Even the Mighty Can Believe!

     BHP Billiton chief executive Marius Kloppers announced today that he favoured moving to a carbon tax regime as a means of placing a price on carbon. His announcement caused much consternation in both business and political circles, although it was supported by Professor Ross Garnaut. Some, however preferred the ostrich approach!


The Abbott frowned, then shook his head,

"What is that man doing?

He's sprouting forth about a carbon tax,

His reasoning suspect and seriously lax!"

The Abbott just sat there spewing!

King Brown perked up and looked around,

"I can't believe what I'm just hearing!

The BHP head is a greenie at heart

With a price on carbon he wants, now, to start!"

And King Brown commenced some stirring.

Election 2010 - V Day Plus 17 - Closure Part 2

The Battler's commentary on the 2010 Australian Federal Election is to close.  It has been great fun and I hope it has been enjoyed by those who read the regular contributions.  I would like to thank all those who followed the campaign with a little help from the Battler, with a special thanks to the large number of followers on Twitter and their R/T's.

The Battler's Election has had its day
As it fades now into history,
A commentary of a Nation pleading,
To be noticed would be a victory.

The people have spoken and made their choice
While angered by what was served,
Determined their voice be loud at last
Blood running strong, their passion stirred.

So be it understood by those few elected
Both major parties were clearly rejected!

Election 2010 - V Day Plus 17 - Closure Part 1

Today, 7 September 2010, is the day that a decision was made by the three independents as to who would be Prime Minister.  This decision, some seventeen days following the vote, was the result of some very hard work by all participants.  They should all be commended.

Across the nation there was agitation,
You could smell it in the air.
The tension of sublime anticipation,
This day a decision to declare!

The Three Wise Men did meet again,
To frame their point of view,
One declaring for the Abbott, then
The Ranga surged ahead with two!

This is the way our Election ends, neither whimper nor banging loud,
And the patient Men of Wisdom have served the nation proud!

Election 2010 - V Day Plus 6 - Still Waiting!

The Gang of Five reduced to three,
Then back to five again,
Depending if you count the Green,
Which might make four, just then!

But number four is not quite sure
Just how to play this game,
Though, as the new chum he's keen to make
His mark within the frame.

Yet, with all this did we notice four Diggers who left the stage,
More Aussie tears to spoil the ink upon this page!

Election 2010 - V Day Minus 0! Polls Closed!

Just a few minutes and the polls will close.
Who will win, nobody knows!
With bated breath the people wait
For a sign, a tweet, to reveal their fate!

The night descends and friends will gather,
Candidates, exhausted, but nerves still a lather;
Political experts poised to voice
Expert opinion on the peoples' choice.

Quietly now, tele on, we await the show,
So crack a tinny, pour a wine -get on with it, let's go!

Election 2010 - V Day Minus 5!

This is the first day of the final week and already we have seen the Labor official campaign launch, together with a bundle of new promises from the major parties.  It probably won't end here.

So quiet, the breaking of the dawn;

The people innocent of the coming storm

To chase them, screaming, from their beds,

Media blaring in their heads,

Newsprint all scattered on the lawn,

"Sssh! The kids are up. I shouldn't have sworn!"

And as the sun peaks over trees and sheds

The people await the policy dregs!

But this is the week that requires some thought

Lest our vote, uncaring, is cast for nought!

Desperate Declarations and Daring Do!

The noise increases as the desperate contenders vie for attention and an upper hand.  Its desperate days, so get out the ear plugs or listen to Triple J.........

There is a moment in every election
When the fear begins to show!
That point in time when all the deception,
All the haste and policy invention,
Yields doubt, and despair begins to grow.

Its at this moment, with desperate daring,
That the voices begin to rise,
And challenges galore, no mercy sparing,
Are issued with haste and bellicose blaring,
The contenders all struggling to avoid their demise!

Libs Launch Campaign

The Liberal Party officially launched its 2010 election campaign today amidst the usual rapturous applause of rusted on supporters.  Predictably, the usual attack was forthcoming from usual quarters.

So, now the die is cast
And all their cards are on the table.
We have been challenged to recall the past
When government was "good" and "able".

They'll stop the boats, repay the debt,
Pay mums to stay at home!
No sleepless nights, no need to fret,
When Tony ascends the throne.

Pity there's no policy costed
As we search for numbers, through glass that's frosted!

For Colour, Perhaps A Dab of Brown!

     Today, we saw former Foreign Minister Alexander Downer quoted as running former PM Kevin Rudd as a double agent, and then deny it. We then saw PM Gillard get stuck into Liberals for their "disgraceful attack" on Rudd.  All this while Liberals accuse Labor of a dirt campaign against Opposition Leader Abbott (see "disgraceful attack" report).
     Meanwhile, the Greens got on with the election with Leader Bob Brown officially launching their campaign.

A little bit of innuendo
A little bit of spite,
A touch of "oh no, it wasn't me!"
"The quoting is not quite right."

A little bit of indignation
A little bit of "shock, horror"
A touch of "how dare you, sir"
But not a scrap of honour.

Policies hardly worth a crumpet, little to call profound;
Perhaps, if we're seeking green, we'll need to try some Brown.