“This is not Rome. The people do not want circuses, they want services that work.”
Peter Wilkosz of Byron Bay writes to the SMH to comment on plans by the Labor government to spend $90 million on a V8 Supercar race in Sydney’s Olympic Park – a race that many residents do not want. Other writers are not impressed either:
“This latest in a long list of decisions to ignore the loud resistance of the community shows that Nathan Rees is continuing the ALP culture of deafness.” Kate Rowe, Ashfield.
“Since when did NSW have $90 million to spare to subsidise a wretched car race? I thought we were just about broke.” Jennie Owen, Baulkham Hills.
Filed under: Politicians | Tags: Brendan Nelson, Labor, Liberals, Wayne Swan
“Mr Speaker, this Opposition stands for big oil, fast cars and Bacardi Breezers. The Liberal Party is being led by Robbie Williams.”
Wayne Swan, as quoted by Annabel Crabb. September 5 2008. Bet you Labor is sooo wishing the Liberals were led by Robbie Williams now.
“A new description of NSW Labor: organised grime.”
Ian Morison, Forrest, ACT, letter to The Australian.
Simon Benson comments on the events of the last week. He quotes a Labor Party member who says, “The term tomb stalkers comes to mind.”
“At least Kevin Rudd has laid to rest the myth that Labor Party is the battlers’ or working man’s party. You are the same as all the rest, interested only in the massive payout at the end of a very short, unproductive pretext of government.”
Daily Telegraph reader Bryan T. Lawton of Ocean Shores.
“He was a shirker when we needed a nation-builder. The Australian economy, unfortunately for all of us, was left exposed by his personal neglect of skills and infrastructure, in particular.”
Federal Treasurer Wayne Swan hits back at his predecessor Peter Costello’s criticism of the Labor government’s handling of the economy.
Michael Costa is not popular with Daily Telegraph readers:
“I can’t believe Michael Costa still has a job. Everything he touches turns to mud.” Craig want, Sydney.
“Michael Costa is the supreme example of the self perpetuating Sussex St grandees who are all over the state parliamentary party like a rash. Spin and bluster have replaced detailed analytical debate, policy or respect for any of the Labor traditions and principals [sic]. So Mr Costa, please pick up your bat, ball and parliamentary pension and head off to the big end of town’s boardrooms that you are so eagerly trying to ingratiate yourself and play with their shareholder’s money.” Peter Seinor, Maroubra.
“Morris Iemma is so incompetent that Michael Costa could tell him anything and Morris would agree. Michael, give it away because your name along with the entire state Labor Party and the Premier are already in the history books as the most incompetent clowns ever to govern the state of NSW.” Rod Williams, Mt Annan.
Serial writer of letters to the editor, David Ingram of Randwick, is at it again in the Sun-Herald of August 17 2008.
“I am totally convinced that, no matter how any letters may be written to newspapers by disgruntled readers, no matter how many protests and confrontations may be staged – even criticism from its own parliamentary party members and from its own state headquarters – this incompetent NSW government takes no notice.
In fatc, it seems to rejoice in maladministration and, as it headsinot its final few years of office before it is unceremoniously kicked out into political oblivion for time immemorial, let’s hope the damage they inflict between now and then is only minimal.
This banal bunch of charlatans will go down in history as the worst, most abominable administration ever inflicted on an Australian electorate.”
More criticism comes from the readers of the Daily Telegraph, responding to news of Michael Costa’s run-in with a ten year old girl who complained about wages for firefighters. Costa had declared that NSW firefighters were amongst the best paid in the country; the girl piped up: “Excuse me sir, I’m only 10 years old and even I know that is a lie!”
“This is Labor. Not listening to your constituents, holding the belief that you know better, and doing whatever the hell you like.” Patrick Ellis, Paramatta.
“What is it about Michael Costa – anybody else who behaves in this boorish and thuggish manner would get the sack. Yet Morris Iemma lets him get away with it. Mr Costa is a sick joke and it’s time for him to go.” Paul Garrett, Lewisham.
“Like Mr Iemma, everything Mr Costa is involved in is also stuffed up and the sooner NSW voters see the back of these clowns and their fellow Labor ministers the better. NSW Labor – rotten to the core.” Robert Scott, Sydney.
Joe Hildebrand asked a very valid question:
“Yesterday we reported that Michael Costa had had a confrontation with a 10 year old girl over the issue of firefighters’ wage increases. Not surprisingly, everyone seemed to take the little girl’s side, but I ask you: If the Devil were to come to Earth, which one do you think he’d dress up as?”
“What is it with Labor women and their born-to-rule attitude? It’s hard to forget Belinda Neal’s “don’t-you-know-who-I-am?” performance, monstering young waiters at Iguanas Waterfront bar on the Central Coast in June.
Ultimately, Meagher’s treatment of her driver may seem a trivial matter to harp on, but you can tell a great deal about a person’s character by their behaviour towards perceived subordinates, whether drivers or waiters. Marie Antoinette was guillotined for less.”
Mirande Devine reflects on NSW Health Minister Reba Meagher, who left a driver waiting all night for her outside an entertainment venue while she went home with her new boyfriend. Meagher’s behaviour brought forth a flurry of criticism from members of the public, as these comments in the Daily Telegraph indicate:
“Beofre sje was considered as incompetent; now I think she is just plain evil.” Norm, Penrith.
“The arrogance and incompetence and general lack of community expectations marks [Labor] for a long term in opposition.” Chris McGinness, Erskineville.
“Why do ministers need to be chauffeur-driven around anyway. This country pays through the nose for politicians to be pampared and pandered to. I’m sick to death of hearing stories like this of taxpayer money being wasted. Reba Meagher is just an MP, for God’s sake, not the bloody Queen.
She can drive herself to work, or take public transport like other mere mortals. It’s clear why politicians don’t give a rat’s arse about the decaying public transport system – they never have to use it.
It’s time we brought them all back down to earth. It’s completely immoral that they enjoy the use of a car and driver while the rest of us struggle to fill the petrol tank and pay for the groceries.” Julia Uhlen, Neutral Bay.
“Reba Meagher, I think people will be as glad to see you go as they will Morris and, believe me, you are going – that is a given. Now sjut up and ive the public some value for money in your role instead of having your nose constantly in the trough.” Ian Atkinson, Wallagoot.
