Greetings from Far North Queensland! I am in the seat of Leichhardt which is safe territory for the PM. It was a seat that went Liberal in 1996 and has remained so ever since. I don't see a lot of Liberal disaffection here but there most certainly is back down in Sydney. In Wentworth, it is most certainly the case that people are Not Happy, Malcolm! The Turnbull - King stoush will be particularly interesting to follow.

I've been saying for a long time that Howard tends to 'piss on the core while buttering up the marginals'. I'd guess that most Liberals in Wentworth are relatively moderate in a more traditional Liberal sense. Turnbull doesn't in any way represent the Liberals of Wentworth. It will be very important that all true Liberals vote for King to send a message to the hierarchy that it's not OK to steamroll locals. Besides, independent 'conservative' candidates (eg Andren and Windsor in NSW) are usually better behaved and more ethical than the 'real' thing.

Today's local papers are carrying a story that the Ryde City Council, which covers most of the Bennelong electorate, is upset at Andrew Wilkie's signs and plans to take them down. Now while his signs were put up early, under State Environmental Planning Policy No 60, temporary signs 'for' a 'political .. event' do not require council approval if they are displayed no more than 28 days before the event, so if the council touches such signs after Friday, it will be they who will be breaking the law.

I have spoken to the Mayor, and he tells me that they interpret 'for... a political... event' to mean it has to advertise the event. They are on very shaky ground here, since 'for' is a term of wide import that can import anything relating to the event, and the constitutional right to freedom of political speech would weigh in favour of a wide interpretation.

Nevertheless, the Mayor has said he will be instructing his people to take them down and if we want

I just finished your book 'Not Happy, John' and very quickly wanted to say thanks to you for having the courage and conviction to write it. I have never been politically motivated or involved but have increasingly become disenchanted with the way our democracy and society has headed over the last 8 years. Your book was my first step in taking a more active role in our democracy. I will continue to get more informed, more active, and further involved.

Even though I didn't read the book I am still not happy John.

I am the Citizens Electoral Council candidate for Robertson (Gosford) area.

An investment in Margo's book is an investment in your future, it is essential reading for every Australian citizen, avoid any complacency on this, make no mistake, a vote for Howard is a vote for Bush, Blair and Howard Inc. I don't need to say anything further, this book speaks for itself.

Regards,
Nicholas Tomlin.

G'day. Sorry to be so long out of action on NHJ, and thanks to Harry, Antony, Jack and Hamish for keeping the site going (Polly Bush will join the team soon). They've done a great job - according to The Australian's Christine Jackman in Tuesday's paper: 'In Queensland last week, nothappyjohn.com.au (run by journalist Margo Kingston) hit No. 1 on the Top 10 political websites charts compiled by Hitwise.' Thanks!! I've got a new, limited supply of NHJ stickers, so if you'd like some email me at mkingston@smh.com.au with your postal address and the number you can usefully use. MAINTAIN THE HOPE!

I've had a couple of people very generously offer money. The fact is, we have none and don't really want any just now. We don't have a bank account.

But money is important, and for those with the itch to put some dough into beating Howard, there's plenty of options. John Valder is taking donations for his unique campaign to unseat Howard in Bennalong. All candidates need money so if you think your local is a good'n and has a chance of making an impact, send 'em a cheque.

Robin Rothfield, convenor of http://www.defeathoward.com has given us details of another philanthropic option. They are raising money to buy newspaper advertising in marginal seats with a view to toppling the Howard candidates.

Cheques to:-
Support Humane Policies Campaign Inc
Attention: Robin Rothfield
PO Box 35
FAIRFIELD VIC 3078

Or pay Commonwealth Bank account 063130 10237850, named 'Supp

I've had a couple of people very generously offer money. The fact is, we have none and don't really want any just now. We don't have a bank account.

But money is important, and for those with the itch to put some dough into beating Howard, there's plenty of options. John Valder is taking donations for his unique campaign to unseat Howard in Bennalong. All candidates need money so if you think your local is a good'n and has a chance of making an impact, send 'em a cheque.

Robin Rothfield, convenor of www.defeathoward.com has given us details of another philanthropic option. They are raising money to buy newspaper advertising in marginal seats with a view to toppling the Howard candidates.

Cheques to:
Support Humane Policies Campaign Inc
Attention: Robin Rothfield
PO Box 35
FAIRFIELD VIC 3078

Or pay Commonwealth Bank account 063130 10237850, named 'Support Humane Policies Campaign Inc', branch: Fairfie

Practically hysterical and immensely irrational. Pages and pages of biased opinion without facts to support them. And when the facts do appear, not in context, no analysis, no balance, just more one-sided assertions. Counter agruments are never considered - no bigger view or perspective.

This book gives an immense boost to the right because it shows a left incapable of engaging in debate, but obsessing on details. Take 'the party'. 12 pages of rant before the party list. 6 out of approx 70 donated to the Liberals: irrational conclusion - you have to donate to attend. The problem - no 'novelist, painter actor dancer' present - no carpenter, plumber, electrician, haridresser, butcher or funeral director either - but they apparently don't need representation, just the left elite.

If this is the best that can be done in criticism, then John Howard is safe for another 50 years.

Dear Margo and others, I was really struck by this morning's poll.

26 percent said they DID NOT trust Howard. But he was still the prefered prime minister. What does this tell you about the australian people?

WHY WOULD YOU HAVE A PREFERED PRIME MINISTER YOU COULD NOT TRUST?

Makes no sense. What a contradiction!

My desire to see Prime Minister Howard driven from office has more to do with an instinctive gut reaction than any high-powered analysis.

What I cannot stomach about the man is he kidnaps women and children and uses their pain for political gain.

As the Senate enquiry into institutionalised child abuse reveals, there's a nasty streak in some Australians that access to power makes ten times worse.

An enoromous amount of money will be spent on this election by all parties on advertising and promotion, and sick though it is, it will make a difference.

The Greens have just launched an extremely informative website, www.democracy4sale.org, using AEC information collected since 1999, detailing where the parties are getting their big donations. Thank God for some disclosure rules. It doesn't make corporate donations any less a perversion of democracy, but at least we can see who's doing the perverting. Thanks to Emily in the seat of Page for this link.

Some of our correspondents have generously offered us money - no big corporations unfortunately. We don't want any money and have no way to receive it.

But there is plenty that concerned citizens can do with their extra drachmas, and private donations are the single biggest source of funding for small parties and independents. They need you, so put some thought

The mainstream media continue mentioning NHJ under their breath, while never actually understanding the passion underlying the campaign.

Today, again, Gerard Henderson continues his positive rants against a political system which rarely looks outside inner Melbourne or Sydney.

Henderson is kind enough to mention MK and NHJ, though fundamentally ignores the serious disaffection in Western democracies with truth, lies and honesty in government. For the Henderson's of this world, our system is fine, pollies rarely if ever lie and the people should be happy with what they're given. Bring on accountability, I say.

When was the last time you listened to people outside inner Sydney, Gerard?

As we all know, a major focus of this election campaign is economic performance & interest rates, & so far we've seen plenty of attempts to scare people about interest rates.

I've been looking for some information that summarises both the Fraser Government's economic record (in which Howard was treasurer) in terms of interest rates, inflation etc as well as something on housing affordability to put the arguments of the benefits of low interest rates in perspective.

Here's an article that raises a few interesting points in a very simple & understandable way I think the parties opposed to the Government need to raise to properly inform voters:

Its my party and I'll lie if I want to!' (The Rodent)