an ethical position), there’s probably another 60% of party loyalists backing these policies.
Someone, anyone, please give me a rational and ethical foundation for imprisoning and dehumanising refugees on Manus and Naru, and explain how the fear campaign on boats is not appealing to the 10-20% of racists in the hope this will translate to enough votes to win the election. ‘boats = votes’ said someone cynically here as though that justifies it all. Until you come up with a rational and ethical explanation that is not about winning seats in western sydney, don’t sneer about people who have an ethical position on this. Labor needs to lead not follow on this, and will not ‘win’ on this position until they turn around public opinion on it.
Bemused
I think it was criminal as he defrauded his union but I’ve seen a similar amount fraudulently claimed by a hospital doctor who just paid it back and wasn’t reemployed.
confessions/zoidlord
Here is twitterfeed. Might make more sense following it
https://mobile.twitter.com/Tim_Beshara
I think six months in oppo Labor probably needs to shake up some of those who’ve failed to pass transition to opposition class.
Surely marles and Bowen are top of the pops on this score !
rummel
You obviously support the torture, bashings and killings inflicted on AS by the Abbott government.
At least stick to current issues!
[As for the greens, I’m inclined to the view that they should never be taken seriously regardless of the position they hold.]
You were heartily defending Christine Milne’s hysterical over-reaching yesterday, even claiming she was justified in her commentary because of Abbott’s behaviour for the last 3 years!
Diogenes@1494
The HSU guidelines were so lax I struggle to see how it was criminal.
At the same time, I absolutely deplore his behaviour.
Diogenes the smart play for thommo would have been to quietly disappear before the 2010 election – none of this would have happened.
I guess he thought he could brazen it out ! boy was he wrong