Comments on: Merger I: Libs and Nats descend into complete chaos http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/07/25/merger-i-libs-and-nats-descend-into-complete-chaos/ now with extra source Sun, 12 Feb 2012 02:48:10 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.2.1 By: Mike M http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/07/25/merger-i-libs-and-nats-descend-into-complete-chaos/#comment-19834 Mike M Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-19834 Its beyond me how the pro-merger factions think that the marriage will work at the grassroots level. I just cannot see the two groups getting on, as the culture of the two parties at the grass roots level is so different, Having attended party functions of both parties all I can imagine is the loss of pre-liberal membership, a bunfight or both. Getting the troops to turn up to the next election could represent a real challenge (espeacilally in Brisbane, where they need to win seats to form Govt). As the the inevitable "turn right" occurs I can only see upside for Labor which will increasingly become the part of the middle ground. The whole merger thing is a huge leap of faith and is in reality a National takeover.<br /><br />The Liberals should have taken a really bold step and cast the Nationals adrift and run on their own. They could worry about coalition talks until after the election. They seem to be now nailing their flag to the mast of a slowly sinking ship. They have suffered the most by being tied to the Nationals. Its beyond me how the pro-merger factions think that the marriage will work at the grassroots level. I just cannot see the two groups getting on, as the culture of the two parties at the grass roots level is so different, Having attended party functions of both parties all I can imagine is the loss of pre-liberal membership, a bunfight or both. Getting the troops to turn up to the next election could represent a real challenge (espeacilally in Brisbane, where they need to win seats to form Govt). As the the inevitable “turn right” occurs I can only see upside for Labor which will increasingly become the part of the middle ground. The whole merger thing is a huge leap of faith and is in reality a National takeover.

The Liberals should have taken a really bold step and cast the Nationals adrift and run on their own. They could worry about coalition talks until after the election. They seem to be now nailing their flag to the mast of a slowly sinking ship. They have suffered the most by being tied to the Nationals.

]]> By: Rhetorical Rambler http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/07/25/merger-i-libs-and-nats-descend-into-complete-chaos/#comment-19835 Rhetorical Rambler Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-19835 Why the bold head-line, and the the false aura surrounding the latest developments. Leave it a couple of months and the ALP can be thrown into the mix as well with its deserters, when a percentage of them realise the proposed ETS is as unpalatable to the electorate as a plate of heated scatological offerings.<br /><br />Will we eventually see a new Federal party, able to fulfill the Senate benches left cold and desolate due to the demise of the Democrats. Why the bold head-line, and the the false aura surrounding the latest developments. Leave it a couple of months and the ALP can be thrown into the mix as well with its deserters, when a percentage of them realise the proposed ETS is as unpalatable to the electorate as a plate of heated scatological offerings.

Will we eventually see a new Federal party, able to fulfill the Senate benches left cold and desolate due to the demise of the Democrats.

]]> By: Chris Johnson http://www.crikey.com.au/2008/07/25/merger-i-libs-and-nats-descend-into-complete-chaos/#comment-19836 Chris Johnson Thu, 01 Jan 1970 10:00:00 +0000 #comment-19836 Er..I think its Merger II?? Anyway, the Hatfield and McCoys look rank amateurs compared to this conservative bunch of hicks. Twenty-five years on they’re still bickering about their divorce. Give us a break! Which is possibly what 'Lazarus’ Lawrence Springborg pleaded when he faced his Federal National executive three years ago to explain his faith in restoring this defunct marriage. The two families are as hapless as the other. Springborg sadly looks the silliest 'relly' as he chants his mantra “the only loser in this is.. ”? And that’s despite Lawrie himself getting the electorate thumbs down as Beattie tossed the bridal bouquet to Bligh. Back in renewal mode, Lazarus Lawrence is convinced he still holds the key to the bed chamber. He’s probably right. But the federal Libs are having none of it in the wake of Howard’s presumption of there being ‘only one presence- the Liberals’. In the only state of the nation with a uni-cameral parliament, our deep north is better off tossing a coin every election and crossing its fingers to get a trade-off on political representation. Other than that for the immediate future, it’s Labor, ALP or Labor. Er..I think its Merger II?? Anyway, the Hatfield and McCoys look rank amateurs compared to this conservative bunch of hicks. Twenty-five years on they’re still bickering about their divorce. Give us a break! Which is possibly what ‘Lazarus’ Lawrence Springborg pleaded when he faced his Federal National executive three years ago to explain his faith in restoring this defunct marriage. The two families are as hapless as the other. Springborg sadly looks the silliest ‘relly’ as he chants his mantra “the only loser in this is.. ”? And that’s despite Lawrie himself getting the electorate thumbs down as Beattie tossed the bridal bouquet to Bligh. Back in renewal mode, Lazarus Lawrence is convinced he still holds the key to the bed chamber. He’s probably right. But the federal Libs are having none of it in the wake of Howard’s presumption of there being ‘only one presence- the Liberals’. In the only state of the nation with a uni-cameral parliament, our deep north is better off tossing a coin every election and crossing its fingers to get a trade-off on political representation. Other than that for the immediate future, it’s Labor, ALP or Labor.

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