Geez, that’s big of them.

Corporate and community floats will be joined by high school groups on a march through Sydney streets, culminating in a festival at Tumbalong Park. Corporate sponsors and their guests will be able to access a VIP tent.

Mr Mead said the $5 million parade is a commercial venture aimed at turning a profit but would offer charities the opportunity to raise funds on the day.

A Santa Claus parade has VIP tents? And why exactly is the Govt throwing money at this commercial venture? What would treasury say?

The PM has clearly lost his marbles.

“The theme of the day will be the three Cs – charity, community and Christ – but it’s not a religious parade.” (emphasis added)
Glad that’s been clarified!

Over the next two months there’ll be a roll-out of the Whole-of-Government, seamless, transparent, accountable, Federalism-in-Action, Parade-Led Recovery

* Fire Safety Parades in Hobart/Eyre Peninsula/Canberra/Dargo
* Bush Week Parades in Tamworth/Yackandandah/Dubbo/Mount Isa/Nuriootpa
* Crocodile & Stingray Hall of Fame Opening in Far North Queensland & Sunshine Coast
* Tiger Snake Awareness Parades in all southern regions
* Rain Dance Parades in Mildura, and Designated Murray-Darling Catchment Key Regional Towns (apply now)
* Tsunami Relief Parades in Perth & Broome
* Shearing Heritage Parades in 5 Designated Wool-friendly Districts (apply before Oct 10th)
* Golden Handshake Parades in 28 Designated Former-Centres-of-Manufacturing Industry (apply before the election is called – what election??)
* Pre-School Kiddies Fun Days at 758 Designated Marginal Childcare Centres (no need to apply: bacon has been shrink-wrapped and will be on its way early next week)
* Nursing Homes Wheelchair & Walking Frame Parades (all major suburbs and towns, I think you have to apply but what day is it? how much is the pension now? why do they want to see my assets? why don’t they ask Bob Menzies back – he’d put value back in the pound! why is that nice Mr Howard shouting on the TV?)

If the election is on Saturday, November 24th, as tipped, then a Thanksgiving parade with the giant ALP balloon in my first comment might be very appropriate!

Assuming of course, that the polls don’t start to shift significantly once the campaign proper gets underway. If that happens we might as well make the last Sunday in November our first national Commiseration Day. Either works for me.

The United States celebrates Thanksgiving on the fourth Thursday of November, which means it will be just two days ahead of the Howard extravaganza this year.

As a symbol of the rampant Americanization of Australian culture, business and politics over the Howard decade, this seems a fitting spectacle.

All we need now is an election called on the same day, which remains the bookies’ favourite.

What has become of us, Australia?

The event will be 100% funded by corporates, and participating companies will have their brand name, and product or service showcased on the parade’s floats.

Participating organisations will receive exposure on major network TV, in parade publicity including in a major newspaper supplement on the day and at the other events that will be associated with the parade throughout the month of activity.

Source

And let’s not forget the fourth C either – Corporate hospitality

OMG!