At The End of the Day, Mediocrity Was The Winner

So, not quite breaking news – Howard lost the election, and Kevin Rudd was around, making him Prime Minister.

Even with postal votes, it looks unlikely that I’ll be the member for Brisbane come Monday – it’s some fresh-faced newbie called Arch Bevis. I did hear him speak a couple of times during the campaign, and I’m sure we can expect great things from him. Or another seventeen years as a bum on a seat.

And in what is really a tragedy for this country, Parliament’s hardest-working, most dedicated and compassionate voice of reason, Andrew Bartlett, will leave the Senate at the end of his term next July.

On the plus side – Mal Brough lost, Gary Hardgrave lost and it’s all but certain that John Howard has too – both his seat and the country.

As much as I wanted Howard gone, I wish Rudd had actually earnt it. He said the Labor Party’s policy on this is identical to the Government’s so many times, it could have been his slogan. If he hadn’t already locked in this one -

Kevin Rudd – Slightly Less Awful.

Refugees, the death penalty, Indigenous affairs -exactly what was the difference between Kevin and John at this election?

Crumbs.

My Lucky Day

On the way into work this morning I received a message from one of my avian constituents.  On my right shoulder, narrowly missing my head – I’ve heard that this is supposed to be a sign of good luck – although that just sounds like something you might say to cheer up someone with fresh bird crap on them.

But when I got into the office, I discovered, quite by chance, that I’m on the front page of http://youdecide2007.org/

Gemma Snowden, one of the citizen journalists registered with the site, recorded the Politics in the Pub I spoke at last Tuesday, and they’ve posted my speech on this page.

Here’s the video – again reinforcing the burning need for me to get a haircut.  Preferably before I speak at the Brisbane Inner West Chamber of Commerce function tomorrow night.

I only slightly modified my launch speech for the night, and was intrigued to discover my girlfriend didn’t recognise it – so had either not been listening the first time I gave it, or the second, or either time perhaps.

BIWCC Meet the Candidate Night

 Wednesday Night, 21st November 

Brisbane Workers Community Centre – 2 Latrobe Terrace, Paddington Q 4064 (Entrance & Car Park at rear off Given Terrace)

6PM Attendees arrival for the 7PM Formal Candidate Statements, then question time
Attendees will be charged $10 . Includes Nibble plates of food. The Centre’s bar will be open.

Brisbane Inner West Chamber of Commerce The Voice of Businesses in Milton, Paddington,
Rosalie, Bardon, Red Hill and Auchenflower

PO Box 1268, Milton Qld 4064
enquiries@innerwestchamber.com.au
www.innerwestchamber.com.au

Another Walk Against Warming and Politics in the Pub

Sunday was the national pre-election Walk Against Warming and again, it rained on Brisbane’s.

I spoke at a pre-rally youth event in Brisbane Square before the WAW kicked off.

Here’s some of the Dems at the rally – we’ve just framed Senator Bartlett’s head out of shot behind a sign (ironically of his head).

 

The rain was already falling by the start of the march, and a lot of the photos are blotchy due to the rain on the lens.  Like this one:

 

And here’s a  shot of me speaking at the Politics in the Pub in the Brunswick Hotel in New Farm.   All the candidates for Brisbane showed up, except for the Liberal.

And looking at this, it reminds me that I should  endeavour to become a bit less grainy in the future, and probably get a haircut.

Since the World’s Greatest Shave, I think part of me was so traumatised, it blocked out any thought of another haircut again. 

Testimonials for me

When we’ve looked at some of the video testimonials of Andrew Bartlett, he often has to leave the room when we’ve been reviewing them.  Now I know how he feels.

Still, I am very grateful to all the people who supplied these testimonials, and there are still a few more on the way, I’m told.

I first met independent film maker David Bradbury – who made such films as Public Enemy Number One about the Australian journalist Wilfred Burchett, and Frontline about Neil Davis, the Australian war correspondent – at the founding of the Queensland Nuclear Free Alliance. One of the first projects of the QNFA was to promote David’s film “Blowin’ in the Wind” about depleted uranium.

http://www.frontlinefilms.com.au/

Freddie Steen is an inspirational advocate and volunteer for refugees who I first met in 2001. Freddie is heavily involved in the Romero Centre which provides much needed support for refugees and asylum-seekers in South East Queensland. Last month, Freddie received the “Fair Go” medal in the Courier Mail’s Pride of Australia awards.

Don Sinnamon respects our environment and all things living in it. He is deeply committed to making this world, and our part of it, a better world, and our Australia a fair multicultural society. I respect his quiet and significant contribution to human rights, to animal rights, to freedom of speech and independent broadcasting. Thanks to Democrat Senators and Don and the team supporting them, the abuses of human rights and inhumane policies of the Australian Government would have slipped even further under the radar. They held the line on decency and compassion. We are indebted to the Democrats for their independent and constructive voice, and their persistent pursuit in the Senate of issues and values that matter in a civilised society. Don is a man in the finest tradition of the Australian Democrats and will be a conscientious, tenacious and effective representative of the people in Brisbane.

Freddie

Taking Part in the Human Rights Torch Relay – Updated with photos

Tomorrow I will be taking part in the Human Rights Torch Relay in Brisbane City to protest the ongoing human rights abuses in China – in spite of the undertakings that China made in order to secure their Olympic bid.

I first mentioned the relay in my blog post about a Chinese human rights lawyer disappearing shortly after I’d gotten his book (here).

I will be carrying the torch along Adelaide Street at about 1pm or thereabouts.  At 2pm there is a ceremony at Suncorp Piazza, South Bank.