I’ve been a bit lax in keeping up on federal preselection developments of late, which have naturally been gathering pace as the big event gets closer. To keep things manageable, I will focus in this post on developments in New South Wales, which is where most of the action has been.
Things have been particularly lively in the Liberal camp, where Scott Morrison finds himself in the thick of factional warfare between his centre right faction and its principal numbers man, Mitchell MP Alex Hawke, and an alliance of the moderate and the hard right factions. As Mike Steketee at the Saturday Paper relates, the latter have accused the former of obstructing the process so as to avoid rank-and-file ballots that may not go their way, potentially endangering Hawke himself. Steketee reports expectations that the end game will be a deal that leaves all sitting members undisturbed, with ballots to proceed in a number of important seats where it may have been prudent to have had candidates in place quite a bit sooner.
• Jim O’Rourke of the Daily Telegraph reports the failure of Scott Morrison’s seemingly desperate attempt to recruit Gladys Berejiklian in Warringah leaves Jane Buncle, a “high-flying junior barrister who believes in climate change”, as the favourite to run against independent Zali Steggall. However, James Massola of the Sydney Morning Herald reported party polling tested the prospects of Berejiklian, Buncle, former Premier Mike Baird and management consultant Alex Dore (who according to the Telegraph is still considering running), and found only Berejiklian would win the seat.
• In a particularly helpful account of the broader state of play, Linda Silmalis of the Daily Telegraph reports three candidates have nominated in Parramatta, which the party is hopeful of knocking over with the retirement after 17 years of Labor member Julie Owens. These are Maria Kovacic, co-founder of Western Sydney Women; Felicity Findlay, acquisitions manager for property investment firm Merc Capital; and Charles Camenzuli, engineer and unsuccessful candidate for the seat in 2010 and 2019. Silmaris notes the party has extended nominations in the hope that a stronger candidate might come forward. Former Parramatta councillor Martin Zaiter is “being wooed”; efforts to interest Geoff Lee, who holds the state seat of Parramatta, have come to nothing.
• One of the preselection challenges Alex Hawke is keen to head off is that against Environment Minister Sussan Ley in Farrer, where she is threatened by Christian Ellis, a public relations specialist who has made a name locally campaigning for water rights. Linda Silmaris’s report says “Mr Ellis’s supporters believe their candidate has the numbers, triggering panic among those backing Ms Ley”.
• Hawkesbury councillor Sarah Richards has been preselected to run against Labor member Susan Templeman in Macquarie, where she fell short by 371 votes on her first attempt in 2019.
On the other side of the aisle:
• Sarah Martin of The Guardian offers a revealing account of the complex state of play in Labor’s preselection for Parramatta. Local branches are dominated by the soft left faction associated with Laurie Ferguson, which duly favours a rank-and-file ballot. However, the faction is split between supporters Julia Finn, member for the state seat of Granville, and Durga Owen, criminal lawyer and Western Sydney University lecturer, neither of whom are “seen as acceptable to the federal executive”. This would appear to include Anthony Albanese, who may be about to sanction a push for the executive to take matters into its own hands due to familiar concerns about branch stacking. Albanese’s own branch of the Left favours Abha Devasia, legal director of the Australian Manufacturing Workers Union. However, the Right seemingly wants in as well, demanding compensation for the selection of the unaligned Daniel Repacholi to replace Joel Fitzgibbon in Hunter.
• Also noted in Sarah Martin’s article is that a rank-and-file ballot to choose Sharon Bird’s successor in Cunningham is expected to be won by Alison Byrnes, a staffer to Bird and the wife of state MP Paul Scully.
• Labor’s candidate for Lindsay, which Melissa McIntosh won for the Liberals from Labor in 2019, will be Trevor Ross, a firefighter of 36 years.
Let us not forget that our own Dr Wombat wasn’t above a bit of sledging others when it came to whether Covid was airborne or not. Apparently you had a greater chance of getting infected if you didn’t wash your hands properly after a No. 2.
This was said with certainty, using all the weight of Wombat’s experience and qualifications… with SARS, a decade previously. With his pronouncements came allegations that those who disagreed with him could only be racists, Trump-lovin’ fascists or Fox News junkies… or preferably all three. The facts were all there in the reams of impressive technobabble he supplied his adoring fans. Nervous Nellies and dyslexic bogans doubted his wisdom at their own risk.
Coatesworth, for his part, had and has a vested interest in pooh-poohing aerosol transmission. He was closely associated with the team that advised Hotel Quarantine as a temporary-cum-permanent anti-infection measure. As we now know, hotel ventilation systems leave a lot to be desired as far as blocking transmission via ducted air conditioning. But the HQ system compensated by doing a great line in supporting donors (who owned hotels) and other donors (who ran astroturf “Security” companies).
There was also the problem that ScoMo had said HQ was the most appropriate system. This was lucky, because there was no other system, due to the Liberals ignoring repeated warnings over the years that one day we’d need government run quarantine stations (“Quarantine” being a Federal responsibility, s51(ix) and all that).
Anyway, we all know that ScoMo is never wrong, so once he’d said HQ was all we needed, HQ was going to be true then, true now and true into the future. They (including Coatesworth, a loyal Liberal fellow-traveller) had to keep up the pretence that “aerosol transmission” was a dirty lie, put about by Labor and the AMA (those Lefties!).
With women all over Australia fainting over Nick’s lantern-jawed “good looks”, as presented in a seemingly endless (and pointless) round of TV commercials flogging vaccination opportunities that didn’t exist, it was an easy sell. Morrison, Murphy and Nick had a warehouse full of last year’s model bullshit to flog, and they weren’t going to let facts or dead bodies derail the marketing campaign. Never admit error! Onward! Upward! Sell, sell, sell! All warranty issues will be dealt with by your nearest state Labor Premier (check your daily local Murdoch tabloid for details).
Now we have Omicron, which the AMA are worried about, properly so, seeing as it seems to bypass the entirety of the paltry vaccination protections we have managed to scrounge out of the blamers, bludgers and excuse makers in Canberra.
We are told that “6 months minimum” (now “5 months”, and tomorrow what will “The Science” tell us?) is sufficient to get your booster. Again, how lucky is that? … seeing as so many (especially in the regions after St Gladys stuffed things up so disastrously), had to wait for their AZ and Pfizer after Sydney’s Eastern Suburbs (the nice ones, no Redfern or Darlinghurst rubbish here) soaked up the available supplies like a sponge.
My own “6 month” deadline is February 25th, 2022, simply because June 2nd, followed 12 weeks later by August 25th were the earliest appointments available up here in Snoozeville when I booked in early April. They say I can now get boosted on January 25th (if there are any bookings, which there aren’t yet). Happy Days! Am I supposed to thank Nick, Brendan, Greg and ScoMo immediately, or later?
No matter, Nick is still there (sort of) to protect us, blaming the AMA again. If only the AMA’s Michael Gannon was better looking, more televisual, like, uhm, let me see… Dr Nick Coatesworth himself, for instance?
The environment and the GBR, Glasgow and climate change, submarines, the financial deficit, foreign affairs, trade, refugees, the introduction of electric cars, inequality, under employment, new home owners, tax avoidance, rorting scandals, job keeper payment corruption, record numbers of internal inquiries, parliamentary sex frolics, refusal to establish an ICAC, locked up deputies, alcoholism in parliament, privatisation of the public service, yet some doubt remains as to changing the government!
The response from the PM from Bunnings will be to do an advertisement for tree houses available in kit form from you know where and to devour a box of throwdowns while cooking a curry in the middle of an Australian summer.
Labor will assume office including the strategically placed operatives in government appointed positions, the finances exposed as a clusterfuck of deception and dishonesty, retiring LNP politicians finding time to spend with you their families and the bountiful acceptance of highly paid corporate appointments by fleeing politicians.
The coming holiday season will be a cascade of opinion pieces from LNP aligned media attempting to both justify the shambles that is the Morrison government and position themselves for an ever decreasing number of lucrative tree media positions of exaggerated relevance.
Mr Albanese will assume role of PM, hopefully with enough genuineness to initially repair the potholes of graft and dishonesty left behind by a fleeing jaunta.
The pandemic, the environment and the need for integrity will require a massive revival of goodwill in so many areas.
With some luck, the nation may be rewarded with a diminished exposure the right Palmerista and Hansonite brigade.
The Teal mob has a chance to become relevant and the Greens to display some goodwill.
It will be a very tough time to receive the chance to become the government.
The six month election campaign period will be exasperating for all the players with very few positives on display beyond the now we’ll excepted “bullshit” from the Morrison/Frydenberg “not funny anymore” parody.
The Australian electorate will very sensibly block out the “bullshit” during the holidays, Morrison will have his “publicly funded” photographer at work on “double time” and with some (quickly diminishing) luck, the nation will not be forced into another lockdown forced on a weary public by the extremely “short”sighted”, “we have to live with it” desperates surrounding the soon to be exiled Morrison disaster.
Hey BK, how is it looking for tomorrow?
______
SK
I really haven’t got into fire weather watching yet. There has been so much fresh grass growth/regrowth around here. Yesterday I was on the ride-on cutting the grass in a large paddock in front of the house for the fourth time this spring/summer!
Exclusive footage from Labor Parramatta branch debate:
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Ll3iyvbsRDM
Now boosters are becoming part of the mandatory requirements. No not here, perish the thought, but New York is the first by the sound of it, and hopefully not the last.
https://www.nytimes.com/2021/12/15/arts/music/met-opera-coronavirus-booster-shots-mandate.html
There’s a heat dome phenomenon coming next week isn’t there, with some sparing of the east coast?
I got my booster (Pfizer) last Saturday, the day before Boris announced the four-alarm
6 months+4 days after 2nd dose (AZ), I was amazed to find when I went to the vacc centre in the village that the Army were running things – a detachment from the Medical Training Centre/Barracks in York who’d come down for the weekend
By all accounts it seems AZ is almost useless against infection at 6 months for Omicron although it gives some protection from severe illness
P1 at 9:42 am
When it comes to corruption, your mob (ScoMo & Co) are on pretty shaky ground.
Interesting…
Me being a Cave Dweller have got online looking for booster shot. Am due 29th Dec but am going to call and see if i can get it monday.
Local pharmacy has LOTS of booking slots for Pfizer or Moderna available before Xmas. Probably, most people feel little urgency here, but frankly, i am expecting that to change if the news from our loyal lab rats in the East is bad.
BK @ #102 Thursday, December 16th, 2021 – 9:28 am
It has been wild. I havent slashed this much since I lived in NSW. And the blackberry has gone bunta. The raspberry patch has taken over half the garden.
I see the “safeguard” mechanism – you know, the one that both the Liberals and Labor are banking on to reduce emissions – is working precisely as designed …
https://www.theguardian.com/australia-news/2021/dec/16/mining-giant-concedes-emissions-blowout-at-queensland-coalmine
Even if the company ends up having to to pay for its emissions, and even if the scheme is tightened up, it amounts to a pittance. It’s not a “safeguard” – it’s a “pay to pollute” scheme.
While I’m not a fan of the Greens, they are on the money on this one:
I was able to book in for Moderna booster easily at a local pharmacy for 4 January, my “5 monthiversary”. There were probably 40 open appointment slots on that day, and most adjacent days. Remains to be seen whether demand for boosters in the meantime might affect availability on the day.
Kakuru @ #107 Thursday, December 16th, 2021 – 10:20 am
Are you seriously suggesting that the Independents are more corrupt than either of the two major parties?
Further to the Uecomm polling, climate change was not mentioned separately. It was subsumed in ‘environment’.
A shonky delineation, IMO.
My brother believes in conspiracy theories, agenda 21, QAnon (yep, even down to the whole Pizza gate thing) and even 5G until I burst out laughing at him (I spent 10 years in the Army Corp of Signals, 104 Sig Sqn, 1 Sig, 6 Sig and 2 Sig Regts). He won’t get the vaccine as he doesn’t know the long term effects and won’t be experimented on. He smokes a package a day or more and drinks litres of Iced Coffee milk (or iced tea or coke etc) and is close to being morbidly obese.
One of my Sister’s in Law won’t get vaccinated and gets her health advice on such matters from “The Medical Medium”, which is some kind of online nutjob that speaks to “Spirits” and the other reads the Australian and likes Peta Credlin and Bolt etc so also won’t get vaccinated.
I booked today for Pfizer at Macquarie Health public Centre at Glenquarie Shopping Centre, today at 11:30 am
G
Is there a cure for stupid?
Rightio!
No more octopussist jokes on Bludger, please.
(Note that they did not include anti-vaxxers or wombats in their list of sentient beings.)
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-16/the-uk-has-recognised-octopuses-crabs-and-lobsters-as-sentient-b/100698106
A COVID-19 scare has caused chaos within the Australian cricket team just hours before the Adelaide Test, with Pat Cummins identified as a close contact of a positive case.
From the Guardian blog:
“Albanese:
I’ll say this to the prime minister – there might be a divide on this street depending upon what side you’re on over whether you have access to support from the Federal Government for discretionary grants. But I pay the same rate of tax on that side of the street as you do on this side of the street. And that’s why this is corrupt. That’s why this has to be called out. That’s why this has to be stopped.”
and
“This is a bankrupt government. It’s a government that has lost its moral compass … imagine how bad they would be if they got a fourth term … it is just extraordinary the action that has been taken. And every day, we get a reminder of why we need a national anti-corruption commission.”
Victoria says:
Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 9:30 am
Frednk
I don’t know if you caught up with my response to your question yesterday re my mum’s aged care facility
Yes I did thanks.
Interesting case study.
GoldenSmaug
It is mind boggling to say the least
Frednk
Cheers!
SKSimon Katich 10:27 am
As a super fan of fresh blackberries I fail to see the problem.
100 percent agree…..
Jon Potter
Replying to
@theheraldsun
Given that the riots you incited were largely responsible for us being unable to get back to zero, I would say the “architect of the world’s longest lockdown” title actually belongs to the Herald Sun.
FMD
This is a known and serious risk:
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2021-12-16/jumping-castle-hillcrest-primary-school-injuries/100704754
‘poroti says:
Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 10:54 am
SKSimon Katich 10:27 am
As a super fan of fresh blackberries I fail to see the problem.’
———————-
You must be living in a cave.
Boerwar
Oh dear. If it is a windy day, jumping castles should not be in use.
I see that Perrotet has been fast out of the blocks.
Now more cases in NSW than in Victoria.
Not that he gives a rat’s arse.
‘Victoria says:
Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 10:58 am
Boerwar
Oh dear. If it is a windy day, jumping castles should not be in use.’
———————
Yep. Or suitably anchored. You would not be happy if you sent your kids to school and a message came back that we dropped them from a height of 10m, sorry.
Player One says:
Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 9:42 am
Frednk @ #85 Thursday, December 16th, 2021 – 9:28 am
And Albo said he hadn’t seen a lot of corruption.
Not really fair on Albo. He is at a disadvantage when it comes to spotting corruption. He’s from NSW Labor.
Best “Liberal troll” to a “sad case” in two months. Your ignorant posts on electrical networks used to annoy the shit out of me, now I find you mildly amusing.
Ray (UK)
What booster shot did you have?
GoldenSmaug @ #114 Thursday, December 16th, 2021 – 10:39 am
That must be extremely tough for you. Hope you can cope otherwise and maintain strength in the knowledge you’re on the right side of humanity.
If Albanese has seen evidence for a crime he is bound to report it to the police.
The cesspit of ethical corruption and its systematic degradation of our democracy is another thing.
Naturally the Coalition (and its enablers on Bludger) want to focus on criminal corruption.
poroti @ #123 Thursday, December 16th, 2021 – 10:24 am
I am allergic to them. I seem to be cut up by them every week, both at home and at work, and I now hate them with a passion usually reserved for rabid far right media outlets and English cricket players.
But yes, they are yummy and mine seem to normally be particularly plump (peeps come in from far and wide to pick them).
Boerwar @ #116 Thursday, December 16th, 2021 – 10:42 am
Vote the planet killers and social dividers out.
Boerwar
Bugger all here in the cave.Last saw blackberries ‘in the wild’ in Tasmania. The Taswegians had kindly left some growing by the road for a passing tourist 🙂
Meanwhiles in Cave-Life ,it is back to enjoying the last ‘Covid Free’ Xmas period for a while.
‘Rex Douglas says:
Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 11:08 am
Boerwar @ #116 Thursday, December 16th, 2021 – 10:42 am
G
Is there a cure for stupid?
Vote the planet killers and social dividers out.’
—————————
But why pick on the Greens?
Rex Douglas
It is very difficult having a close family member with these crazy conspiracy beliefs.
There is no way of reasoning with them. None at all.
‘poroti says:
Thursday, December 16, 2021 at 11:08 am
Boerwar
Bugger all here in the cave.Last saw blackberries ‘in the wild’ in Tasmania. The Taswegians had kindly left some growing by the road for a passing tourist
Meanwhiles in Cave-Life ,it is back to enjoying the last ‘Covid Free’ Xmas period for a while.’
——————————————-
What can we do? We are triple jabbed. We socially avoid where practicable, wash our hands after every fomite situation, and wear masks. If everyone did that we would be a different mind space.
Victoria
I had the Pfizer booster – it knocked me for six the following day but fine again day after that 🙂
Victoria @ #138 Thursday, December 16th, 2021 – 11:09 am
The more you try to reason with them the more strident they are in their views.
My belief is that it’s a form of escape from the tough realities of everyday life and society. It’s actually a cry for help.
The only thing you can do is offer help with any real life stresses they have and then hope things get back to normal.
From the Guardian blog:
“Albanese:
I’ll say this to the prime minister – there might be a divide on this street depending upon what side you’re on over whether you have access to support from the Federal Government for discretionary grants. But I pay the same rate of tax on that side of the street as you do on this side of the street. And that’s why this is corrupt. That’s why this has to be called out. That’s why this has to be stopped.”
and
“This is a bankrupt government. It’s a government that has lost its moral compass … imagine how bad they would be if they got a fourth term … it is just extraordinary the action that has been taken. And every day, we get a reminder of why we need a national anti-corruption commission.”
———-
Good. Clear, straight talking. Almost something Mundo could have scribed for Albo.
Excellent presser by Albo this morning on ABC. Fluent speech, made points strongly without normal hesitancy. Covered many points relevant to the election. Very impressive.
Ray (UK)
That’s good. It should give you better protection now.
My parents also got AZ and their booster is either going to be Pfizer or moderna.
Frednk @ #130 Thursday, December 16th, 2021 – 11:01 am
So I am apparently a “Liberal” now? Is this better or worse than being a “Green” in your book? I lose track.
Also, I don’t recall ever posting on electrical networks. Perhaps you have me confused with someone else?
I have to ford the river to our neighbour’s farm to find blackberries, my husband having eradicated all of ours.
Mildly annoying and it disturbs the snakes.
Boerwar @ #139 Thursday, December 16th, 2021 – 11:10 am
Yep, fully endorse those guidelines. It’s not hard to do either.
“Now more cases in NSW than in Victoria.”
———-
Doubt it. Those figures were off the back of nearly twice the number of tests in NSW.
It looks like Morrison, Frydenberg, Berejiklian and Perrotet have finally managed to achieve their objective: continent-wide people dying of Covid, suffering from Long Covid, and people joining increasingly long hospital waiting lists.
Why they wanted those outcomes is utterly beyond me.
But quite clearly, they did and they forced the hands of sensible people.