*****

While having a few barnacles removed at Bertie's Tonsorial Parlour and Discussion Club the other day, there appeared a local fellow who indicated that he was extremely disgusted that his parliamentary representative had failed to keep an appointment. And, he said, he had put on a clean shirt and a belt on his trousers for the occasion, too. He disappeared threatening to vote for the dreaded Other Side. We heard that the politician did turn up later.

                                                                   *****

For once in our lives, we agree with Barnaby Joyce. That star of the silver screen should have 'buggered' off back to America with his mutts. And he shouldn't have brought them in the first place without going through the right channels. It doesn't matter who you are, you shouldn't be allowed to ignore our quarantine laws. The laws are there to protect us from some of the nasties they have overseas, such as rabies. Those who are talking about the damage that Barnaby's comments might have on the Australian film industry ought to wake up to themselves.

                                                                    *****

And thank you to Frank Lowy, for providing a bit of unscheduled humour to the week. Just goes to show that even if you are a billionaire and a person of great influence, you can still come a gutser. As one media outlet put it, the incident saw the Great Man end up like everybody else, on the ground 'tits up.' It was bloody funny, Frank.