Submitted by rickeyre on
A quick summary of my endorsements for the Federal Election:
House of Representatives: The Australian Labor Party to form government.
Submitted by rickeyre on
It's possible. Dagenham and Redbridge FC could win the English Premier League in 2011. Likewise, the Liberal and National Parties coalition could win the Federal Election this Saturday night.
More likely, the Daggers won't make it out of League Two, and the Labor Party will win this weekend. Comfortably.
Submitted by rickeyre on
How fortunate for John Howard that World Diabetes Day falls during the election campaign. (PS: Keep an ear out for Johnny's Special Bonus Illness.)
Submitted by rickeyre on
This is appalling. Maybe it should just be ignored, but John Howard is becoming so desperate that he is now playing the Disabled Child card.
Watch in disbelief as the outgoing Prime Minister exploits a young boy with cerebral palsy, but remember that, all being well, in fourteen days time this arrogant self-centred old man will be consigned to the non-recyclable wizbin of history.
(And no, the Liberal Party's technical boffins still don't know to convert a 16:9 video to 4:3 for Youtube.)
Submitted by rickeyre on
Ah yes, the home Test cricket season has begun. All the familiar trappings of the opening day.
The quiet buzz of the crowd still finding their seats as the first ball of the day is bowled. The sedate crack of willow on leather which echoes around the stadium as the ball is struck defensively to the leg side. The same act repeated five more times as Phil Jaques blocks Chaminda Vaas' inswingers. The return of the drizzle at the end of the over, the covers are driven on as the players and umpires walk off.
Yes, it's summer again. None for none after one over, rain stopped play.
Submitted by rickeyre on
If Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley were to re-appear in contemporary Australia and remake her most famous novel, Telstra would be the monster. John Howard would be Dr Frankenstein, and Richard Alston would be Igor.
The privatisation of Telstra is arguably the worst of the Howard Government's economic failures. It was a classic example of putting ideology before economic sense.
Selling off a government-owned business in order to reduce capital debt is not, in itself, a bad concept.
Selling off a highly profitable government-owned business can work if done properly.
Submitted by rickeyre on
Before I start talking policy over the next couple of weeks before the election, it's worth disclosing that I have become a shareholder again for the first time since May 2005, albeit without really trying and against my will.
Following the demutualisation of NIB Health Funds I was allocated shares as a policy-holder. These shares were issued on 1 October 2007, and listed on the Australian Stock Exchange on 5 November 2007 at an issue price of 85c. At close of trading today they were trading at $1.26.
Submitted by rickeyre on
While everyone else does their weekly campaign summaries on a Friday, I get around to it whenever... in this case the following Wednesday.
(i) "Coalition gains one point on Labor!" Well golly gee. Four words: Statistical. Margin. Of. Error.
Submitted by rickeyre on
Will John Howard continue with his ostentatious morning powerwalks when he becomes the retrenched former member for Bennelong? Or will he entertain grandson Angus with the method of transport demonstrated in the last of today's clips by Nationals leader, Mark "I can't recall" Vaile.
Submitted by rickeyre on
Barely two months after Sydney was turned into Fortress APEC, comes the revelation in today's Sun-Herald that thieves scaled a two-metre security fence last Sunday and roamed unchecked through State Parliament before making off with six security guard shirts.
The Sun Herald continues the story.
