Testing 123

8:27 PM, 2/2/2010 .. 0 comments .. Link

This is my first transmission from within the media censored state of South Australia. There are no bombs falling. I don't expect to be disappear in the middle of the night, handcuffed and gagged in the back of a black Gestappo wagon. But who knows what the future holds? They always say that these things start with small impingements upon personal freedom. First you take away the means of challenging the Government, then then you attack the people when they are powerless.

I know this might sound a little extremist. After all, we are in a multi-party State Democracy. The fact of the matter is, that both major parties supported this latest infringment on freedom of speech. Admittedly, people can still say whatever they want, they just need to put their name to it. The scary thing is that South Australia, and this particular A-G, are setting a precedent in being the FIRST at taking away civil liberties, without clear evidence of the need for it. South Australia was once known for being the first state to grant civil liberties, such as giving women the vote. We have now become so backwards in our thinking that it is hard to remember that the party governing the State is the ALP. (although socialist parties have been known to restrain civil liberties, but rarely democratic

socialist parties, which the ALP technically is according to its Constitution)

I am starting to begin to wonder whether the AG is directing his own policy ship within the ALP, and whether his eccentric ways are starting to turn some noses up within the Labor Unity faction. He has always been an eccentric character, but some of his foibles are certainly starting to get some adverse reaction. I recall at ALP state convention, various poor Croydon/AG staffers unloading massive sacks of envelopes upon unsuspecting right party hacks, whilst retaining a sack or two for themselves. It was some warped political version of Santa's workshop, as the elves feverishly worked away at hand writing the names and addresses of every person in the AG's electorate (or at very least every person in a CCD). The theory is that a hand written addressed envelope is more likely to be opened, hence, more likely to be read, hence more people will vote for the member for Croydon. It must be remembered that the member has a margin of over 20%. One would think that probably almost everyone willing to vote for him already has and will again. One would also think that highly paid Government staffers could be put to more proper use. (Although this was a weekend, so they probably weren't getting paid at all). Even the most hardened right wing hack thought that this was a bridge too far.

Who knows how nervous backbenchers are feeling, as the Government scores own goals on such non-issues such as AdelaideNow comments. Although it unlikely that the ALP will lose Government in this term. It is sad to say that much of the young talent within the State Labor Government occupy marginal or first term seats, whilst old members who have had their run as Ministers, or will never again be Ministers clog up the re-generation flow. The upper house also resisted the urge to regenerate by pre-selecting John Gazolla once again. One would have thought other candidates for pre-selection should have been placed higher. Tung Ngo gave an impassioned speech, although he was from the wrong faction. Katrine Hildeyard would have at least added an extra woman to the upper house. If, as anticipated, the ALP suffers losses in its marginal seats, the Government is going to look very old and raggety by 2014, barring a spate of pre-selections. Let this take nothing away from Lee Odenwalder and Leesa Vlahos, both of whom I respect in a personal capacity. I am yet to see their parliamentary performance. It is a shame that the left faction was less inclined to sweep the broom. (Having said that, Lea Stevens and Trish White appear to have quit upon their own accord).

Back to the central tenet of this article. The AG has never had strong electoral appeal, outside of his own over-worked electorate. Most of his scandals and misdemeanours have been so hard for the public to understand that they didn't really care. People understand censorship and young people don't like being talked down to. It must be remembered that young people played a major role in the Kevin 07 election, and Obama's US Election victory. There is not a member of the Government less appealing to young people than the bracers wearing AG, with his archaic views on many issues. We will see how long this issue rages for. Probably a week maximum. It is all precious time where the Government is unable to get its message out though. Who knows which backbenchers green seat this has cost?