As a new financial year dawns, it’s all happening on Poll Bludger — in addition to this post, there is:
• A new post by Adrian Beaumont on Britain’s Batley and Spen by-election, French regional elections and the New York City mayoral election;
• A post on the new draft state redistribution for Victoria, including my calculations of party vote shares for the new boundaries;
• A post on the federal redistribution for Victoria, which has now been finalised, and which likewise comes with an accounting of party vote shares under the new boundaries, and some analysis of how the changes affects the Greens prospects in Macnamara and Higgins; and
• The regular bi-monthly donation drive.
Further developments:
• The Northern Territory Country Liberal Party has preselected Jacinta Price as its Senate candidate at the expense of incumbent Sam McMahon, who came to the position at the 2019 election. Price is the deputy mayor of Alice Springs Council and head of indigenous research at conservative think thank the Centre for Independent Studies, and ran unsuccessfully for the CLP in Lingiari at the 2019 election. McMahon was in the news last week after her unsteadiness while in the Senate chamber prompted allegations she was drunk, although she insisted she had in fact been suffering symptoms of severe hypertension.
• The mayor of Alice Springs, Damien Ryan, has been preselected by the CLP as its new candidate for Lingiari, which will be vacated with the retirement of Labor veteran Warren Snowdon. Labor’s new candidate is Marion Scrymgour, former Deputy Chief Minister and current chief executive of the Northern Land Council.
• Federal parliament’s Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters has published the report from its inquiry on the future conduct of elections operating during times of emergency situations. After considering the recent experiences of Queensland council elections, the Eden-Monaro by-election and general elections in Tasmania and the Northern Territory, it offers fairly modest recommendations: to give the Electoral Commissioner the power to extend pre-polling periods and allow for no-excuse postal and pre-poll voting (which exists de facto in any case) should the circumstances demand it, and to change the Electoral Act to change the date of an election in an emergency, giving better effect to a power that already exists under the Constitution.
• July 24 has been set as the date for Queensland’s Stretton by-election, which will fill the vacancy created by Labor member Duncan Pegg’s resignation after a terminal cancer diagnosis in May, followed weeks later by his death. The by-election will be contested for Labor by James Martin, a former electorate officer to Pegg, and for the Liberal National Party by Jim Bellos, a police officer and former Queenslander of the Year. Labor’s margin in the seat is 14.8%; I’ll be publishing a guide to the by-election soon-ish.
Too much good logic…
Player One @ #2202 Sunday, July 4th, 2021 – 12:11 pm
Ha. Hop skip and jump. I did it over three nights. I’m not a great fan of the ‘moderator’ Lex Fridman (> 1 million followers, so there’s a thing) , a Russian born MIT programmer specialising in AI. I struggled with his thought streams and how he framed his questions. Whatevs.
I liked it more toward the end – the religion, love, meaning of life oomey goomey stuff. Harris is an advocate of meditation (and psychedelics, but advocate might be a stretch, I don’t know enough) and the pursuit of the ‘peak experience’ and ‘beatific vision’ or revelation experience. I think his grip on ‘things’ is good. His response to the Q – ‘what is the meaning of life’ – was along the lines of there is no question when you in the moment of knowing the meaning. That would make little sense to anyone not engaged in the quest to ‘be in the now’, by meditation or psychedelics for example, and the absence of want or need.
Conditions apply: horses for courses.
Lars Von Trier @ #689 Sunday, July 4th, 2021 – 12:32 pm
It would be even richer coming from you, Lars. Thought of a new nickname for me? ‘Backdoor Betty’ was really up there with the best of the slimiest. Still willing to suggest I have a drinking problem? Got any new slurs on my character lined up?
You have zero credibility, LvT.
That’s a long walk from the wedding to the reception, needing sensible shoes. But lots of good photos.
Sorry c@t , you don’t figure in my thoughts.
Best,
Lars
Shellbellsays:
Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 1:08 pm
This is personal. Time for the Swans to smite the Wegales wherever the poor bastards are playing in Victoria.
________________
Kardina Park Geelong.
Just drove past. Poor conditions. freezing cold with a strong northerly.
Lars Von Trier @ #704 Sunday, July 4th, 2021 – 12:52 pm
You’ve been to a tactics committee meeting recently, Lars? And you know what the FPLP are going to do in the future? My, aren’t you talented? At bullshit.
Lars Von Trier @ #716 Sunday, July 4th, 2021 – 1:28 pm
Hallelujah!
Not a good look.
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/dragons-players-in-probe-over-covid-breach-involving-house-party-20210704-p586oy.html
AZ side effects
https://www.thesun.co.uk/sport/football/euro-2020/15478968/england-fans-get-ready-for-tonights-euro-2020-match/
shellbell @ #2260 Sunday, July 4th, 2021 – 1:35 pm
Did someone mention apes?
Large numbers of people have again swarmed on Bondi, as NSW Premier Gladys Berejiklian said she was stressed about people not wearings masks when they needed to.
Large numbers of people were seen along Bondi foreshore as NSW recorded 16 new local transmission cases overnight with 13 of those in isolation.
Ms Berejiklian said it was imperative that people did not leave home but if they did they needed to wear a mask unless exercising.
The Persistent Fantasy of a Trump Knockout Punch
and how he gets away with it, time after time after time.
https://www.newyorker.com/news/letter-from-bidens-washington/the-persistent-fantasy-of-a-trump-knockout-punch?
Barty’s stats this morning against Siniakova were better than her previous two matches:
Double Faults: 0
Aces: 8
Winners: 26
Unforced Errors: 23
She still, however, needs to get her unforced errors down to be a threat. She plays 14th seed Krejcikova tomorrow at 10:30 pm our time, and she’s no pushover, having won at Roland Garros this year.
As for Kyrgios retiring after the 2nd set due to an abdominal injury, the bottom line is that he’s not
match fit. In fact, he’s downright lazy when it comes to working out to get his body in shape, as a top athlete should do. He served a couple of underarm serves and also stuffed around with a stupid shot between his legs. He’s a good showman but will never achieve much unless he turns his mind to the hard slog of match fitness.
Mavis
Take Kyrios at his word. He is happy not to compete for winning grand slam tournaments.
Good question.
“Coalition Tea Lady@ItsBouquet · 3m
NSW
July 3 – 35 new cases – 56, 331 tests – “109 being treated”
July 4 – 16 new cases – 45, 079 tests – “207 being treated”
Can someone explain to me the jump in the number being treated?”
ItzaDream @ #724 Sunday, July 4th, 2021 – 1:39 pm
What was the famous saying of Barnum of Bailey?
There’s one born every minute. 😀
It’s been Trump’s motto his whole life.
Sohar
It was 190 yesterday
Sohar says:
Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 1:52 pm
Good question.
“Coalition Tea Lady@ItsBouquet · 3m
NSW
July 3 – 35 new cases – 56, 331 tests – “109 being treated”
July 4 – 16 new cases – 45, 079 tests – “207 being treated”
Can someone explain to me the jump in the number being treated?”
Typo?
@TheEconomist tweets
Hybrid working is soon to become the norm for societies across the world. Here are some suggestions for the best days to come into the office
https://www.economist.com/business/2021/06/19/how-to-pick-the-best-days-to-work-from-home
guytaur:
Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 1:48 pm
[‘Mavis
Take Kyrios at his word. He is happy not to compete for winning grand slam tournaments.’]
A very poor attitude in my view. He’s very talented and should give it his all. He was ranked 13 in the world but has slipped to 60. If he maintains his slack routine he’ll end up having to play qualifying rounds, like that other prima donna Tomic, who’s now ranked 241, down from a high of 17.
”Ms Berejiklian said it was imperative that people did not leave home but if they did they needed to wear a mask unless exercising.”
If that’s what is required why hasn’t it been promulgated? Masks are not mandatory out of door except on public transport including bus stops and railway stations. Likewise, there are no restrictions on people going to the beach. If we are not supposed to go to the beach, why aren’t the beaches closed?
Just saw a brief excerpt of Xi’s CPC 100th anniversary speech.
The bit about ‘bashed heads’ was, IMO, a tad direct for someone who is simultaneously calling for China to project a more affable global image.
I assume ‘Bashed Heads’ is a chapter heading from the Greens’ peace studies manual.
Mavis says:
Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 2:03 pm
A very poor attitude in my view. He’s very talented and should give it his all. He was ranked 13 in the world but has slipped to 60. If he maintains his slack routine he’ll end up having to play qualifying rounds, like that other prima donna Tomic, who’s now ranked 241, down from a high of 17.
___________
Philippoussis similarly under-performed. There was a comedy show years ago that mocked him by having a fake Philippoussis show a reporter his ‘trophy room’. Instead of Tennis trophies there were women’s panties hanging from every available place on the walls.
Sinny bashing the heads of the Eagles.
Mavis
It’s his life. He has made a choice.
He can live off tennis without being in the spotlight.
Since he publicly made his announcement his on court behaviour has improved markedly.
There is no point for him if he doesn’t enjoy the game. So I support his decision and admire his courage in finally standing up to the demands made on him by others.
Kyrgios is committing the unpardonable sin: enjoying playing the game instead of being a cog in Global Tennis Entertainment Inc.
Once again,I ask myself: are there other Australians who rival NRL players for sheer stupidity, entitlement and chutzpah?
https://www.smh.com.au/sport/nrl/dragons-players-in-probe-over-covid-breach-involving-house-party-20210704-p586oy.html
The host, Paul Vaughan, is a repeat offender.
Kyrgios is not good enough to win any big tournaments.More a headliner act than a winner.
Gladys is certainly nervous about the politics of lockdown. What is she doing to that mask?
——————
She is treating it like a…. beer glass?
Again tho, a very soft but bright light fills those conferences. It diminishes the lovely natural hues of her Caucasian skin. Are they trying to make her look like Snow White? Or is it just the glow of Sydney’s sunny winter days (how I miss it!).
Steve777
You can exercise on the beach.
It’s mass gatherings without social distancing that’s the problem.
See Dr Young statement in behaviour in Queensland stadiums.
Also don’t be fooled by telephoto shots of people on the beach.
There are people flouting the advice. That does not mean shut down all the beaches.
A_E
The clubs will get a $50,000 fine.
Dock them four points and that sort of behaviour would stop stone dead.
Kyrgios does not have the discipline. The amount of times he and Tomic have retired hurt you have to wonder how they can still walk. I suppose it’s easier to claim injury than lose because you are not good enough.
Recon:
Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 2:07 pm
[‘Philippoussis similarly under-performed. There was a comedy show years ago that mocked him by having a fake Philippoussis show a reporter his ‘trophy room’. Instead of Tennis trophies there were women’s panties hanging from every available place on the walls.’]
Yes, I vaguely recall that. He’s another talent who chose the good life of gals and fast cars, and quickly became the subject of ridicule.
China now has only two avenues of change in its governance:
1. Xi dies of natural causes.
2. Xi is assassinated.
I guess that’s what makes players like Sampras and Federer what they were. Total preparation and probably very little fun.
Kyrgios does seem to come laden with excuses. And I am someone who often excuses his attitude – It isn’t fair to expect every tennis player to match the work ethic and mental/emotional fortitude of Nadal, Federer and Djokovic.
Nobody expects him to be up there with Djokovic. But he has now lowered expectations to ‘taking a set off a top 20 seed’. He won’t get wild cards with that sort of attitude no matter how entertaining he is. It would be completely unfair to deprive someone of talent and attitude of wanting to go deep.
Hopefully a return to normal travel circumstances will see him find a team and the work ethic required to compete in slams. Maybe ‘taking a set off a future top ten player’ will encourage him to do this.
Perhaps he should just focus on doubles?
boerwar says:
Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 2:17 pm
China now has only two avenues of change in its governance:
1. Xi dies of natural causes.
2. Xi is assassinated.
____________
Another way is a coup. I’m surprised the upper echelons went along with his seemingly life long appointment. The previous convention, where a leader governed for about 7 years before finding a successor was a pretty stable system. You have to wonder how many who thought they might get a go feel about it.
Shellbell: “It was 190 yesterday”
If you read Andre Agassi’s book Open or David Foster Wallace’s novel Infinite Jest, you get a great idea of what it takes to be a tennis champion. It’s basically child abuse.
At least Philippoussis did make two grand slam finals but lost to two very good players.
guytaur:
Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 2:09 pm
At age 16, Kyrgios was awarded a full scholarship at the Australian Institute of Sport and also received financial assistance from Tennis Australia. He therefore at least owes these two benefactors, and the Australian public, a return on their investment.
If he doesn’t like tennis, he should go fishing.
I reckon Kyrgios has worked bloody hard at his tennis. And he has stuck it out in tough matches. I also think his emotional state is better.
He is a far better tennis player that Philippousus. There is no doubt playing slams in this era is often a thankless task. And if you have attitude problems…. there is nowhere to hide. Slam tennis exposes you. Nadal, Federer and Djokovic are relentless. As are the tabloids and social media.
I cut him slack. But if he wants to play at the major tournaments then he has to be fit enough to go as deep as his talent suggests he can go.
All I know is that if BW had applied as much dedication to tennis as he had to Xi he would have at least one Australian Open to his name.
Mavis
I disagree. I think Kyrios tried. If he didn’t he would not have gone as far as he did.
I think we should respect people’s rights in sport more than your attitude is implying.
steve davis:
Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 2:12 pm
[‘Kyrgios is not good enough to win any big tournaments.More a headliner act than a winner.’]
I beg to differ. He won The Cincinnati Masters in 2017, one tier below a slam, and the second-largest US tennis event after the U.S. Open.
Mavis @ #2291 Sunday, July 4th, 2021 – 12:26 pm
If they’re not happy, maybe they should look at their vetting process.
Player One says:
Sunday, July 4, 2021 at 12:23 pm
PBAnon rolls on.
Kyrgrios is the Australian world No.60. Hes as good as our NBN then.
Simon Birmingham has dismissed criticism of the Coalition’s discredited commuter car park fund, declaring that “the Australian people had their chance and voted the government back in”.
_____________
That has to be one of the most disgusting things ever said by a senior politician.