This week our good friend Randy Johnson dropped in for a few drinks and a chat about homelessness, Hanson, and horrible ideas. Also Albo. Because, good god, the man is likely to be the last leader of the ALP.
It’s the Federal Election Episode (Now I Need Wine)
It was supposed to be the unloseable election. This is why we can't have nice things.
Vote or Die
Are you tired of the status quo? Do you wish there was another option outside of the two-party system? Have you forgotten that Australia has a preferential voting system? Good news everyone! Australia has a preferential voting system! If you're old enough to remember the last decade of self-interested politicians with no true vision for Australia then perhaps this is the how-to-vote blog for you.
Dumb Nation
It's a no-holds-barred race to the bottom with Scott Morrison receiving praise for "doing things" while Shorten is attacked for being Shorten; Clive Palmer has paid his way back into political relevance without ever having to pay his workers; and Pauline Hanson's One Nation is competing with the Liberal party for the highly coveted title Most Trash Candidates Nominated in a Single Election.
Two Sides One Coin
There is a deeply concerning perception problem in Australian politics, and this has been the case for some time. Many seem to think that the Labor and Liberal parties are essentially the same. In policy; personnel; propensity to knife a sitting Prime Minister; thousands, if not millions, of Australians believe that they could not be more similar. Only, they're not.
Brandzac Day: The Fetishisation of Toxic Patriotism
The commercialisation of Anzac Day goes far beyond whichever advertising executive will shit the bed on April 25 with a tone-deaf attempt to cash in on the "ANZAC Spirit". This is a day which has become a battleground for right-wing culture warriors desperate to exploit the boozed-up bogans eager to defend 'Straya in the trenches of focused and persistent online abuse.
Failing Health
Federal Treasurer Josh Frydenberg is expected to hand down the first surplus in a decade on Tuesday, and according to the Coalition, this is a key sign of a flourishing economy. Despite this, Blacktown Hospital is so critically underfunded that entire wards are remaining closed due to the lack of staff, and staff across the state have claimed that it’s not the only hospital facing such a desperate shortage.
Guns, Greens, and Gladys: Lessons from the NSW Election
After any electoral defeat, there is always a brief period of analysis where blame is attributed to anyone foolish enough to be involved in politics, with major parties and candidates turning their focus outward because of course it's the fault of everyone but themselves.
Poor State of Health
Blacktown Hospital is so critically underfunded that entire wards are being closed due to the lack of staff, and it's not the only NSW hospital facing such a desperate shortage. Very few NSW voters would be shocked to hear that the staffing levels in hospitals are inadequate, but the reality of the situation suggests that NSW Health is on the brink of collapse.
Dirt and Preferences: The Campaign Against Keep Sydney Open
Anyone who has spent more than five minutes in politics is very aware of "dirt units", and how the major parties deploy lies, gossip, and spin against opponents and smaller parties that are posing a threat. Furthermore, all claims of preference deals are false, voters make the choice as to where and how preferences flow and have done in NSW since 2003.
