Monty Python Witch Scene

What we will witness over the next 18 months or more is a Great Unhinging –an orgy of hysterics that will far surpass the duplicity, dishonesty – let alone the complete arsehattery – that substituted for public debate on matters of government during the previous 12 months.

The Piping Shrike: Independents feed off the weak

The media were incensed about the drawn out press conference given by Windsor and Oakeshott, but actually it was quite interesting. In justifying to their traditionally conservative electorates why they were supporting Labor, they had to very clearly set out why the two party system had lost all meaning – something that probably some in the waiting media did not want to hear.

What we have seen through the last two weeks of opaque bargaining for a new transparency, is the independents taking advantage of the weakness of the two parties and how they are going to make it last.

Grog’s Gamut gives a summary of yesterday’s events, then looks at the media and opposition response (basically sharpening the fangs), then gives the new Gillard government some advice – Election 2010: Game Over (or, Fibre to the Lodge)

– don’t be timid. Yes it is “fragile” but the biggest fault they could do is to not do anything for fear of upsetting someone.

The number one lesson of the Rudd Government is that people want decisions taken. Don’t worry if it is unpopular, worry about whether or not it is a good decision. And if it is a good policy, then argue its case – be an advocate for it, not a salesperson.

Tim Hollo has some thoughts on mobilising for the environment and lobbying the new government hard:
The best opportunity for renewables we may ever get

what many people haven’t clicked to yet is that the three country independents – including Bob Katter who chose not to support Labor for his own personal reasons but whose vote will still often be crucial for passing legislation – have all publicly recognised the tremendous economic and social benefits of moving to renewable energy.
[…] All this adds up to a very interesting situation when you recognise that the real strength of minority is in being more ambitious, not less, than a majority. The big old parties clearly feel constrained in majority government and reform agendas too often go out the window. In minority, with somebody else to blame, far more can be achieved.

(Step 1: shift Martin Ferguson from Energy to another portfolio.)

While we’re bagging the MSM regarding political coverage, let’s not forget where they fall down elsewhere – Croakey has some essential reading on media coverage of health matters.

He gave a damning critique of the media’s standard approach to covering health and medicine, arguing that we tend to be cheerleaders rather than providing critical analysis which might contribute to a more informed community (and perhaps also better policy).

So there you go: I swear I didn’t intend for the linkage to be so Crikey-heavy, but all those pieces deserve careful reading.

Categories: culture wars, linkfest, media, parties and factions

Tags: australia, elections