Groom at the top

Eight LNP candidates nominate to fill John McVeigh’s vacancy in the Queensland seat of Groom; and the federal government says it will act to retain the Northern Territory’s two seats in the House of Representatives.

Miscellaneous developments from the past week:

• The Toowoomba Chronicle reports eight candidates have nominated for Liberal National Party preselection for the Groom by-election, of whom the front-runners are Rebecca Vonhoff, a Toowoomba councillor; Garth Hamilton, a businessman; Sara Hales, former general manager of Wellcamp Airport; and Shane Charles, former Toowoomba and Surat Basin Enterprise chief executive. Also in the field are “Elders Rural Services’ Andrew Meara … race car driver Daniel Cassidy, Australian Lot Feeders president Bryce Camm and Doctor David van Gend”, the latter being a firebrand social conservative whom the outgoing member, John McVeigh, defeated for preselection when he succeeded Ian Macfarlane in 2016. Notably absent from the list is Senator Matt Canavan, despite a decision by the state executive to leave it to the branch membership whether the seat should go to a Liberal, as it has since 1988, or a National. The date of the by-election is yet to be confirmed.

• Deputy Prime Minister Michael McCormack said on Thursday that the government would introduce a bill that will ensure the Northern Territory retains its two seats in the House of Representatives, though by what mechanism is unclear. A Labor-sponsored bill currently before the Senate provides a crude guarantee of a second Northern Territory seat (without extending the courtesy to the Australian Capital Territory, albeit that its population is such that the question does not arise), but when the same issue emerged before the 2004 election, it was dealt with through a technical tweak to the population statistics used to determine seat entitlements. The bottom line is that the Labor-held seats of Solomon and Lingiari, created when the territory first became entitled to a second seat in 2001 and respectively covering Darwin and the rest of the territory, will continue to exist despite enrolments of less than two-thirds the national norm. It also means the House of Representatives

• The Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters is conducting an inquiry into the “future conduct of elections operating during times of emergency situations”, encompassing “restrictions arising from a health pandemic”, “access to polling places during times of natural disasters”, “other potential drivers of social restrictions, such as future civil unrest, or international conflict” and “alternative voting methods including early, remote and postal voting”.

• The West Australian has a Painted Dog Research poll of 932 respondents in WA showing 64% want the state’s hard border maintained beyond December, with 36% favouring a resumption of travel with the eastern states.Hou

Author: William Bowe

William Bowe is a Perth-based election analyst and occasional teacher of political science. His blog, The Poll Bludger, has existed in one form or another since 2004, and is one of the most heavily trafficked websites on Australian politics.

590 comments on “Groom at the top”

Comments Page 6 of 12
1 … 5 6 7 … 12

  4. @ P1

    Quite the imagination there, and just demonstrated that your fellow branch members rightly concluded you were the type of person who wanted to turn up one day and be calling the shots five minutes later. The type of person every organisation in the world can do without.

    What on earth made you think you were above paying your membership fees?

    In any organisation you’ve got to demonstrate commitment, work your way up the ranks, do the unglamorous jobs, do the hard slog on policy sub committee’s, develop relationships and only then do you get a shot at a supposedly glamorous position, one where your opinion carries weight and you get to make the big decisions.

    Having seen your contributions on PB over the last few years it’s completely unsurprising to me that you are so arrogant that you feel entitled to presume you can jump the queue of people who’ve done the hard yards and be parachuted straight into what you perceive to be a glamorous position. The judgement of your fellow branch members was quite right and Labor is far, far better off without your “contribution”.

    You are not for to stand in the shadow of the long term Labor members here.

  8. Actually, I was surprised at how quickly one could achieve things within the Labor party. I was involved in policy development within a year of joining.

    Of course, it involved work.

    I was also impressed at how much one could do without having to play factional games.

    It’s like every organisation I’ve been involved with. Some people do the work, and others don’t, but whinge about the outcomes.

  9. Roy Orbison
    —————
    Fun fact. The Waratahs, since Gladys knocked down a perfectly good stadium and associated facilities so that her mates could add a hotel to the rebuilt buildings, have moved their base to the UNSW fields…..
    —————
    Dave Phillips? I have played some sport down there.

    But on the topic…. rugby union is more structured due to the risks of an attacking player being isolated. League has discovered that getting 6 tackles can allow great freedom to attack instead of playing it safe like the metronome days of Warren Ryan.

    What has struck me in recent years is, yes, the energy but also the speed and especially the skill level of NRL. It is light years ahead of what it was (the pitch seems full of benji Marshalls) and well ahead of Australian rugby union teams. The acceleration, passing, kicking, support, drawing a defender, showing the ball!!!, etc.

    I haven’t followed the game for donkeys. What I have been seeing of late is impressive.

  12. Player One
    I’ve been involved in Labor branches and the politics involved.
    Please try not to wear yourself out trying to explain the inner convolutions of Labor party meetings.
    Cheers!

  15. zoomstersays:

    “I was surprised at how quickly one could achieve things within the Labor party… Of course, it involved work… It’s like every organisation I’ve been involved with. Some people do the work, and others don’t, but whinge about the outcomes.”

    *******

    Your point will be lost on P1. With people like that, it’s their way or the highway, give them what they want or they’ll walk.

  18. Simon Katich @ #259 Saturday, October 10th, 2020 – 9:47 pm

    Roy Orbison
    —————
    Fun fact. The Waratahs, since Gladys knocked down a perfectly good stadium and associated facilities so that her mates could add a hotel to the rebuilt buildings, have moved their base to the UNSW fields…..
    —————
    Dave Phillips? I have played some sport down there.

    But on the topic…. rugby union is more structured due to the risks of an attacking player being isolated. League has discovered that getting 6 tackles can allow great freedom to attack instead of playing it safe like the metronome days of Warren Ryan.

    What has struck me in recent years is, yes, the energy but also the speed and especially the skill level of NRL. It is light years ahead of what it was (the pitch seems full of benji Marshalls) and well ahead of Australian rugby union teams. The acceleration, passing, kicking, support, drawing a defender, showing the ball!!!, etc.

    I haven’t followed the game for donkeys. What I have been seeing of late is impressive.

    You wouldn’t recognise DP these days SK. The Green Hut is a distant memory (although it would have been white by the time you graced those fields anyway).

    And I agree, against all odds, the NRL has found a new lease of life. Tonight’s game was thrilling, as most of the big games this year have been. Of course it helps that the Bunnies had a bit of luck, and live to fight another day.

  19. P1 appears to have failed to influence Labor from within as well as from without. They would not be the first one. The organisation is much bigger than any individual. As well, its fundamental purpose is to serve voters – to listen to them, to work for them. This is an honourable commitment. It’s a democratic commitment and members are instruments in this pursuit. This applies to the greatest as much as the least. It is about giving much more than it’s about taking, and it’s about discipline and solidarity – characteristics that are necessary for electoral success. It is absolutely not for everyone. It’s hard.

  20. Will COVID see the end of The experiment of professional Rugby Union?
    Boring play, No money, no TV deal, few players, no supporters. – time to go back to GPS and Shute Shield

  21. Non
    “P1 appears to have failed to influence Labor from within as well as from without. They would not be the first one. The organisation is much bigger that any individual. As well, its fundamental purpose is to serve voters – to listen to them, to work for them. This is an honourable commitment. It’s a democratic commitment and members are instruments in this pursuit. This applies to the greatest as much as the least. It is about giving much more than it’s about taking, and it’s about discipline and solidarity – characteristics that are necessary for electoral success. It is absolutely not for everyone. It’s hard.”

    Summed it up.
    The Liberal Party will never, ever get anywhere near Labor on those principles.
    That’s why they are so dependent on a compliant media, and they are getting that by the truckloads at the moment.
    However I get a feeling things are easing off re the MSM.

    Happy Days!

  23. Good morning Dawn Patrollers on Slim Sunday1

    Mike Foley tells us that Labor has promised to use Australian steel and construction workers as part of its $20 billion plan to upgrade the energy network which it says will deliver cheaper power.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/labor-s-australian-made-plan-to-seize-initiative-in-energy-wars-20201009-p563ln.html
    Lisa Visentin explains how Jacqui Lambie is a thorn in the Coalition’s side.
    https://www.smh.com.au/politics/federal/jacqui-lambie-battler-from-burnie-is-a-thorn-in-the-coalition-s-side-20201009-p563nn.html
    Peter FitzSimons pours scorn on the idea of a privatised section of Bondi Beach.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/no-no-no-and-a-thousand-times-no-to-roping-off-bondi-beach-for-the-beautiful-people-20201009-p563kl.html
    These psychologists examine the pathology of Trump’s behaviour and conclude that the media should join the dots and forcefully explain that he has an incurable and dangerous personality disorder.
    https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/there-s-one-headline-about-donald-trump-that-has-not-been-printed-but-makes-the-most-sense-of-all-20201008-p563b7.html
    The SMH editorial says that the US president’s cavalier and haphazard approach to managing the virus shows he does not “get it” as he claims.
    https://www.smh.com.au/world/north-america/trump-went-to-covid-school-but-learnt-the-wrong-lessons-20201010-p563uf.html
    John Faine says that Michael O’Brien must convince us that he would do a better job running the joint, instead of just pointing out all the scar tissue on the Premier and his team.
    https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/victorian-opposition-should-be-wary-of-repeating-mistakes-20201009-p563kj.html
    Aisha Dow writes that senior doctors charged with responding to Victoria’s deadly nursing home clusters have warned there is no clear plan to counter another wave of coronavirus in aged care, risking a repeat of the crisis that left 646 residents dead and others without food or water.
    https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/big-trouble-no-clear-plan-to-prevent-another-nursing-home-disaster-20201010-p563u7.html
    Henrietta Cook explains how frustrated GPs are treating patients with COVID-19 symptoms who are refusing to get tested, prompting concerns about undetected cases circulating in the community.
    https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/it-s-a-major-problem-doctors-raise-concerns-about-covid-test-refusers-20201009-p563no.html
    Bevan Shields reports that England’s second wave has taken hold and the locals are spooked.
    https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/if-all-things-must-pass-when-will-covid-19-subside-ask-liverpudlians-20201009-p563s3.html
    Margaret Simons says that Dan Andrews’ marathon press conferences have been unprecedented exercises in politics. They have also shown how journalism is both essential and failing.
    https://www.theage.com.au/national/victoria/dan-andrews-is-a-moving-target-journalists-need-to-improve-their-aims-20201009-p563lt.html
    It’s looking a little bit shaky in NSW as its health department has issued an alert for passengers on several train routes and two businesses in south-west Sydney which were used by people with confirmed cases of COVID-19.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/coronavirus-live-updates-victoria-chase-lower-covid-19-cases-as-nsw-qld-continue-to-bicker-over-border-australian-death-toll-stands-at-897-20201010-p563sx.html
    Jewel Topsfield wonders if covid-19 has changed the future of the office forever.
    https://www.smh.com.au/national/the-pandemic-has-fueled-irreversible-growth-in-our-working-lives-20201009-p563i4.html
    Chip Le Grand and Pat Stringa write about all of the theories floating around about conspiracies in the Vatican to fit up George Pell. What a strange outfit is that archaic mob!
    https://www.theage.com.au/national/abuse-survivors-despair-as-pell-conspiracy-breaks-cover-20201009-p563pt.html
    Ted Cruz fears an election “bloodbath”. His fellow top Republican senator Thom Tillis is talking in terms of a Joe Biden presidency. And even Mitch McConnell, the fiercely loyal Senate majority leader, won’t go near the White House over Donald Trump’s handling of coronavirus protocols.
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/10/republicans-presidential-election-fears-biden-trump
    In good news, US federal judge Robert Pitman blocked Texas governor Greg Abbott’s order to shut down mail-in ballot drop-off sites across the state as the election is currently under way.
    https://www.theguardian.com/us-news/2020/oct/10/texas-mail-in-ballot-drop-off-sites-judge

    Cartoon Corner

    Matt Davidson

    Matt Golding



    Glen Le Lievre

    Mark Knight

    Reg Lynch

    Richard Gilberto

    Jim Pavlidis

    From the US




  27. Good morning and thanks BK for today’s * Dawn Patrol.

    The item saying that up to 30% of GP patients with Covid19 like symptoms refuse to be tested must sure be telling us that the virus is circulating freely in the community.

    Add to this the lack of a plan to protect Aged Care Residents and Peter Fitz’s joke about the “Pearly Gates” will become real for another swathe of the elderly and another wave is on the horizon.

    The good news ❓

    * Please add adjective to suit your taste

  30. I’m very disturbed at the report about people refusing to go to hospital “because I might catch the virus”, and also the ones who demand antibiotics.

    I think a community education program is desperately needed. Dan’s and Brett’s daily assurances obviously don’t reach a large group.

  32. While I’m coffeeing (NOT cofeveing), LSE prophets Mick & Keef saw Trump coming in 1968:
    Salt of the Earth (Jagger/ Richards, Beggars Banquet, 1968)
    ….
    Spare a thought for the stay-at-home voter
    His empty eyes gaze at strange beauty shows
    And a parade of the gray suited grafters
    A choice of cancer or polio
    …though COVID-19 doesn’t quite scan…
    This is Richards on lead vocals: Keef .
    I actually prefer Joan Baez’s version: Joan – better voice – and reminds me of her recent version of Zoe Mulford’s “The President sang Amazing Grace”: Joan 2.

  33. KayJay

    Sunday, October 11, 2020 at 7:53 am
    For the natural historians among us –


    My expert eye tells me that is a photo of a dead one of these 😉

  34. Just reposting this on this thread….

    In his latest podcast, Silver gives Trump a 5% chance if election held today.

    And he says hi to Australian followers of his website.

    He also says Australians regularly ask him to do a forecast model for Australian elections! Pierce off jack. William has it covered.

  39. Trump will achieve one thing. The first yank president who has not started a war since………….. a bloody long time.
    _____
    But he’s working hard on a civil war!

  40. Simon Katich

    Learnt at high school and some how retained thank you for giving me an excuse to use the ‘proper’ name for daddy long legs 😆 Pholcus phalangioides venom is pretty meh on the venom scale.

  42. Just watched Joe Biden’s stump speech in Erie, Pennsylvania. At a Plumbing Union organised outdoor event.

    No Sleepy Joe to be seen – articulate, on message, emoting, promising a jobs boom. Contrasting with the deceit of Dotard.

  43. I just signed Kevin Rudds Murdoch petition this morning and looking at the headline from silly old Greg Sheridan above, very glad I did. As a Brisbane resident who gave up on even looking at the front page of the Courier Mail years ago (the mad as hell Australian many years before this). About the time when a full scale revolt by Doctors at the Royal Brisbane hospital against Campbell Newman’s “looney toon”policies made page 8 and a boring and petty argument about a teacher at some Private school the front page and on another occasion, Annastacia Palasczuk as opposition leader, was criticized as a hypocrite for not accepting Campbell Newmans out of the blue,self awarded 20% pay rise for all parliamentarians 90%of whom at the time were LNP (Campbell and his cronies got off scott free in this weird story WTF?). Rudd is correct Murdoch is a cancer on democracy in every country he spreads his opinions via compliant sometimes outre/ sometimes Sh*tscared journos. The fact that he could support such a dangerous unhinged clown Like Trump says it all. I hope Trump goes down and i think when he does Australia’s Scomo will be out on a limb with many issues especially climate change.
    The debt and deficit cricket bat used against ALP is now broken at the handle, I doubt even Greg Sheridan and co. could pull off the worm tonguery to explain this one away on LNPs behalf. Reality will catch up with the Scomo and father time will catch up with Mr Murdoch very soon.

  44. BK
    Not so bad then. They may get to experience the sort of shit they have felt so ‘exceptionally’ entitled to inflict on so many others.

  46. Very smart those who knew daddy long legs are harmless. But are you brave enough to do what Adam Savage did and out your hand into a jar full of them and make them angry enough to bite you?

    I have handled them to remove them for the kids bedroom (I keep them in the kitchen and living room and the kids are ok with that). But I did so with the incorrect knowledge that they can’t bite. Savage showed they certainly can… and it smarts.

    Huntsman bites certainly hurt too. As do wolf spiders.

  48. VicGovDHHS@VicGovDHHS

    Yesterday there were 12 new cases & the loss of one life reported. The 14 day rolling average is down slightly and cases with unknown source remain stable in Metro Melbourne. More data will be available later today.

  49. I heard part of Trump’s rally, this morning. I doubt that many of his cheering fans heard much of what he was saying, but I hated what I heard. Disjointed, delusional. But you all know that.

Comments Page 6 of 12
1 … 5 6 7 … 12

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *