When I heard about the announcement of the election in W A I optimistically suggested that that vote could see the first state Labor Government fall There was even an amusing commentary to the effect “your dreamin‘ ” From Ray Dixon. Well what a difference a few weeks makes in politics because the campaign has not been going well for Allen Carpenter.
ALAN Carpenter has admitted for the first time his Government has not performed well, as internal party polling continues to show Labor at risk of losing tomorrow’s state election.
Labor insiders have told The Australian that while the move to portray Labor as the underdog was initially little more than a tactic, considering the ill-prepared state of the Opposition, it was now a reality.
Former federal Labor leader Kim Beazley predicted yesterday that even with boundary changes that favour the Government, a Labor win seemed “unlikely”.
Mr Carpenter began his day being mauled by callers on talkback radio, who berated him for everything from his “hangdog look” to failing to perform in key areas such as health and law and order. He later admitted the situation was dire. “I am being sent, we are being sent, a very clear message – loud and clear, and I hear it,” he said.
“People want us to improve. They want to see more of the benefits of the boom delivered into their lives.
“We need to do better than what we have done and I intend to make sure, if I get the opportunity, that we do better.
Now I still maintain a hope that the good people in WA will see that the time has come to change their government but you never know until the votes are counted, however I think that I am more likely to be celebrating on Saturday night than Ray the way things stand at present.
Cheers Comrades
Filed under: Western Australia | Tagged: Alan Carpenter
What makes you think the Libs would be any better in WA than they have been anywhere else Iain?
Or is this another ‘faith’ based post that you ‘know’ they will be better because they are slightly more to the right than the ALP?
Have you even read one of their policies?
As I am not a voter in WA the ins and outs of the Lib’s policies don’t mean much to me I write this as an observer of the election not some one who has a vested interest in the result. Blind Freddy can see that rather than being the “shoo in” that Carpenter thought that he would be. he is in a very close race indeed.
“Now I still maintain a hope that the good people in WA will see that the time has come to change their government “
Why do you think the time has come Iain, why are they better than the ALP. Don’t be afraid to answer, I am only interested in what motivates your support of the Libs.
The political balance in Australia seems to me to be best served when we do not have all levels of government in the hands of one party .
At a state level the ALP have been on the government benches for quite a while and they have become fat and complacent as a result .
Basically Labor in have reached their use by date in WA and the other states as well for that matter
How can you say they’ve become “fat and complacent” or that they’ve “reached their use by date” if you freely admit you don’t know anything about the Liberal Party policies in WA?
You both have forgotten the “Protest Vote” theory. For many decades, as Federal Govt changes, usually, the states follow. It is very rare, that the same party has held sway in both hierarchies. It is the “opinion’ of most commentators, that having opposite parties, at both levels of government, acts like a ‘watchdog’. One looking over the shoulder of the other, and vice versa.
There is a lot of animosity, being directed at the Fed Labor Party at the moment. That will filter down to state elections, regardless where they are. The same will, as has happened for decades, happen here as well.
I think that I am more likely to be celebrating on Saturday night than Ray the way things stand at present.
I think that I am more likely to be celebrating on SUNDAY night than Iain … when St kilda beats Geelong in the AFL Qualifying final.
As for the W.A. election: Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz
Ray ,
don’t you think that we should avoid discussing politics and religion in the same thread?
But you certainly have changed your opinion of the ALP’s prospects in WA
Cheers
Oh Ray,
Please don’t send my heart a fluttering, or even more desperate, get my hopes up that hight ?
I have been a suffering St Kilda supporter, ever since Doc Baldock, and Ian Stewart did a footy clinic at our school ol Caulfied PS 773 in 64 ?
I am sorry, but St Kilda beat Geelong ? As much as I would LOVE to see it happen, groan, me thinks not.
It will be a massacre. Me thinks a Hawthorn Geelong grand final, and Geelong will win by at least ten goals. They are just that far ahead of every one else.
BUT, I have been wrong before.
In regards to State and Federal Labor ?
You guys forget history. Rarely, does the same party hold power at both the state and federal level for long. The populous, always splits it up, as a form of check/balance.
The only reason why Labor is in power in Vic, is not the shift of voter’s will, rather than a need to get rid of Kennett and his arrogance. It was a protest vote. You know what they call the Labor govt in Victoria now ? The “hurry up and go nowhere party”. Unfortunately, King Kev in Canberra, is fast attaining the same reputation. Before you say it, I voted Labor last time, so am not a Liberal puppet (sorry about that term Iain ?)
I voted Labor last time, so am not a Liberal puppet
Isn’t the term a Liberal *muppet*?
Anyone both bunch of ratbags are as bad as each other. Who cares, Lib or Lab they just spew the same agenda and neither gets terribly far at the end of the day, until everyone gets fed up and kicks them out.
Fact – most Govt’s get voted out; few get voted in!!!
Certainly true PKD
Both party’s ideologies are very similar nowadays aren’t they ? Not much difference. The last party that got voted “in” would have to be Witlam in 72 ?
I wasn’t born in 72 so I’ll have to take your word for Whitlam!!!
I mean I was born *after* 72 of course..lol
I was born *after* 72
You haven’t lived then PKD. Actually the Libs WERE voted out in 72 – it was pent up resentment by the 18 – 20 yr olds who couldn’t vote in 69, when the Libs should have been vtoed out for all their disgraceful actions with Vietnam & the draft. I never forgave them for that and in 2003 they showed, once again, with their actions in Iraq that they have no moral compass.
(The voting age was 21 until 1972)
As for St Kilda, David, well you need more faith. I think the boys are primed and ready to ‘pump the pussies’ (and play footy too!)
Thanks guys, I felt pleased with my age status before that lil lot ?
I would like to think so Ray, but me thinks they are gunna get creamed !!! I’m not game to watch !
Libs got the boot in 72 purely due to the draft. They nearly lost in 69, but hung on. With Gough offering the vote to 18 year olds, as well as no more draft, the parents of panicked 17 year olds did what they thought right. That well and truly put them over the line. I was 16 in 72, and if you think I wanted to go to Vietnam, forget it. Barely knew where the place was. let alone fight an enemy I had no idea about ? My cousin was drafted, just before conscription ended. Don’t know who was more relieved, him, or his wife ?
He didn’t go, but a mate of his did, and died at Long Tan. This is getting off the subject tho ?
The sixties were a wild time to live thru though. The radio rang with Beach Boys and Beatles records. The nightly news reports were filled with news from Nam, as well as the injury count of the rally against the war, wherever it was held that day ? They were pretty wild too, by all the vision I remember ?
St Kilda. Poor ol Saintas.
There was one occasion where I wish I was wrong. Sigh
Gough didn’t introduce voting to 18 year olds, David, the Liberals did (between 69 & 72), much to their regret.. It wasn’t just the parents of young people who voted the Libs out in 72 it was also all those who couldn’t vote in 69. Vietnam & the draft were disgraceful actions initiated by the biggest bastard & most pompous PM we ever had, Menzies. Pig iron Bob, who sold pig (or scrap) iron to the Japanese, who made bombs out of it. What an idiot.
Careful, Ray, that’s probably Iain’s idol you are dissing there.
Well yes Mark, Pig Iron was more English than the English so I guess Iain would look up to him, although hang on … he was a leftie back in those days!!!
I stand corrected Ray, you’re right
Actually Mark I am not old enough to remember Menzies and in my youth I actually voted for Gough in 72 and in 75 as well
Sorry to hear that Iain. I hope your mate KG doesn’t read it, he might be around with his gun.
Sorry to hear that Iain. I hope your mate KG doesn’t read it, he might be around with his gun.
Not to mention with his KKK mob carrying torches!!!
On a more serious note if Iain voted in 72 and the min voting age was 18 then he must be at least 58 years old!
Given Iain’s youngest child is 4 and having a child in your 50’s certainly puts things into perspective. I’m in my 30’s with 2 kids and its darn hard enough already – I can’t imagine what it must be like to have one in my 50’s!!!
So all respect Iain – lookng after 2 kids must be hard work mate…
Rgrds,
PKD
.
Thanks for that PKD
But the more I delve into my recollections of the distant past the more I realise that I could not have voted for Gough in 72 but I certain that I did in 75. I am 52 so I would have been just a shade too young to vote in 72, must have been a remembrance of the “it’s time” being the top of my hit parade that distorted my memory of the election.
As for KG well I am sure that he understands that our political affiliations and beliefs can change, for the better over time, just as mine have.
So there is hope for you yet PKD.