Where have all the workers gone? - posted by Graham

I ran into my friend, Dr David Watson, former MLA for Moggill, the other day. We talked about the increase in bureaucracy in the Queensland Health Department without any apparent improvement in outcomes. This was of course in the context... More

The real message from the people of Pittwater - posted by Jeff Wall

The good people of the Sydney northern beaches electorate of Pittwater have sent the Liberal Party - and not just its NSW Division - a resounding message. And it is message those it is meant for seem to have difficulty... More

Political brands the Pitts - posted by Graham

The Pittwater byelection result carries the same lesson for a diverse range of politicians. Peter Costello, Kim Beazley, the Queensland Liberals et al take note - don't assume that political parties are for ever. The incidence of Independents has been... More

Vaughan Johnson's views on Federal IR legislation - posted by Graham

In my previous post I reported comments by Vaughan Johnson about the federal IR changes and said I would invite him to make a post on the issue on this blog. Here is his response. Dear Graham, Thank you for... More

Barnaby, talk to Vaughan and Mal - posted by Graham

Barnaby Joyce is threatening to veto John Howard's IR legislation because of pressure from his state National Party colleagues. The Courier Mail quotes National Party State Leader Lawrence Springborg saying "The Nationals remain unconvinced that the legislation, in its current... More

Springborg reveals joint preselection sham - posted by Graham

When I reported that joint preselections between the Liberal and National Parties were a face-saving device and a deal had been done to carve-up the seats which would be rubber-stamped by the preselections I didn't expect that this would be... More

More on Broadwater preselection - posted by Graham

The reason that Jim Nicholls was vetted out of the Broadwater preselection is supposed to have something to do with the accuracy of his application form. Nicholls says he is a "consultant", the party says he is "unemployed" (well, what... More

When the media is out of touch with the community. - posted by Jeff Wall

The extent to which the mainstream media can be totally out of touch with community attitudes is well evidenced by the saturation, and broadly favourable, coverage it is giving to the "model" Michelle Leslie. The hero like status she is... More

Broadwater Liberals not trusted by own hierarchy - posted by Graham

He's advised British Governments and Virgin Airlines as well as Lockheed Martin. He's 41, married with kids, isn't an axe-murderer, and has never been investigated for anything more than perhaps a parking ticket. What's more, a little over 12 months... More

A political icon celebrates his 80th birthday - posted by Jeff Wall

Next Wednesday the Honourable Sir (Dennis) James Killen will celebrate his 80th birthday, and last night his many friends from across the political and community divide gathered at the Irish Club to mark the occasion. It is fortunate that Jim... More

More Beattie bumbles - posted by Graham

When my newsagent told me that they had been served with a resumption notice to allow for a new busway I assumed it was for a road widening and might involve some of their carpark. They are on Old Cleveland... More

Will there be enough water for us and our cars? - posted by Graham

The latest fashionable scare is the idea that our cities will run out of water. I say "fashionable" not because I don't think there is a genuine issue, but because I think it has been typically over-stated. However, water may... More

Meddlesome backbenchers need to get out of the way - posted by Jeff Wall

Before John Howard handed out $320 million of taxpayers money for a partial upgrade of the notorious Ipswich Motorway he should have done some homework to what the impact might be. Had he done so, he would have kept the... More

Why Sir John Kerr was always a risky proposition as governor general - posted by Jeff Wall

Last week's debate about the dismissal of the Whitlam Government 30 years ago completely overlooked one critical aspect of the events leading up to 11 November 1975. And that is simply this - the appointment of the Right Honourable Sir... More

Autistic state liberals offer little alternative - posted by Graham

Premier Peter Beattie is showing signs of extreme hubris (that translates from the Greek as "big-headedness"). Our research says that one result of the health crisis is that voters see through his style. So they are not going to warm... More

November 11 still very important - posted by Graham

November the 11th is an important day for me. It is Armistice Day, the day when the last great European War formally ended, and it is my oldest son's birthday. It is also the anniversary of the sacking of the... More

Capital punishment - on our doorstep soon - posted by Jeff Wall

I have no issue with political, religious, community and other leaders seeking clemency for the young Australian citizen having execution in Singapore...though I suspect the sum total of their efforts will lead to absolutely no change in the position of... More

Beyond left and right - posted by Graham

Jennifer Marohasy was at last night's lecture by David McKnight about his new book "Beyond left and right". So was I. She appears to be confused about McKnight's stance, so was I, and so, I think, was McKnight. It's a... More

Patel, Kaiser and Dylan all caught in one web. - posted by Graham

Mike Kaiser is the former state secretary of the Queensland ALP, former member for Woodridge and current chief of staff to Morris Iemma, the Premier of NSW. As far as I know he has nothing to do with Jayant Patel,... More

Where can we play cricket now? - posted by Graham

With the arrest of 17 people on terrorism charges none but the wilfully obtuse could claim that John Howard invented the whole terror threat so he could wedge the ALP and get his terror legislation up. It's hard to believe... More

Queensland Liberals nervous about constitutional changes - posted by Graham

Some Queensland Liberals are nervous at proposed changes to their party's state constitution, and perhaps with good cause. The constitution seems to be continually under review, and frequently reviews are aimed at advantaging one group or another in the party.... More

Cheihkier than I thought - posted by Graham

George Cheihk could be the all-time heavyweight of political donors, both state and federal. I've been contacted to point out that I've under-stated George Cheihk's contributions to the Liberal and Labor Parties. (See my earlier posts here and here.) It... More