Oz Politics Unravelling

It's amazing what a single day in politics can do, especially when that day is a general election. From a seemingly impregnable position, with a strong economy and unified experienced team, the Government has fallen, the PM has lost his own seat, and the whole edifice appears to be in flames, with former high-flyers jumping from every floor.

Yes, it is with joy that I relate this amazing circumstance, for I did not like the Howard Government from first to last. I don't dislike conservative administrations per se, its just that I really disliked this one, for reasons outlined in earlier posts.

So, the annointed LP leader refuses to stand for election, the leader of the decimated National Party resigns, there is recrimination everywhere, and contenders for the (somewhat poisoned) chalice are stepping up. I think it might be a fight between Nelson and Turnbull, Abbott being too ideological and Downer too tired.

Interesting times indeed.

could it happen?

For 11 years now, I have detested the Howard Government. It's arguable that they didn't deserve to win the election in 1996 (which was essentially a referendum on Paul Keating) and that they subsequently claimed the hard won fruits of the previous administration. The bulk of economic reform had already occurred before that election.

The Howard Government has had its moments. It has run the economy for the most part with reasonable skill, nothwithstanding those times in the electoral cycle when it handed out buckets of money. I supported the Government on its guns policy (that is, making it tougher to get and own one) and there are some things that only conservative governments can get away with, such as the work for the dole scheme, which was probably worth a try.

But that doesn't excuse the dumping on indigenous people, the dumping on and subsequent incarceration of 'illegal immigrants' , the war in Iraq (Mark 2) and the very ideologically driven stances and policies that pepper its 11 year reign.

There is a good chance that a new Labor Government will be elected Saturday week, though it is not a given, in spite of the polls. The Tories are very good at winning Federal elections, as a glance at the last 100 years of political history will attest. This time they don't deserve to.

Let's rekindle the light on the hill.

sad days

Last night around 3am our good friend Arthur passed away. Arthur had been a fixture in our lives, both here in Hazelbrook and also in our choir, Crowd Around, for years now. He was a gentle, kind person who was always on hand when help was needed. He was a better man than I am.

I prayed at his bedside yesterday for God's mercy, and that shortly he might see the very face of God. That prayer has been answered and Arthur is truly in a better place than he was. We may mourn, but he has crossed that river to the Celestial City. God Bless you Arthur. You have earnt this long rest.