Nick Minchin is quitting politics – resigning from the shadow ministry immediately, and announcing he won’t seek another Senate term.
While reports have focused on family reasons for his departure – his son was severely injured in a nasty boating accident and will need extensive rehabilitation – the media release merely notes that “Recent events involving my immediate family have been a factor in my decision”.
While, on a personal level, everyone obviously wishes the Minchin family well as they support their injured son, you have to also wonder about the political implications of Minchin’s departure, given he seems to be one of the key members of the hard right. Tony Abbott’s press release on the topic announces that Ian Macfarlane will be acting shadow minister for Energy and Resources, but there’s as yet no indication as to whether he’ll do a broader reshuffle.
Elsewhere: Bernard Keane at The Stump
Everybody wins – his son, his family, and Australia, will all be better off now.
Note also the indefinite article:
“Recent events involving my immediate family have been a factor in my decision.”
I wonder what the other factors were? The dawning realisation that he’d be winning six more years on the Senate opposition benches later this year? Or that the last best hope of the socially conservative right will die with Abbott’s electoral smashing? Or the thought of Turnbull taking back the Lib’s helm when it all washes over them?
Don’t kid yourself: If Minchin thought he’d be getting even a sniff of power any time over the next 6 years, he wouldn’t be going anywhere.
Tasmanian Senator Eric Abetz set to be the Opposition’s new Senate Leader. They just keep coming, sadly.
http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/03/24/2854853.htm?section=justin
Yay! Erica’s taking over the Libs in the Senate? Hilarity will ensue. Joy!
This is a rolled-up party-whistle moment…
**fweeeeeeeeeeeeeeee**
Delighted as I am to see Minchin go – people like him are a threat to our democracy if they have power – no one would want to see him go under the dreadful circumstances he is leaving the parliament. One can only wish him and his family and especially his son well. Here’s hoping he recovers as speedily and completely as possible. i will say no more, since, under the circumstances I have no wish to be ungracious.
“people like him are a threat to our democracy” Really?
Will you settle for him having been often ‘creepy’, then, Antony?
Perhaps just ‘wrongheaded’ will do, joe2. I agree that Paul Burn’s remark seems OTT.
Still, Minchin has consistently been one of most disciplined party men on the hard right, as Rob says. Will they hold together without someone like him holding their leashes?
In political terms this is good for Labor – Minchin is one of the Liberal Party’s steadiest and most credible performers. From a personal perspective, however, it sounds like the Senator made the right decision – and good on him for opting to put his personal life unequivocally first after so many years in politics.
Speculation on the exact mix of Minchin’s motives for resigning are pointless. Maybe he had an epiphany on global warming as well, but decided it was better to keep quiet about that. Don’t know, don’t care.
Regardless of the dire events in Minchin’s family, the measure of his performance as a politician is in the public arena, not the private. So the reports about his son haven’t moved me to pretend that I’m moved by his son’s accident – sad as the story is.
There’s plenty of interview material on the ABC where he shows himself up as a hard-nosed ideologue and that’s how I plan to remember his political career. Now it’s over I’m going to sit back and enjoy the spectacle of Eric Abetz trying to wrangle the right wing crazies in the ranks of the Liberal Senators. And the inevitable in-fighting over who gets to take over from Minchin.
How about we open the book on it?
Yes, Tigtog and Guy you are spot on – a man of discipline and many years of experience. Undoubtedly his departure will be a big minus for the Liberals. It will not be easy for him to be replaced. Labor (and the other Libs) shouldn’t think its a leave pass either. The same personal challenges could happen to any of them. Politics aside, his significant (and dignified) announcement of his change in priorities is appreciated – I hope things turn out for the best.
One thing about Nick Minchin was he was a reasonably succinct and to-the-point speaker in the Senate. The prospect of hours and hours of Erica’s windy tirades would make all in the Senate a bit anxious. He’s like Steve Fielding without the smirk value.
ABC newsflash noted just now that Minchin’s departure “gives Tony Abbott the option to move Barnaby Joyce from Finance” Howls of derisive laughter Bruce!
I would like to say Good Riddance (from politics) but he opposed mining in the Arkaroola Wilderness Sanctuary in the Flinders Ranges. What I will say is that Australian politics is better off without him as long as he doesn’t become a lobbyist.
Minchins denialism is a huge bar to perceptible change in direction that Abbs wants the electorate to accept. He refused to flip. Personal circumstances will make leaving now acceptable to most. His better side was evident only when it applied to South Australia, the rest of us will be glad to see him go.
‘wrongheaded’ is a very good description of Minchin, tigtog@7. The definition I found below works well, particularly when you take into account his climate change and smoking damage denialism.
“Stubbornly defiant of what is right or reasonable; obstinately perverse in judgment or opinion.”
He does give me the creeps, though, and I can see what Paul was getting at @4. He never struck me as a lover of a fair vote when it came in the way of his own devious wishes.
I was at law school with Senator Minchin last century – despised him then, still despise him. Of course, I empathise in his current situation, and wish his son a speedy and complete recovery.
However, I just can’t help wondering whether he is going to join his erstwhile master as (invisible) puppeteer for the Rabbit, or whichever poor idiot replaces him.
It is so sad for Ozpolitics. We need a decent Opposition. All we have at the moment is a neotroglodyte naziness.
How long before Malcolm starts counting the numbers again? Without minchin, the credible support for the hard right is clearly weaker.
Oops.
Empathise should not be a verb. If used as such, it should be with the preposition “with”.
Pi @ 17. What about a total reconstruction? The sort Menzies had to do? The sort Lyons (sort of) did? I truly can’t see how the present trogs can possibly present something that is electorally attractive for ages and ages and ages. And this is coming from someone who tore up Josh Frydenberg’s pamphlet and dropped it in the bin in the face of one of his minders/acolytes only a few weeks ago.
Unfortunately, I don’t think the moderates have the numbers for a reconstruction alon Menziean lines. It would be better for the country if that happened, but I doubt it will.
Re my “OTT” comment – he was dedicated to the destruction of the union movement and thereby to the destruction of the ALP base. One sets out to defeat opposition parties at elections, not wipe them off the political map. I don’t know where he stands on compulsory voting, but I do know where Abetz stands. He wants to stop it. And, in the Australian context, that too is undemocratic.
Nifty Nick is still going to be around. He says he’ll serve out his current term, which will take him up to July next year. I expect he will still keep the nasties in line. Although “Otto” Abetz will a joy to behold…not.
Paul Burns @ 20. I have no illusions about Erica’s being democratic.
I’m with Paul. Minchin has always been deeply anti-democratic. I think he’s an evil man.
Daisey May, up until your post, in the main I could understand the disdain with which Minchin has been portrayed in this thread, and shared most of it.
However the vindictiveness of your post leaves me speechless.
You could have expressed your views just as plainly with due civility, consideration, and compassion for personal suffering.
As you say your nightly prayers, say one for yourself.
Benedictus, I just think that Daisey Mae has less than no time at all for Senator Minchin, a sentiment I share. He is a vile creature who will now have to cease snuffling about in the dark and foetid corners of the Right Wing of the Libtards, looking for his Preciousss!
The stink of FAIL permeates the Liberal frontbench.
“Benedictus, I just think that Daisey Mae has less than no time at all for Senator Minchin, a sentiment I share.He is a vile creature who will now have to cease snuffling about in the dark and foetid corners of the Right Wing of the Libtards, looking for his Preciousss!”
I think the point that Benedictus was making was that ‘vile’ might also describe Daisey Mae’s expression of retributive satisfaction about serious injuries sustained by Nick Minchin’s son.
Tribal/ideological solidarity and fervour is one thing. Partisan schadenfreude at a kid getting cut up by a boat propeller is another
I don’t see any post by any Daisey May. Has it been censored?
BTW, it is Minchin who has led the charge for voluntary voting, entirely for good democratic reasons, one can be sure.
Don’t know any story about his son and if there has been misfortune then that is a shame and all parties have my sympathy.
Otherwise: wot Gummo Trotsky sez.
I notice that Abbott described Barnaby Joyce’s performance as finance minister as “outstanding”.
There are several definitions of “outstanding”.
Is this the definition that Abbott had in mind?
“I don’t see any post by any Daisey May. Has it been censored?”
I think it’s been removed, Sam.
Before anyone gets too dewy eyed about the sacrifice Minchin is making for his son, he said that he would not be leaving politics of he thought Abbott’s leadership
was in trouble.
And since his son needs his attention now, why is Saint Nick going to stay in the Senate for another 15 months?
“And since his son needs his attention now, why is Saint Nick going to stay in the Senate for another 15 months?”
Presumably stepping down from the front-bench and his leadership role in the Senate at this point allows him to provide more attention.
Geoff Honnor @27, like you I feel no animosity toward Munchkin’s family. I’m very sorry for his son and feel badly for both parents and the rest of his family. I’m sure Daisey Mae really didn’t feel any satisfaction about the terrible injuries his son sustained, at least I hope so. Feelings like that are very corrosive to the spirit.
“I don’t see any post by any Daisey May. Has it been censored? … I think it’s been removed”
First time I can recall the excision of any comment on this blog. It must have been a rip snorter.
But I agree that that the sins of the father should not visited upon the son.
Okay. Abetz for the Senate job – certainly a good choice. Let’s hope that the shadow cabinet vacancy is filled by somebody of the calibre of Cory Bernardi or Dennis Jensen; or perhaps we could see Wilson return.
I saw it – it totally deserved the banhammer. I don’t like Minchin either, but there are limits, eh.
One reason to regret Minchin’s departure is that considerations of factional and state representation will probably see this silly man rise to a position of prominence sooner or later.
Those Libs have such a wealth of talent. Anyway, I always waych TV in the dark.
You have to wonder what the ramifications for Malcolm are now, I don’t think Tuckey or Abetz has the auctoritas to pull the same sort of caper that Minchin orchestrated.
P.S. shame on anyone who wishes Ill will on his family. What are we now, the USA?
Thanks for the link Paul@38. That link is jaw-dropping. I’m speechless someone would support something like that…
As for Minchin being un-democratic, I don’t see any validity in that argument at all. A functioning democracy goes far beyond the health of the two major parties, we would be doing just fine if the modern Liberal and Labor parties imploded. Claiming the man was un-democracy because he went after his opponents base is a pretty silly in my opinion, simply because there would be a large “left” party without Labor or the union movement. Democracy relies on process and institutions not parties, the whole allegation sounds a little partisan to me.
In any case the unions haven’t been Labor’s real base since Hawke, Keating depoliticised the union movement 25 years ago, Minchin had barely anything to do with it.
“Presumably stepping down from the front-bench and his leadership role in the Senate at this point allows him to provide more attention.”
Geoff, I hope this is the case. I fear that off loading his leadership role might also be to do with freeing himself up to battle on the front line until the next election.
If his concerns were so strong for his son he could leave his position now, in the Senate, and in the hands of another Liberal stalwart. Instead, he is choosing to stay until his term ends next year. Even beyond the next election if it is not a D.D.
I think he continues to be tricky even about this matter.
It was.
Word.
Years more disunity ahead for the Liberal Party. Love it!
For the record, from what I can remember of it, the Daisey May comment did not wish “Ill will on his family”.
It did seem to relish the pain Minchin might be going through, as a result of an accident involving a member of his family, and was appropriately bumped.
I’d remind everyone of the comments policy:
At no stage did I rejoice in the misfortune that has befallen Minchins son. That would just be plain sick. My disgust was directed at him as a man. His son was injured in late February and if it was a “near death experience” as Minchin claims then at the very least you would expect that he would take time off from his job in politics to be there like a good father should. The timing of his announcement after a disastrous televised debate where his leader looked more stupid than usual was pure politics 101. The dumping of Joyce from finance today shows exactly why Minchin has done what he has done. Others have noted that he will still be able to push that odious barrel of his for the next 15 months. For those of you who prefer genteel language and garden party manners may I remind you that politics is a dirty game and the people who play it “never ever” manage to remain unstained. Policies that impact harmfully on the population are not met with limp wristed, dandified tittering but with languge couched in lethal force. I believed this site was a place for robust debate. Perhaps not?
“I believed this site was a place for robust debate. Perhaps not?”
It is, but be sure to observe the comments policy, especially once any admins get involved.
You might take particular note of the rule about not publicly conducting stoushes about the rules, which is the biggest no-no of all.
Worst. Defence. Ever. Because first, you don’t know that is the way that Minchin dealt with the tragedy. Second, your expectations of what Minchin should do as a “good father” are irrelevant. Third, because it’s none of your business. Fourth, because however disgusting you might find Minchin, that’s only your opinion and no justification for vindictive schadenfreude.
PS to previous comment: there’s a bit of robust debate for ya, Daisey May.
I find it hard to disagree with any of that or what Gummo said@50. Daisy May you went too far in the comments that were canned.
Re #38:
Cory Bernardi would have to be frontrunner for the title of intellectual and political heir to Santo Santoro.
I think the SMH is over-reaching a little in calling Bernardi’s “Conservative Leadership Foundation” (CLF) a think tank. These days, anybody with enough money to rent a URL can set themselves up in the “think tank” business. And the CLF’s stated purposes have very little to do with serious thinking:
You can find out what the CLF offers young conservatives here. And you can find their program of political events for young conservatives (the “Campus Action Plan”) here.
The promotion of “Human Achievement Hour” is just the first of a series of events that have been devised with a clearly marketing based notion of what kind of events will attract the most involvement from young conservative smartarses with a chip-shouldered resentment of the fact that no-one takes them seriously.
I’ve known about Bernardi’s endorsement of “Human Achievement Hour” for a couple of weeks now. Didn’t find it amusing or interesting, figured no-one else would, can’t be bothered reviving TBP anyway. Maybe today was a slow news day at the SMH (that’s my excuse, and I’m sticking to it).
Note: any further discussion about the deleted comment will itself be deleted.
“I think the SMH is over-reaching a little in calling Bernardi’s “Conservative Leadership Foundation” (CLF) a think tank.”
I did get a big laff when I saw that. But hell, why not go with the flow?
After 5 years… It’s Time…..
“Larvatus Prodeo is an Australian leftish Think Tank…..blah, blah..”
I’m so disappointed to hear about Bernardi taking up this “Human Achievement Hour” thing, because it means that I am wrong. I thought that the originating organisation must have been infiltrated by left-wing comedians, going by this press release.
Gummo Trotsky @53, I agree. Calling Cori Bernadi’s CLF a think tank is not just over-reaching, it’s fantasy. I’ve always thought that the pre-requisite for a think tank is the ability to think.
‘Think Tank’ is a prefectly appropriate appellation for the CLF. All of their thinks, tank.
I notice that the next CLF event will be the “No More Che Day”
Has it escaped the notice of the CLF that Che joined the choir celestial as recently as 1967?
Please. Fair’s fair. They haven’t got up to the nineteenth century yet, let alone the twentieth.
Next thing you know they’ll be having an anti-Thomas Jefferson Day.
http://www.thenorthwindonline.com/?p=3856645
I wish Minchin’s son a full recovery, and will take him at his word on this being the motivation. Nevertheless, Minchin senior has not died and I’m happy to critique his record. Perhaps chief amongst this was his deliberate undermining of renewable energy research in Australia, one of the most economically, as well as environmentally expensive decisions in our history.
Presumably he and Bernardi do not consider turning photons into electric current to be a human achievement worthy of celebrating.