Time is short and I haven’t got time to beat about the bush. My good friend Chris of Howrah has somewhat surprisingly for a recluse, shot something through to the editor. In accordance with criticism received about other writings on the site, and the election being on Saturday, I offer just a last brief comment: surely sufficient to remind everyone of my disgust at politics and sympathise if you can’t see what we’ve allowed ourselves to become.
Watching TV the other night, I watched “wooden Will”, with the sound on and off, so that I could look at the body language, sneering at minority government and the Greens. As for the crap (and there is no other word to describe it) that he spoke about the Liberal party being a broad church when appearing on Tim Cox’s morning show yesterday made a mockery of the true situation. If the ALP in the state is now run along feudal, tribal, familial and factional lines, Mr. Hodgman cannot deny the same affliction is deeply rooted in the Liberal party. To speak of a certain senator and a scion of a once great liberal family in the same breath is anathema. Since the days of John Howard, the wets or small L. liberals have been systematically eradicated. I once held hopes for Young Will and it grieves me to say that he is not a chip off the old block, merely a splinter.
His actions during this campaign have cost him a vote from me on Saturday. And if he has any brains at all, he will keep a careful eye on Eric’s puppets, provided they are either re-elected or elected for the first time. Rene Hidding and Jacquie Petrusma are no friends of decent liberals. And like several other people I would dearly like to know just how much money Ms Petrusma has spent on her campaign. She still hasn’t turned up in the English version of Der Spiegel but she makes “Eddie Everywhere” look like a beginner. Before I leave the subject, I once spoke with Sir Robert Menzies about his “Forgotten People” speech, which should be compulsory reading in secondary education. He confided to a friend that near the end of his life he couldn’t bring himself to vote for the party he had created – ’nuff said.
The scandalous attack on the Greens, through the toxic pamphlet on legalising heroin is beneath contempt but fools will take it in. This shows that as predicted by many, the dirt factory is well and truly in business and the fan has been cranked to maximum. To those involved I would say only this, you have to be very careful because it is very likely to come back and revisit you. It is an iron law of politics – whatever is thrown may stick but you can always trace its origins and smell stinking hands. As The Mercury Editorial of March 17 points out the material was very selectively used and from a speech supporting Bartlett Labor. How apt that while accepting her support in Parliament, Cassy O’Connor’s words are now abused in such a fashion. I know Cassy quite well and much as I am a great believer in equality of the genders, I knew that the hothouse of Parliament would take its toll and it has in a way that I find to be most disturbing, if not downright disgusting. Ms O’Connor was taking part in a debate brought on by the government. She was agreeing with their case and yet, the ALP dirt factory used her very words to damn her and the party. If that wasn’t bad enough, we have seen and heard the degrading spectacle of another dirt factory campaign, this time by phone to make specious claims about the Greens.
Butler the brave!
After reading the morning paper, I was moved from my sick bed to telephone my main man – (blast of trumpets) Ross Butler Member for Franklin and congratulate him on a forthright and unambiguous statement condemning dirty tricks. This was not an act of partisanship but an act of fundamental decency, because as I’ve tried to say to my limited audience, Ross is a man of honour who would not sink to such debts, nor would he condone them. I told Ross I was proud to have his election billboard in my yard and a bumper sticker for my car. This is a fundamental affirmation of what I believe should be the basics of politics – civility, civic duty and pride, taking responsibility. I fear I have wasted my time and words chasing the elusive dream to see Tasmania as it was when I first visited in 1966 – a decent caring community. Don Quixote or the donkey? Bleah!
It saddened me greatly to read Sue Neales’ interview of Lara Giddings. also in today’s paper. Self-serving and over-reaching and I hate to have to say that my buddy Chris genuinely likes her because Lara had always been friendly towards him – right up until the start of the campaign. He was asked to letterbox in the vicinity of where I live and I said I’d help out. Then nothing, so I can’t wait until the numbers go up on Saturday night because all I’ve received is the relentless propaganda from David O’Byrne’s office and his mug on TV each night. How much were the toadies paid to appear or was a few seconds of publicity reward enough? It matches the Petrusma push so say hello to numbers 15 and 16 on my ticket.
I have been deluged by support from friends and I thank them but retirement is now a very viable option and perhaps migration also. A Parliament with no clear majority is very interesting to contemplate and quite possibly enjoy.
For Ross, Bernie and the Butler team, I’ve done all I can manage. It’s up to the electorate now. Vote for honesty – Ross Butler and Nick McKim in Franklin – and whoever, else fits your shortlist
