Comments on: The politics of soundbite populism http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/ Blogging politics, culture, sociology and life from Brisvegas Sat, 22 Nov 2008 16:24:31 +0000 http://wordpress.org/?v=2.3.3 By: Adrien http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474241 Adrien Mon, 02 Jun 2008 09:02:06 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474241 MH - <blockquote>I think television news simply doesn’t produce socio-political knowledge in the same way as text.</blockquote> I don't think either media produces knowledge really but I guess that's arguable. Text is different from TV but they both have their advantages. I suggest next time you watch TV News, ignore what's being said and and look at the eyes of people on TV. It's quite illuminating. <blockquote>When you see something on tv, then you know that you know it.</blockquote> Only if you're a blockhead. :) > You can produce quality or rubbish with either medium. I read the <i>Herald-Sun</i> cover to cover the other day. Finding hard news therein was a needle/haystack game. It was mostly celeb gossip and empty self-righteous verbatim courtesy of the columnists. I really wish they'd sack the lot of those twists and get someone interesting. MH -

I think television news simply doesn’t produce socio-political knowledge in the same way as text.

I don’t think either media produces knowledge really but I guess that’s arguable. Text is different from TV but they both have their advantages. I suggest next time you watch TV News, ignore what’s being said and and look at the eyes of people on TV. It’s quite illuminating.

When you see something on tv, then you know that you know it.

Only if you’re a blockhead. :)
>
You can produce quality or rubbish with either medium. I read the Herald-Sun cover to cover the other day. Finding hard news therein was a needle/haystack game. It was mostly celeb gossip and empty self-righteous verbatim courtesy of the columnists. I really wish they’d sack the lot of those twists and get someone interesting.

]]> By: murph the surf http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474158 murph the surf Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:34:41 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474158 Well hopefully one distant for off day we will have an informed and considerate electorate and politicians who aren't constantly media playing themselves. But hey I think proportional representation is a superior way to select our pollies and while the 2 major parties are stuck in this for/against mind set we will be stuck with analysis and thinking that is always focused on the winning campaign rather than the best long term strategy. Well hopefully one distant for off day we will have an informed and considerate electorate and politicians who aren’t constantly media playing themselves.
But hey I think proportional representation is a superior way to select our pollies and while the 2 major parties are stuck in this for/against mind set we will be stuck with analysis and thinking that is always focused on the winning campaign rather than the best long term strategy.

]]> By: Amanda http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474153 Amanda Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:27:33 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474153 Heh, sorry. I got on a bit of a roll. ;-) I agree, I'm quite relaxed about cabinet having lots of different position but I don't know how practical it would be to have it constantly aired. If for no other reason than the commentariat would talk about nothing else. On one hand the media get so snide about "following the party line", but then also get hysterical every time there is a whiff of people thinking for themselves. The recent Malcolm Tunrbull email a case in point, and then I heard various commentators blame him for putting it in writing! We want our leaders to be afraid of putting their views in an email now? Yeah, that's the way we're gonna get sensible long term policy thinking. Leaks like this surely make it <em>less</em> likely MPs/Ministers will robustly argue their case because they don't want the risk of front page damage. Also encouraging people to put things in writing less than they do surely just drives things the public do need to know underground too. Thanks for nothing, media. Heh, sorry. I got on a bit of a roll. ;-) I agree, I’m quite relaxed about cabinet having lots of different position but I don’t know how practical it would be to have it constantly aired. If for no other reason than the commentariat would talk about nothing else. On one hand the media get so snide about “following the party line”, but then also get hysterical every time there is a whiff of people thinking for themselves. The recent Malcolm Tunrbull email a case in point, and then I heard various commentators blame him for putting it in writing! We want our leaders to be afraid of putting their views in an email now? Yeah, that’s the way we’re gonna get sensible long term policy thinking. Leaks like this surely make it less likely MPs/Ministers will robustly argue their case because they don’t want the risk of front page damage. Also encouraging people to put things in writing less than they do surely just drives things the public do need to know underground too. Thanks for nothing, media.

]]> By: murph the surf http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474147 murph the surf Mon, 02 Jun 2008 04:10:15 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474147 Amanda , if you are replying to me I think we are at cross purposes. I am talking only about politicians in cabinet being able to discuss their positions. The public servants aren't interested in informing the public - on that point I agree with you - they are using their power without accountability. Amanda , if you are replying to me I think we are at cross purposes.
I am talking only about politicians in cabinet being able to discuss their positions.
The public servants aren’t interested in informing the public - on that point I agree with you - they are using their power without accountability.

]]> By: Jobby http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474121 Jobby Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:33:50 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474121 "I still don’t understand why both the Government and the Opposition are prepared to go to the mattresses over a couple of cents off petrol prices." It's a pissing competition to see who is perceived as the battler's mate. "We feel your pain ... and we're prepared to make pointless demonstrations and take pointless actions to prove it." As T.S. Elliot had it: "Between the idea and the reality, between the conception and the creation, falls the shadow." Populist politics takes place in this 'shadow' realm. “I still don’t understand why both the Government and the Opposition are prepared to go to the mattresses over a couple of cents off petrol prices.”

It’s a pissing competition to see who is perceived as the battler’s mate. “We feel your pain … and we’re prepared to make pointless demonstrations and take pointless actions to prove it.”

As T.S. Elliot had it: “Between the idea and the reality, between the conception and the creation, falls the shadow.” Populist politics takes place in this ’shadow’ realm.

]]> By: adrian http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474120 adrian Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:30:32 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474120 Well said, Amanda - hypocrisy on such a grand scale is not a pretty sight. Well said, Amanda - hypocrisy on such a grand scale is not a pretty sight.

]]> By: David http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474118 David Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:23:35 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474118 I still don't understand why both the Government and the Opposition are prepared to go to the mattresses over a couple of cents off petrol prices. I still don’t understand why both the Government and the Opposition are prepared to go to the mattresses over a couple of cents off petrol prices.

]]> By: Amanda http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474117 Amanda Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:17:38 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474117 The public's right to know was the motive for these leaks? How noble! Will the leaker make themselves known so a grateful nation can shower them with garlands thanks and bouquets of adulation for such selflessness. And what an opportune time to strike such a bold blow for democracy! After a decade of trivial matters like invasions, alleged illegal industrial conspiracies, culture wars, various collapsing Pacific states, controversial immigration and and Indigenous and refugee and foreign policies I'm glad they kept their public truth-telling powder dry the better to strike on the one all important issue of the millennium, a website listing petrol prices. The public’s right to know was the motive for these leaks? How noble! Will the leaker make themselves known so a grateful nation can shower them with garlands thanks and bouquets of adulation for such selflessness.

And what an opportune time to strike such a bold blow for democracy! After a decade of trivial matters like invasions, alleged illegal industrial conspiracies, culture wars, various collapsing Pacific states, controversial immigration and and Indigenous and refugee and foreign policies I’m glad they kept their public truth-telling powder dry the better to strike on the one all important issue of the millennium, a website listing petrol prices.

]]> By: Amanda http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474114 Amanda Mon, 02 Jun 2008 01:05:38 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474114 <em>I found it most strange that after Laurie Oakes had clearly identified a public servant/s role in the leaks of cabinet considerations, the story moved to an excuse for the behaviour. No government can run effectively, without confidentiality at cabinet level and nobody in the media seemed prepared to admit it or showed any understanding of its most basic importance.</em> Yes, I'm quite appalled at how this is being shrugged off. I'm in the mood for some serious condemnin'. Its the kind of issue that makes instant hypocrites out of many people. No one cares because no one gives a shit whether FuelWatch lives or dies and it doesn't seem like much is at stake. What if there were conflicting Cabinet/departmental advice on, say, crime rates among Sudanese immigrants and that was front page news for days 'cause some anonymous random wanted to strong arm the govt for shadowy personal reasons? Very unimpressed with SMH coverage today, muddying the waters with talk of FOI and whistleblowers which have nothing to do with this. Of course, the media isn't going to speak up about the abuse of power with zero accountability because they all hope to be the beneficiaries of it someday. That's what it is about: power without accountability. Bad from politicians, bad from the media, bad from public servants. I found it most strange that after Laurie Oakes had clearly identified a public servant/s role in the leaks of cabinet considerations, the story moved to an excuse for the behaviour. No government can run effectively, without confidentiality at cabinet level and nobody in the media seemed prepared to admit it or showed any understanding of its most basic importance.

Yes, I’m quite appalled at how this is being shrugged off. I’m in the mood for some serious condemnin’. Its the kind of issue that makes instant hypocrites out of many people. No one cares because no one gives a shit whether FuelWatch lives or dies and it doesn’t seem like much is at stake. What if there were conflicting Cabinet/departmental advice on, say, crime rates among Sudanese immigrants and that was front page news for days ’cause some anonymous random wanted to strong arm the govt for shadowy personal reasons? Very unimpressed with SMH coverage today, muddying the waters with talk of FOI and whistleblowers which have nothing to do with this. Of course, the media isn’t going to speak up about the abuse of power with zero accountability because they all hope to be the beneficiaries of it someday.

That’s what it is about: power without accountability. Bad from politicians, bad from the media, bad from public servants.

]]> By: murph the surf http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474113 murph the surf Mon, 02 Jun 2008 00:59:05 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474113 "No government can run effectively, without confidentiality at cabinet level and nobody in the media seemed prepared to admit it or showed any understanding of its most basic importance." A letter in the SMH pointed out that this convention of cabinet confidentiality was just that - a self imposed convention. There is no requirement for it under the constitution or other regulation so as the letter writer asked when and from where did this imposition evolve? If you want to have the benefit of presenting a "united front" on all decisions it makes perfect sense but I would be comfortable knowing that some members of the cabinet offered alternative ideas and that the majority view was responsible for the decisions made. A dissenting minority isn't necessarily destabilising or destructive and I hope this government moves beyond staid and what could be described as an oppressive strictures on the public knowing how decisions are made . The public also has a right to know which decisions are supported by which politicians. “No government can run effectively, without confidentiality at cabinet level and nobody in the media seemed prepared to admit it or showed any understanding of its most basic importance.”

A letter in the SMH pointed out that this convention of cabinet confidentiality was just that - a self imposed convention.
There is no requirement for it under the constitution or other regulation so as the letter writer asked when and from where did this imposition evolve?
If you want to have the benefit of presenting a “united front” on all decisions it makes perfect sense but I would be comfortable knowing that some members of the cabinet offered alternative ideas and that the majority view was responsible for the decisions made.
A dissenting minority isn’t necessarily destabilising or destructive and I hope this government moves beyond staid and what could be described as an oppressive
strictures on the public knowing how decisions are made .
The public also has a right to know which decisions are supported by which politicians.

]]> By: Howard C http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474100 Howard C Sun, 01 Jun 2008 23:49:20 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-474100 Personally, I think when most people hear the word spin they think of Shane Warne. It's an insider's word, and pollies should refrain from using it. Cover story is probably a term that would cut further. I saw Rudd on Today with the Wooden Man, and I think he those were his genuine feelings. He gave an honest opinion. He doesn't like pictures of naked 13 year olds. Fair enough. I would prefer it if substantive issues were discussed at more length, and therefore I don't get my political information from the nightly news. Personally, I think when most people hear the word spin they think of Shane Warne. It’s an insider’s word, and pollies should refrain from using it. Cover story is probably a term that would cut further.

I saw Rudd on Today with the Wooden Man, and I think he those were his genuine feelings. He gave an honest opinion. He doesn’t like pictures of naked 13 year olds. Fair enough.

I would prefer it if substantive issues were discussed at more length, and therefore I don’t get my political information from the nightly news.

]]> By: Nick http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473969 Nick Sun, 01 Jun 2008 11:37:47 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473969 No surprise Dave. People criticise strongly in others what they're most worried about being criticised for. Faulty way of trying to achieve distance from what you don't like about yourself/how you think others perceive you - 'I don't have the problem, (because) he has the problem see'. What's that corny saying - 'when you point your finger at somebody, there's three fingers pointing back at yourself' It's Opposition party line, but (this is just search results of Bolt blog titles, not contents which numbers 100+) obsess much? "The essence of spin" 30.5.2008 "Calculating ABC spin" 22.5.2008 "Spinning out of control" 21.5.2008 "How Rudd’s spiders spin" 17.5.2008 "Spin, spin, spin that Budget" 14.5.2008 "Morgan: Rudd’s spin lacks traction" 13.5.2008 "Spinning techniques exposed" 8.5.2008 "Spin, spin, bash-the-rich spin" 8.5.2008 "New spin needed" 7.5.2008 "Spin confirmed: “Working families” includes workless singles" 5.5.2008 "Summit of spin" 8.4.2008 "The art of Rudd-spin" 4.4.2008 "Thank God for spin" 3.4.2008 "Rudd gets 1000 to help him spin" 4.2.2008 "Spin, spin, spin" 25.10.2007 No surprise Dave. People criticise strongly in others what they’re most worried about being criticised for. Faulty way of trying to achieve distance from what you don’t like about yourself/how you think others perceive you - ‘I don’t have the problem, (because) he has the problem see’.

What’s that corny saying - ‘when you point your finger at somebody, there’s three fingers pointing back at yourself’

It’s Opposition party line, but (this is just search results of Bolt blog titles, not contents which numbers 100+) obsess much?

“The essence of spin” 30.5.2008

“Calculating ABC spin” 22.5.2008

“Spinning out of control” 21.5.2008

“How Rudd’s spiders spin” 17.5.2008

“Spin, spin, spin that Budget” 14.5.2008

“Morgan: Rudd’s spin lacks traction” 13.5.2008

“Spinning techniques exposed” 8.5.2008

“Spin, spin, bash-the-rich spin” 8.5.2008

“New spin needed” 7.5.2008

“Spin confirmed: “Working families” includes workless singles” 5.5.2008

“Summit of spin” 8.4.2008

“The art of Rudd-spin” 4.4.2008

“Thank God for spin” 3.4.2008

“Rudd gets 1000 to help him spin” 4.2.2008

“Spin, spin, spin” 25.10.2007

]]> By: joe2 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473922 joe2 Sun, 01 Jun 2008 09:05:05 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473922 "I think the leaks rattled the government and that’s how they lost control of the agenda." I found it most strange that after Laurie Oakes had clearly identified a public servant/s role in the leaks of cabinet considerations, the story moved to an excuse for the behaviour. No government can run effectively, without confidentiality at cabinet level and nobody in the media seemed prepared to admit it or showed any understanding of its most basic importance. “I think the leaks rattled the government and that’s how they lost control of the agenda.”

I found it most strange that after Laurie Oakes had clearly identified a public servant/s role in the leaks of cabinet considerations, the story moved to an excuse for the behaviour. No government can run effectively, without confidentiality at cabinet level and nobody in the media seemed prepared to admit it or showed any understanding of its most basic importance.

]]> By: Dave Bath http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473914 Dave Bath Sun, 01 Jun 2008 08:43:40 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473914 And wasn't it a giggle to see Andrew Bolt on Insiders tut-tutting about the sins of political short term spin over trivia rather than dealing with substantial and long-term issues. Unfortunately (and unusually) he was right! So, anyone know the when/where of Bolt's "Road to Damascus" event? And wasn’t it a giggle to see Andrew Bolt on Insiders tut-tutting about the sins of political short term spin over trivia rather than dealing with substantial and long-term issues.

Unfortunately (and unusually) he was right!

So, anyone know the when/where of Bolt’s “Road to Damascus” event?

]]> By: Paul Burns http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473809 Paul Burns Sun, 01 Jun 2008 01:38:34 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473809 Shanahan has developed a wonderful conspiracy theory, no doubt made up out of thin air. He got one thing right though. This is too damned close to the way Howard operated, a point completely missed on today's Insiders, btw. Rudd will extricate himself from the petrol tax scmozzle, but, the Henson comment could backfire if Henson is charged, convicted and jailed, as I've said before, though its porobale his defence of artistic intewnt will see him get off. I think the leaks rattled the government and that's how they lost control of the agenda. FDor the dirst time they took their eye of the ball. Lets hope it doesn't happen too often. Otherwise Bumbles or the Untanned Peacock will be PM sooner than we think. Shanahan has developed a wonderful conspiracy theory, no doubt made up out of thin air. He got one thing right though. This is too damned close to the way Howard operated, a point completely missed on today’s Insiders, btw.
Rudd will extricate himself from the petrol tax scmozzle, but, the Henson comment could backfire if Henson is charged, convicted and jailed, as I’ve said before, though its porobale his defence of artistic intewnt will see him get off.
I think the leaks rattled the government and that’s how they lost control of the agenda. FDor the dirst time they took their eye of the ball. Lets hope it doesn’t happen too often. Otherwise Bumbles or the Untanned Peacock will be PM sooner than we think.

]]> By: professor rat http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473691 professor rat Sat, 31 May 2008 13:19:40 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473691 I think theres a misuse of the term populism in the entire mediadrome now. Populism is a discourse which supports "the people" versus "the elites". As such there is nothing wrong essentially with it that is not wrong with democracy itself. I think whats being described in these 2 debates is pandering to loud braying ignorant mobs that may or may not be popular at all. So fake-populism or mob-rule would be more accurate terms imo. Also minority rights are our vital civil and human rights. The onus is on those who would restrict or diminish these to explain and justify themselves in depth and over time. I think theres a misuse of the term populism in the entire mediadrome now. Populism is a discourse which supports “the people” versus “the elites”. As such there is nothing wrong essentially with it that is not wrong with democracy itself.
I think whats being described in these 2 debates is pandering to loud braying ignorant mobs that may or may not be popular at all. So fake-populism or mob-rule would be more accurate terms imo. Also minority rights are our vital civil and human rights. The onus is on those who would restrict or diminish these to explain and justify themselves in depth and over time.

]]> By: Mark http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473665 Mark Sat, 31 May 2008 10:51:47 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473665 Andrew, probably as MH suggests, I've been using a bit of shorthand to refer to "the media" as such. There's obviously a bit of a distinction between different media, and different parts of the print media - ie obviously the more business and policy oriented journos and commentators have a different take on these issues, but it's always open to those who see themselves as players to pivot between fueling the populism and loudly denouncing it. They win either way. Andrew, probably as MH suggests, I’ve been using a bit of shorthand to refer to “the media” as such. There’s obviously a bit of a distinction between different media, and different parts of the print media - ie obviously the more business and policy oriented journos and commentators have a different take on these issues, but it’s always open to those who see themselves as players to pivot between fueling the populism and loudly denouncing it. They win either way.

]]> By: Andrew Bartlett http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473660 Andrew Bartlett Sat, 31 May 2008 10:10:52 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473660 Mark, I guess you're right that the media play the enabling and escalating role, but my impression was that this was a conscious choice of the major party leadership to go down this path, with the media following (and escalating and adding the drama and horse race stuff, but they'd do that no matter what path you take). I also think a fair few of them on this occasion were still inserting a fair degree of 'WTF?!' into their commentary about the absurdity of such heated squabbling over a few cents a litre. Mark, I guess you’re right that the media play the enabling and escalating role, but my impression was that this was a conscious choice of the major party leadership to go down this path, with the media following (and escalating and adding the drama and horse race stuff, but they’d do that no matter what path you take). I also think a fair few of them on this occasion were still inserting a fair degree of ‘WTF?!’ into their commentary about the absurdity of such heated squabbling over a few cents a litre.

]]> By: MH http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473626 MH Sat, 31 May 2008 07:47:35 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473626 I think television news simply doesn't produce socio-political knowledge in the same way as text. It doesn't allow exposition or argumentation and rests on the iterative image as its ultimate mechanism of legitimization. When you see something on tv, then you know that you know it. Television news is very dominant but it is judged against, and conflated with, the epistemological standards of text, in which it will always be inadequate (i.e. "the politics of soundbite populism") when politics needs the kind of elaboration that tv news can't do. But other media can also be powerful and effective, like newspapers and blogs, in terms of the rational exposition of political argumentation (if that is what we want politics to be) so perhaps we need to distinguish more sharply where our politics is happening. I think television news simply doesn’t produce socio-political knowledge in the same way as text. It doesn’t allow exposition or argumentation and rests on the iterative image as its ultimate mechanism of legitimization. When you see something on tv, then you know that you know it. Television news is very dominant but it is judged against, and conflated with, the epistemological standards of text, in which it will always be inadequate (i.e. “the politics of soundbite populism”) when politics needs the kind of elaboration that tv news can’t do.

But other media can also be powerful and effective, like newspapers and blogs, in terms of the rational exposition of political argumentation (if that is what we want politics to be) so perhaps we need to distinguish more sharply where our politics is happening.

]]> By: Debbieanne http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473614 Debbieanne Sat, 31 May 2008 07:02:50 +0000 http://larvatusprodeo.net/2008/05/31/the-politics-of-soundbite-populism/#comment-473614 I, personally, was hoping for much more from the new govt. Jumping in with the 'disgusting' comment re the Henson photos was silly. And as far as petrol prices go, on both sides, the pollies treat us as if we are stupid. 'It has absolutely nothing to do with demand or the profits being made by the oil companies, it's the govts fault'. I, personally, was hoping for much more from the new govt. Jumping in with the ‘disgusting’ comment re the Henson photos was silly. And as far as petrol prices go, on both sides, the pollies treat us as if we are stupid. ‘It has absolutely nothing to do with demand or the profits being made by the oil companies, it’s the govts fault’.

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