So we covered the powerful and long awaited apology to indigenous Australians, so the other side should have their say too. I did note previously the Howard’s cowards who left the chamber before this historic event. There was
There were others that left, and some who were not welcomed into the chamber and some who simply raged in dissent even if they could not leave. I have detailed the list of those who left. Senator Nick Minchin wasn’t welcome in the lower house and Tony (the Mad Monk) Abbot didn’t have the guts to more than sit and fume.
Minchin apparently envisions himself as the country’s saviour of conservative ideals, the anointed heir to the beloved former Prime Minister John Howard. Tony, the Mad Monk, Abbot was Howard’s long time attack dog. Abbots sobriquet comes from his time spent in seminary before he turned to politics.
On the day after one of this country’s most magnificent and delayed event Howard’s legacy is still alive and well; still trying to destroy the dreams and hopes of a nation. I don’t intend to dwell on the negatives, but given I’m telling my North American friends about the positives I should also tell them about the arseholes.
UPDATE:
In a remarkable display of bipartisanship Tony Abbott warned that the Coalition would not accept anything less than equal say in the ‘war cabinet’ established to resolve the shortcomings of indigenous policy.
The cabinet is charged with following the apology with practical measures to close the gaps between indigenous and non-indigenous Australians in life expectancy, education, health and economic opportunity.
Given his obvious hostility to the idea of bipartisanship Abbott seems a choice for indigenous affairs spokesman.
7 comments:
People left? That's pretty disgraceful. What were these people thinking?
Maybe that's giving them more credit than they deserve. Or maybe they know their base is made up of too many bigots to ignore.
apparently real conservatives don't say sorry.
Re: "Howard's cowards" ... how soon before your next election?
I meant to say before, I liked your description of the apology speech wherein many people watching it on large outdoor screens, turned their backs when opposition Brendan began to talk. If they did this without any conscious forethought, it really says something & is a strategy that could be usefully employed in many political situations.
ps, happy valentine's day to you, Cart! I did not know it was celebrated down unda.
d.k. We just had our election, November last. Howard's left overs influence in two ways. First they are a reminder because of the tendency to want to spoil our new found dreams/
Second, under our system, Our Senate has a fixed term but not the House of Reps. So new senators don't take their seats until July.
So we are left with a blocking legacy till then and after that minority parties hold the balance of power.
I don't mind the balance of power issue, it makes parliament democratic. But until July the government is limited by Howard's Cowards.
Elections are, give or take, three years.
Oh, and the back turning - Can't blame the the stolen generation people, but some of Rudd's staff did it and won't be sitting comfortably for some time.
If I can respond to another of you comments here, it is incredible to have a leader with a brain.
He was angry at his staff who did this because his focus is on consensus and resolution, not attack.
That seems like an awful long lame-duck time. Lots of obstructionist time. Our lame duck period is >3-mos (from the early November electon to late January swearing in). some yrs it seems interminable.
Your House of Reps have no fixed term? I guess that's parlimentary system? I should know more about it, but I don't. I don't recall more than a quick gloss-over in govt or poli-sci classes. Such is our hubris.
d.k. The only hiatus if from when the election writs are declared to when a majority is confirmed, usually around six weeks. The old government is in caretaker mode for the period.
The three month gap, or perhaps four, was between parliament sitting. That just means Rudd's govt could not start the legislative process, but like there many laws are actually statutory anyway. So they can still start making changes.
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