The South Australian Political Landscape

[Gozu]

Must admit I missed this earlier this month:

VETERAN sports presenter Corey Wingard will be giving it a "red-hot crack" as the Liberal Party's candidate for the marginal state seat of Mitchell, when he contests the 2014 South Australian election.

The high-profile father of four joined the Liberal Party a year ago after leaving Network Ten with a view to standing for parliament.

Wingard, 41, who studied sports science before being offered a job at Wide World of Sports in Sydney almost 20 years ago, has also worked for Fox Sports and spent 10 years hosting Ten's Simply Footy.

http://www.theaustralian.com.au/nationa ... 6528476798

[stan]

Just a question, is the State Education Minister slightly retarded?

"She would like to tell us what is actually happening in our schools but she has to be focused on doing her job"

Seriously WTF was that acually supposed to mean?

[Psyber]

Just a question, is the State Education Minister slightly retarded?
"She would like to tell us what is actually happening in our schools but she has to be focused on doing her job"
Seriously WTF was that acually supposed to mean?

Isn't the job of the Minister to assist the administrative staff in hiding what is really going on and making the stat's look good?
Or have I watched too many episodes of "Yes Minister!"

[southee]

Just a question, is the State Education Minister slightly retarded?
"She would like to tell us what is actually happening in our schools but she has to be focused on doing her job"
Seriously WTF was that acually supposed to mean?

Isn't the job of the Minister to assist the administrative staff in hiding what is really going on and making the stat's look good?
Or have I watched too many episodes of "Yes Minister!"

She must go now.......

[Grahaml]

She certainly seems to be in a lot of trouble. But it sounds like a lot of this is an issue from before she was minister. I understand the buck stops at the top, but ministers can't know everything and is it really fair to blame the person who happens to be the minister at the time for an issue that goes back to at least 1 former minister, possibly many? Either way, I've never particularly been a fan of Portolesi. Never really seems to be able to do much more than be controversial.

Either way though, the government's toast. The Liberals, undeserving as they are, will belt the living suitcases out of Labor at the next election. If they ran their campaign well (or threw support behind Downer) they would reduce Labor to 1993 type size. Personally, I like the idea of Downer taking over. He has a national legacy which, in all fairness, is pretty good. He won't need to pander to populism but will make tough decisions in our best interests.

[Sojourner]

Portelesi and likely Chloe Fox will both go the way of Jane Lomax Smith at the next election if both of them don't suddenly find a way to do their jobs with some level of competence, irrespective of what swing for or against the ALP is seen at the next election.

Think its fair to say that Grace Portelesi is in front in the race to the bottom, between herself and Chloe Fox. Fox at least has some idea of how to take responsability for problems unlike Portelesi who despite her media training still stands there looking like a deer in the headlights when asked a basic question.

It was mentioned on 5AA that there are several other cases being invesitagated of abuse in the public school system and yet again neither Portelesi or the Premier want to say they know anything of it at all. Not good enough from them and this time also not good enough from the Education Department, which clearly needs a broom put through it at the first possible opportunity.

[Jimmy_041]

GrahamL is correct - it would appear that many of these incidents may have been before her time.
Who was her predecessor?

[mighty_tiger_79]

GrahamL is correct - it would appear that many of these incidents may have been before her time.
Who was her predecessor?

yes but some of these incidents have also just recently happened

perhaps both should go!

[Sky Pilot]

She certainly seems to be in a lot of trouble. But it sounds like a lot of this is an issue from before she was minister. I understand the buck stops at the top, but ministers can't know everything and is it really fair to blame the person who happens to be the minister at the time for an issue that goes back to at least 1 former minister, possibly many? Either way, I've never particularly been a fan of Portolesi. Never really seems to be able to do much more than be controversial.

Either way though, the government's toast. The Liberals, undeserving as they are, will belt the living suitcases out of Labor at the next election. If they ran their campaign well (or threw support behind Downer) they would reduce Labor to 1993 type size. Personally, I like the idea of Downer taking over. He has a national legacy which, in all fairness, is pretty good. He won't need to pander to populism but will make tough decisions in our best interests.

Nicely put

[Gozu]

Latest Newspoll 51-49 to SA Libs:

Newspoll has put a dampener on yuletide festivities for the South Australian Liberals, recording a sharp shift to Labor in the wake of Martin Hamilton-Smith’s narrowly unsuccessful challenge to Isobel Redmond’s leadership on October 23. The poll has the Liberals clinging to a 51-49 lead on two-party preferred, after leading 57-43 in July-September. Labor is up nine points on the primary vote to 37% with the Coalition down three to 40% and the Greens down two to 9%. Redmond’s disapproval rating is up four points to 40%, equalling her approval rating which is unchanged. Jay Weatherill on the other hand records an actively positive result, his approval up seven to 49% and disapproval down one to 32%. Weatherill’s lead as preferred premier has widened from 40-27 to 47-27.

http://blogs.crikey.com.au/pollbludger/ ... ral-in-sa/

[Roxy the Rat Girl]

The Libs certainly need some energy and enthusiasm and I can't see that happening under Isobel's leadership, nor Hamilton- Smith's, or any of the other Libs for that matter. Politics in SA is at present tedious with mister monotonous Vs the housewife from Highbury. We need strong, visionary, and innovative leadership not the hum drum crap we are getting.

[Roxy the Rat Girl]

PS - Grace Portilasi is just doing what politicians do best - covering her and her parties backside.

[Dogwatcher]

In a black skirt.

[Squawk]

In a black skirt.

Now don't you start as well!

Christmas coming when it did was the best christmas present the govt could get. Sweet timing when it was under pressure on the School scandals, job losses, and the Mid Year Budget review and health blowouts. When they all get back from holidays they will be able to look forward to the Tour Down Under and Mad March taking centre stage for a while.

[Roxy the Rat Girl]

The Government needs all the voter distractions it can get at the moment, then again, with the Libs seemingly unable to capitalise on several incidents of poor governance and mis-management late in 2012 it probably doesn't matter too much. On we roll with Mr. Mundane and the Highbury Housewife respectfully tip toeing around each other to be sure there is no chance of appearing too Rann-esk !

[Psyber]

I expect things will heat up when the election is called.
My two old school mates, who were SA ALP Ministers in later life, didn't mention anything political at our group lunches in October and November, and my side of politics has been quiet too.

It may have warmed up when I see them next, in March, on my return from WA.

[Roxy the Rat Girl]

Cabinet reshuffle on the horizon with John Hill and Patrick Conlon moving to the Back Benches until retiring at the next election.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/south-australia/health-minister-john-hill-infrastructure-minister-pat-conlon-quit-sa-labor-cabinet/story-e6frea83-1226553746273

[Jimmy_041]

What a rabble

[Roxy the Rat Girl]

What a rabble

True, but the opposition aren't alot better with the constant spats and speculation over leadership.

[southee]

What a rabble

Should run a lucky dip to see who gets the portfolio.

"Anyone?......Anyone?....ummmmm....Anyone?"