Before proceeding with the latest preselection news, I have a still-active post with daily updates on the progress of Tasmanian state election count; a live results feature that I can’t promote often enough, since it remains by some distance the most detailed source of results data available; and a lengthy plea for cash from Friday from which I’m still vaguely hopeful of squeezing another donation or two.
On with the show:
• The long-awaited Liberal National Party Senate preselection has allocated top position on the Queensland ticket to James McGrath while relegating Amanda Stoker to third, maintaining an impressive bipartisan run of preselectors never getting anything right. Michael McKenna of The Australian relates that McGrath secured a sweeping 212-101 win from the “biggest ever turnout for a State Council Senate vote”. The second position is designated to the Nationals, and is duly a lock for Matt Canavan.
• Paul Starick of The Advertiser reports that Leah Blyth, who has the backing of the South Australian Liberal Party’s conservative faction to replace the retiring Nicolle Flint in the Adelaide seat of Boothby, may be poleaxed by the Section 44 of the Constitution. Blyth’s efforts to renounce a dual British citizenship even this far out from the election could fall foul of extended processing times arising from COVID-19, although others quoted in the report express doubt that it will really be a problem. Rival contenders include Rachel Swift, moderate-aligned proprietor of a health consultancy firm, and Shaun Osborn, a police officer who ran in the seat of Adelaide in 2019. However, Osborn is hampered by the optics of putting a man forward to replace Flint, whose experiences have been a key element in Liberal efforts to parry suggestions that disrespect for women is particularly a problem on their own side of politics.
• John Ferguson of The Australian reports dissension within Victorian Labor over the likelihood that former state secretary Sam Rae will secure preselection for the new seat of Hawke on Melbourne’s north-western fringe. The report says a draft preselection agreement reserves the seat for the Right faction Transport Workers Union, which remains associated with party powerbroker and former Senator Stephen Conroy. While Conroy evidently backs Rae, “other parts” of the Right are said to favour the position going to a woman, specifically Natalie Hutchins, the Andrews government Corrections Minister and member for the seat of Sydenham.
• Matthew Denholm of The Australian reported last week that “wholesale ALP federal intervention” loomed for the party’s Tasmanian branch, “barring a shock win for the party” at Saturday’s state election – which, for those of you who have just joined us, didn’t happen. The concern is that Left unions use their excessive weight within the branch’s affairs to do foolish things like deny preselection to Dean Winter, who was able to achieve his thumping win in Franklin on Saturday only because the national executive intervened to give him a place on the ticket. This would appear to be relevant to Labor’s preselections for the federal seat of Bass and Braddon, which it lost at the 2019 election, and also to the fate of twice-defeated state leader Rebecca White. The aforesaid Left unions are apparently keen on replacing her with David O’Byrne, who was outpolled in Franklin on Saturday by the aforesaid Dean Winter.
• The Liberal Party has done tellingly extensive research for its submission opposing the registration of a party under the name New Liberals, which included CT Group polling indicating that 69% of respondents believed a party thus named sounded like it had a connection with the other Liberal Party.
Mexicanbeemer @ #698 Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 – 4:56 pm
I’ll be shocked if Morrison is still the leader at the next election.
I think Frydenberg and Dutton are setting themselves for a challenge.
Rex Douglas @ #696 Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 – 5:00 pm
Cobblers.
Rex…What you mean is “phoney” don’t you? How would you fancy Morrison being a war-time leader if we were stupid enough to take China on? He is a hollow as a tin whistle……
Tricot @ #702 Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 – 5:06 pm
Goes with his tin ear.
Secretary Pete:
https://youtu.be/PS3JKECkW14
Bucephalus
As we have no stocks of a vaccine approved for under 50’s and the virus is constantly mutating and the government has no idea how to address that issue I don’t think vaccines will be done and dusted till the latter part of next year.
Then you have the quarantine problem, you might not like short sharp lockdowns but returning travellers will pose an increasing risk until the vaccinations reach herd immunity or even less likely the virus burns itself out.
The economy won’t be able to fully rebound until those issues are resolved.
Next year has the potential to be an even bigger fiasco than this year and the longer it takes for Morrison to get on top of these issues the more damage he will do to the LNP.
He might think going early before any residual goodwill evaporates is the winning strategy.
SK,
Maybe your Doris Day performance is what swung it.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=x_xmujSyxkU
Mexicanbeemer
They will definitely wait until after vaccinations. At which point they will tell us, many many times, how their heroic deeds saved Australia. Journos will be lined up 10 deep to tell us , many many times, about how Scotty did indeed save us from the ravages of The Plague.
Expanding out from the poroti’s Stephen Fry NYT interview, and free will, there was a ‘long read’ a few days ago on Free Will, and the lack of it. Bite size take away: because ever decision made is a consequence of an already existing set of circumstances, there can be no free standing clean decision on anything; everything follows something.
https://www.theguardian.com/news/2021/apr/27/the-clockwork-universe-is-free-will-an-illusion
Gee #scottyfrommarketing couldn’t get away from that refugee quck enough today.
He initially looked clueless but then the Bullshitometer9000 clicked into gear. A bit of laying on of hands and a Cobargo handshake and off he goes in a cloud of bulldust.
Alan McGilvray “I am a white man!”
The good old days of the Raj.
Aqualung @ #709 Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 – 5:25 pm
Oh, very good! 🙂
😁 P1
Katherine Murphy makes a reasonable point.
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/may/04/scott-morrison-lectured-the-states-against-snap-border-closures-now-hes-done-exactly-that
Aqualung @ #709 Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 – 5:25 pm
What happened!?!
I didnt get a chance to sing or dance until the first work xmas party at the Sir John Young. But I blame the sangria.
The Coalition think they can just brazen out any issue which is a bad look or involves questions of political probity and breaking the rules:
Nick Feik
@NickFeik
If a Commonwealth minister is receiving private support to sue the ABC, the public needs to know.
Gifts need to be declared. Otherwise this is a recipe for corruption.
They think they can just ignore this issue. We’ll see.
https://m.dailykos.com/stories/2028384
An interesting story about a HOR rep from Illinois, who announced her retirement. Obama won her seat 58-41 but Trump won it narrowly in 2016 and increased his margin in 2020. She is one of the 7 democrats, who won from Trump districts. When I say interesting story, I mean both the seat and the rep. It could be one of the seats, which can be abolished while redistricting
“C@tmommasays:
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 5:45 pm
The Coalition think they can just brazen out any issue which is a bad look or involves questions of political probity and breaking the rules:
Nick Feik
@NickFeik
If a Commonwealth minister is receiving private support to sue the ABC, the public needs to know.
Gifts need to be declared. Otherwise this is a recipe for corruption.
They think they can just ignore this issue. We’ll see.”
Nothing to see here. 🙂
According to the misleading mundo, Labor have no policies and never say anything that appeals:
Senator Jess Walsh
@JessWalshVic
A Labor Government will establish a National Reconstruction Fund.
To rebuild Australian manufacturing.
And to create good, secure jobs.
C@tmomma, it was on Ten news but I thought it was covered here this morning.
A Cameroon refugee got down on her knees in front of the chosen one at I think it was the Toowoomba show.
She was begging for help for others still in Cameroon.
The chosen one initially looked unsure of himself in the footage shown but eventually the “empathy” training kicked in.
It will probably be on the other networks too if you want to catch it.
I wasn’t aware that there were problems in Cameroon. With our parochial media I suppose I shouldn’t be surprised.
Ven @ #718 Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 – 5:48 pm
That’s what they’re hoping. 🙂
Rex Douglas says:
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 5:00 pm
“I’ll be shocked if Morrison is still the leader at the next election.”
On what basis?
“Assantdjsays:
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 5:12 pm
but returning travellers will pose an increasing risk until the vaccinations reach herd immunity or even less likely the virus burns itself out.
The economy won’t be able to fully rebound until those issues are resolved.”
1. We can put returning travellers in jail.
2. According to our esteemed treasurer the economy is bouncing back in V-shape
So no worries on both front. 🙂
C@tmomma
https://www.aph.gov.au/About_Parliament/Parliamentary_Departments/Parliamentary_Library/FlagPost/2019/April/Employment-by-industry-2019
“To rebuild Australian manufacturing.
And to create good, secure jobs.”
A lost cause, manufacturing today is all about robots
Sceptic @ #724 Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 – 6:01 pm
Maybe the secure bit but the rest of it already has piqued Morrison’s interest.
This just popped up on an app I’m on through work.
Transit Systems ordering hydrogen powered buses.
https://www.busnews.com.au/industry-news/2105/transit-systems-orders-ozs-first-hydrogen-city-buses
@Sceptic
Does that mean we need to build/buy robots to make the things in Australia?
The Indian Premier League will take an indefinite pause after several players began to test positive, including Indian wicketkeeper Wriddhiman Saha.
It comes as India is in the midst of the horrific scenes that have hit India with a record breaking surge in the nation.
It comes after a match was postponed for the first time on Monday after two players tested positive, organisers said.
Kolkata Knight Riders’ match against Virat Kohli’s Royal Challengers Bangalore was called off just hours before its start in Ahmedabad after Varun Chakaravarthy and Sandeep Warrier became infected.
The Knight Riders are the team that Aussies Pat Cummins and Ben Cutting both play for, as well as English captain Eoin Morgan.
On Tuesday Australian Cricketers’ Association chief executive Todd Greenberg said the players were “fine”, considering the horrific scenes in India.
On Ch7 news – NSW has belatedly followed Victoria and will provide incentives to have ‘better’ vaccines produced in Australia but there will be a long time lag before any production is possible.
Presumably all Morrison’s eggs will remain in the basket of CSL producing AstraZeneca.
ID
I find the arguments about free will very depressing. The Libet experiments were pretty much the end of my belief in free will.
More items from Ch7 news – Morrison is really copping it from all and sundry over the threats of prison and fines in relation to India.
Also the image of the woman from Africa (Cameroon?) dropping at Morrison’s feet is rather disconcerting. The bible has various references to people dropping at the feet of Jesus seeking help. It’s possible (perhaps probable) that Morrison has convinced some people that he has supernatural powers.
Dio
Don’t worry. If there’s no free will then you didn’t choose not to believe in it ;-).
Interesting that WA set up quarantine in the Mercure and Pan-Pacific.
These are favoured by WA Country Health for FiFo and I have spent time in both. They are dumps – last time I was in the Pan-Pacific it was undergoing renovation with panels missing from walls and ceiling. I strongly suspect they are not low risk.
“Diogenessays:
Tuesday, May 4, 2021 at 6:30 pm
ID
I find the arguments about free will very depressing. The Libet experiments were pretty much the end of my belief in free will.”
Hollywood and US TV shows depict that it is the ultimate thing when it comes Love and following a any particular religion.
For example, take Alladin and genie. Genie can do anything but make other person love you. Or take Stargate TV series.
I heard Americans say that slavery is wrong because it curbs free will. They opposed Communism because it curbs free will.
Diogenes @ #731 Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 – 6:30 pm
Hi Dio. I just (5:33pm) got a marketing email with a list of (majestic) places to stay in Adelaide. I must be about to decide to go!
I’m more fascinated than depressed I think. Well, not depressed at all. It’s like a tiny peep hole into a phantasmagorical reality. And it’s a certain way of getting out of jury duty – tell them you don’t believe in free will, and therefore no one is guilty. Works a treat.
Diogenes @ #730 Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 – 6:00 pm
Burkeman’s article is good. They almost always are.
I dont find the experiments, theories and where it leads to be depressing. The Milky Way and Andromeda will one day entwine in a dance, due to physics not free will, but it will still be a beautiful thing.
‘Out-of-control’ Chinese rocket falling to Earth could partially survive re-entry
https://www.theguardian.com/science/2021/may/04/out-of-control-chinese-rocket-tumbling-to-earth
“Presumably all Morrison’s eggs will remain in the basket of CSL producing AstraZeneca.”
That’s the basket where most of the “in the know” cronies like the suddenly invisible Sharma put their investment eggs.
Oh! Where did they suggest?
Try Mount Lofty House. It is a little bit Hydro Majestic and a little bit Fawlty Towers.
Roy
Unless you do not have superannuation (or maybe have SMSF)I suspect you are a CSL shareholder
Not sure if others have seen this one:
“ Elaine McKay
@ElaineM11584892
·
7h
Bridgette Joyce, daughter of Barnaby, is drawing a “senior advisor” salary at the age of 22 in John Barillo’s office.”
I guess the apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. She must have inherited great values growing up in that family.
Obviously he has no intention of providing funding to Victoria. That would mean less money to try and buy votes or make donations to favoured bodies.
Is she the daughter that drove around Tamworth proclaiming her father was an adulterer while the MSM were looking at their computer screens?
Human rights lawyers lining up to condemn Morrison, plus doctors. Geoffrey Robertson said “We provide lots of money to churches. Why have they said nothing?”
Thorngrove Manor is just up the way from me. It is probably the fanciest place in town. Where Elon and Gina choose to stay. Owned and run by a really nice, interesting, odd yet and down to earth couple. He built it himself. Amazingly capable man. He is getting on now but still gets up on the cherrypicker to clean and repair the turrets while his geese yell at him from the lawn
No expense spared on this place. Over a grand per night.
Simon Katich @ #740 Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 – 6:57 pm
It was them very selves. Somehow I’ve slipped onto their mailing list. Some of my fondest childhood memories are of the Hydro, and fancy dress competitions, and mountain devils, and walking past the posh part (Belgravia) near the tennis court, and wondering what it was like inside, and the long corridor with the big arch windows over the Megalong, glimpsing. I forever wanted a hall with a big window that you walked past, and when we built here in the Highlands, I finally got a little hall with a very big window, more window that hall actually.
Where were we …. yes … Mount Lofty. I will keep that well in mind, thanks.
citizen,
Joshy, Hunt, Tudge are all Victorians at the pointy end of decision making.
Scott may need to capitulate.
C@tmommaat 9:26 am
Max Boot still defends what he did and said in lobbying for war. He and the alphabet soup of groups like PNAC and Max’s The Council on Foreign Relations are the feckers responsible for the Rio de Caca of Iraq and beyond. Some crimes are unforgivable. Foxtel was new back in the day for me and I watched as he and other were ginning things up for war for years. Then going on to defend it all. Fuck ’em all. They haven’t changed .
Simon Katich @ #746 Tuesday, May 4th, 2021 – 7:08 pm
Just checked it out – it’s outrageously Disneyesque. Imagine paying that and then getting fronted by Gina in the lobby. Sheeeese. Like finally flying first class and seeing the Howards in the row in front.