Roll up, roll up, for the three-ring Bradfield circus

Chris says:

02:03pm | 25/08/09

And the pre-selectors of the seat? any say for them? the ‘local issues’ dare I mention them.. - nope - just ‘the safe seat of Bradfield’ routine again and candidates from all over town / nation (like Dr Nelson of Tasmania/SA/ALP).

Former MP David Connelly’s situation all over again, who care’s what people INSIDE Bradfield think.

(Disclaimer: Not a Bradfield elector - but was).

AJ says:

02:58pm | 25/08/09

Here’s a dangerous suggestion:  Have the Libs follow the example of the Tories in England and hold an open primary.  Because all this backroom factionalism is a big bucket of stupid that contributes nothing to democracy.

Shane From Melbourne says:

04:46pm | 25/08/09

Here’s another suggestion: that all politicians who quit their position mid term pay for the resulting by election. Why should the tax payer fork out more money to elect someone else to replace a politician who elected for their FULL term? Another possibility is that all politicians post a personal bond of say $10,000 that is forfeited if they don’t serve their FULL term.

David says:

05:32pm | 25/08/09

@Shane from Melbourne. That is a ridiculous claim. You can’t bind people like that. Byelections happen all the time for a wide range of reasons. If you force someone to stay in the seat when they don’t want to be there anymore, how productive do you think they are going to be and how is that to the benefit of their constituents.

I would hazard a guess that you would likely form the view that a lazy, unproductive Member of Parliament should “get out of the way” and let someone else have the job if they are no longer interested.

Do you think that when a Prime Minister calls an election early they should personally pay the difference in costs? Or should we actually charge the Governor General because ultimately, the GG has to approve?

If we didn’t want the possibility of byelections, we wouldn’t have legislated to allow them.

Brendan Nelson has been a loyal representative for the people of Bradfield for the past 13 and a half years. If he chooses to retire mid-term, then that is his right and frankly, I think a privilege he has earned. And this goes for any MP from all sides of politics.

Rich says:

06:48pm | 25/08/09

@Shane, So you’re suggesting that people should have to pay to quit their jobs?

Nice.

Julie Coker-Godson says:

08:06pm | 25/08/09

Personally I don’t blame Dr Nelson for leaving early.  My feeling is that he has been treated badly by his Liberal fellows so why should he stay; I wouldn’t.

Shane From Melbourne says:

08:17pm | 25/08/09

@ David- what a load of crap. When you put yourself forward to be elected, you are saying that you will represent your electorate for a full term. What about the electorate, don’t they have any right to be represented by the person they elected for the full term? Politicians bleat on about their rights and privileges but say darn little about their responsibilities. One of them is to serve the full term.
In the business world, it’s called a breach of contract.

iansand says:

08:26pm | 25/08/09

Better idea - give the seat to whomever came second in the last election.  That will concentrate their minds.

The big question is whether Labor will run a candidate.  My bet is no.  The would be on a hiding to nothing.  Let the Greens poach votes from the Liberals.  Turdbull gets the opprobrium for a reduced vote, and the Greens don’t have a prayer of winning.

Bruce says:

09:45pm | 25/08/09

Agree David 5.32.. Whilst a byelection is not the ideal situation. This is the price and the freedom of our great political system. I believe many voters do not understand or care how good our system is.

Nik says:

11:33am | 26/08/09

Interesting.  No women in the running for the Lib’s safest seat.  How surpising!

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