FAMILY FIRST, DECEPTION SECOND, TRUTH LAST

The leaders of the Democrats, Greens and Family First appeared on ABC TV’s Insiders programme this morning. Being the Sunday morning that daylight saving started in NSW, I doubt that many people in Stanmore were watching it. I doubt many people from Camperdown to Croydon or Rozelle to Canterbury had it tuned in.  My TV may have been the only one tuned in!

Nevertheless, it was an important insight into the parties that may have the balance of power from July 2008 when the Senators elected at this election are sworn in.

The trio were united in their calls to deny both major parties of absolute control in the Senate but there was little else to agree on. Bob Brown was limiting his answers so as not to draw attention to his party’s lack of policy breadth and depth. Lyn Allison was nervous but she came across as reasoned, experienced and genuinely concerned.

The dunce prize of the day goes to Family First Senator Steven Fielding. He tried so many times to portray his party as one of “balance and common sense,” phrases the Democrats have legitimately adopted this election but ones that should not apply to his group.

Where was Mr Fielding’s balance and common sense when he passed the VSU legislation in return for a a smaller student services grant than the Democrats were holding out for?

Where is the common sense when he said this morning that petrol tax cuts would put downward pressure on interest rates? That doesn’t make sense.

Where’s the balance and common sense in denouncing a Labor preference deal with the Greens because of, “extremist” views and then admitting that you are contemplating a deal with Pauline Hanson?

As is the danger with single issue parties, you end up with people that aren’t across all the issues and they talk rubbish to get elected. Parties like his are best avoided. The people of Grayndler deserve better.