Apparently the voters of Wagga did not share the views of people like Peter Bruce when they recorded their votes on Saturday.
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After sixty-one years it appears that the Liberals have lost that seat, which is likely to go to an independent.
That is a healthy sign and the people there can expect excellent representation from someone not tied to one of the major parties.
People like the late Peter Andren (Calare) and Tony Windsor (New England), in the Federal sphere, provided examples of the value of independent members who can be fully involved in serving the needs of those they represent.
The thinking is that the recent leadership crisis and the highlighting of bastardry by Government members, as well as having an allegedly corrupt ex-member, were significant factors in the low Liberal vote in Wagga.
READ MORE: Show of “support”: Letters to the Editor
If that situation is replicated in future elections we could see the emergence of a much different political picture.
Peter has regarded my criticism of Angus Taylor as a ‘conspiracy’ to urge an anti-Liberal vote.
That was certainly not my intention, but come to think of it, that’s not such a bad idea.
If the Liberals bomb out in subsequent State and Federal elections they will have done it to themselves.
Bill Shorten might not be particularly inspiring, but he does have some very able people in his team.
And, after all, when you consider the behaviour of the conservatives in recent weeks, could we do any worse?
The Tories regularly try to denigrate the union movement by drawing attention to its most extreme elements.
They would have us believe that unions are prepared to create anarchy, when actually the majority of union leaders are law-abiding citizens working to win, or preserve, satisfactory pay and working conditions for members.
Even Scott Morrison has acknowledged that. As regards the ABC, well, most people feel they are fortunate to have a public broadcaster of such high quality.
The journalistic standards it represents are far higher than the ‘tabloid’ efforts of the commercial stations.
When Labor was going through the throes of the leadership battles involving Gillard/Rudd the ABC provided full and frank coverage, as it has now done in the case of Dutton/Turnbull/Morrison.
You can’t have it both ways, Peter.
