(West) Australian Politics, Social update

[tcpip]

Well it seems that the National Party have decided to support the Liberals in Western Australia. Alan Carpenter has resigned which is a shame as he was a very decent individual who had the very unusual ability (among politicians) to listen to others and to admit mistakes (although he certainly should not blame himself for the appalling Labor campaign). The incoming premier, Colin Barnett, does not have the competence of Carpenter making Dr. Nelson's comments that this represents an "outstanding result .. for good governance" a joke that will end in tragedy.

Which is just as well that the Federal Liberal caucus has seen fit to remove him from the leadership in favour of Malcom Turnbull. As a completely rarity, Turnball actually is a liberal Liberal. He's more than a bit of a toff (as Australia's richest parliamentarian) and there's a gulf of experience between him and working people. When it comes to matters like abortion, stem cell research, climate change, the apology to Aboriginal Australia, superannuation to gay couples and so forth, he's certainly progressive. His weakness is that when such issues collide with the lure of the dollar, he'll choose the dollar - such as the case with the approval of Gunn's Pulp Mill.

Weekend was very enjoyable. Had an evening of many drinks and trashy videos with severina_242, _zombiemonkey and caseopya, although the latter was a little worse for wear on the journey home. The following day imajica_lj was a little late to gaming (he did turn up), so I ran an impomptu Call of Cthulhu session of "I Want You To Kill The Ice Cream Man", which is an brilliantly simple story. Tonight will be spending dinner with arjen_lentz. At some stage I really should take him up on the excellent MySQL training he offers.

Comments

[stawberi.livejournal.com]

I'm very disappointed with the way the Nats went, I must say. For all their blather about representing rural areas and wanting the best for their electorates, they really let down their voters by going with the Liberals.

I've not got all that *much* against the Liberals, mind, although I do vote Labour. It just strikes me as wrong that the Nats would turn down the *better* offer, Labour offering not only to meet their 25% demand, but promising around a billion dollars more over the course of the next four years.

I guess the federal Nats have more influence than the state Nats have integrity.

[tcpip.livejournal.com]

Yes, it is a disappointing, albeit not surprising. Especially, as you say, with the different offers on the table. "Independent" indeed!

As Greylock has pointed out, in his colourful language:

Within 24 hours Barnett fucked over the world by allowing uranium mining in WA.

Within 48 hours he's not only pulled a policy backflip by deciding to no longer support a Royal Commission into the Varanus Island fire (which he was calling for while in opposition), but has gone back on a pledge that city infrastructure programs won't be impacted in an effort to pay the Nationals bribe.

This is a fantastic start to Government.