Aussie Politics
Dateline: back in Blighty
During a break from driving in Tasmania, the Donut came face to face with the island's federal member, Dick Adams.
It was on a sunny day in the historic burgh of Hamilton on the way to the west side of the island. We were walking around the "town" looking for food for lunch. As we stopped to peruse the local information board, a car pulling a caravan pulled into the town's middle. The car was blazoned with Adams' election banner, as was the caravan.
Adams, the consummate politician, wandered up and introduced himself. He immediately recognised that we were visitors. I reaffirmed that telling him that unfortunately we couldn't vote for him.
In what seems a common occurrence on telling him we were from England he announced a direct family linkage. His wife is from Devon.
Well, Adams may have retained his seat, but John Howard has retained the premiership.
It was interesting to observe the election whilst in Oz. A much more confrontation and personal campaign that we experience in Britain. Australia allows direct TV advertising - like the US. It was also interesting to see that real policies - like the opposition Labor Party's Medicare policy - emerging in the midst of an election campaign.
Howard easily kept hold of power. Labor, led by the comparative novice Mark Latham, put up a good show. But, from the outside it looked an uphill struggle.
During a break from driving in Tasmania, the Donut came face to face with the island's federal member, Dick Adams.
It was on a sunny day in the historic burgh of Hamilton on the way to the west side of the island. We were walking around the "town" looking for food for lunch. As we stopped to peruse the local information board, a car pulling a caravan pulled into the town's middle. The car was blazoned with Adams' election banner, as was the caravan.
Adams, the consummate politician, wandered up and introduced himself. He immediately recognised that we were visitors. I reaffirmed that telling him that unfortunately we couldn't vote for him.
In what seems a common occurrence on telling him we were from England he announced a direct family linkage. His wife is from Devon.
Well, Adams may have retained his seat, but John Howard has retained the premiership.
It was interesting to observe the election whilst in Oz. A much more confrontation and personal campaign that we experience in Britain. Australia allows direct TV advertising - like the US. It was also interesting to see that real policies - like the opposition Labor Party's Medicare policy - emerging in the midst of an election campaign.
Howard easily kept hold of power. Labor, led by the comparative novice Mark Latham, put up a good show. But, from the outside it looked an uphill struggle.
posted by pete at
18:42
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