Bump Me Into Parliament

Unlike the classic IWW song's protagonist by Bill Casey I've never been one to argue that revolutions are achieved by talking constitution, although revolutions will require a constitution and, in cases where universal suffrage is in place, can be achieved with a programme of revolutionary reformism. All this aside, I did have the opportunity in the past few days to attend my former workplace, the Parliament of Victoria, for a Prahan ALP branch dinner (the fish was of questionable quality) where Ryan Batchelor, MLC gave a pretty good "state of play" speech about Victorian politics. A tour followed of the rambling neoclassical building, an environment that I've always felt comfortable in - although I have much respect for Tommy Ryan's remark that "The friends were too warm, the whisky too strong, and the cushions too soft for Tommy Ryan. His place is out among the shearers on the billabongs".

The following day, in a similar vein, I attended a meeting of the Fabian Society and caught up with a former workmate, Jane D., whom I hadn't spoken to for several years. We had a long discussion about the recent submarine purchase, AUKUS, and more, and then continued that discussion with Sarah H. (national convenor of the Fabians), John E., and Chris, with the room pretty much in favour of the criticism by former Labor MPs such as Keating, Cameron, and Carr. They're a curious beast, the Fabians: Trotsky famously compared their approach to socialism as being akin to the artificial selection by British pigeon-fanciers, producing a bird that is incapable of breaking capitalism, and he's not wrong. It has always intrigued me how divergent the Fabians are from the actual military strategy of their namesake. Rather than the plodding tortoise, the logo used by the society, the Fabian strategy is more akin to the wolf pack - attrition through ambush attacking supply lines. One should be able to see how that translates politically.

Finally, yesterday was the NSW state election will resulting in a resounding victory and change of government for the Labor Party. The reasons for the change are fairly clear and Ashleigh Raper has it right; the Coalition ignored the plight of essential public-service workers and did little ease spiraling cost-of-living issues. Kos S's remark that Labor's demographic strengths are also on point and little wonder pundits have been describing the Liberal Party as suffering an "existential crisis". It is not unsurprisingly really that in such conditions their worst examples rise to power - such as the former deputy premier, John "Pork" Barilaro (his appellation). Speaking of which, I'm looking forward to seeing Friendly Jordies again next fortnight, a person who has engaged in an excellent effort in revealing this character; "You can have it all in NSW!".