Memoir reveals the heart of @RobOakeshott1: review by @SandraC81413369

ROB Oakeshott’s recently published memoir is an entertaining and insightful recollection of his vital role in giving supply and confidence to the minority Labor Government, and his part in the progress of major legislation between 2010 and 2013. His push for parliamentary and education reform and a price on carbon during this period will be familiar to many readers, but […]

The party’s no fun anymore: @hiroyasugita study tour on Australian independents

Just one week in late March 2014 exposed how farcical Tony Abbott’s ‘government of adults’ is. Supposedly consummate professional political operator, Arthur Sinodinos, proved to be naïve at best, greedy at worst, for not realising the dodgy company structure which had shadowy figure of Eddie Obeid lurking behind it. Then a supposedly moderate Attorney-General proposed […]

#CSG showdown in Gloucester @1earthmedia reports

By Mark Anning reports from Gloucester, NSW The NSW Government is considering an application by giant gas company AGL to begin the controversial and risky process of hydraulic fracturing, or fracking, at Forbesdale, just south of Gloucester in the Manning Valley NSW – less than 300 metres from the nearest family home and less than 600 […]

The fruitless push for a Parliamentarians’ code of conduct

By Rose Iser 16 October 2013 The latest spate of entitlements scandals is unlikely to bring about a code of conduct for federal parliamentarians given that, for the past 40 years, multiple attempts to enact a code have failed. Since 1975, federal leaders and parliamentarians have investigated the possibility of a code of conduct, but reports […]

Tactics get tough as McGowan’s orange horde surprises Mirabella in Indi

By Wayne Jansson September 4, 2013 Reports started emerging on Saturday that sitting Liberal MP Sophie Mirabella, fighting to retain the seat of Indi, had shipped in over 20 Young Liberals from her alma mater, the University of Melbourne. .@Indigocathy says Sophie bussing in Melbourne young Libs for final #Indivotes fling Media Alert: McGowan (cont) […]

Latte-sipping city slicker @VanBadham gives thanks for rural independents and sees a new dawn for values in politics

By Van Badham  August 27, 2013 The tactical employment of demeaning stereotypes has always been popular in the Australian political discourse.  Just lump together some universally loathed behaviours – like vanity, self-indulgence or entitlement – dress them as communities you’re trying to discredit, and parade them like carnival villains. “Union thugs”, anybody? “Feminazis”?  “People smugglers”? “Asylum […]

Ray Hadley stalks @OakeyMP

Rob Oakeshott by Noelle Kebby 20 June 2013 Rob Oakeshott is the Federal Member for Lyne, an Independent.  Ray Hadley is a radio broadcaster at Macquarie Network 2GB.  The two men have never met.  Rob Oakeshott has lived in Port Macquarie for 20 years,  his wife was brought up in and attended school  in Port Macquarie […]

Ashby Inquiry Proposal for Discussion

By Margo Kingston 22 January 2013 Two days ago Paula Matthewson, who tweets and blogs as @Dragonista, posted an open letter to the #AshbyInquiryNow campaign people challenging them on their strategy and aims. A stimulating discussion ensued in comments to her piece which showed that engaged citizens on the right, centre and left agreed that it was […]