tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post8640315820314248120..comments2023-12-06T00:23:28.790+11:00Comments on Press gallery reform: Learning from Margaret WhitlamAndrew Elderhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comBlogger22125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-20803610363070423302012-03-20T22:58:03.176+11:002012-03-20T22:58:03.176+11:00We should also remember a time when Tamie Fraser w...We should also remember a time when Tamie Fraser was far from low profile. Malcolm Fraser was struck down with influenza; This Day Tonight was making a big deal about how he was avoiding awkward questions, when Tamie strode into the ABC's Canberra studio, administered a quick verbal chopchop to the reporter's neck, and retired with flying colours.<br /><br />It was a devastatingly brilliant performance.Fionanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-4218471948149637972012-03-20T21:21:28.974+11:002012-03-20T21:21:28.974+11:00The swipe at Gough Whitlam aside, surely Margaret ...The swipe at Gough Whitlam aside, surely Margaret Whitlam is worthy of consideration for her own merits and achievements rather than as her husband's appendage?<br /><br />Abbott seems to be incapable of judging women on their own merits. They must always be contextualised as someone's wife or someone's mother. (A work colleague who met him told me he would only converse with her on her impending motherhood and her marriage, not her work or career achievements, which, as she met him in a work context, was a little bit more relevant than her personal life.) <br /><br />I think this is one of the major reasons women instinctively dislike him. We do not like being marginalised - I live my life as myself, not my husband's wife, thank you very much.Rowannoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-32612204886984886292012-03-19T17:36:12.794+11:002012-03-19T17:36:12.794+11:00And ABC24 inform us that the President of the AMA ...And ABC24 inform us that the President of the AMA is 'bemused' by the Opposition's questioning of the veracity of the medical certificate. I doubt that the President, Dr Steve Hambleton would agree with that characterisation. So much for balanced reporting.Casablancahttps://www.blogger.com/profile/11423480832237133102noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-90271080647872600262012-03-19T14:39:04.976+11:002012-03-19T14:39:04.976+11:00Excellent observation! The mainstream media disgus...Excellent observation! The mainstream media disgusts me the way they cover up for this graceless fool.redsheephttps://www.blogger.com/profile/13545458605357695308noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-13662855749235649442012-03-19T13:10:23.148+11:002012-03-19T13:10:23.148+11:00As DiNatale said the Liberals better be careful wh...As DiNatale said the Liberals better be careful what they wish for because a number of National Parliamentarians have been granted pairs so they could campaign in QueenslandAnonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-5604716454876770282012-03-19T11:38:26.334+11:002012-03-19T11:38:26.334+11:00And this thing where the Opposition has declined t...And this thing where the Opposition has declined to grant Craig Thompson a pair while he's in hospital shows what a pack of grubs they are.Ramon Insertnameherehttps://www.blogger.com/profile/07367002511826523517noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-84565869033540760912012-03-19T09:47:21.206+11:002012-03-19T09:47:21.206+11:00Abbott can't resist trying - and failing - to ...Abbott can't resist trying - and failing - to score political points every time a foreign dignitary rocks up on our shores.<br /><br />He couldn't resist making a joke about dead people with some MMM chuckleheads in Adelaide - even while the corpses were still being dragged up from the bottom of the ocean floor.<br /><br />And now he can't resist trying - and failing - to score political points on the day one our Prime Minister's wives dies.<br /><br />I don't think there are many people left in Australia who think this man is Prime Minister material. One day the media in this country will hold him to account for what he says and I hope that day is not far off.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-33859123388286588192012-03-18T21:41:47.796+11:002012-03-18T21:41:47.796+11:00That's what prompted me to think of Hardies an...That's what prompted me to think of Hardies and mesothelioma - see Anon's post three below.Andrew Elderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-89444054948274752862012-03-18T21:39:51.614+11:002012-03-18T21:39:51.614+11:00Thanks Lachlan.
I left out both of the Betty-Stay...Thanks Lachlan.<br /><br />I left out both of the Betty-Stay-At-Homes with whom both Curtin and Chifley were stuck. That said, you might be right about the tribalism. The Coalition were always going to win when Labor just gave up, and they get frustrated when Labor jump up and dish it back.Andrew Elderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-42894894573510677822012-03-18T21:31:32.259+11:002012-03-18T21:31:32.259+11:00Would that Abbott's "consort" had th...Would that Abbott's "consort" had the same effect on her husband as Margaret Whitlam had on Gough - ie keeping it all in perspective. Mrs Whitlam was a person of grace and integrity, Tony Abbott is a failed human being. Lucky for the Catholic Church he realised he was not up to even its standards.Jake Gittingshttps://www.blogger.com/profile/00523763835002186389noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-48338683078281688022012-03-18T21:08:30.712+11:002012-03-18T21:08:30.712+11:00Bill, you know Gough has too much class for that. ...Bill, you know Gough has too much class for that. Besides, he'd collar Abbott on the church steps.Andrew Elderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-80888037899058383342012-03-18T21:07:43.257+11:002012-03-18T21:07:43.257+11:00HS, I've seen the same demographics data used ...HS, I've seen the same demographics data used against the Liberals and it really is tosh. The polls should have blown out for Labor with their recent civil war, but the fact that it hasn't is real news: opinions are pretty much fixed, with the difference being Gillard is lifting while Abbott just can't.Andrew Elderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-90584545040985699992012-03-18T21:02:33.261+11:002012-03-18T21:02:33.261+11:00He wants to be Opposition Leader and he'll sta...He wants to be Opposition Leader and he'll stay in Opposition. The Liberals expect more from him and more fool them.Andrew Elderhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/04705844456819481896noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-38686308560675077732012-03-18T20:41:51.700+11:002012-03-18T20:41:51.700+11:00Great piece.
James Hardie's factory was at Ca...Great piece.<br /><br />James Hardie's factory was at Camellia, not Granville - I doubt Margaret Whitlam would have seen many mesotheliomas at Parramatta Hospital from there in the mid 60s. Although the disease had been recognised in Australia in 1962 from Wittenoom, it was still rare before 1969.<br /><br />In any event those contracting the disease in the 1960s would most likely have been exposed in the 1930s given the latency of the disease just like Banton was exposed in the 1960s while a James Hardie employee and contracted mesothelioma in 2007.Anonymousnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-19066604418972389002012-03-18T20:39:26.807+11:002012-03-18T20:39:26.807+11:00A dispassionate, clinical analysis, Andrew, and I ...A dispassionate, clinical analysis, Andrew, and I join with Lachlan Ridge in applauding your segue to class.<br /><br />There's one word that you missed when describing Abbott and his performance, and I shall make you a present of it: egregious.<br /><br />Meanwhile, to more tasteful subjects. Vale Margaret Whitlam, a woman of class in the best possible sense, and an inspiration to so many. My heart is with Gough Whitlam, their children, and all their many friends and admirers.Fionanoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-22964825043093871702012-03-18T20:26:28.735+11:002012-03-18T20:26:28.735+11:00Abbott is simply appalling.
He is not, never has ...Abbott is simply appalling.<br /><br />He is not, never has been, and never will be, Prime Minister material.<br /><br />You either have it in you or you don't. Howard had it; Rudd had it; Gillard has it - shit, even BRENDON NELSON has it - but Abbott does not.<br /><br />He is up there with Costello as the person whose peak ability does and always should land them in second place.Danny Lewisnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-49394554636500869602012-03-18T17:56:05.311+11:002012-03-18T17:56:05.311+11:00The first thing that came to my mind was Abbott...The first thing that came to my mind was Abbott's Bernie Bantum slur. It shows that this man is consumed by the 'game' and seems to view everything through the murky lens of his ambition. The graceless twat.Chris Dawsonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/01295238704439243669noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-82766457034124668862012-03-18T17:32:10.846+11:002012-03-18T17:32:10.846+11:00The best thing to do would be pointedly NOT invite...The best thing to do would be pointedly NOT invite Abbott to the funeral service.<br /><br />If anyone asks, tell them Gough thought it'd be a bad idea.Bushfire Billnoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-15918823634973419082012-03-18T17:08:57.403+11:002012-03-18T17:08:57.403+11:00Class in Australia as a measure of social stratum ...Class in Australia as a measure of social stratum is largely a tribal affair; as any visit to a playgroup, sporting club, large workplace or public event will testify. The ALP is a tribal affair, and they bury their own with a powerful dignity. Gough is old and his name has weathered well, this could be the last time we see him in public. State Funerals have become meaningless since Kerry Packer got one, but I wouldn't be surprised to see the Prime Minister at Gough's elbow when we bury Peggy Whitlam.<br /><br />The English language is a beautiful thing in your hands Andrew - your movement to the other meaning of class was superb. Like all those old student politicians The Situation lacks it in spades, There's nothing wrong with these preppy no-hopers that a real job wouldn't fix.<br /><br />And I wouldn't be too hard on the Greens, they don't really understand the ALP at all, or the furnace it is forged in. And Hillbilly, don't sweat the bogans, when they get in the cubicle with the pencil they will put a 1 next to self interest, and that will be Gillard, J.<br /><br />As for Prime Minister's wives, you left out Beth Chifley, who had to put up with the old train driver being a bit of a pants man around the Kurrajong Hotel by some accounts.<br /><br />It's a funny old country this...Lachlan Ridgenoreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-53241106808446988482012-03-18T14:45:50.702+11:002012-03-18T14:45:50.702+11:00Sadly, Andrew, I fear that as the Working Class of...Sadly, Andrew, I fear that as the Working Class of old is being replaced,as you say. It is being replaced with a group of people that lack class. It is this group of CUBs (Cashed Up Bogans), that Abbott is harvesting the votes of. That which Howard cultivated(whilst holding his nose, as the Suburban Solicitor in all our lives is wont to do when having to deal with them for his bread and butter),for 12 years.<br /> The Suburban Solicitors of this nation, and their 'Aspirational'(and wasn't Howard a master for tapping a bell that rang clear throughout the electorate?), Middle Manager brethren, will always vote Liberal, because that's what you do when you get a bit of money in the bank & a few Investment Properties, plus a parcel of Shares and a Self-Funded Retirement Account. The Liberal vote goes hand-in-glove with it all.<br /> No, the extra 10-15% in 2PP vote that the Coalition have harvested has come entirely from the Tradie CUB demographic, that Abbott plays to relentlessly. You know the ones. People for whom Ray Hadley is their icon, and a studied nonchalance about the Arts, or any form of cultural sophistication for that matter, is worn as a badge of honour.<br /> On the other side of the spectrum, The Greens have been sucking up the cultured and concerned vote. Though I must say, all I can remember from them yesterday, by way of comment on Margaret Whitlam's death, was Christine Milne's Tweet that she was sad to hear the news as she put in a day's work in the garden. A very 'Green' angle, to be sure.<br /> This all leaves Labor very much in the lurch. When not even the partner of one of their 20th century icons can be paid due respect, it sort of just contributes to the dunning of their political legacy in that subliminal way that Tony Abbott is very successful at.<br /> What's even sadder is that, despite your eloquent argument about how nasty & horrible the prospect of him as PM is for the country, according to the opinion polls, 55-60% of the country wants him to lead them down that path. As the leader of the nation.<br /> Margaret Whitlam will no doubt be rolling in her grave at the prospect.HillbillySkeletonhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/06056151016359730712noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-39939638321896856712012-03-18T14:28:18.682+11:002012-03-18T14:28:18.682+11:00One of your best, Andrew. Abbott is so insecure in...One of your best, Andrew. Abbott is so insecure in his beliefs that he has to wheel out this stuff to show them, and show his apparent commitment on every opportunity. I thought it strange when I heard of Margaret's death on ABC News that the only condolence mentioned was that of Abbott, but with no mention at all of his poor judgement.chrispyconhttps://www.blogger.com/profile/17275660248586954326noreply@blogger.comtag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22534369.post-34473337967477859072012-03-18T14:16:29.359+11:002012-03-18T14:16:29.359+11:00Listened to Phillip Adam's interview with Marg...Listened to Phillip Adam's interview with Margaret Whitlam from a decade ago. You capture in your piece the essence that is on display in that interview - an amazingly gracious and talented person. Abbott's comments were simply unnecessary, even for a perpetual campaigner. How will he ever learn to flick that switch to diplomat and/or leader of the nation?Anonymousnoreply@blogger.com