Comments on: Small Mercies

By: Pappinbarra Fox

Pappinbarra Fox — Wed, 23 Jul 2008 22:50:11 +0000

I have been told the NT has an annual population turnover of around the thrity percent mark. If this is true it would be almost impossible to predict any outcome across the board. Voters would be voting on prejudices they have brought with them from down south and in such small electorates a few dozen votes could make all the difference.
The Brian Burk vote last time did seem to be personal. And Some wag put one of Brian’s posters up on the road into the CBD the Monday after the election with a sign hanging around the neck saying: “Will work for food.” Unkind.

By: Jacques Chester

Jacques Chester — Tue, 22 Jul 2008 01:47:55 +0000

Even better: we could chuck empty tinnies off Ken’s balcony!

By: Francis Xavier Holden

Francis Xavier Holden — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 11:32:26 +0000

I’m up there from 15 to 18 August. We must catch up and you can show me the code behind Troppo - ooh aaah guv I luv it when you talk dirty - or we could go around a chuck empty tinnies on KP’s roof.

By: Jacques Chester

Jacques Chester — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 09:06:26 +0000

I reckon Brennan is a good chance to revert to the CLP. The election of James Burke was a primal spasm of people doing Whatever It Took to be rid of Denis Burke. The same spasm nearly took out Terry Mills next door.

The tragedy with Sangster is that she didn’t get Sanderson.

I was surprised to see Elferink pop up in Port Darwin. I hope he gets in; a very talented, thoughtful man. Saciolotto reminds me too much of a stereotypical union hack from Victoria or NSW.

Port Darwin is not the blue blood seat it used to be, though. It’s moved towards the city as units have gone up. Sue Carter told me once that it’s the hardest seat of all because the population turnover is extremely intense — you climb up and down stairs doorknocking, then come back 6 months later to discover that all the names and faces have changed. It’s like starting from scratch every year.

I don’t know Gunner too well. Lambert’s long and reptitive tenure as an alderman does not fill me with confidence.

By: Mangoman

Mangoman — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:54:42 +0000

Matty v Dave is definitely one to watch. Bayview in the new electorate will clearly counter some of the strong relationships Matty has in the rest but Bayview should have pretty well educated voters. That isn’t Dave’s natural constituency. Perhaps Matty will need to focus a little more on his legal qualifications than his sports skills.

I wonder about Jo Sangster and Chris Burns. Chris on the doorstep early on a Sunday morning might be a little more difficult to take than Jo but he has been out and about for a long time and should hold.

Chris Natt in Drysdale, James Burke in Brennan and Kerry Saciolotto in Port Darwin are on very tight margins and Kerry has John Elferink up against her. Those could all be interesting. You would have to punt that one or two would go.

Fannie Bay has a history of being held by Chief Ministers. I would think that both Garry Lambert and Michael Gunner would have strong aspirations. Will be interesting to see what the voters reckon.

By: Jacques Chester

Jacques Chester — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:34:23 +0000

Mr Colin Wicket, ladies and gentlemen!

By: Wicking

Wicking — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:14:51 +0000

Why thankyou, Mr Chuster.

By: Jacques Chester

Jacques Chester — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:08:03 +0000

I notice that the typo has been fixed.

By: Jacques Chester

Jacques Chester — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 08:07:04 +0000

Your cartoons tend to be the most accurate thing in the paper on most days.

I worked there for three years and Editorial managed to spell my name wrong at least once.

By: Wicking

Wicking — Mon, 21 Jul 2008 06:44:36 +0000

At least the NT News cartoons are accurate, Jacques. Well, most of the time.