All fun and games as the Parliamentary roadshow returns to town

Parliament has returned and it is great to have all our pollies back! After the Carbon Tax debate had cooled and, as Julia desperately hoped that it would just disappear into the background, Tony Abbott made his triumphant return and turned the heat right up to max. With every passing day Gillard has been looking more and more anxious and haggard; I wonder if she has caught the faint sound of her loyal backbenchers sharpening their knifes? Quite frankly I wouldn't blame them, given her dreadful performance. Plus it would set the scene for the second coming of the Labor Messiah, Saint Kevin... Although, given their current polling, it is no longer a matter of who will win the next election, but more how much the ALP will lose by...


Can't we all just get along... so I can get back to taxing... and spending... and some more taxing...


Speaking of elections, the next one may not be all that far away, especially when you consider the recent sordid revelations concerning the nocturnal activities of Labor MP Craig Thomson. It appears that Mr Thomson likes the ladies of the night which, in and of itself, is a scandal, but not necessarily one that cannot be survived. However, what moves this from the 'Naughty, Misbehaving MP' category to the 'Career Ending' pile is that a union credit card was used to elicit the services of these ladies. Moreover, the ALP is bailing out Mr Thomson - who is facing bankruptcy - so that he doesn't lose that incredibly valuable lower house seat. So, if the question of 'what lengths is the ALP willing to go in order to cling to power?' the answer is clear: using the membership fees of hardworking union members for hookers? That's alright. Using ALP dollars to prop up financially - and morally - bankrupt members to keep this sinking government above water? Sure, why not! After all, there are some things money can't by... like that seat Mr Thomson currently occupies. Although, for how much longer is any one's guess...

Outside of the Carbon Tax and Hookergate affair, things are not looking up for the PM. As we speak Julia Gillard is locked away in COAG meetings. What was once a Labor love-in is now, undoubtedly, something more akin to a steel cage death match, with the Liberal Premiers promising to take the PM to task on a range of issues that have got their goat. Good on them, I say. Gillard and Federal Labor have been trying to erode the state's powers and autonomy for too long and it is really great to see that Premier Colin Barnett finally has some backup!


Oh how I hate you Swan! You're such an idiot! The moment the press isn't looking I'm going to knife you good!

So, as we say good bye to another working week, we also pull out the results for the latest Right Side Poll. Thanks again to all who voted, with this week providing another high level of responses, which is great to see! We asked: How should the Government respond to the flood of illegal boats? The majority agree that Howard had it right, and that the Pacific Solution needs to be brought back (62% of votes), followed by turning the boats around (25%) and processing off-shore (12%). On-shore processing received no votes, illustrating that the government's move to increase on-shore processing (i.e. the Northam Detention Centre) is doomed to be condemned by the Australian people. Thanks again for taking the time to have your say, and be sure to cast your vote in this week's poll: Should farmers have the right to block coal seam exploration on their land? Look forward to hearing what you think...

And, as always, given that it is a Friday I thought that I would leave you with something amusing. Now, the above clip has nothing to do with politics at all, but it is still one of the best verbal backhanders I have ever heard! Anyway enjoy your weekend and I hope to see you back here next week. So until then, don't misuse your union credit card and I'll see you on the Convoy to Canberra!