Pearce off

Important Liberal preselections loom in Christian Porter’s seat and, by all accounts, Greg Hunt’s. Also: voter identification laws off the table for now.

A lot of news at the moment concerning matters pertinent to this blog, with Christian Porter announcing yesterday he will not contest the election, Greg Hunt universally expected to follow suit with today’s last parliamentary sitting day of the year, and voter identification legislation scuttled after a deal between government and opposition.

Annabel Hennessy of The West Australian reports a nominee has already come forward for Liberal preselection in Christian Porter’s loseable northern Perth seat of Pearce: Miquela Riley, a former naval officer and current PwC Australia manager who performed a thankless task as the party’s candidate for Fremantle at the March state election. Other potential nominees identified are Libby Lyons, former director of the Australian Government’s Workplace Gender Equality Agency, and Alyssa Hayden, who held the state seat of Darling Range from 2018 until her defeat in March and was earlier in the Legislative Council from 2009 to 2017.

• The most widely named successor to Greg Hunt as Liberal candidate for the Victorian seat of Flinders is Zoe McKenzie, an NBN Co director and former chief-of-staff to Abbott-Turnbull government Trade Minister Andrew Robb. The Age reports other potential starters are Mark Brudenell, chief-of-staff at Latitude Financial and former adviser to Malcolm Turnbull as both Communications Minister and Prime Minister, and Simon Breheny, former Institute of Public Affairs policy director.

• A deal between government and opposition has resulted in the abandonment of plans to introduce voter identification at the coming election. In exchange, Labor has agreed to support a bill that will halve the expenditure threshold at which third parties will have to file disclosure returns, over the objections of critics who argue the associated red tape will discourage charities from political campaigning. It appeared unlikely the voter identification bill would have gained the required votes in the Senate, with Jacqui Lambie having announced yesterday she would vote against it.

• Meanwhile, the Liberal Democrats are pursuing a High Court action against recently enacted legislation that will prevent parties other than the main ones having words like Liberal and Labor in their name. Absent a favourable outcome, this will presumably result in formal challenges against the Liberal Democrats and the New Liberals, the latter of whom have withdrawn their application to change their name simply to TNL.

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.

1,183 comments on “Pearce off”

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  1. Diogenes

    This is the sentiment I am getting from my contacts in Adelaide

    And they are all now in their 70’s so the Liberal demographic

    NSW is reviled – as is the Pentecostal and the SA premier

    And they have closed down Parliament

  2. “Climate change is a world wide crisis, but in Australia we have a tsunami of social problems courtesy of a cruel and corrupt government. Tossing them out must be a priority.”

    ***

    Yeah, like JobSeekers being left in poverty by Labor and the Coalition while they give tax cuts to the rich elites.

    The Greens are needed in the balance of power for many more reasons than just the climate emergency.

    Only the Greens will kick the Liberals out and take the action that is required.

  3. Gee Albo is a heartless bastard, denying the Greens their wedge.

    Their greatest fear is hopefully closer.

    Labor acting effectively on climate change and they are not needed.


  4. Ashasays:
    Friday, December 3, 2021 at 10:19 pm
    What a ridiculous and totally avoidable mess this has turned into:

    https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/03/liberal-senator-alex-antic-taken-into-sa-hotel-quarantine-and-denies-misleading-pm-on-vaccination

    The best part about it is that Scomo could well be telling the truth here, but his reputation is such that no-one will believe him anyway!

    Guardian: Asked about his discussions with Morrison on his vaccination status, Antic said: “My conversations with the prime minister are, as you would believe, private. I don’t believe I’d ever misled the prime minister about anything.”

    The thing about this is he was forced to go into 14 days quarantine by Liberal government i.e. his own side. Neither Morrison nor Murdoch hacks can cry foul on this by saying that it is revenge politics of ALP. I love it. Spectacular own goal.

  5. After today’s one-eyed posts, Firefox has successfully persuaded me not to preference the Greens. Which is a shame because I used to support them.

  6. Just catching up on the fair work commission decision in relation to mandatory vaccinations at BHP. Seems the main problem was BHP’s failure to comply with their consultation/workplace change obligations. Easily fixed and thankfully unlikely to give much oxygen to the anti vax movement long term.

  7. “After today’s one-eyed posts, Firefox has successfully persuaded me not to preference the Greens. Which is a shame because I used to support them.”

    ***

    That says far more about you than it does about me I’m afraid.

    But if you’d rather help the Coalition then that’s your right.


  8. Observersays:
    Friday, December 3, 2021 at 10:44 pm
    With all due respect, that was NOT the question

    With due respect I was not responding to his question. I was just airing my thoughts. Thats all. 🙂


  9. C@tmommasays:
    Friday, December 3, 2021 at 10:56 pm
    bakunin @ #1136 Friday, December 3rd, 2021 – 10:25 pm

    Observer,

    Im fairly sure triggering the Labor Right OAP army isn’t a reason for The Greens to sack a leader.

    You know you’re saying the quiet part out loud about the modus operandi of The Greens, don’t you?

    🙂

  10. Bystander

    The real problem is that those in our Parliament who saw Turnbull introduce an “anti bonking” rule reflect on all males

    It should not (including because it leads to false allegations – a subject never raised or prosecuted)

    And the Pentecostal, subscribing to God makes babies defends because it was not on his watch (noting what went on in the Bible Room)

    So the resignations are (were) from the Ministry


  11. Player Onesays:
    Friday, December 3, 2021 at 11:00 pm
    Let’s get some perspective here, folks …

    If just this one project – supported by both the Liberals and WA Labor – were shelved, it would save more emissions than Federal Labor’s entire climate policy …

    https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2021/dec/03/woodsides-new-western-australian-gas-project-a-bet-against-global-15c-goal-report-finds

    But sure, let’s all hate the Greens

    WA Labor doesn’t talk about Net zero Target or 2030 target. I don’t know whether they have implemented any Climate action policies till now. In this aspect it appears they are the Conservative government in the country.

  12. Firefox @ #1082 Friday, December 3rd, 2021 – 6:14 pm

    “presently you are repugnant to a huge slice of people that someone – anyone – on the progressive side of the fence has to bring back into the tent: the fact that you are oblivious to that”

    ***

    The fact that you are oblivious to the reality that this sick joke of climate backtrack from Labor is totally repugnant to the progressive left and anyone who genuinely gives a damn about the planet quite clearly demonstrates that you are not on the progressive side of the fence.

    Stop trying to mislead people. Labor isn’t trying to win over any “progressive plurality” with this garbage – they’re trying to win over conservatives and doing the bidding of the rich elite all while fucking the planet’s future.

    Labor should be totally and utterly ashamed of themselves.

    It’s quite amazing how worked up you’ve become over a meaningless number.

    Labor is trying to position itself so it can form a Government and can start the country acting in a real way.

    All the Greens seem to have is the long shot dream of holding the balance of power and somehow forcing a Labor Government to do their will.

    What a shame they’re not out there trying to grow the progressive vote, instead happy to sit back in their parasitic comfort zone.


  13. Lizziesays:
    Friday, December 3, 2021 at 11:11 pm
    After today’s one-eyed posts, Firefox has successfully persuaded me not to preference the Greens. Which is a shame because I used to support them

    Now now Lizzie
    Does that mean you don’t preference them above Liberals?
    You are posting like nath and WWP. After the repeated posts of Briefly castigating Greens in no uncertain terms, they said that they will not Vote Labor 1, although nath was on record saying ohe is Albanese supporter. Please don’t be like them. Don’t decide your vote based on what nonsense sometimes is posted here. I believe you much much better than that. 🙂

  14. “Your comprehension is not very high, is it.
    There is no way I would do anything to help the Coalition.”

    ***

    If you preference them above the Greens, as you just indicated you were going to out of spite for me telling the truth about the climate emergency, then you will be helping them.

    You will note that even after all the abuse I’ve been subjected to here by the Labor Right, I still repeatedly advocate for preferencing Labor above the Coalition.

    You just don’t like being confronted with the reality that Labor isn’t doing nearly enough. Instead of facing that reality and accepting what the science is telling us, you’re going to be spiteful and punish those who are actually trying to do the right thing by the environment?


  15. Observersays:
    Friday, December 3, 2021 at 11:20 pm
    Bystander

    The real problem is that those in our Parliament who saw Turnbull introduce an “anti bonking” rule reflect on all males

    Now I see why Barnaby Joyce was upset when he wasforced to resign as Deputy PM position. Leaving aside the Salary, perks and the power, the real reason he was upset was because he knew quiet a few Ministers and ministerial staff were bonking and he was the only one paying the price. 🙂

  16. Once again, the Greens misunderstand the balance of power. They assume it means they can dictate policy, or ar least policy concessions, to the Labor party.

    That can only ever work 8f you have leverage. A sword of damocles hanging over the head of a government that the cross bencher might switch their support to the opposition.

    The Greens have no such leverage. Can you imagine the damage to Brand Green if they supported a Liberal to be PM? Half their supporters would walk away – forever – overnight.

    Certainly the Greens might choose to vote with the Liberals to block Labor legislation. But every time they do their brand takes a hit. And there’s nothing the Greens care more about than their brand.


  17. Lizziesays:
    Friday, December 3, 2021 at 11:43 pm
    Accusing me of spite is the final insult. So is the put down “You are better than that.” Goodnight.

    I apologise if I offended you. It was not a put down. I hold you in high esteem. I think you are very intelligent person.

  18. Its also worth understading that there is really no such thing as a ‘No’ vote in parliament. Aye or Nay you are really only voting for one of two things, the legislation on the table or the status quo.

    You cannot vote against a bill and claim you are somehow voting for some third alternative. Some imaginary unicorn that isnt even on the table.

    So when the Greens voted against an, absolutely far too small, raise in JobSeeker, they were really voting against any increase at all.

    How can you possibly justify this? Sure, campaign its too low. Campaign for a future increase. But why on Earth would you attempt to rob the poorest Australians of even a little extra money?

    Oh of course, its for likes and shares.

  19. Firefox

    You will note that even after all the abuse I’ve been subjected to here by the Labor Right, I still repeatedly advocate for preferencing Labor above the Coalition.

    Good on you. Likewise, I will always preference the Greens above any parties of the right.

    If you have been subjected to personal abuse tonight or in the past, I wholly reject that and it should never occur. There should be space for civil disagreement.

    But you should also not conflate criticism of your rhetoric, as well as criticism of the messaging of the Greens in general, as personal abuse of you.

    Because fundamentally, when it comes down to it, the toxicity of the Labor-Green wars on PB is not over policy, but rhetoric and messaging. On both sides.

  20. It’s actually alarming to see how many of the Labor Right are so willing to walk right off the edge of the climate cliff without a second thought.

  21. What’s alarming to see is how the fake progressives are happy to see no action on climate change in order to posture and pose in aid of their own sense of moral superiority.

  22. “Good on you. Likewise, I will always preference the Greens above any parties of the right.

    If you have been subjected to personal abuse tonight or in the past, I wholly reject that and it should never occur. There should be space for civil disagreement.

    But you should also not conflate criticism of your rhetoric, as well as criticism of the messaging of the Greens in general, as personal abuse of you.”

    ***

    Cheers mate.

    Nah I don’t conflate the two. Politics is politics and there will always be strong debates. That’s a good thing.

  23. “And thank you Firefox, for demonstrating the point I was making.”

    ***

    Well it’s just the truth. I’d love to be able to tell you that everything was going to be ok instead but that’s just not what the science is telling us. We need to take urgent action.

  24. Firefox

    We need to take urgent action.

    Agreed, and the best means for that urgent action to be taken is for a Labor government to be elected in 2022.

    To argue that Labor doesn’t take climate change seriously is to ignore that it has spent the last 15 years attempting to address it. Not particularly well, I grant you – but nevertheless, it has.

  25. The Society for All Things Great and Lesbian had a float in the Mardi Gras one year. It was a fully stocked library, with stern faced women in tweeds and laced up shoes bending over desks with rubber stamps. One of the best ever.

  26. Firefox says:
    Saturday, December 4, 2021 at 12:02 am
    “And thank you Firefox, for demonstrating the point I was making.”

    ***

    Well it’s just the truth. I’d love to be able to tell you that everything was going to be ok instead but that’s just not what the science is telling us. We need to take urgent action.

    The only action the Greens are taking wrt climate change is to campaign for the re-election of the LNP. Brilliant politics by the Greens.

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