Julia broke Question Time

acker says:

07:24am | 17/09/09

Time for her opposite number Mr Pyne to toughen up by trading the wavy hair in for a number 2 buzz cut, getting a tattoo, facial hair and dropping “Christopher” for the far more blokey “Chris”

Don Clark says:

07:27am | 17/09/09

By cracky, it must be nigh on 30 years since Xxx Xxx Media ran courses for senior execs on media technique: when to use the door step, when to use the loo and….how to answer *your* question instead of *theirs*. It isn’t new.

Watching and listening to Question Time over several governments, all I can say is the theatre hasn’t changed much at all. Some information comes out, some window dressing gets pushed aside,  and some adults get to show in public that they are over-paid opportunists.

The art of the crafted answer is no greater sin than the artfully loaded question, designed to misrepresent and delivered with a degree of confected outrage bordering on the comical. Which is the biggest insult to Parliament? Which is the biggest insult to the electorate?

As for education spending, shorn of the outright misrepresentations offered up by the ever-blundering Opposition, the number of odd cases being looked into are a tiny part of a very big programme, as any patient listener to Question Time - or reader of Hansard - would know.

I may not vote Labor, but by God, I like the cut of Ms Gillard’s jib.

Wayne says:

07:36am | 17/09/09

HEAR HEAR HEAR!

I have been absolutely disgusted by Gillard and her lot in Question time for the past few weeks. Do these Politicians not realize that we are watching and I think in more numbers that ever before.  I have never really had much of an interest in the political debate but thanks to Sky news and the APAC channel I have been paying more attention. I don’t like what I see. It’s not Question time! The smug look on Gillards face and her constant talking down to people will be her undoing in the long run. Her voice is like razor blades down my spine now and getting worse. Come on Gillard, answer the question because I wan’t to know. What have you done with 1.7 Billion dollar blowout. Disgusted!!!!

Warren says:

07:37am | 17/09/09

Without wanting to reflect on the chair, I think the rapid pace of this site is catching up to the staff columnists. This piece is amazingly over the top with little or no reflection on past practice.

Ministers not answering questions is a completely timed honoured practice, it is just that Gillard seems better at it than most. This is not the only debate in the last 4 years that has ended with “if you disagree with me, you hate the children”, for example, a few other arguments put by ministers along the same lines:

Nelson, Education Minister: “If you disagree with the obscene funding being given to welathy private schools, you hate the children”

Downer, Foriegn Minister: “If you don’t want to invade Iraq, you hate the children”

Unions: “If you support individual statutory workplace agreements, you hate the children”

Anti-junk food lobby: “If you refuse to ban junk food advertising in the afternoons and junk-food sponsorship of sport, you hate the children”

Anti-computer games lobby: “If you let children play computer games, you hate the children”

Everyone uses this defence if it makes even the slightest bit of sense. The opposition used it when they were in government, lobby groups have used it since lobby groups existed. They all do it because it works.

Simply whinging about it because you find yourself on the wrong end of a skillful politician executing a tried and tested political tool doesn’t mean Democracy itself is coming to and end - it just means you need to pick your fights.

Joel B1 says:

07:48am | 17/09/09

It’s hardly surprising. You only had to look at the smug self-satisfied grin Rudd and Gillard habitually exhibit to know that they really don’t give a shit-storm.

Helen P says:

07:58am | 17/09/09

Look a this picture, what a cocky little bunch they are indeed. This is the bunch Governing the country. They are so cock sure they feel they don’t have to answer any questions put to them by the opposition who are supposed to hold them accountable on behalf of the tax payer. Their tactic of just laughing and not answering questions, playing up to the camera and using QT as some sort of game show is almost unwatchable. They need to realise they are not on Rove, but are being watched by Australians who would like questions answered instead of watching a PR exercise on how good they are and how funny and witty they can be. The attitude of look at us we’re in Government now not you guys, is wearing thin. Answer the question, and be relevent! order!

Garry says:

08:02am | 17/09/09

This picture says alot, We know what happens to people who think they’re just too good for everyone else. Watch your halo guys because it is going to slip one day.

Charles says:

08:04am | 17/09/09

It is a shame that Malcolm Tunbull did not have the eloquent turn of phrase whihc is so often remembered from his legal days (...the gentlemen is being economical wit the truth), as ‘She is disdainful of all or any attempts to hold her to account for the spectacular waste and mismanagement occurring under her watch’ did not have the same carriage.

A pity as I wait every day for the ‘old Malcolm’ to appear in print & footage, with examples of his wit & pith evident in comments or replies to the Government’s biggest airbags.

Come back, Malcolm the nation needs you.

Don Clark says:

08:07am | 17/09/09

Actually there *is* a point here, if unintended.

The journalists responsible for The Punch sort of presentation need to learn, and quickly, that the tricks of the trade used in print and on the small screen will not work on-line.

The slant, the misrepresentation, the loaded summary, the loaded opener and closer, all easier to notice and easier to respond to.  Very easy to check facts and offer links to better sources.  Not hard, either, to notice apparent “streaming” of responses.

The Punch isn’t about conversation, nor information.  It’s about slant and “colour”.  And free content.  Pity.

Kent says:

08:09am | 17/09/09

By the look of this photo you would think they have nothing to worry about. Here’s Gillard laughing her head off while she’s wasting tax payers money and refuses to answer questions. Here’s Rudd with his smug little giggles trying fake he’s hiding from the camera and Swan? Well you make your mind up about him. What a bunch of performing seals they are.

Steven says:

08:19am | 17/09/09

I watched question time yesterday.  I thought Gillard did very well.  She has taken on board the questions from the opposition and promise to bring answers back to the parliament and has done that everytime.  And she remembers the blundering misrepresentative misleading questions from individual opposition members It is obvious that the opposition are not doing very good research before asking their questions and as a result deserve all the derisive comments she makes.  Her smug look annoys me, he voice grates on me…but she does the job and that’s what is important.

miles says:

08:40am | 17/09/09

which is why it is so damn interesting Don, to see these agendas writ large without the usual attention to subtlety…

the real problem with question time
is that the questions are asked by politicians
answering or not answering meaninglessly loaded questions from government or opposition (respectively) is really neither here nor there

would be much more interesting if the questions were fielded from the gallery… by jennie brockie for example

Old Clive says:

08:43am | 17/09/09

Drop the title"Questions without notice.“As one blogger writes the research into the questions is lacking, but the replies must be costing us taxpayers thousands of dollars for each answer. Drop the whole facade and realise that we are in the hands of a potential dictator. Most politicians are control freaks by their nature but this mob are over the gunwhales

Daniel says:

08:50am | 17/09/09

I think she is the best parliamnetary performer and the best the ALP has. She needs to be PM and take over from Rudd.

mazzy says:

08:49am | 17/09/09

i agree with steven. gillard is investigating liberal claims. it is a shame that journalists appear to print headlines and do not follow up and investigate the claims made by liberals in question time. it would be good to get the full story for a change. we should never forget headline =  children overboard.

Patrick says:

09:00am | 17/09/09

This is nothing new. This government is merely abusing question time in the time honored tradition of the previous government and every government before it.

ShaneO says:

09:04am | 17/09/09

That politicians have been doing this for the last ‘30 years’ (as stated by Don Clark) doesn’t make it right!

As Gillard is ’ better at it then most’ as stated by Warren isn’t something to admire.

I genuinely worry about our democracy with this bunch. They have perfected the art of spin and never give a straight answer to journalists who don’t keep them to account. If they refuse straight answers properly during question time how are they being kept to account?

John says:

09:17am | 17/09/09

Actually Tory, “question time” is meant to be that way (blame the self regulating politicians). Despite Julia Gillard’s leftist youth, she is obviously one of Australia’s most gifted politicians (as is Tony Abbott and the emerging Chris Pine).

Joel says:

09:18am | 17/09/09

To have a Government that refuses to be held accountable and evade scrutiny by not answering questions asked of it is not democracy. They need to pull in their swollen heads in and explain the stuff ups in their Government for the sake of this country. How long are they just going to keep us in the dark and get away with waste and mismangement. I don’t think it’s such a laughing matter as shown in this photograph, when you are playing around with the tax payers dollars. They seem to think that throwing billions of tax payers dollars around haphazardly with out plan or scrutiny is all you need to do in Government. WRONG! You are also accountable and should be open to scutiny. Answer the bloody questions! You guys aren’t as clever as you think you are.

Jake the Muss says:

09:21am | 17/09/09

It’s almost enough to make you lose faith in Government, start believing in Public Choice Theory;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Public_choice_theory
and become a libertarian;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Libertarianism
Or you could just hope that ‘the good guys’ will get in and everything will be better;
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Delusional
 
http://www.pimpinforfreedom.wordpress.com

Andy says:

09:22am | 17/09/09

ShaneO what rubbish! There are two types in this world people and politicians, even a straight answer from one is a lie and that goes for both sides of politics. And dont even try to hint that the current gov spins any more than the previous, that just shows your comments are partisan.

Don Clark says:

09:31am | 17/09/09

Not only did I not say it’s been going on for 30 years, I didn’t say it was “right” either!

Far longer than 30 years - if a commercial media course is a yardstick.

Misrepresenting in print & online, by much the same tricks, what happens in parliament won’t fix it, either.

Here’s a thought. Why not try writing direct to your members and asking them to be open and straight, in asking and answering. Might just help.

Matthew says:

09:33am | 17/09/09

I’ve never liked smart ass’s, and I’ve never seen a more arrogant, self obsessed, condescending, unprofessional, poll chasing, show pony’s in Government before. I can’t wait to see them get their just desserts and fall on their shiny sword, which is what happens to people who have this character.

Kris says:

09:45am | 17/09/09

This Government may not spin more than others, but their particular brand is far more obnoxious and offensive. The consistent use of weasel words and cliched phrases and constant failure to answer a single question has turned Question Time into a bigger waste of time than it’s ever been.

Kazza says:

09:47am | 17/09/09

Gillard sure is a good performer for the cameras I’ll give her that. But she needs to realise she’s a politician in charge of very important portfolios, which she doesn’t seem to have a clue on how to manage. It’s not time for laughing and poking fun at the opposition Julia, you have some very seriious questions to answer. Forget your “entertainer” label and fix the mess you’ve created! This women doesn’t belong in Government she belongs on Rove! There is more to Government than being known as entertaining, otherwise Rove would be PM. Forget your side show and give us some substance, oh and answer the questions if you can please.

shabangabang says:

09:59am | 17/09/09

Julia may have broken QT but Joe Hockey has completely discredited it by Twittering during QT. Does he even want to be there? He and Tony Abbott combine to form the parliamentary equivalent of Statler and Waldorf. Hugely opinionated but a complete lack of substance.

Peter says:

10:04am | 17/09/09

I think she is the best parliamnetary performer and the best the ALP has. She needs to be PM and take over from Rudd.
LOL Performing is what seals and circus animals do, so you’ve certainly nailed that one! and needs to be PM. True, Performing Monkey!

Andy says:

10:07am | 17/09/09

Matthew did you forget to watch question time for the past 14 years champ? Serve up that bullsh*t to a crowd that will buy it.

Chris Grealy says:

10:14am | 17/09/09

Looks like Tory and the other Tories have got their knickers in a twist because the Opposition is ineffective. How dare the Labor Government show them up by being competent!

Muzz says:

10:20am | 17/09/09

Julia, if your porfolios weren’t such a shambles then you could afford yourself a little laugh at the Opposition. But honey, you don’t know what your doing, and it ain’t funny.

Bruce says:

10:26am | 17/09/09

It does concern me when politicians waste our time and OUR money in parliament. Fix question time, make politicians answer the question with a real answer.  The voters deserve real answers, not political game playing. If they are spending OUR money I want to know what they are doing with it. GIVE US ANSWERS. We all know Julia is after Kevins job. Give me Kevin anyday…Julia is light weight

Bob says:

10:29am | 17/09/09

“Julia broke Question Time”. Even Homer Simpson has a defence against that: “It was like that when I got here!”

“This Government may not spin more than others, but their particular brand is far more obnoxious and offensive.”

In other words:

“Your shit smells worse that my shit!”

Democracy in action.

Madcyril says:

10:30am | 17/09/09

This is getting laughable. Julia broke question time … what a joke. The poor Liberal’s can’t get a straight answer from a Government minister. Welcome to the wonderful world of opposition. Labor put up with these kinds of non answers for 11 years. And the Liberals are threatening boycotts after less than 2 years of opposition. Pathetic. Harden up for the sake of us all. Can you imagine this rabble of an opposition going up against Peter Costello or Paul Keating. Haha it would be the biggest Turkey shoot in history. Imagine Christopher Pyne up against either of those two. He’d be left a blubbering mess in one QT.

Neil says:

10:34am | 17/09/09

Labor seem to be keeping their stuff ups under the radar at the moment, but they keep mounting and eventually the media are going to realise there is more to news than the Opposition.

DG says:

10:40am | 17/09/09

This is hardly new, in “Yes, Prime Minister” Bernard accidentally gives an interview and Jim explains how he should have responded to the questions the question:

“If you have nothing to say, say nothing. But better, have something to say and say it, no matter what they ask. Pay no attention to the question, make your own statement. If they ask you the same question again, you just say, ‘That’s not the question’ or ‘I think the more important question is this:’ Then you make another statement of your own. Easy-peasy.”.

A Minister has no interest in answering a question - if members of Parliament were interested in sharing the truth with the electorate, question time would be unnecessary and FOI would be assumed. QT allows Ministers to avoid opposition questions and provide press releases in Parliament and allows members to say “We grilled the govt about X, Y and Z” (without referring to the fact that they achieved nothing in the way of answers).

Further, in our world of 5 second sound bites QT allows members to get their face on TV for sledging the other party (which is “entertaining”) and the publicity works in the members favour. If they spend 10 minutes answering a question in broad terms, there is no specific sound bite or quote that the media can use and as such the answer will be ignored, and in the even that they are quoted, they will claim that the quote didn’t reflect the full. As much as media claim to seek the truth, what they really want is a snippy one-liner that they can quote.

watty says:

10:52am | 17/09/09

What’s a Question Time? I thought the Rudd Government had outlawed this practice of answering prepared questions with even morre prepared answers.

Question Time should be devoted to questions from the Opposition answered within a two minute response period. by the responsible Governernment Minister.

Sergeant at Arms may be called to drag Rudd or Swan screaming from the Chamber.

iansand says:

11:02am | 17/09/09

I wonder what would happen if press reports of Question Time went something like this:

“Mr Pyne asked Ms Gillard a question in relation to expenditure of $700,000 to demolish (and not replace) a 3 year old classroom block at Lower Woop Woop South School.  Ms Gillard rabbited on for a while, but did not give an answer to that question.”

How long would the farce continue?  Unfortunately it might destroy the incestuous relationship between politicians and the press gallery, which would mean that journalists would have to work instead of regurgitating leaks.

Don Clark says:

11:02am | 17/09/09

In point of fact, a read of Hansard -or attentive listening to what is actually said at broadcast - would show that Ms Gillard as Minister does indeed answer the questions and with some precision. And remarkably often, considering the weight of experience and the spurious points of order and loaded, confected questions.  The Liberal opposition may not like the answers, any more than it liked the questions in it own day - tough. 

As a non-Labor voter, there is nothing I’d like more than to see a Government of some apparent potential, largely yet unrealised, held coolly to account.  How a lack-lustre Liberal Opposition hopes to do that by pointless exaggerations anyone could drive a bus through is beyond me, when hard information is so easy to find these days.

But no doubt, later today, the hapless drones and headkickers of the Opposition will once again shut their eyes; to the latest from the OECD, as with the past cool summations of say Gittins and so many others; and once again bang on about their fantasies of waste, over-spending and all the rest.

Strikes me, if anyone’s errrr….overstimulating themselves, its the Opposition.  Time to tackle something relevant, and with cool fact, not lash-ups, exaggeration and confected outrage.

Don done for the day.

Jay says:

11:06am | 17/09/09

How is this news now? Question Time has always been a joke and a complete waste of time/money. Both sides of politics have been equally culpable in the last 15 or so years. Julia just plays the game a bit better than the rest.

Betty says:

11:09am | 17/09/09

I understand alot of questions asked by the opposition deserve a laugh, but what about the questions that really need answering? Not all the questions asked are unworthy of an answer, treating them as such is arrogance.

Kenny B says:

11:42am | 17/09/09

Hey Wayne at 7:36 you must have been tense to be up that early and at it…take a pill son, calm down…the Libs did it for years…do you reckon the labour Gov is going to change it? By the way Julia’s voice doesn’t really enter into calculations..if I was to say that Turnbulls voice is pompous or Joe Hockey sounds like he failed third grade, you’d take offence would you?

Nicholas James says:

11:50am | 17/09/09

Pride comes before the fall

pete m says:

12:16pm | 17/09/09

Question Time can be improved quite easily.

1. Only Opposition parties can ask questions.  Dorothy needs to be put to bed.

2. Answers are time limited to say 5 minutes. 

3. Points of Order narrowed and the Speaker to rule on them summarily (this happens now but there is too much wind bag nonsense in this process).

4. Respect for the person speaking - ie a no interruption policy / loud mouths.  All parties should realise these loudmouth interruptions don’t make a democracy, just make it a pub.

Aint going to happen, so we are stuck with the Dullinator and his merry friends.

KJ says:

12:21pm | 17/09/09

Yeah, thanks Kev and Julia. My son’s secondary college has just told me the “free” laptop from you is compulsory and will cost me $1800 or thereabouts in extra fees over three years. A bulk deal at the local computer store would see that cost shaved by two-thirds, if we were allowed to negotiate it.

regina says:

12:28pm | 17/09/09

yes, it seems smug is the new black.

Jack Gilbert says:

12:36pm | 17/09/09

jack says
I totally agree with kenny B, I am 70 years of age and have been listening to parliment for a lot of years and nothings changed, most of you should listen to Gillards answers, because she does answer the questions put to her.
I would just like to give you one, the $250,000.00 dollars given to a 1 pupil school, she stated that no money had changed but the opposition keep bringing it up because it suits
                                                          JACK G

acker says:

12:38pm | 17/09/09

Since my first post the shadow minister of education has been described in these posts as Mr Pyne and even Chris Pine in the more Liberal friendly posts. And only called Christopher by a Labor fan…....Do your image a big favor Chris and drop the longer form of the name.

Nick says:

01:30pm | 17/09/09

Smugness is not unique, it is implicit in any governement. Nelson, Abbott, Pyne and The Bishops pumped & prenned and gloated in the last government.. Howard took pleasure in showing his dominance over Crean & Beazley. That is the way goverments of all flavours behave, if you are just new to watching question time it has been this way for decades, there was contempt for Hayden by Howard & Fraser, this is nothing new.
All governments run qestion time as a free kick, why would anyone allow their mortal enemy a free kick… the real questions are asked publicly in the media using their chosen journalists.

pc says:

01:36pm | 17/09/09

As Don points out, the punch, could be so much more than the repetition of ineffective attacks on the government. Read a poll. And Don I think that yourself and a number of other commentators have brought balance to this particular strand. And in tribute to the example you set Don, I too am going to try to particpate in something bigger than “sling shi# at the government.” The persistence in this is a disservice to all australians and I know of one coalition mp who is doing something about it. That is tony abbott. I usually call him people skills (thanks annabel crab), but I saw him last night on lateline, and it seems that he has realised the coalition need to form a coherent alternative to the government, not merely obstruct government policy. Malcolm so far has obstructed the government from doing anything about waste - e.g. voting against the $1.9 billion dollar means testing of private health insurance. No one wants waste - yes, it very obvious isnt it? Malcolms attempt to paint a future deficit as “bondage” is falling on ears that have been decieved by his kind many times, in recent living memory.

One thing that pleases me is the switch from mimicing the Republican party line in favour of David Cameron’s. That is, terrify the public with a fictional debt - that is a debt that cannot be paid off, by constantly refering to “history proves” or “history demonstrates”. So here’s a history lesson for those studying the politics of fear authored by the Conservative Party.  Between 1750 to 1870, Britain colonised an empire, won wars, paid for an obscenely large navy to protect the empire and fight the wars, the national debt was above 80% for most of those years. Economic decline has historically coincided with pre occupation with debt. The government has done a good job of managing the gfc, the coalition have to prove they can do a better job. Good Luck tony.

Marilyn says:

02:01pm | 17/09/09

The problem is that on $13 billion of the $14.2 billion has been spent so the blow out was a silly beat up by stupid little minister for skirts Pyne.

If you want to whine about waste children let’s talk about tanks we didn’t need, helicopters that don’t fly, wars that are useless and illegal, $3 billion to lock up innocent men, women and children only to have to let them out again.

$20 billion on so-called anti-terrorism and not one thing has ever happened, all they have to show for it is 10 bogus convictions for thinking out loud and on and on goes the waste.

Not to mention the $2 billion + advertising bill for John Howard’s mob.

I don’t like Julia and have very good reasons for it.  Personal reasons that showed me she is not much of a human being towards those who need help but I will defend her abilities.

Shane From Melbourne says:

02:15pm | 17/09/09

The game everyone can play on The Punch- spot the Liberal supporter, spot the Labor supporter, spot the political party staffer, spot the christian lobbyist etc. I’m out of luck spotting the chinese hyper-nationalist since it’s been ages since a story on China came up on The Punch.

fehowarth says:

03:42pm | 17/09/09

Exactly what questions are the government refusing to answer.  From my understanding they are put propositions by the opposition that certain things are amiss and do they agree that they are incompetent.  The only question I can see that they are not answering, is not agreeing with the opposition that everything they do is wrong.  How can such questions be answered. Maybe the opposition needs to ask questions that genuinely question the governments actions, not attack the ministers personally, then maybe questions can be answered.

Helen says:

03:48pm | 17/09/09

Joe Wilson heckling Obama = Black people shouldn’t be president, who does he think he is!
Tory calling Julia Too Big for Her Boots / Too Smart For Her Own Good = Women shouldn’t be combative in Question time - they should simper, be polite and burst into tears when criticised!

The language of “they should keep to their proper station” is easy to recognise, especially disappointing when coming from a member of a younger generation.

Helen says:

04:01pm | 17/09/09

Shane Evans, in another article in The Punch at the mo’:
[Quote]
he is actually a player in the most ego driven business in town – the perfect storm of parliamentary democracy. 

In fact, his title awards him status of biggest and best on field in a ruthless industry which demands people with large egos, plies them with attention to feed their distended self-esteems and treats them like royalty as they make laws and spend our money on our behalf.

It’s a world of high stakes, backstabbing and intrigue.
[End quote]

Yet according to Tory, Parliamentary question time was a gentleman’s club of cucumber sandwiches, white gloves and “Oh no, my dear mr Tuckey, after YOU!”, before this rude Julia Gillard came along and broke it!

Oh Punch, you are a neverending source of entertainment.

KeIThy says:

04:13pm | 17/09/09

This is an abuse of address space: the ‘free-market’ liars hate the guile of a woman showing how preoccupied with talking above its weight the previous Government was: Costello ran a mile and the Fibs will never recover from the embarrasment. All hail the undoing of the ex-John-Howard party by this sharpest of tools in the shed!

Formersnag says:

06:11pm | 17/09/09

Sheeple, stop voting for them. Vote for real minor parties and independents. then direct your preference away from the sitting member. No more safe electorates or superannuation.

Trevor says:

11:01am | 18/09/09

I don’t know whether I’m just becoming less tolerant as I get older or whether each successive government really is worse than the last. This week’s question time has shown a number of things:
1/ Harry Jenkins needs to be replaced by someone with a bit of steel in his spine and who will eject govt ministers from the chamber for failing to follow directions of the speaker
2/ Question time is truly a complete waste of time as long as the Speaker allows members to stand up and tell blatant lies about members of the other side

As for journalists: I listened to a Radio interview with Rudd this morning and it was the last straw. What is the point of asking questions of politicians who relentlessly refuse to answer the questions. Is it some kind of journo game to keep having a go in case they catch a pollie out? Give it up. If Rudd or Gillard or Hockey refuse to answer your questions, stop rewarding them with free air-time. Just stop interviewing them. Put on some real news.

Wayne says:

01:07pm | 18/09/09

Hey Kenny B. I hate all party politics full stop. I take no offence about what you say about Hockey or who ever. The only democratic way to run this country is with true independents who represent their constituents and not the party line. We are run by voted in dictators. I have no issue with vigorous debate just fools wasting tax payer dollars. Maybe I shouldn’t have mentioned her voice, I agree, but it does grate!

Michael says:

04:21pm | 18/09/09

Tory Tory Tory, the stiletto may be on the other foot, but just quietly, C Pyne rather looks like he might enjoy a heeling grind to the sternum or points southward by Julia G. As has been noted elsewhere, the Minister for many things actually does attend to the meat in the questions. She simply avoids the telegraphed attempts to mire her in self-incrimination by too too smart phrasing of Opposition questions. They don’t like being to the Speaker’s left hand side this Coalition mob, but largely, they put themselves there, and almost to a man and woman, they seem determined to keep themselves there. For lack of the first idea how to get themselves ‘back where they belong’. This lot don’t need a messiah, they need a new Moses to split the denying wall of the Red Sea for them. Except it ain’t as red as they mouth-frothingly maintain it is. Perhaps ‘Moses’ will be anointed in Higgins, a Costello acolyte will claim the sceptre he spurned, and another woman will dominate Question Time somewhere down the line?