Oh my, it’s been an interesting few weeks in state politics here in New South Wales. First, our Premier of over 10 years, Bob Carr, shocks us all by resigning unexpectedly on 27 July.
Then, on 2 August, the Deputy Premier and Treasurer (and esteemed leader of the ALP left faction), Andrew Refshauge, resigns, just before Morris Iemma is officially elected new Premier (and subsequently took on the Treasurer’s portfolio). Ah Refshauge – he was one of zee good ones....
The following day the Government loses yet another minister as Craig Knowles arguably spits the dummy and hands in his resignation, leaving the rest of us wondering just what the hell is going on with the NSW Labor.
With the ALP presumably left in a state of disarray, you’d think this pretty much hand the next state election on a platter to Opposition Leader John Brodgen.
Wrong.
Amidst reports that he drunkenly called the former Premier’s wife (Helena Carr) a mail-order bride at a social function days after Carr’s resignation, Brogden elects to fall on his sword and hands in his resignation on 30 August. It seems falling on his sword (figuratively, at least) is not enough, for that night he attempts suicide in his electorate office and is rushed to hospital.
Is it just me, or does Macquarie Street appear like a soap opera this days (that is, more than usual).
Looks like it be Iemma's lucky day after all.
