LET THE GAMES BEGIN

They opened Australia’s 41st Federal Parliament today. It confirmed the start of John Howard’s fourth consecutive term as Prime Minister. He will have kept the Labor Party out of office for more than ten years. Could be longer.

It is a day of quaint tradition that gives meaning to the words “pomp and circumstance”. The Chief Justice of the High Court is there and so is the Governor General. The newly elected speaker, David Hawker, whom nobody had ever heard of in the real world (despite his more than twenty years in office) had to pretend he didn’t want the job as two other pollies dragged him towards the Speaker’s Chair. He said he accepted the job with some reluctance. If that’s the case, as somebody shouted out, why stand for the job in the first place.

But, as John Anderson pointed out: in 106 years there have only been about 1000 Australians who have been elected as Federal politicians. A sobering thought.

I must admit it makes this Republican squirm when they all get up there and swear allegiance to Betty Windsor who lives ten thousand miles away and could not give a tinker’s cuss about this country. They pledge true allegiance to the Queen and her heirs and successors. The only out for Republican politicians is the line “according to law”.

John Howard, confirmed by the voters again at the election, was heard to crow that he felt “absolutely top of the world”. And why wouldn’t he? He has trashed Mark Latham. Neutered Peter Costello. And is about to become the second longest-serving Prime Minister in Australian history.

Next month he will pass the time served by Labor PM Bob Hawke who had that self-defined “love affair” with the Australian people.

Ironically, that love affair is back in the news today. The internet is awash with a “tired and emotional” Bob Hawke at the Spring Carnival’s Derby Day with barroom hands far too close to young women’s breasts. And all of it caught on camera. Don’t think Blanche will be that impressed. At least Hazel can’t remember.

Tuesday, November 16, 2004

©Copyright Derryn Hinch 2004