The Examiner's political journo is doing a very good job. I know the print press in Tassie gets a bagging from many quarters, but I believe when it comes to the coverage of politics, Sue Neales at the Mec and Baker do an excellent job.
Remember that both papers are tabloids, so don't expect broadsheet coverage. But having said that, Neales and Baker make much more sense than the mainland News Ltd pack (with the exception, ususally, George Megalogenis's analysis). Read more »
The question of whether voting at local government elections should be compulsory has got a run now it has been raised at the LGAT's AGM.
Premier David Bartlett (somewhat surprisingly - politicians generally shy away from local government politics) has weighed into the debate supporting the notion. Read more »
Paul Anthony Lennon, recent ex-premier of Tasmania, is a modern-day political anachronism.
In an age of the urbane, media savvy, technocratic, “third-way” political leaders from Tony Blair to Kevin Rudd, and all the current mob of state premiers in between, Paul Lennon stood out like a big, bright, red beacon.
Or saveloy, to some of his more unkind critics.
Read the whole item here at Online Opinion.
As readers of this site will surely know, one of my hobby-horses has been the necessity for the state Liberals, if they are to be a serious challenger at the next election, to ditch the "majority-or-nothing" stand they took to the 2006 election, and replace it with an acceptance of a minority result, if that is what eventuates.
Lib leader Will Hodgman got his lines word-perfect on Stateline last Friday:
AIRLIE WARD: Speaking of the next election, would you, Will Hodgman, be prepared to govern in minority? Read more »
There is a broad assumption in the analysis of electoral and campaign politics in Australia that both the major parties (the ALP and the Liberal/National coalition) enjoy a "base vote"; that is, voters who will vote for a party just about no matter what. Campaigns, the wisdom holds, are very much about attracting the group in the middle that have the propensity to "swing" between the major parties. Read more »
Tassie pollsters EMRS had front page of the Examiner today reporting that David Bartlett scored an impressive 46% as preferred premier, compared to his processor, Paul Lennon's 17% just a month ago. There are a few things to note about this poll: Read more »
The Tasmanian press, particularly the Mercury newspaper, has been making quite a bit of former deputy premier Bryan Green's "rehabilitation". (For those that have been on Mars for the past two years, see here for when the story broke in 2006 and here for a more recent take.) Read more »
OK, looks like we have lost a premier.
In these situations events occur quickly so there is not much point making comment until we know what we are dealing with.
As is my habit, I will wait a day or two for events to occur. A new premier is to be appointed and a new ministry. More soon ...
Tasmanian pollsters EMRS have produced a survey of state voting intention from 1002 respondents which provides all kinds of bad news for Premier Paul Lennon. Support for Labor is down to 33 per cent from 39 per cent at the previous survey in March (and from 49.6 per cent at the March 2006 election), while [...]
And lo, it came to pass. Without any surprise at all, two incumbents were re-elected to the Legislative Council. Paul Harriss (Huon) and Kerry Finch (Rosevears) can continue as upper house members until 2014. Read more »
Blogotariat is a platform to enhance the role of blog commentary and its growing influence on Mainstream Media and the political process – the great contest of ideas essential to a civil society. If you wish to contribute editorially or add your blog please use the Contact menu to send some info.
