Confusion reigns supreme at Kirribilli House. In the grand hall of muck, where the portraits of the most famous rattus-muckers are hung, the latest confusioner comes with a bag of tax-payers funded brochures that have to be shown to employees by employers, otherwise the employers will be fined 100 whatever... This latest development in AWAs is firmly designed to confuse all people at the why and therefore of stuffed rules in the game between muck and men (women too can join in the mud bath).

What was a simple hit the workers on the head or anywhere else that hurts them in the national interest fundamentals, is now complicated with rules and regulations that even a crook league referee would have trouble applying in the heat of gun-battle on the unlevelled playing field. Obviously he would blow the whistle in favour of the bosses most times since that's where his bread is buttered. In order to appear fair he would allow a few free-kicks to the other side, but too far from the goal posts to be relevant on the scoreboard...

The game of course is deliberately confused by the rule makers. The workers think it's Sunday football while the other side is using baseball bats, water cannons and dogs — figuratively speaking about lousy pay... Good luck to all.

Thus in the great hall of muck, below the grandstand, the sound of riffles muffled by the "gift in kind" tapestry, the grand master of muck praise his most recent general, who knows how to defend lopsided principles by creating more confusion. But in case of emergency, break the glass... we're playing muck rules.

Govt questions McKew's suitability as MP

Posted Mon Feb 26, 2007 10:42am AEDT
Updated Mon Feb 26, 2007 12:19pm AEDT

Tony Abbott says journalists do not always make good politicians.

The Federal Government is trying to cast doubt on the suitability of Labor's high-profile recruit, Maxine McKew.

Ms McKew will contest the Prime Minister's seat of Bennelong in the next election.

She recently retired from the ABC after 30 years working as a journalist and television presenter.

Federal Health Minister Tony Abbott says he is surprised Ms McKew did not run against him in the Sydney seat of Warringah.

Mr Abbott also says journalists do not always make good politicians and Ms McKew will be seen as a blow-in in John Howard's electorate.

"I'm sorry to be losing a constituent but she could have run against me in Warringah without leaving home," he said.

"I'm just a little surprised if she feels the way she does, she hasn't done just that."

Mr Abbott says the news that Ms McKew is running for Bennelong will not be a distraction for Mr Howard.

"She's obviously a talented person and clearly she is a celebrity, but celebrities don't always make good candidates and journalists don't always make good politicians," he said.

Some Government MPs have labelled the ALP "cocky" for recruiting Ms McKew for the seat.

Liberal MP Warren Entsch says journalists do not necessarily make good politicians.

"Just because they're high profile and a media star doesn't make them a great member," he said.

"So you know, I think it's wrong to assume that they will [be].

"And the fact that they will be judged rather than sitting in judgment.

"That'll certainly ascertain the depth of them."

But Labor frontbencher Stephen Smith says she has shown a long-term interest in policy and will make an attractive candidate.

"This election will be a very tough election but the great attraction of Maxine McKew's candidacy, in my view, is that she's a person who for a very long period of time is a person who's been interested in the long-term effects of public policy, and that will be one of the key issues of this election campaign," he said.

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Gus: Tony is miffed... In Maxine's book, he feels he's small potato. Mashed potato. Thus he mucks her as much as possible, trying to diminished her formidable understanding of life and politics — an understanding greater than the sum of all those Liberals in Kirribilli's hall of whatever. But in the same breath as mucking her, he wants to inflate his own boots to her greatness (unless he wants to reduce her to his boofheadness) in wishing she'd be his sparring partner in the ring of Warringah electoate.

No Tony, don't waste your breath. Maxine is an intellectual and political giant who understands with clarity the trickery of the present government. She'll strike you and the PM in her own time. That's you worry. You know it. We can see it... It's written on your face.

And for those who think the ABC has only left-wing journos, think of Prue Goward...