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This website is in imminent danger of being shut down. It has been online since 1995, but the personal circumstances of the owner, Malcolm Farnsworth, are such that economies have to be made. Server costs and suchlike have become prohibitive. At the urging of people online, I have agreed to see if Patreon provides a solution. More information is available at the Patreon website. If you are able to contribute even $1.00/month to keep the site running, please click the Patreon button below.


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So Much For Parliament In Queensland

Apr 04, 2011

There is something contemptuous and demeaning about what is happening to the institution of Parliament in Queensland.

NewmanLiberal National Party (LNP) MPs have unanimously endorsed Campbell Newman as their leader at a partyroom meeting this morning.

Newman resigned as Lord Mayor of Brisbane yesterday, following his endorsement as the LNP candidate for Ashgrove.

One year out from the scheduled election, a private citizen is presenting himself as the Leader of the Opposition.

For the first time in living memory, the principle that political leaders are drawn from the elected members of parliament has been turned on its head.

So what was going through the minds of the 34 LNP members of parliament this morning? How many of them felt the humiliation, indignity and powerlessness they had just demonstrated to the world? [Read more…]

Filed Under: Democracy, Opinion, Parliament, Qld Tagged With: , ,

Lawrence Springborg Concedes Defeat In Queensland Election

Feb 07, 2004

Lawrence Springborg, the Leader of the Opposition in Queensland, has conceded defeat in the state election.

Springborg’s National Party regained three seats but the Labor government led by Peter Beattie was comfortably returned for a third term with its majority largely untouched.

The ALP polled 47.01% of the primary vote, a loss of 1.92%. It won 63 seats in the 89-seat Legislative Assembly.

The National Party polled 16.96%, an increase of 2.80%, and won 15 seats, an increase of 3. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Audio, Qld Tagged With: , , ,

Howard Appears At Queensland Coalition Campaign Launch

Jan 24, 2004

This is the transcript of the speech by the Prime Minister, John Howard, delivered at the Queensland Coalition Campaign Launch, at the Sheraton Hotel, Brisbane.

Transcript of speech by Prime Minister John Howard.

John Howard, Prime MinisterJohn and Julia Anderson, Lawrence and Linda Springborg, Bob and Madonna Quinn, my fellow Australians. It is with a real sense of commitment and a real sense of expectation that John and I have come to be part of this very important campaign launch for the Coalition here in Queensland.

State elections, indeed federal elections, are about a number of things. But most importantly of all, elections are about both sides of politics being held accountable for what they have done and what they have not done over the preceding three years. We had a less than happy result three years ago in Queensland and in the time that has gone by since then, the two Coalition parties have laid the essential groundwork of creating themselves as a viable, acceptable, attractive alternative to the current Government. They have set about building an effective, workable Coalition. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Howard, Liberal National Party, Liberal Party, Qld Tagged With: ,

Beattie Provides Support To Depleted Opposition

Apr 28, 2003

The Queensland government is to provide additional funding to the Opposition.

Announcing half a million dollars worth of salary support, the Premier, Peter Beattie, said “democracy is improved if a government is constantly challenged and scrutinised by an effective opposition”.

The Queensland Labor government holds 66 of the 89 seats in the single chamber parliament. The National Party has 11, whilst the Liberal Party has 3. There are 9 One Nation and independent members. Under parliamentary rules, the Liberal Party lacks official party status, which means it misses out on additional salaries and access to staff, cars, etc. [Read more…]

Filed Under: Opposition, Parliamentary Reform, Perquisites, Qld Tagged With: , ,