Wave of latte might just float Brendan Nelson’s boat
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“Brendan Nelson’s best friend so far has been Kevin Rudd,” the Sydney Morning Herald’s Phil Coorey writes today. “While the Opposition Leader grapples with the varying views and renegades within the Coalition’s depleted ranks, outwardly, at least, he receives nothing but love from the Prime Minister.” Nelson might actually have got quite a boost this week. Rather than being swept away by a wave of latte, he may have been carried to dry land.
We shouldn’t forget that the Coalition received 47.30 per cent of the two party preferred vote on 24 November. We shouldn’t also forget that people who were happy to respond to Liberal dog-whistles in 2001 and 2004 found WorkChoices, in Rudd’s own immortal phrase, a bridge too far, and changed back to the ALP. It would be odd if even one of these voters was amongst the people who turned their back on Brendan Nelson as he gave his apology on Wednesday morning. ABC Radio in Melbourne this morning has been excited by a report in a regional Victorian newspaper that the opposition leader quoted the words of a local member of the stolen generations without permission. Nelson’s people say the material is publicly available in Many Voices oral history documents at the National Library of Australia and in print. Crikey was unable to establish at the time of going to press if explicit permission to use the material was granted. While it might not be in the spirit of reconciliation to say so, this is a story for the latte set, anyway. Many more Melbournians — and people across the country who swung back to Labor at the last election — will be angrier at the Herald Sun’s report that Victorian man Neville Austin is planning to launch Victoria’s first Stolen Generation claim, and that 30 to 40 more people will follow him. The Rudd Government knows this, too. That’s why they are seeking to move so quickly to repeal WorkChoices. And it’s part of the thinking behind yesterday’s populist stunt on MPs pay. It’s too early to know what issues will decide the next election. But this week’s wave of latte won’t swamp the opposition leader. For a while it might even float his boat. Nelson will want the support, too. The latest Roy Morgan poll of federal voting intention puts Labor’s primary support on 54%, up 5% from the previous face to face Morgan Poll and Coalition support on 33%, down three points. |
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15 Comments
Just to say don’t forget the utility of Herr Christian. He is a faithful scribe of the Coalition side’s thinking and rhetorics - even when they don’t want it out to the world (God love him, stay off the juice). For this I say thanks for the window chum.
Notice Rudd and Swan refuse to guarantee that winding back labour market deregulation wont be inflationary. When home loan rates are 8.5%, unemployment is back up to 6.0% and mortgagees are defaulting Rudd’s “anyone can do this” line will appear foolish
Sledge the Coalition? They deserve it. A great day for the ALP faithful to be sure. But I have no doubt virtue and self interest were overlapping in seven words - Timing Of Bob Collins Inquest This Week.
I am sure that no one will get compensation unless they have a just cause. These legal actions will occur whether sorry was said or not. It may even be positive for the present Government. Do not forget, evidence will have to be put before the court.
I live and work in remote NT with Aboriginal people whose nearest latte is hundreds of kilometres away, a fact of great disinterest to them I suspect . They would oppose being quoted without permission and would find Nelson’s speech ugly. Silly Christian!
I agree with you Lucy, Nelson spat the word “sorry” out in his speech. No hint of sorrow, and then he “quoted” an Aboriginal child at length. Listen for yourself as he tried to pour the guilt back onto Aboriginals. As for the claim, GOOD LUCK to Neville.
Christian’s inane contribution again lacks one thing - brains. Christian, I respect your right to an opinion, I defend your right to say it and I wish that you would do so somewhere else.
Christian- I need some assistance in understanding your ‘latte set’ metaphor. What part of the unruly mob are they, are they the daytime Chardonnay or Grange set, the pillars of society, white liberals, the doctors wives or up and coming aspiring tyrants?
Ouch, Clive. Someone spill your soyaccino?
If Nelson had not been genuine about the apology, he would have continued with Howard’s position of refusing to make or support an apology. Some of his comments were probably inappropriate, but to say there was no hint of sorrow is overstating it.
I have occasionally wondered whether Christian Kerr’s character is better reflected in his first name or his last. After today’s mean-spirited commentary on the apology I think I have my answer.
gott agree with clive petty spiteful obsessed with coffee
Nelson wasn’t coherent enough to win back the dog whistlers. Had he sat there and read a magazine, perhaps; as it was he merely looked like he was aping Howard’s senility (as opposed to Howard’s much more effective race-baiting).
Christian’s inane contribution again lacks one thing - brains. Christian, I respect your right to an opinion, I defend your right to say it and I wish that you would do so somewhere else.
Could Christian, from his supercilious apex of analysis, please explain who constitutes the “latte set”? He seems obsessed with latte. I suspect those who happen to disagree with him are, per se, latte drinkers — very witty!