Weekend miscellany (open thread)

Northern Territory by-election looms; JSCEM appointments made; report on Victorian ALP branch-stacking released.

In the absence of anything else to report:

• Former Northern Territory Chief Minister Michael Gunner formally retired from parliament on Wednesday, having relinquished the leadership in May in the wake of a heart attack. In contrast to its counterparts in Western Australia, who have still not fired the starter’s gun on a by-election for North West Central, the government has already announced August 20 as the date for the by-election in his Darwin seat in Fannie Bay, which he retained by 9.6% at the 2020 election.

• Labor’s five members of the Joint Standing Committee on Electoral Matters are Jagajaga MP Kate Thwaites, Hawke MP Sam Rae, Blair MP Shayne Neumann and South Australian Senators Karen Grogan and Marielle Smith, one of whom will be the committee’s chair. There were four opposition members and one from the Greens in the previous parliament, but I’m unclear as to how that will play out this time.

• The report of Operation Watts, the joint inquiry by Victoria’s Independent Broad-based Anti-Corruption Commission and Ombudsman into certain Labor state parliamentarians’ branch-stacking activities, offers a wealth of invaluable detail on the hard realities of the operation of modern political parties.

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.

632 comments on “Weekend miscellany (open thread)”

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  1. “One day we will storm across the border and conquer you southern heathens, and then you will all have to wear shorts.”

    We are of one mind on shorts, Asha, but what’s your perspective on sandals vs thongs?

    Or are you a barefoot warrior? I still see them occasionally in Queen Street.

  2. Henry @ #488 Sunday, July 31st, 2022 – 9:26 pm

    I have been of the view for some time that NSW labor will win the next state election here in NSW.
    There is a large “it’s time” factor at play. 13 years of liberal rule has given the state very little for those west of the bridge. Sydney is very much a place where if you live in the right suburbs, you’re ok. The rest, too bad, too sad.
    NSW labor leader is also very much liberal lite, a darling of the 2gb set no less. Plus he’s also a pretty boy, which helps.
    I’m calling it now. Labor to win the next state election in NSW.

    Can’t say more but Central Coast Labor preparing to take one of the jewels in the Liberal crown and the only seat they still hold on the coast, Terrigal, next year with a red hot candidate.

  3. Mavis @ #491 Sunday, July 31st, 2022 – 9:29 pm

    With due cognizance, perhaps “Dr John” is a reincarnated version of GG?

    No he’s not. And you seem unnaturally and unnecessarily obsessed with Bushfire Bill and Greensborough Growler. Your pining for them on the regular is not going to bring them back, Mavis.

  4. Re: Domicron’s statement:

    “ … after some further matters concerning her were brought to my attention. …”

    Will anyone in the MSM have the gumption to actually ask what the ‘further matters’ were? Will Minns?

  5. C@tmomma:

    Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 9:31 pm

    Mavis @ #491 Sunday, July 31st, 2022 – 9:29 pm

    [‘With due cognizance, perhaps “Dr John” is a reincarnated version of GG?
    No he’s not. And you seem unnaturally and unnecessarily obsessed with Bushfire Bill and Greensborough Growler. Your pining for them on the regular is not going to bring them back, Mavis.’]

    Please stop proffering gratuitous advice. I’ll post how I’ll please. Indeed, I don’t want your lecturing!

  6. Mavis says:
    Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 9:29 pm
    With due cognizance, perhaps “Dr John” is a reincarnated version of GG?
    —————————————————–
    Mavis definitely NO.
    Especially, no belief in reincarnation nor GG’s belief in voodoo religion nor subtle defence of child sexual abuse.
    As an aside Mavis, are you be a drag queen?

  7. Mavis @ #496 Sunday, July 31st, 2022 – 9:37 pm

    C@tmomma:

    Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 9:31 pm

    Mavis @ #491 Sunday, July 31st, 2022 – 9:29 pm

    [‘With due cognizance, perhaps “Dr John” is a reincarnated version of GG?
    No he’s not. And you seem unnaturally and unnecessarily obsessed with Bushfire Bill and Greensborough Growler. Your pining for them on the regular is not going to bring them back, Mavis.’]

    Please stop proffering gratuitous advice. I’ll post how I’ll please. Indeed, I don’t want your lecturing!

    Mavis, get a mirror. You need one. You proffer advice to others like it’s going out of fashion. Also, ditto. If I want to comment on your pining for BB and GG, I will.

  8. https://www.theaustralian.com.au/nation/newspoll-record-electoral-satisfaction-rating-for-anthony-albanese/news-story/6ad1f681586961423e3eb75a05b99949

    TPP ALP 56 (+3.9) L/NP 44 (-3.9)
    Primaries ALP 37 (+4.4) L/NP 33 (-2.7) GRN 12 (-0.2) ON 6 (+1.0) UAP 2 (-2.1)

    Preferred PM: Albanese 59 (+17) Dutton 25 (-17 compared to Morrison)
    Albanese: Approve 61 (+20) Disapprove 26 (-20)
    Dutton: Approve 37 (-4) Disapprove 41 (-13)

    The Newspoll was conducted between July 27 and July 30 and surveyed 1508 voters throughout Australia.

  9. Jaeger says:
    Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 9:41 pm

    The wave power generator experts say ‘proves ocean energy can work’ is already powering Australian homes
    _____________
    Very interesting. Thanks.

  10. Dr John:

    Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 9:38 pm

    Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 9:29 pm

    With due cognizance, perhaps “Dr John” is a reincarnated version of GG?
    —————————————————–
    [‘Mavis definitely NO.

    As an aside Mavis, are you be a drag queen’]

    Only since it became fashionable, but I have my doubts about you.

  11. Dandy:

    Thongs all the way. I was once a barefoot warrior, but that particular habit hasn’t survived a decade and a half in the big city.

  12. I wore shorts to school. I still wear them to the beach.

    I did go barefoot at uni for a while. I believe that getting around barefoot a lot as a child and into my v early 20s made me more agile on the pitch in various sports. Or maybe it is just because I have long dexterous toes.

    Sandals are fine. Especially on hikes with lots of creek work.

    Nobody pays attention to what QLDers wear. Fashion capital of their own backyard.

  13. Dutton: Approve 37 (-4) Disapprove 41 (-13)

    Would be interested to see how this compares to other newly minted opposition leaders.

  14. Mavis @ #512 Sunday, July 31st, 2022 – 9:53 pm

    Cat, given you’re out of control tonight, I leave it there; so should you!

    I am most definitely NOT ‘out of control’. Your persistent pining for BB and GG finally reached my limits. So I said something. Do think about how others see what you do repeatedly like that, Mavis. It’s boring.

  15. C@tmomma do think about how others see you as a hectoring fool
    and reflect. Is there anyone on this board you do not have issues with?

    Out of control.

  16. Jan 6

    Because I can take you to communities this very minute that are suffering in conditions someone like you could not even imagine and the vast majority of these people do not know that the statement from the heart even occurred, that’s why. The aboriginal industry stealing money from these communities knows about the Statement from the heart mainly because they are the people that attended.
    The fact that you believe that the people who attended Uluru were even close to a true representation of Aboriginal people shows just how deep and ingrained your ignorance is.

    Answer me a few things will you.

    What was the name of the white man who drafted and wrote the statement of the heart.
    Why did a white man have to write it? What the hell was he even doing there?
    Why was their more white people attend the Statement of the heart at Uluru than aboriginal people?
    Can you name any conservative aboriginal people who attended. People like Mundine the former president of the ALP, did the Alice Springs vice-mayor now Senator Jacinta price attend?
    Of the 10% of our national wealth that is spent each year to supposedly help aboriginal people gets to the communities who absolutely need it the most?
    Can you tell me one area of closing the GAP that has improved because of the apology?

    People like you scare me you are killing people with what you believe is help. Every elder I spoke to will say the rot started once the sit down money started. I bet elders that can actually speak their native tongue were less than 5% of those at Uluru.

  17. Mavis

    “ I know of people who wouldn’t know a former chief justice if they bumped into one. Surprising as it may be – that’s the problem.”

    I agree, I may be fortunate because a dear friend was a long term senior Federal Court Judge which caused me to take interest in such things. Most people don’t even seem to know their local politicians and certainly not our top scientists but they sure know their sports stars and tv reality personalities.

  18. Steve777 says:
    Sunday, July 31, 2022 at 7:44 pm
    “The opponents of the Voice are going to cry “Detail detail detail” to create confusion and doubt. The Constitution isn’t there for detail. That’s worked out by the Parliament.”

    Whether the detail is provided up front or after, opponents will cry confusion and doubt. Detail will be used to delay and prevent, never to improve. As Barney noted, “ The constitutional change is about recognizing Indigenous Australians in the Constitution and saying this body will exist and its powers will be to advise the Parliament in regards to legislation effecting Indigenous Australians.” I think this is the clear point that needs to be highlighted and reinforced daily to Australians.

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