The boys and girls have been getting restless over the last day or so. Three specific instances come to mind.
1. Milne vs Mayne
Last night’s Walkley Awards for journalism were livened up by News Limited columnist Glenn Milne having a very public and very drunken go at Crikey founder Stephen Mayne. While Mayne was presenting an award, Milne walked onstage and started yelling at Mayne before shoving him off the stage, then continuing with his tirade, before being escorted from the room.
Mayne got the last word, though, which I thought very funny:
“Ladies and Gentlemen, I have an announcement to make on behalf of (News Ltd owner) Rupert Murdoch.”
“That is the former Sunday Telegraph political correspondent Glenn Milne, sponsored by Fosters.”
2. Rudd vs Beazley
Kevin Rudd is facing off with Kim Beazley next Monday for the leadership of the Federal ALP, and the job of Opposition Leader. Rudd said:
“The judgment that I have formed is that this is the most important election for Labor in a generation.”
Australia had reached “a fork in the road” on climate change and Australia’s involvement in Iraq,”
“That’s why Labor must win this next election. Because if we don’t win, my fear is the damage done to this country after 10 years of this Government becomes too great - too great to repair.
“To meet this challenge I believe that what the country is calling out for is a new style of leadership. I believe the country’s calling for a fresh vision, for new ideas, for a new agenda for Australia, and we’re putting ourselves forward as a leadership team to do that.”
Beazley’s argument for being retained as leader:
“I’ve done the hard yards in politics and I’ve done the hard yards of fashioning Labor Party policy,”
amounts to “I’ve failed twice before, I may be totally unconvincing, but I’ve served my time and deserve another chance”
Kevin Rudd doesn’t strike me as having any great resonance with the voting public. He seems to be intelligent and articulate which is a good start, but I think he’ll struggle to connect with voters. Still, he’s a big improvement on Kim Beazley.
3. Fiji Army vs Democracy
Nothing surer than a military coup happening in Fiji in the next few days. Its strange isn’t it, the way this coup has been signalled in advance, ultimatums delivered, deadlines extended, and so on. It was all on for midday today, but has been pushed out to Monday now.
What is it with all these Pacific (and close by) neighbours of Australia? Solomon Islands - complete shithole, Papua New Guinea - ditto, East Timor - heading that way, Tonga - recent civil unrest, Fiji …
Technorati Tags: Walkley Awards, Glenn Milne, Stephen Mayne, Kevin Rudd, Julia Gillard, ALP, Kim Beazley, Fiji, military coup
