Cinema

I was wrong For weeks, if not months, I've been bemoaning in print and around the dinner tables the sheer foolishness of Albo and his political advisers.

'He should be out there with plans for attacking climate change and every other failing of the Morrison government with clear, well-costed alternatives,' I've written and said 'No one knows what Albo stands for. Morrison is winning by default. The Labor geniuses behind the scenes are blowing the election.' I'm not alone.

Other commentators have been just as strident in their condemnation of the Labor silence, and worse, the Opposition's refusal to take issue with the way Morrison and Dutton have been shadow boxing the Chinese in the hope they'll react badly and give them a real excuse for a khaki election. Wrong again.

The Chinese Ambassador offered a white flag to 'meet halfway'; and the Chinese courting of the Solomons Island government melted like a flash in the pan when PM Manasseh Sogavare rejected any idea of a Chinese base there. Despite all the urging, Albo and his advisers kept their collective nerve. They knew — much better than us commentators and columnists — that by staying silent for as long as possible they were denying Scott Morrison his political meat and drink.

Like all bullies, he's a big mouth who shouts and threatens anyone who puts his (or especially her) own idea forward. He pours out the vituperation, makes up statistics, and generally buries the idea in such blather that all people remember is the response. Far, far better, they figured, to hold their fire until the campaign itself. Only then would they get a fair hearing.

Meantime, Morrison would be left to his own devices. And maybe the people would realise — as they did — what kind of a bloke he was underneath all the marketing ploys But even they couldn't have predicted what actually happened as one after another, people from all places and stations who had dealt with him came out with such crushing depictions of his character and proclivities.

Deputy PM, Barnaby Joyce: 'A hypocrite and a liar'; French President Macron: A liar? I don't think, I know'; Liberal Senator Connie Fierravanti Wells: 'Unfit for office, an autocrat, a bully with no moral compass'; Jacquie Lambie, Pauline Hanson in full agreement...and so the list goes on.

Yet still the Labor folk kept their nerve until, with exquisite timing, Albo used the Address-in-Reply on a Thursday before the Parliament rose to make his opening pitch. And it was pretty good: 'Child Care, Medicare, Aged Care because Labor cares.'

After a thoroughly pedestrian Budget, it detailed a total regeneration of the Aged Care community, and Morrison's only response was the old, 'Where's the money coming from?' All that did was give the issue another day in the headlines. And there they joined new revelations about his dear friend Brian Houston head of the Pentecostal Hillsong Church forced to step down for inappropriate behavior; while nine out of 16 affiliated Churches in the US cut ties with Hillsong.

In the last election, Morrison's 'miracle' saw him scrape back with a small majority; but this time even the divine Pentecostal intervention seems to be against him.

So, a month and a bit from polling day, all the signs are pointing to Anthony Green calling it for Labor by about 9.30 on election night. But let's not pop the champagne corks just yet. I've been wrong before.

robert@robertmacklin.com

Mick nodded to Bazza, slid his full schooner to one side and placed his laptop on the bar table. ‘Right, Bazza. It’s serious business this week. I’ve been asked to come up with a few slogans and ini a ves to get ScoMo and the boys across the line at the upcoming elec on. Let’s just say the mood in the dressing shed is pre y pessimis c. I don’t expect much help from you, and spare me the smart arse comments, but I want to pub test a few ideas.’ Bazza took a measured sip. ‘I’m always up for a challenge, Mick. Fire away.’ Mick flicked the laptop open and the Wiggles song ‘Wake Up Jeff’ had him cursing his grandchildren. ‘Ok, I’m set now, Bazza….. first up is the good old humble worker. You know the bloke who works hard, deals with rising prices and might reward himself with a beer at the end of the week down the pub.’ ‘There is the odd woman doing the same, Mick, but what have you got in mind? Mick puffed his chest slightly. ‘I’m sugges ng we reference the Prime Minister as FAIR GO SCOMO. There’s a bit of rhyme there and the Budget gives everybody a fair go.’ Bazza swallowed hard on his schooner and ght lines squeezed his eyes. ‘Ahhhh you need a bit of umphh there, Mick. Aim to grab everyone’s a en on first, and then hit them with the message. Also, use a bit of ellipsis, Mick. It gives people me to think. A comma a er FAIR GO strengthens it up and finish off with an exclama on mark. ‘Thanks, Bazza. I’m glad you are taking this seriously. Ok, how about…… Oi…….FAIR GO, SCOMO!’ ‘The mob will go for that one, Mick. What’s next?’ ‘Well Bazza, aged care is going to be an issue. I’m thinking….. ScoMo Delivers With Aged Care.’ ‘Yeah not bad, Mick. I’d be pu ng ‘aged’ in bold capital le ers and underlining it to drive home the point. There are plenty of visuals to back it up so it’s hard to argue with that fact.’ ‘You’re a natural at this, Bazza. Now….. for a big one about climate change. I’ve given this one a lot of thought but the best I can come up with is ScoMo, pictured in some Hi Vis and construc on helmet with both thumbs up behind the slogan… I’m for cliMATE!’

They both took long drinks and Bazza sighed and shook his head. ‘It meets the three word slogan rule………but I don’t like that one at all, Mick. It’s corny and lacks sincerity…….. it’s just not ScoMo.’ Mick lowered his eyes and Bazza ran his hand across his mouth to conceal a grin. ‘You need a big ini a ve to neutralise all those greenies, Mick. Go for a big policy. Why not announce the building of the world’s first solar powered coal mine or even be er a coal fired power sta on running on solar energy? It will be cheaper to operate in the long run as solar power con nues to lower in price. Your mate, Joshy, will ck off on the economics and the Labor Party will be pissed off they didn’t think of it. Who could possibly argue against that kind of vision?’ Mick’s face brightened and his fingers danced across the keypad. He pressed send and then took a long sip. ‘The boys will be happy with all that, Bazza. We’ll knock over women’s issues next week.’ Mick moved the laptop to one side and The Wiggles returned with ‘Wake Up Jeff.’ Have a beer with Baz at john.longhurst59@gmail.com

P.P. BOARD ELECTION. – Messrs. H. J. Thomson, H. J. Mallon, F. H. Anderson, J. and R. M. Bate, A. G. Sutherland, F. W. Cork and L. D. Hawdon have been elected as directors of the Broulee P.P. Board for three years. NIGHTLY DISTURBANCE. – As we have wri en before, Campbell Street has always been cursed by some pest or another, but now it has a pack of yapping dogs which nightly disturb the peaceful slumbers of the inhabitants. Who will put an end to the trouble? NEWSTEAD PICNIC. – The school here was en fete on St. Patrick’s Day. At an early hour children gathered together, carrying flowers to decorate the new summer-house, erected on the hill by the teacher, Mr. Selden, with the help of the boys, who must have had many lessons in carpentering, judging by the result. A fine view of our harbor can be seen through one of the diamond-shaped openings, of which there are four. Luncheon was soon ready, and the youngsters, seated on benches in the luxuriant grass outside the school, were supplied with edibles. …

Above: H.J. Thomson

CAR ACCIDENT. – On Thursday, when nego a ng the sharpest bend on the Nelligen Road the Rev. G. A. Sanders and Mr. Wilson, A.P.A. Insurance Agent, who was accompanied by Mr. G. Gordon, collided with their motor cars. Fortunately none of the occupants were injured, but the cars suffered minor damages, which are covered by insurances. The Rev. Fathers Costello and Perkins, who were on their way home, brought the stranded C. E. Minister into Moruya. VALEDICTORY. – On Monday night last Mr. P. J. Gannon was the recipient of a very complimentary sendoff on the eve of his departure from the district in the shape of a social evening and presenta on. The pleasant func on took place in the large dining-room of Mr. P. J. Mylo ’s private residence, Queen Street. … During the evening Mr. R. B. Heffernan, on behalf of his many friends, presented Mr. Gannon with a well filled wallet of notes.

During an eloquent and eulogis c speech Mr. Heffernan referred to Mr. Gannon’s many amiable quali es and the unostenta ous services rendered to the community in all public movements in which his talents had been requisi oned. Mr. Gannon would be very much missed and so would his amiable wife and nice family.

Mrs. Gannon, who like her husband, was a na ve of Moruya, was a willing helper on the musical pla orm, and the knowledge disseminated by her as a teacher of ar s c pain ng will long be lovingly remembered by her many students throughout this town and district. …

Mayor's Column - April 2022

It’s easy to cri cise decisions made, especially when you don’t agree. A highlight of my first 100 days as Eurobodalla Mayor has been the cordial debate amongst councillors, staff and community on different issues and working towards an outcome. Councillors are feeling their way through issues and how to navigate each other. What is clear to us is just how hard the staff work for the community. They are steered by decisions we councillors make and are there to support us. No doubt it must be hard to have a new bunch each term constantly changing the direc on. Managing community expecta ons versus the reality of what can be done and the speed with which you can do it is a challenge. But I have to say having the community suppor ng not only me but the other councillors is what makes the Mayor’s role so rewarding. Communica on is something we have really worked hard to ramp up and I’ve heard so much posi ve feedback from community. The team has come up with many new ways to connect and it’s great to see them excited about a new approach. While it might seem small steps at the moment, we will ul mately be judged by the changes we are making now that will have a bigger impact down the road. Many of these decisions will come to frui on a er this term of Council is over. It’s s ll the first 100 days of 1000. We must set our goals beyond reach so we always have something to con nue to strive for. Mayor Mathew Hatcher 7 April 2022