What, no thread? Honestly thought that one of you raving loons would have had this covered. Genuinely gutted that he's stepping down, one of the better parliamentarians it has to be said.
Well - he is not stepping down from being a parliamentarian - he is stepping down to be a parliamentarian if anything. But yes - he was a pretty cool Speaker. Very funny. Sad to see him go - but worth it just to see Chrissy Pyne's little meltdown!
Yes. Maybe it was an evil plot by Gillard. Maybe Harry just had enough. Maybe a bit of both. Either way - poor Tony. Better start reading the "Positions Vacant" columns I think.
I think it might have been, I read somewhere that the ALP had been talking to Mr Slipper for a few weeks to 'engineer' this, and now Mr Slipper has resigned from the Liberal Party....... or something to that effect.
I do not think this is a particularly well engineered point. By electing Slipper to the chair it sets aside his vote on the floor. This is something that is not necessarily needed, at this time. It would seem, the Government has shored it's votes already. However, talk is about, they intend to pass on the New poker machine laws, they dealt with independents to get in. Could the Labor party be preparing to set this legislation aside? I do not think so. Sure, they may set it aside, but according to rumblings from others, IF they where to have the threat of dissent from the independents then there is another who would also follow, meaning they needed to account for Two seats not one. I would suggest that they are preparing for a possible change, from another Area of the support, the GREENS. Oh, not because of the carbon tax and not over the mining tax (although the Greens are already grumbling about that). More to policies that have been pushed, to be brought to parliament. One such as the Gay marriage issue. Gillard maybe going to sacrifice such legislation, in an attempt to show, she is not ruled by the minority supporters. She has no secret she does not support it, but she stated loosely she would allow a conscience vote. She maybe getting ready to pull party lines on this and other legislation. Although the Greens will not actually drop their support for the Labor government, I am sure they will attempt to make things difficult. This will set them back at least another term with their agenda (which may not be a bad thing) and possibly much longer. The Labor party is betting itÂ’s life on the compensation of the carbon tax to try and bring the electorate around to them, however, I think they have actually not done their sums too well as Howard with the GST. I think you will see far more of the Greens in your news program soon enough. There is a much happening and I think Gillard is using the carbon tax and mining tax legislation to hide what really troubles her government, Future manoeuvres of the government in attempts to break away from the appearance of being puppets of the minorities who put them in.
Just gives Gillard a bit of breathing space. Pretty amusing watching Pyne in the house. Then Abbott goes on 7.30 and has a little whinge, it's unfair, what a stunt, no credibility, etc, etc. This is politics Tony, Man up!
Slipper resigned from the party because the LNP was about to expel him from the party and pre-select Mal Brough for his seat. Slipper was cut loose so he went rogue. You can hardly expect the ALP not to capitalise on the situation. (though I have no doubt quite a bit of ALP 'engineering' was going on as well as you suggest)
What did you expect misterabbit to say? Would you like him to agree with underhanded back room deals? Of coures you would.
It's entirely his own fault. No, I didn't expect anything else from him of course. Would still prefer our leader of the opposition not to be quite so pathetic when things don't go his way.
