Comments on: Things get harder for Howard in Senate http://www.ambitgambit.com/2006/01/23/things-get-harder-for-howard-in-senate/ Ambit Gambit Sat, 11 Feb 2012 19:31:04 +0000 hourly 1 http://wordpress.org/?v=3.3.1 By: Harry O http://www.ambitgambit.com/2006/01/23/things-get-harder-for-howard-in-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-1119 Harry O Fri, 27 Jan 2006 14:58:20 +0000 http://localhost/ambit/?p=1130#comment-1119 GY, Until someone explains the logic behind Howard's core and non core promises then one is left to question whether representation is working at all. While he eventually does spectacular back flips, there are glints of hope in how Barnaby Joyce conducts his independence of thought - with reference back to his constituents. What is the use of representation when conformity to party lines overrules? The promise of representation is one thing, the reality quite another. I reckon Senator McGauran simply chose a better perch to sit and watch the same show. GY,
Until someone explains the logic behind Howard’s core and non core promises then one is left to question whether representation is working at all.
While he eventually does spectacular back flips, there are glints of hope in how Barnaby Joyce conducts his independence of thought – with reference back to his constituents.
What is the use of representation when conformity to party lines overrules?
The promise of representation is one thing, the reality quite another.
I reckon Senator McGauran simply chose a better perch to sit and watch the same show.

]]> By: Graham Young http://www.ambitgambit.com/2006/01/23/things-get-harder-for-howard-in-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-1120 Graham Young Thu, 26 Jan 2006 00:02:31 +0000 http://localhost/ambit/?p=1130#comment-1120 So you wouldn't be satisfied with anything less than a direct citizen vote on every issue? What's the point of representation in that case? So you wouldn’t be satisfied with anything less than a direct citizen vote on every issue? What’s the point of representation in that case?

]]> By: Harry Oldham http://www.ambitgambit.com/2006/01/23/things-get-harder-for-howard-in-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-1121 Harry Oldham Tue, 24 Jan 2006 15:18:53 +0000 http://localhost/ambit/?p=1130#comment-1121 Well this begs the question. Were the voters in each of the Howard governments front bench happy with the introduction of IR laws and a host of other legislation since the Senate become a rubber stamp for them? What happened to referendums on major changes to Australian law? Its a bit rich arguinng for the need to apply democratic principles of representation to one sailor when his own captains are just as culpable. Who in their right mind would want to contest the next election saddled to a dead hand of a political coalition. Maybe, just maybe, he was thinking about those who voted for him. Well this begs the question. Were the voters in each of the Howard governments front bench happy with the introduction of IR laws and a host of other legislation since the Senate become a rubber stamp for them? What happened to referendums on major changes to Australian law?
Its a bit rich arguinng for the need to apply democratic principles of representation to one sailor when his own captains are just as culpable.
Who in their right mind would want to contest the next election saddled to a dead hand of a political coalition. Maybe, just maybe, he was thinking about those who voted for him.

]]> By: The Bartlett Diaries http://www.ambitgambit.com/2006/01/23/things-get-harder-for-howard-in-senate/comment-page-1/#comment-1122 The Bartlett Diaries Tue, 24 Jan 2006 00:29:37 +0000 http://localhost/ambit/?p=1130#comment-1122 <strong>Julian McGauran changes horses</strong> It’s hard to know if the announcement by National Senator Julian McGauran that he is defecting to the LIberals will directly affect the dynamic of the Senate very much, as the Coalition still has the same numbers. However, it will presumably increas... Julian McGauran changes horses

It’s hard to know if the announcement by National Senator Julian McGauran that he is defecting to the LIberals will directly affect the dynamic of the Senate very much, as the Coalition still has the same numbers. However, it will presumably increas…

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