Despite a looming onslaught of by-elections (see the top of the sidebar for more information), there is not actually a huge amount to report at the moment. The only poll sure to report this week is the regular Roy Morgan, though Resolve Strategic for the Nine Newspapers (which was last heard from in early December) and Freshwater Strategy (which reports irregularly for the Financial Review, most recently in early January) are always possibilities. Which leaves:
• A party preselection ballot for the northern Perth seat of Moore yesterday ended with a 137-39 defeat for incumbent Ian Goodenough, the member since 2013, at the hands of Vince Connelly, who held the seat of Stirling from 2019 until its abolition in 2022. Connelly also mounted a narrowly unsuccessful challenge against Goodenough ahead of the 2022 election, and was made to settle for the lost cause of neighbouring Cowan. The preselection occurred against the backdrop of power struggles in the northern suburbs between the remnants of “The Clan” faction, which drew support from evangelical churches and of which Goodenough was a key member, and an alliance encompassing Connelly and state hopefuls Simon Ehrenfeld and Scott Edwardes.
• Further developments involving the WA Liberals with Senator Linda Reynolds’ announcement this week that she will not contest the next election, bringing her parliamentary career to an end when her term expires in the middle of next year. Dylan Caporn of The West Australian reports the front-runner to succeed her is Trischa Botha, who is of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander background, although she may be set for the uncertain prospect of third position on the ticket behind incumbents Slade Brockman and Matt O’Sullivan. Botha is the co-founder of an evangelical church in Perth’s northern suburbs with her husband, whose messianic language has been known to raise eyebrows. Also mentioned in a report by Katina Curtis in The West Australian is Kristy McSweeney, who ran unsuccessfully in Swan in 2022. McSweeney is a former adviser to Tony Abbott, founder of public relations firm The PR Counsel and daughter of former state MP Robyn McSweeney. UPDATE: The West Australian elsewhere reports that “former diplomat and long-time senior bureaucrat Jennifer Mathews” is a contender.
• The Poll Bludger’s guide to the Tasmanian election has been cobbled together in fairly short order, offering a general overview and extensive detail on each of the five multi-member electoral divisions replete with the usual charts, tables and maps. A few corners remained to be filled out, with the parties still getting their complete candidate line-ups in order.
“Botha is the co-founder of an evangelical church in Perth’s northern suburbs with her husband …”
For the WA Liberals, the more things change, the more they stay the same.
“Also mentioned … is Kristy McSweeney … a former adviser to Tony Abbott …”
A happy clapper or a a former Mad Monk staffer?
They’re spoiled for choice way out west.
For some here who feel this struggling business man needs a helping hand…
https://www.gofundme.com/f/stand-with-trump-raise-the-settlement?utm_source=customer
I’ll say it again. The Liberal Party of WA is scratching for talent when a wood duck former MP wins the pre-selection challenge for one of the only safe seats left in the Perth metropolitan area.
I presume that Scott Edwardes is Cheryl Edwardes nepo baby son?
And Kristy McSweeney is another nepo baby! So, what is it that Liberals keep saying about choosing candidates based on ‘merit’ again? Looks to me like it’s not what you know, but who you know.
World News/Politics:
Czech Republic seeks funding to supply millions of ammunition rounds to Ukraine: https://uawire.org/czech-republic-seeks-funding-to-supply-millions-of-ammunition-rounds-to-ukraine
Ukraine’s forces withdraw from key eastern town of Avdiivka after months of fighting: https://edition.cnn.com/2024/02/16/europe/ukraine-withdraws-avdiivka-intl/index.html
Houthi attacks in Red Sea having a ‘catastrophic’ effect on aid to Sudan: https://www.theguardian.com/global-development/2024/feb/16/houthi-attacks-in-red-sea-having-a-catastrophic-effect-on-aid-to-sudan
Woman, 40, who flew three-year-old British girl to Kenya for female genital mutilation is jailed for seven years in first conviction of its kind in the UK: https://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-13092575/Woman-female-genital-mutilation-British-girl-Kenya.html
Diego Garcia asylum seekers feel unsafe on remote British island territory: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-68326365
Haley warns Trump could try to use RNC as ‘piggy bank’ if reelected: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4474241-haley-warns-trump-could-try-using-rnc-piggy-bank-reelected/
Trump’s cruelty plays to worst of human nature. For his MAGA supporters, that’s the point: https://www.usatoday.com/story/opinion/2024/02/15/trump-campaign-cruelty-immigrants-disabled-2024-election/72512425007/
Matt Gaetz accused of paying woman for sex parties as new bombshell texts emerge: https://www.independent.co.uk/news/world/americas/us-politics/matt-gaetz-woman-sex-parties-texts-b2497993.html
Amazon argues that national labor board is unconstitutional, joining SpaceX and Trader Joe’s: https://apnews.com/article/amazon-nlrb-unconstitutional-union-labor-459331e9b77f5be0e5202c147654993e
Lara Trump steps into political spotlight with RNC role: https://thehill.com/homenews/campaign/4473118-lara-trump-steps-into-political-spotlight-with-rnc-role/
Cohen predicts Trump will have to liquidate assets after fraud verdict: https://thehill.com/regulation/court-battles/4474692-cohen-predicts-trump-will-have-to-liquidate-assets/
‘All Hell Broke Loose’: How Congress Blabbed About Russia’s Space Nukes: https://www.politico.com/news/magazine/2024/02/17/congress-russia-intelligence-space-nuclear-weapons-00142026
DOJ: Confiscated Russian funds will support Ukraine — via Estonia: https://www.politico.com/news/2024/02/17/doj-confiscated-russian-funds-will-support-ukraine-via-estonia-00142055
Stop whining about Trump, Dutch prime minister tells Europeans: https://www.reuters.com/world/europe/stop-whining-about-trump-focus-europes-interests-dutch-pm-says-2024-02-17/
Great. Just what the parliament doesn’t need: another religious happy clapper.
Attorney-General Mark Dreyfus has signalled new anti-doxxing laws will be aimed at criminalising the disclosure of a broad range of personal information for malicious intent, putting activists and others on notice that they could face jail time for leaking private details without consent.
The federal government plans, announced last week in response to the publication of the names and details of hundreds of Jewish creatives and academics by pro-Palestinian activists, has sparked a debate about what constitutes doxxing and how best to use the law to protect individuals’ privacy and safety, while balancing free speech and public interest considerations.
In an interview elaborating on how the government would approach drafting the laws, Dreyfus said he would undertake a consultation process to ensure the laws were “precise and targeted”, but the offence would be drafted “to capture any publication for malicious purposes of someone’s private or personal information without their consent”.
https://www.theage.com.au/politics/federal/doxxers-on-notice-they-will-face-jail-time-under-new-laws-20240216-p5f5ha.html
Mike Procter, South Africa’s legendary allrounder and their first coach of the post-Apartheid era, has died at the age of 77, following complications during heart surgery.
Widely renowned as one of his country’s greatest players, Procter’s international career was cut short due to South Africa’s sporting isolation in the 1970s and 1980s, and he was limited to just seven Tests, all of which came against Australia in 1966-67 and 1969-70.
In those, however, he claimed 41 wickets at 15.02, bowling high-class seam and swing famously “off the wrong foot” – an inimitable chest-on action that involved him releasing the ball early in his delivery stride, at high pace and often from unconventional angles, wide on the crease or from round the wicket.
c@t: ‘And Kristy McSweeney is another nepo baby! So, what is it that Liberals keep saying about choosing candidates based on ‘merit’ again? Looks to me like it’s not what you know, but who you know.”
Annastacia Palaszczuk, John Cain jr, Kim Beazley jr, Paul McLeay, Laurie Ferguson, Martin Ferguson (and no doubt countless others who don’t immediately come to mind) all say hi.
This sort of thing is pretty common in most professions, so there is no reason to expect politics to be immune.
Did Procter play in the WSC ‘Super Tests’?
I always thought that the ICC missed an opportunity after WSC came back into the official cricket fold in the early 1980s to not field an ‘ICC Super Team’ made up of ex – pat South Africans who had renounced the apartheid politics of the regime, plus other assorted odds and sods – ie. good players who came from non test standard countries.
“Did Procter play in the WSC ‘Super Tests’?”
Yes, that’s my recollection. Weird bowling action.
meher baba,
The point I was trying to make,which you appear to have glossed over,is that the Liberals always proclaim that their candidate selections are made on ‘merit’. I was simply pointing out that, looking at the evidence, in WA at least, it certainly doesn’t look like it.
At least Labor are open about the fact that they put candidates in who are from various Labor dynasties. Though the only one that I can think of that has perpetuated beyond one generation is the Beazley family, and from all reports Hannah Beazley is worthy of her spot in the WA parliament. Though the Sandgropers can disabuse me of this idea if they want.
The best line of the day yesterday about the Engoron judgement came from NYC AG Laetitia James:
Wtte, ‘Donald Trump should no longer be known for The Art of the Deal, but The Art of the Steal.’
🙂
Sudden Death Syndrome, apparently. After a nice brisk walk through the snow drifts …
https://www.smh.com.au/world/europe/alexei-navalny-s-team-confirms-his-death-and-demands-his-body-be-returned-to-his-family-20240217-p5f5ry.html
Back in the day Vasily Blokhin had a hand in … several … Sudden Death Syndrome incidents …
This US focus group themed YouTube is run by NeverTrumpers, so is somewhat biased in the commentary.
However this particular set of focus groups of Trump voters in 2016 and 2020 they analyse have some fascinating insights. They have seperate 10 person focus groups of:
– ‘pox-on-both-houses’ types, dislike both Biden and Trump (the main focus)
– Trump to Biden switchers
– Republican Trump loyalists
https://youtu.be/5O50uexYcn8?si=cEuzQ1j4hNcIWvzX
Oh oh … now we are breaking climate records at a record-breaking rate!
https://www.theguardian.com/environment/2024/feb/17/february-on-course-to-break-unprecedented-number-of-heat-records
If the oceans are no longer able to save us from our stupidity, this could be a tipping point.
Labor are open about not choosing candidates on merit and creating political dynasties? Where’s that written down?
“The Age” carries an article negatively referencing Biden’s re-election prospects which article is sourced from the “Telegraph” in the UK, a right wing media outlet which has not endorsed a Labour administration in the UK since 1945
This is in keeping with what is delivered by 9 Entertainment in Australia – where the headline now is “borders” and unauthorised boats reaching the WA coastline (noting the sheer extent of that coastline and the sheer extent of the ocean which abuts it, so given intent, arrivals are inevitable because how do you defend any such arrival?)
The headline is Albanese has a significant problem – along with the other problems we are informed the government has such as a High Courr ruling no less
Border Force respond that they are doing nothing different from what they were doing under the previous government
Border Force then go to the (extraordinary) length of criticising the response of Dutton, Dutton no doubt on his knees praying for an avalanche of boat arrivals and courting same by his misrepresentations of a change of policy in this vexed subject
The government for its part says no change and that arrivals without Visas will be deemed unauthorised are returned to their origin – this “message” and its application the deterant and the ultimate deterant
Noting again the sheer size of our borders and the sheer size of the ocean which abuts those borders – so surveyal is what it is
But Dutton “doubling down” in the face of Border Force (unprecented) criticism of Dutton is the headline
No doubt there are valid criticisms of government, any government
But equally there are criticisms of Oppositions – and in Australian media currently there is only promotion of Oppositions
And that is down to political bias – a bias which does not serve the interests of the Nation or its citizens
And in regard inflation, the band the RBA seek is 2/3%, the Fed Reserve 2%
Which means that prices per Se CONTINUE to rise and will continue to rise
So people need to account for increasing prices and meeting increased prices
From there you get price increases in excess of the inflation band, who is increasing prices accordingly, why and how including why their product or service continues to have a market
Particularly when it comes to essentials including rents, health services, aged care provision and food and energy costs
And what is government response
And Opposition response, noting the response of Opposition when they were the government
c@t: “The point I was trying to make,which you appear to have glossed over,is that the Liberals always proclaim that their candidate selections are made on ‘merit’. I was simply pointing out that, looking at the evidence, in WA at least, it certainly doesn’t look like it.”
It’s always difficult to say with these things. Someone who has grown up in a political family is more often than not going to have a running start in terms of understanding what the job requires. Those who are clever and work hard – eg, Annastacia – are likely to go well. Others come to the job with an over-developed sense of entitlement and don’t do so well, although they still usually have long careers because they get looked after.
These WA Liberal nepos might have other qualities to recommend them. We know that McSweeney worked for a PM, which always looks ok on a resume.
I don’t like nepotism, but I reckon it’s never going to go away.
Some Asian societies consider it to be a parental duty rather than a manifestation of corruption. When Rahul Gandhi led the Congress Party to a miserable defeat in the 2019 elections (and consequently lost the leadership, but I suspect him to bounce back one of these days) , he was following in the footsteps of his mother and father, his grandmother and his great-grandfather, who had all been leaders of the party at some stage (and, except for his mother, had served as Prime Minister). And his great-great-grandfather, Motilal Nehru, was the leader of the Indian National Congress before it became a political party. And, apart from Rahul himself and his rather out there aunt Maneka (who, despite being born a Sikh, has switched to the BJP), all of the Nehru-Gandhi family politicians have done pretty well IMO.
The reference to South African cricketers reminds me of Barry Richards who made 300 in a day v WA playing for South Australia
Player One @ #18 Sunday, February 18th, 2024 – 8:44 am
I’d put it in the past tense.
Trischa Botha seems like a great choice as far as the Liberal Party goes. Her surname suggests that her husband is Afrikaner and probably fled South Africa after apartheid ended (or even before if he had the foresight to see it). But being Indigenous herself, choosing her mean that her party gets a carte blanche (pardon the pun) in respect to issues of ethnicity and race. She gets to be Jacinta Price’s Liberal counterpart.
With respect to Jacinta Price, does the fact that she is a Senator preclude her from the leadership of the National Party (and by inference, Matthew Canavan as well)? Has there been any rumblings about her moving to the lower house seat of Lingiari? The first indigenous Deputy Prime Minister would be a huge scalp for the National Party/CLP, although in the indigenous community as a whole she would probably be seen as a complete traitor/Hanjian/Quisling.
Here we go again: “Border Force respond that they are doing nothing different from what they were doing under the previous government”
I have no reason to think otherwise, but the more interesting question – and one to which I don’t expect an answer (as the ADF presumably will still refuse to talk about “on water matters”) – is what are the Navy doing up that way? Are the patrols less intense now than they were a few years back? If not, then it’s a pretty poor look for the Navy to have allowed two boats to slip through in a few days.
Likewise, what about our intelligence services? If the Indonesian people smugglers are back in operation, then this should have been picked up and surveillance activities intensified?
It’s hard to work out exactly what happened, and I don’t expect to find out. But hopefully efforts to prevent the arrival of further boats will now be stepped up. Relying on the Pacific Solution and on refusing to issue visas to people is far less effective than preventing them from arriving here in the first place.
Botha is the sort of figure who’s likely to cause problems for the WA Liberals for years, given that her views and influence have been the cause of occasional controversy for years when she wasn’t even a candidate. It really takes some effort to see off Linda Reynolds and to find a choice that’s even more damaging to the party’s brand.
Botha is the sort of figure who’s likely to cause problems for the WA Liberals for years, given that her views and influence have been the cause of occasional controversy for years when she wasn’t even a candidate. It really takes some effort to see off Linda Reynolds and to find a choice that’s even more damaging to the party’s brand.
If I recall correctly, former CLP Senator Nigel Scullion was deputy leader of the Nats at some stage, so presumably it’s a course open to Price. But I’m not sure the more backwards state branches (and more backwards powerful blokes) could cope with a woman leader, much less an indigenous woman leader – even one with views as odious as Price.
The elephant in the room with the anti-doxxing laws is going to be the targeting of pro-Palestinian figures in the same way, especially the targeting of doctors that has flown relatively under the radar (see the piece in The Age this morning), although thankfully it seems like Albo has shifted away from rushing through legislation that would’ve been a fiasco and is inclined to consult and get it right.
Cat – There is little depth to the Liberal party left. Given the average age of the membership, there are very few younger members who aren’t connected to former politicians.
A boat arrival trumps (sic) the death of Navalny’s death and anything and everything else as the main story for Insiders, and lots of footage of Dutton, lots.
MelbourneMammoth: “Trischa Botha seems like a great choice as far as the Liberal Party goes. ”
I’m not sure about that. When she got preselected at number 4 in 2018, her husband demonstrated a total lack of understanding of the concept of the separation of church and state: even though Jesus himself spoke about it at some length.
Mr Botha was quoted as saying:
“Should she receive the votes she needs, she’ll be representing God’s move, the voice of God, the desires of the church, the Christian church, in the highest levels of government. She’ll be a watchman who will make sure that the laws that are presented and the laws that are debated will align as closely with God’s word, and God’s principles, as is possible for someone to do in that area. ”
That sort of thing might go down well in the southern states of the US, but I reckon it will be a big turn off for many voters – even rusted-on Libs – in WA.
Insiders. Dutton even has the Trump red tie. Talk about bullshit on bullshit,
ItzaDream @ #29 Sunday, February 18th, 2024 – 9:10 am
edited
snap frednk
and thanks for your links
ItzaDream @ #23 Sunday, February 18th, 2024 – 9:00 am
Yes, that’s probably true. You can only know for sure you have passed a tipping point afterwards.
The planet gave us unmistakable warning signs, but we were too greedy, selfish and stupid to listen.
Good god. These people are insane.
You have to sit through a lot of bullshit to get to talking pictures.
“There is little depth to the Liberal party left. Given the average age of the membership, there are very few younger members who aren’t connected to former politicians.”
By analogy, there is also little depth to the GOP left. But it never hurt them.
And there is less of a difference between the GOP base and the Liberal base than most people think.
Oh, by the way, it’s true. There is almost nothing remaining of the Liberal Party LEFT. Or the GOP LEFT. These parties have been taken over completely by RIGHT-wing nuts. Double play! How smart you are!
Morning all. Vale Mike Proctor, a great player to watch with bat and ball. Back in the WSC era he played for the world eleven with Barry Richards and several other South Africans.
I saw Proctor play at the Gabba in around 1977. He opened the bowling for the world team with Imran Khan. Other South Africans I recall in that team were Barry Richards, Graeme Pollock, Clive Rice and Garth Le Roux. Star studded.
I saw a one day game then. The world bowlers demolished Australia’s batting on a humid Gabba wicket and Pollock and co knocked off the runs quickly. So they then scheduled a second 30 over game, which Australia won after Greg Chappell piled on quick runs. It was a great day of cricket. If SA had still been in test cricket then they would have been formidable.
Itza: “A boat arrival trumps (sic) the death of Navalny and anything and everything else as the main story for Insiders, and lots of footage of Dutton, lots.”
With respect, I don’t agree with your sentiments. When I turn on Insiders (albeit that it’s more and more of a struggle every week) I’m hoping to get some insightful commentary on Australian political issues. Arguably the biggest issues this week are Border Force (both the boat arrivals and the dodgy procurements) and the Tassie election.
From time to time the Insiders panel start up a discussion on international political issues – especially US internal politics – and I find these discussions to be relatively uninformed and superficial. There are so many better places to go for political discussion of Russia, the Ukraine war & etc.
Oh my god, Max Hyphen has just popped up on Insiders. I’m turning it off again.
In Liberal Pre-selection news, this time in Lindsay. There was a story in the Penrith local paper this week that Melissa Macintosh is going to be facing a pre-selection challenge by Penrith Deputy Mayor Mark Davies and husband of Mulgoa MP Tanya Davies who has spoken at anti-vax rallies hosted by ex Hillsong pastors so there is a connection to evangelical Protestantism there (strict Catholics run a mile from anything related to Protestantism) (I remember as a 11 year old that good old Sr Vincent in scripture teaching us (in a state school I might add) about the errors of the JW’s not accepting blood transfusions even if it meant death and how it ran counter to the graces given by god to scientists who discovered the process. So the anti-science movement is not exactly in tune with Christian thought).
It is interesting Macintosh has taken the opportunist route by opposing Badgerys Creek flight paths and “talking about hip pocket issues” which tells me she is in trouble politically and out of step with the big end of Liberal town which is to support the airport by hook or by crook.
When you get down to it the job of the Liberal Member for Lindsay in the Abbott-Turnbull-Morrison years was to communicate the construction of the airport and the conversion of vast swathes of land in the Penrith valley from rural use across to urban sprawl which benefits the big end of town. Which the local Liberal branches opposed in the Hawke-Keating years. Was that opposition really based upon opportunist financial considerations hoping the Federal govt would increase its payouts to Liberal voting land holders.
Say what you like about the Evangelical Protestant and Opus Dei Catholic Liberals is that they know when to tow the line when it comes to directions from the big end of town and the corporate donors while given free reign on culture war issues.
https://westernweekender.com.au/2024/02/mark-davies-confirms-hell-stand-for-lindsay-preselection/
#weatheronPB
Re-awoken joy,
of an escaping soft sigh,
brushes over me.
Socrates “If SA had still been in test cricket then they would have been formidable.”
They’re not too dusty at the moment when they can extract their best XI from out of the 20/20 universe.
Until recently, I was of the view that Rabada was easily the second best fast bowler on the planet after Cummins. Then I saw Shamar Joseph…
meher baba,
The Navy could have been looking for illegal fishing boats instead of irregular maritime arrivals. You don’t know. However, David Crowe made the absolutely sensible point that it’s a bloody big coastline and the Navy can’t be everywhere all at once.
Thanks for the foreign roundup Holden Hillbilly. I share Andrew Earlwood’s incredulity at Russia even daring to use the term “Sudden Death Syndrome” over Navalny’s killing.
This ABC article suggests the Hunter Frigate program will survive at ASC Adelaide. Looks like a decision will be announced this week. That is certainly good news for BAE shareholders and its former Liberal Minister employees.
https://www.abc.net.au/news/2024-02-18/short-history-of-major-naval-shipbuilding-programs-in-australia/103477194
Defence wise this decision implies that Marles is from the “one ship is as good as another” school of thought.
I wonder if anyone will ever dare graph promised versus actual shipbuilding employment in Adelaide over the past decade? It would be a very ugly graph. And that is before you count the submarine contract job losses. It might be a good idea for the South Australian government to do such a graph, to dispel any myths that the SA economy is subsidised by the rest of Australia. It isn’t, because the promises are never met. The AUKUS job bonanza is the latest such mirage.
Max Chandler-Mather sounds exactly like a student politician prat. He needs to learn to speak a little slower and with more tonal variation in his speech. It sounds like he is shouting the whole time. The Greens need a better delivery than this.
EDIT: I originally said Max Moore-Wilton. That was a slip of the mind.
Too strong a coffee before that interview 😯
Another good observation from David Crowe. The Greens shouldn’t hold Help to Buy hostage to changes wrt NG or CGT.
meher baba @ #39 Sunday, February 18th, 2024 – 9:20 am
I agree that local issues are salient; Nalvalny was front and centre of my consciousness, and my fingers made me do it. But the way the topic of Border Control issue was handled looked to me as simply a way of giving voice to Dutton, and more Dutton. When Dutton’s mouthings have been properly called out as inappropriate, and unhelpful, to whatever is going.
“Help to buy” is probably a dud policy anyway, so if the Greens sink it, it might be a benefit for the government. It risks getting homeowners into negative equity relatively quickly and that would be a PR disaster.
If the Liberals weren’t so “Dixie Dem” these days you could easily see Max Hyphen aka Max Chandler-Mather being the deputy QLD Liberal Wet Faction leader on a trajectory for one of the “Liberal wet ministries” in a future coalition government, such is his ability for pious humbug.