Barnaby Joyce’s behaviour over Telstra should be a lesson to the Queensland Liberals on how to negotiate a coalition agreement with the Queensland Nats. Just because they threaten to walk away or wreck things if they don’t get their way doesn’t mean they will.
Joyce at one stage wanted $5 billion from the sale of Telstra spent on his constituents, but appears to be now sheepishly settling for much less. It’s standard National Party negotiating tactics, major planks of which appear to be:
I’m reliably informed that despite the Liberals’ good showings in Redcliffe and Chatsworth the National Party is still trying to insist that it has a right to run in urban seats. The Liberals are resisting. They should continue to do so, no matter what the other side says. Given the example of Barnaby Joyce they will most likely fold for a lot less than they are asking.
let’s hope so.
Comment by R — August 25, 2005 @ 6:19 pm
It’s very much a coalition of convenience at present. And the Nats have proven to be on the spineless side of things thus far.
How long can you Libs stay in league with these agrarian socialists anyway? Take away the shared conservative moral values and it’s not very much of a natural coalition really.
Comment by Guy — August 26, 2005 @ 8:16 am
Apart from social coservative values there isn’t much in common at all…
One day i suspect when it becomes convinent a Labor / Nationla coalition could emerge.
A very long time away, but possible?
Comment by alphacoward — August 26, 2005 @ 10:05 am
Is it only me but why can’t I read all of the lead article ? Comments start before the conclusion of the lead item.
Comment by Peter — August 26, 2005 @ 10:13 am
Peter,
Sometimes Movable Type plays up. The text will generally appear if you select where it is blank with your mouse as thought you were going to copy and paste it.
Comment by Graham Young — August 26, 2005 @ 10:46 am