Apparently unnoticed by many in the media was the prediction by political commentator , Malcolm Mackerass , in the Weekend Australian of January 16-17 ,of a double dissolution election .
While stomping about the nation last week on his way to Darwin to officially open the Royal Darwin Hospital oncology unit, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd gave what were seen as election campaign speeches - but then this is the year of living electioneeringly / dangerously throughout the nation and anything the PM says has to be regarded in that context.
In Darwin he deftly flattered the NT News by saying it was the most read newspaper in his office. ( When federal parliament resumes, bet the Opposition says Australia is going to the crocs, not the dogs ,under the Rudd regime). Rudd’s praise for the paper must have made the newspaper management cartwheel about the office in jubilation. The News was so pleased with the PM's unsolicited testimonial they responded by running a special front page picture for him of Miss Piggy being devoured by a large crocodile, thus causing thousands of sensitive kiddies and ET to have nightmares and wet their beds.
Unfortunately, our leader used what could be inappropriate language for an oncology unit to say Solomon MHR Damian Hale had been a pain in the butt , urging the unit be established. Why is that every time there is a photo opportunity involving Darwin medical facilities politicians insist on hamming it up. NT Health Minister Kon Vatskalis has worn Easter Bunny ears , jostled with Hale in one episode and spread himself out in the horizontal at the opening of a new operating theatre.
Not to be outdone, PM Rudd allowed himself to be photographed at the oncology unit with his head in a position like that of a gynaecologist going about his important work. He may have been looking for a member of the official government party who disappeared without trace from most of the opening parade and ceremony, apparently having slipped away to Casuarina for cappuccino, a greasy doughnut and a fag.
While stomping about the nation last week on his way to Darwin to officially open the Royal Darwin Hospital oncology unit, Prime Minister Kevin Rudd gave what were seen as election campaign speeches - but then this is the year of living electioneeringly / dangerously throughout the nation and anything the PM says has to be regarded in that context.
In Darwin he deftly flattered the NT News by saying it was the most read newspaper in his office. ( When federal parliament resumes, bet the Opposition says Australia is going to the crocs, not the dogs ,under the Rudd regime). Rudd’s praise for the paper must have made the newspaper management cartwheel about the office in jubilation. The News was so pleased with the PM's unsolicited testimonial they responded by running a special front page picture for him of Miss Piggy being devoured by a large crocodile, thus causing thousands of sensitive kiddies and ET to have nightmares and wet their beds.
Unfortunately, our leader used what could be inappropriate language for an oncology unit to say Solomon MHR Damian Hale had been a pain in the butt , urging the unit be established. Why is that every time there is a photo opportunity involving Darwin medical facilities politicians insist on hamming it up. NT Health Minister Kon Vatskalis has worn Easter Bunny ears , jostled with Hale in one episode and spread himself out in the horizontal at the opening of a new operating theatre.
Not to be outdone, PM Rudd allowed himself to be photographed at the oncology unit with his head in a position like that of a gynaecologist going about his important work. He may have been looking for a member of the official government party who disappeared without trace from most of the opening parade and ceremony, apparently having slipped away to Casuarina for cappuccino, a greasy doughnut and a fag.
