Shaggy Dog Comments...

Issue 742

Pollie Waffle

The constant polling is rubbish. The pundits should put their money where their mouths are. Centrebet (www.centrebet.com) is an online betting agency based in the Northern Territory. If you see two flies climbing up a wall, they're the people to call. Centrebet's running a series of books over the election. In recent days, the ALP has firmed with a $40,000 plunge, forcing their price down to $2, but the Coalition remain favourites on $1.70. For some local spice, you can bet on who'll win in the seats of Page or Richmond. On Wednesday night, the punters had their money on the incumbents, with Larry Anthony on $1.30, and Ian Causley even firmer on $1.20. Their rivals offer a bargain at $3 for Jenny McAllister and $3.50 for Terry Flanagan. While it's a 1000-1 bet that the HEMP candidate will get up in Richmond, it seems a few keen punters are willing to put their crop money on Judy Canales in Page. HEMP's candidate is at 250-1. And it seems the punters prefer grass to trees - Greens candidate, John Corkill, is at 500-1.

We're almost 60 per cent through the election campaign - three weeks down and two to go. So you may think it's a little strange that the major political parties are only getting around to officially launching their campaigns this weekend. The Libs kick off with a shindig on Sunday night, while Labor leaves voters with exactly 10 days to plough through Beazley's policy speech. Why so late? The answer is simple. Until the policy speech, all the campaign expenses - assorted ministers, shadow ministers, hacks and minders shipped around the countryside to press the flesh and badger journalists for publicity - are paid for by you, the Australian taxpayer (thank you very much). From next week, the political parties will have to pick up the tab. But just in case you're worried that you won't see Tony Abbott as he flies past because the Libs have run out of dosh, fear not. There's $33 million in public money set aside as spoils to divvy among the winners. Maybe that's what they mean when politicians talk about 'the price of democracy'.

The ignorance of history among khaki-wrapped politicians gets more appalling as the war rhetoric drags on. Following on from Tony Blair's 'America stood beside us during the blitz' claims (which means they entered WWII two years before Pearl Harbour), Peter Costello was talking to The Parrot (aka Alan Jones) last week about conscription. The would-be PM said Australia didn't need conscription because 'conscription has only occurred during the Second World War when we needed a mass army.' That should be news to the diggers who voluntarily signed up 60 years ago, not to mention the Vietnam Vets who ended up facing the Vietcong when their birth date was drawn out of a barrel.

The Greater Building Society is one of three local businesses joining in National Bandanna Day tomorrow, October 26, by selling - and wearing - $2 bandannas throughout the day.

The Greater Building Society is one of three local businesses joining in National Bandanna Day tomorrow Gearing up for tomorrow's event is the Greater Building Society's branch manager, Michael Clement, with staff members (l-r) Carol Lownoles, Janelle Manning and Barbara Crouch. The money raised goes to CanTeen, the Australian Teenage Cancer Patients Society. Funds raised from the day enables CanTeen to develop educational and recreational workshops for young people living with cancer.
'Last year we raised $14,000 and we want to make this year even better - so come in to the branch, buy a bandanna and show your support for this worthy cause,' Michael said.

The Greater Building Society in Molesworth Street.

'It's vital people keep doing what they can to support the organisations who support people living with cancer, and Bandanna Day is an easy and fun way to contribute.'

Bandannas will also be on sale at K-mart and Subway.