An interesting example of how short the public’s memory is from Essential Media today:
and
“We will use the majority we have,” Prime Minister John Howard said to applause back in 2005. “We’ll use it … soberly, wisely and sensibly. We won’t use it capriciously or wantonly or indiscriminately, and I make that solemn promise on your behalf to all of the Australian people.”
We won’t mention WorkChoices. Instead, let’s nominate the Northern Territory Intervention legislation as the most extreme example of the Howard government’s inclination to ram legislation through with the use of the Coalition’s Senate majority after the Prime Minister made that solemn promise. At the time, the government refused to consider any amendments and gave over a single day to debating legislation granting unprecedented powers to the government and by extension the military. In fact, the legislation was pushed through with such lightspeed that some Liberal MPs had no idea what they were voting for at the time.
Careful what you wish for.
You must remember though that the Coalition knows what is best for us, and only ever rams things through because it has our best interests at its paternalistic heart. Labor on the other hand, as all right-thinking listeners know, is dedicated to the overthrow of democracy and the Aussie (oi oi oi) way of life as we know it. Big difference.
Perhaps Garrett could give a rendition of the Oils “Short Memories”?
As Stevo sez, all Labor governments are, by definition, illegitimate and merely a distressing interregnum until the electorate gets it Right.
I esp like the recent wonderful wordsmithing that went into “jackboot democracy”.
I wonder if it’s an indication of just how the “engaged” the electorate really is – despite the media blowing plattitudes in our ear, of how intelligent “we” are, while screwing us – how many of us are prepared to let the “amassed media” do our political thinking for us?