Seats du jour: Leichhardt and Ryan

Published by William Bowe at 2:22 pm under Federal Election 2007

A look at two seats in very different parts of Queensland which the Liberals are reckoned to be in serious danger of losing, despite double-digit margins.

Full post at The Poll Bludger

The Hoon for Ryan

Looks like Michael Johnson, our local member for fixing potholes, cleaning up graffiti, hooning and everything else except federal issues, especially if they involve John Howard, has put his foot in it.

We’ve all seen the Coalition local campaign themes of “cracking down on local crime“, “making our roads safer” and my particular favourite - combating “hooning, graffiti and drugs on our streets“.

The problem with these types of campaigns though, is that there’s always some silly knob out there that puts his foot in it.

I present to you Michael “Hoonster” Johnson, the Liberal member for Ryan.

Full post at The Poll Bludger

Johnson feels the burn in Ryan

Michael Johnson: waving goodbye to his seat?

Oh good news. I love good news. Our electorate of Ryan is now considered 'marginal' by the Liberals and their sitting member, Michael Johnson, despite it previously being held with a margin larger than 10%. So they're throwing $15 million our way for a sports park. Or something. Who cares?

Member for Ryan Michael Johnson issued a statement in which he welcomed the money.

The "sports park" concept first emerged in a series of leaked emails last month between Mr Johnson and the Prime Minister's office, where Mr Johnson pleaded for help, describing how his Ryan electorate had been "upped to marginal" after recent polling.

In one email he writes: "John and Ian: I need substantial assistance and a commitment here. Both of you know full well that my support for Cameron and the Govt has been absolutely rock solid in the face of overwhelming local political and community pressure. Forget even the personal abuse directed at me.

"I am bleeding on this issue and expect support now. This is a slow burn."

*Happy dance!!!*

No personal animosity to Michael Johnson, but anyone who has supported the Howard government and their destructive, anti-social policies has got to go. I hope he's political dead meat.

Vote 1 Ross Daniels or vote 1 Evan Jones! I don't care, as long as the Libs lose Ryan. I suppose Ross Daniels probably won't find the time to meet with us now, he'll probably be out campaigning his arse off now that Labor seems to think they have a chance in the seat. Sure, the chances are minimal that they'll actually win it, but the fact that there is even the prospect of this occurring is cause for celebration.

*Happy dance!!!*

Outer limits

Published by William Bowe at 5:11 am under Federal Election 2007

There is now enough data available to dispel the notion that the election campaign would break the trend evident in polling throughout the year. The Labor camp is accordingly lifting its barrage from the front line and taking aim at the reserve trenches. The following apparently safe Liberal seats are said to be raising hopes in one camp and fears in the other:

Full post at The Poll Bludger

Ross Daniels, Labor candidate for Ryan, happened to be campaigning outside Toowong Village shopping centre when we went there a couple of hours ago. He happily posed for a photo, which one of the ladies with him took using our camera (making sure to get the shopping centre tower in so people could tell where we were!).

We wished him luck -and boy do we ever, even though we'll probably both vote Green- but he'll need more than that to overturn Michael Johnson's massive margin and grab the seat. Too many wealthy Howard-lovers here... in fact, whenever a bitchy, expensively-dressed housewife tries to run us over with a shopping trolley in Coles, Gam and I often look at each other and say "Liberal voter!".

Ask a Polly

I say my good man, is this a good time to ask you a few questions?

Ross Daniels, Labor candidate for Ryan, has replied to the email we sent out, asking about his opinion re: Andrews and Sudanese migrants. He directs us to his blog post on the issue and says he'd be happy to meet us. Right. so here's your big chance to ask a real live Labor party candidate a few tough questions! Stick them in the comments and we'll ask them and post the replies (within reason)! Thanks to Mr Daniels for being so generous with his time. Here's his blog post on the Sudanese migrants issue. Have a look at the rest of his blog, the bloke seems to have his own opinion.

Evan Jones Responds

Evan Jones

This weekend we sent the following email to several candidates in our electorate, Ryan, as well as several other QLD politicians from all parties.

Dear Mr Jones

We'd like to get in touch with you to ask for your comment on Mr Kevin
Andrews' recent comments regarding African migrants to Australia. As a
candidate in the upcoming election and as an individual, how do you feel
about his comments?

Evan Jones, Greens candidate for Ryan responds thusly:

Dear Gameli,

I hope you are well.

In regards to your question, I am appalled and sickened by Mr Andrews racist comments regarding the conduct of the Sudanese community in Australia.

I work in Stones Corner where there are a relatively large number of Sudanese refugees. I have never noticed any antisocial behaviour and, unless you count the kids playing football, I have certainty never seen any gangs.

Further more, police reports in the media have vindicated the Sudanese community from any abnormal trends.

I am also perplexed at the introduction the non-humanitarian consideration of 'integration' to the refugee intake process.

There is a humanitarian disaster in Darfur, and the plight of the refugees coming from that region is extreme. This is reason to commit more strongly to assisting in what ways we can, not a reason to pull back from our human responsibility.

Australia is a wealthy country, well able to afford to be more compassionate. We also have a rich tradition of multi-culturalism. What ever political gains the government thinks it can get by selling xenophobia I trust that the majority of Australia will not buy into it.

Yours,
Evan Jones

Australian Greens
Ryan