POLITICS

Is Maggie on the move?

Mark John

It's quite clear that Maggie Hickey will not be leader of the Northern Territory branch of the Labor Party at the next Territory election.
The latest round of brawling for that Party's leadership proves that. Maggie may have survived the challenge by her colleague Syd Stirling, but how safe is her leadership going to be knowing that within her ranks she has a member telling the electorate Maggie has had her day and she is ineffectual.
To make matters worse when pushed on the issue by ABC radio, Syd Stirling refused to rule out supporting another leadership challenge by one of the other five members of the Labor Party caucus. You'd be a fool if you didn't think he will be doing his most to make that happen.
Ok so Syd Stirling becomes the new Neil Bell of the Labor Party. Neil could never count and failed on numerous occasions with his leadership challenges. And what has Maggie achieved by taking away virtually all of Syd's portfolio responsibilities, he'll have more time now than ever before to plot her eventual downfall.
Even Maggie's deputy John Bailey confirmed on ABC radio he had discussed with Syd Stirling the issue of her being an ineffectual leader. And how quickly did Peter Toyne, Maurice Rioli and John Ahkit rush to put up their hands endorsing her as leader.
Toyne belatedly put up his hand Tuesday morning giving her the numbers. The question is was that his way of putting her on notice that next time it may be a different outcome?
Just as well Maggie is building that new house in Darwin.

Myths and Monsters - who do they hurt?

Maggie Hickey, Leader of the Opposition

Despite its physical size and significance in this part of the world, Australia and matters Australian rarely figure in the international media. But you can bet your life that if a scandal or sensation occurs, it will receive headline banners. Thus it is that Pauline Hanson's name and what she stands for, is known abroad.
Australians returning from overseas say they feel sick and ashamed of our new reputation for racism. Business people and tourist operators are doubly concerned about what this view of Oz is doing to our tourism market - a market that is increasingly fragile given the economic downturn in South East Asia. Responsible politicians and community leaders are worried about our relationships with our near neighbours and trading partners.
But its not just Pauline Hanson and her ignorant cohorts who spread the sort of divisive nonsense that hurts the Australian reputation for fairplay and tolerance. We do it every time we engage in name calling, scapegoating and creating myths and monsters, just to make ourselves feel and look good.
These myths - things like Aboriginal people get paid by the number of dogs they have - Aboriginal people each get given a new Toyota landcruiser each year - don't get off the bus at Tennant Creek because you'll get mugged by Aboriginal drunks, are so nonsensical that we tend to dismiss them, not realising the damage they do.
Clearly the hurt and distress this misinformation causes to Aboriginal people themselves is incalculable. So too is the impact on tourism to the Northern Territory. These myths spread like wildfire through caravan parks and coach tours and are accepted as fact by gullible people.
People who should know better, spread this sort of intolerance and prejudice and have been given permission to do so with the rise of Hansonism and the weakness of John Howard.
Well, it may make some of the chickenbrains feel better about their place in the pecking order, but it does little for the chookyard as a whole.

We'll have to wait and see

Ted Hagger came to the Tennant Creek Show to
hand out pamphlets for One Nation

I'll be running federally, at this stage it's not certain as to which position I'll be taking.
A representative in Tennant Creek will only come when we go under a state One Nation, but this is Federal, either in the Senate or House or Representatives and I'll be running in either one of those.
We have quite a number of candidates that are going through the process and it's all shaping up really well.
As for the G.S.T. I think what we're going to wind up with is a double set of standards, the government will be double dipping and we'll be paying more tax. I have no doubt that whatever happens, we always pay more tax, whatever it is.
We'll certainly be looking at a mining industry and possibly some secondary industries in places like the Barkly to try and stimulate employment. The number of people that wander around comes back to idle hands make mischief and whoever it is, if you've got a job, you have a little bit of self esteem and respect for yourself.
One Nation's vision for the Northern Territory by the 2000 is for a better place, but I'm not in yet, so I'm not at liberty to tell you what we'll do.
Law and order is part of our concern, if it can cut down crime. I think the elderly and the young have to be catered for and looked after.
What's next for One Nation?
Well, we'll wait and see.

Is Maggie on the move? Mark John It's quite clear that Maggie Hickey will not be leader of the Northern Territory branch of the Labor Party at the next Territory election. The latest round of brawling for that Party's leadership proves that. Maggie may have survived the challenge by her colleague Syd Stirling, but how safe is her leadership going to be knowing that within her ranks she has a member telling the electorate Maggie has had her day and she is ineffectual. To make matters worse when pushed on the issue by ABC radio, Syd Stirling refused to rule out supporting another leadership challenge by one of the other five members of the Labor Party caucus. You'd be a fool if you didn't think he will be doing his most to make that happen. Ok so Syd Stirling becomes the new Neil Bell of the Labor Party. Neil could never count and failed on numerous occasions with his leadership challenges. And what has Maggie achieved by taking away virtually all of Syd's portfolio responsibilities, he'll have more time now than ever before to plot her eventual downfall. Even Maggie's deputy John Bailey confirmed on ABC radio he had discussed with Syd Stirling the issue of her being an ineffectual leader. And how quickly did Peter Toyne, Maurice Rioli and John Ahkit rush to put up their hands endorsing her as leader. Toyne belatedly put up his hand Tuesday morning giving her the numbers. The question is was that his way of putting her on notice that next time it may be a different outcome? Just as well Maggie is building that new house in Darwin. Myths and Monsters - who do they hurt? Maggie Hickey, Leader of the Opposition Despite its physical size and significance in this part of the world, Australia and matters Australian rarely figure in the international media. But you can bet your life that if a scandal or sensation occurs, it will receive headline banners. Thus it is that Pauline Hanson's name and what she stands for, is known abroad. Australians returning from overseas say they feel sick and ashamed of our new reputation for racism. Business people and tourist operators are doubly concerned about what this view of Oz is doing to our tourism market - a market that is increasingly fragile given the economic downturn in South East Asia. Responsible politicians and community leaders are worried about our relationships with our near neighbours and trading partners. But its not just Pauline Hanson and her ignorant cohorts who spread the sort of divisive nonsense that hurts the Australian reputation for fairplay and tolerance. We do it every time we engage in name calling, scapegoating and creating myths and monsters, just to make ourselves feel and look good. These myths - things like Aboriginal people get paid by the number of dogs they have - Aboriginal people each get given a new Toyota landcruiser each year - don't get off the bus at Tennant Creek because you'll get mugged by Aboriginal drunks, are so nonsensical that we tend to dismiss them, not realising the damage they do. Clearly the hurt and distress this misinformation causes to Aboriginal people themselves is incalculable. So too is the impact on tourism to the Northern Territory. These myths spread like wildfire through caravan parks and coach tours and are accepted as fact by gullible people. People who should know better, spread this sort of intolerance and prejudice and have been given permission to do so with the rise of Hansonism and the weakness of John Howard. Well, it may make some of the chickenbrains feel better about their place in the pecking order, but it does little for the chookyard as a whole. We'll have to wait and see Ted Hagger came to the Tennant Creek Show to hand out pamphlets for One Nation I'll be running federally, at this stage it's not certain as to which position I'll be taking. A representative in Tennant Creek will only come when we go under a state One Nation, but this is Federal, either in the Senate or House or Representatives and I'll be running in either one of those. We have quite a number of candidates that are going through the process and it's all shaping up really well. As for the G.S.T. I think what we're going to wind up with is a double set of standards, the government will be double dipping and we'll be paying more tax. I have no doubt that whatever happens, we always pay more tax, whatever it is. We'll certainly be looking at a mining industry and possibly some secondary industries in places like the Barkly to try and stimulate employment. The number of people that wander around comes back to idle hands make mischief and whoever it is, if you've got a job, you have a little bit of self esteem and respect for yourself. One Nation's vision for the Northern Territory by the 2000 is for a better place, but I'm not in yet, so I'm not at liberty to tell you what we'll do. Law and order is part of our concern, if it can cut down crime. I think the elderly and the young have to be catered for and looked after. What's next for One Nation? Well, we'll wait and see.