Webdiary - Founded and Inspired by Margo Kingston

Now, what’s this Latham bloke up to?

Is he just flogging his Diaries? Or, far more interestingly, is he using it to re-launch himself back on to the political scene? And, if so, what as?

When he left the Parliamentary Labor Party did he leave the Labor Party as well? Could he be thinking of starting from scratch with a new party? He’s young enough so why not. Are we about to see the emergence of a new political force?

I suppose he’ll be just flogging his Diaries.

Margo: Don't bet on it, Damian. His speech in Melbourne on September 27 - no cameras allowed! - is called '10 reasons why the idealistic should forget about organised politics'.

Ok now is 'round about the time Margo should pop up on Enough Rope to plug Webdiary after going independent. She certainly has enough anecdotes about famous people to be of general interest to the nation. Just dress presentably! It is also the time to try and rope Mark Latham in as Webdiary's "citizen journalist". The bloke is incalculable, though. There is no knowing what he would turn down.

Anyone else notice that Barry Jones seemed to be parroting from the ending to The Crying Game?

Could someone please explain the logic of this sideshow called Mark Latham to me? I mean one minute he's not fit to spit on and definately not fit to be PM, then paradoxically and magically come September every word he utters is to be believed as if it were gospel ? What hypocrites and revisionists the media have become, and what gullible fools it seems the majority of the population are.

All this a mere fortnight after the Liberal Party nearly drove an ex State leader to an early grave.

Now which political party is the dysfunctional one again ?

What I would like to know is if there is any workplace in this country[for a political party is just another workplace] which does not mirror in many respects the sins which Mark Latham has ascribed to the Labor Party?

Mark Latham should grow up and so should the people who are taking him seriously.

Oh blast. I'm at the university! Why wasn't I told, as Dorrie Evans would have said?

Before I go to watch the show I just want to say it was funny listening to the ABC's PM this evening travelling home and hearing about Mark Latham and International Talk Like A Pirate Day on the same program.

"Avast Ye! I'm off to check thar Jury Mast above thar Fo'c's'le to make certain I spy whatever lands on the Poop Deck me hearties, arggghh!!"

Victoria Collins. As I have said for a few years now, the ALP no longer has any productive role to play in Australian society. It's historical used-by date has passed. It was a Party of industrial national capitalism, that is irrelevant to the 21st century.

History will show that the ALP began to die the day that Bob Hawke was elected Leader.

I hope this helps.

Legal injunction by whom I wonder...The plot thickens...

Anyone have any info on why the interview was not broadcast as advertised tonight?

This will be interesting: a legal injunction. Who by, I wonder...

-Beazley on Defamation?
-Rudd on similar grounds
or News Ltd because the ABC got their story first?

The Law is a wonderful creature.

Margo: Lateline was gunna move its interview with Latho forward to tonight too. I wonder whether that one will also be pulled?

I would watch, but all I would be thinking the entire time while doing so would be 'thank God this man didn't become the PM.'

Either he is speaking the truth, and his party is so ridiculous and inane that it couldn't have any effective ministers in it whatsoever, or the man was a fruit case, and just be glad the haemorrhage didn't happen while he was PM.

Latham or the Labor party didn't deserve the other, and the Australian people deserved neither.

Solomon... why the hell should Margo depart from her usual style/anti-style for television? After all.. .the biggest crims locally all conform to the 'suit' model - and, she certainly shouldn't be mistaken for such scum, now... should she?

Not having tv... I will (as here) merely assist by challenging silly arguments. But - please? - someone transcribe the content for those of us that are televisually-challenged!

all the best

Aaaarghh!!! Injunction!!!
Have News Ltd unleashed the legal hounds on the ABC?!?

Oh, very brave Kimbo. No wonder Howard questions your 'ticker'! Talk of Labor censoring free speech. Utterly pathetic and gutless.

Margo: John, what is your evidence for blaming Beazley for the show being pulled? Please, can everyone suspend judgement until some facts are on the table?

Whose gonna be dancin' the hempen jig over this now me maties? Shiver me timbers! It's a hornswaggle, me drivelswiggers, that's what 'tis. I'll be in Davy's grip if I don't get to spy that keel hauling 'til three days hence.

How extericment! I haven't been so excited by politics in ages! :)

The pulling of the interview is reported here, but "it was not clear who had ordered the injunction".

Margo: Margaret, the story you cite has been updated. Murdoch did it! Oh yes indeed. So, they break the deal with MUP, so the ABC pulls forward its interview, then Murdoch goes to Court! Murdoch's henchmen have the ethics of....

Margaret, I too am a Mark Colvin fan, except when he gets tongue-tied and stumbles over his script. I imagine it's as excruciating for him as it is for me in the car...

I think I've fallen in love with Mark Colvin. Who knew he was a closet pirate?

Arrrgh Jim me lad.

I think Latham is being a bit over the top. I would let Beazley clean my toilet; but I'd lock the pantry!

It plays right into Rodent's hands just when Labor had the Government over a barrel on Telstra and Vivian Solon, just while the oily black shadow over the NSW Liberal leadership problems was still swirling, just when Barnaby had shown how easily led he is, just when the eternal bridesmaid was beginning to get restless under the pink tulle...

Had Latham been permitted to vent his spleen to Andrew Denton tonight it would have been over and done with by Monday. Predictable sneering of course from the Cavalcade of Clowns on the Coalition front bench who themselves have little call to take the high ground on backstabbing and nasty power games among other things, the usual media murmurings from the commentariat, but Labor would have (and should have) shrugged off what is in essence going to be a personal rant from a hurt and bitter man which will nevertheless have little lasting substance or staying power. A matter of whether or not you could take the heat in the kitchen. Politics is nasty business and no place for a sensitive and easily wounded temperament.

So who took out the injunction? Bad timing if it was Kim.

Utterly understandable if it was News Limited. Gives them a hook for selling more papers and gives them an ideological bludgeon for their creatures in the Coalition to use to distract from the Government's own far greater shortcomings.

Well, why aren't I surprised that they pulled it. It is different rules for different people!

I can say what I like about Kim Beazley and nothing can be done but Mark Latham is being gagged from telling his side of the story!

It doesn't matter who pulled it, its to protect the reputation and positions of those in power - AGAIN.

Dont be fooled.

Not fit to be a Parliament House toilet cleaner? Somebody had to clean up after Labor's election chances hit the bathroom fan.

Initially, whatever simpathy I held for Latham is gone, and I'm suspicious of Kim.

Let's see who nails the lid on whose coffin.

How do Labor supporters here view what Latham has had to say in the extracts available? If they are true they seem damning. If they aren't then what are Latham's motives and what does it say about him?

I must say I have been greatly disappointed with Mark Latham. I used to think he would have made a decent leader and seemed honest and humane. His childish "dummy spit" has made me regret my former support of the man.

Okay he doesn't have to like Kim Beazley, and it's the nature of politics in all parties that rivals sit in the wings, and sometimes put ambition before loyalty to the party leader. Big Deal. Latham's portrayl as Kim Beazley of all people as Dr. Evil is just plain laughable. And it's Latham that's the joke.

It's a bit rich of News Ltd to claim breach of confidentiality when it has been News Ltd editors across the country doing their best to break it themselves. The cheek!

It's about time we had some inside goss from a Party Hack who was no longer afraid to vent his (or her) spleen against the party machine that made them. As we have recently seen, there is no end to the party infighting on either side of the blue/red line. Just wish an ex-liberal/national was willing and able to lay down the gauntlet from their side.... would be just as vindictive and just as interesting. The veneer of respectability wears thin tonight.

I never thought much of Latham. To be honest I always thought he was little unbalanced. After reading his comments regarding the Labor party I am now not so sure. This guy could well be on to something.

Why won't they let him speak? I say let him speak!

This is nothing more than denial of freedom of speech. As a citizen in a democracy I demand John Howard do something about it this minute!

Margo: You mean take on the Murdoch machine, Jay? There's a first time for everything, I suppose.

Kingo, get thee to an ABC studio - Lateline needs you!!!

Margo: Hi David. Still waiting for the call, mate. Although you weren't too impressed with my Lateline performance in debate with David Oldfield, as I recall!

For those who are interested, Phillip Adams is discussing federal and state terrorism laws tonight on Late Night Live.

Hey I'm glad it wasn't on. 'SpitFire Ace' is better viewing than 'Dummy Spit Ace' anyway!

Regardless of what Latham says & all the bunfights that follow, I think the bottom line for your average disengaged voter, who only takes notice of politics when something big happens, is going to be further disenchantment with ALL politicans.

Government ministers like Costello & Abbott are doing themselves no favours by gleefully dancing around the stinking corpse either. And these childish idiots are Prime Minister aspirants. It's just so pathetic.

EXACTLY, Gina Bowry, and that is something that commentators here have mostly ignored. Come on Denton - if you're real about getting ex-machine players to spill the beans for the benefit of the citizenry, how about getting Bob Katter on the show? Because - unless I've missed same (and, I'm sure all of my friends would've told me) - Mark Latham oughtta be only the first in a (truly) shameful series of exposes...

Your call, Andrew, but, don't forget that there's a substantially-enraged citizenry out there that'll (eventually) DEMAND equal time re ALL sides of our badly-corrupt party system.

Margo: "Murdoch's henchmen have the ethics of...."

...The bottom line. What else has ever mattered?

Margo, I would think that Howard and "the Murdoch machine" disagree on some points. Having said that we are all entitled to abide by a Court decision. S### I was really looking forward to this.

The happiest guy around will be Denton followed closely by the ABC. This will now rate its tits off.

Everyones a winner, as they say.

Good questions Rob. I'll take on the second one for now and consider the other after re-reading what has been extracted (all in accordance with contracts it would seem!).

If ye had a certain disposition, a head full of idears (and a heart with much anger and possibly repressed rage), and you'd copped the rope's end. Arrr! Arrr! Then yar'd been marooned me matey just like Mark had. Arrr! And if few had wished ye fair winds (when you most needed it), would yar not set ye deadlights tight on the treasured chance of placing the black spot on all and sundry? Arrr! Arrr! Would yar not get a little addled and call them blaggards, bilge-sucking bile and all bloody manner of base stuff by the bucket load should ye get thar chance if yar'd learnt as a lad the creed - "No quarter!"?

Sorry couldn't wait three days (both until I see the interviews and it actually is International Talk Like A Pirate Day).

One party states are so much simpler aren't they Noelene? You just have to spend your life learning the ropes and the tricks of the trade and up the greasy pole you start going. You manage the fine art of pork barelling, you employ a phalanx of spin doctors, media advisers and various other sycophants and toadies and away you go.

Lessons well learnt you think as you learn to smile like a Chesire cat, shake hands with people that you normally wouldn't be caught dead with in a million years and adapt to a world of chimera-like substance, whilst at the same time spending the moments when you aren't in front of a camera lens socialising with those who run the media show just to be sure that you are treated favourably on the 6 o'clock News.

Yes, once you have eliminated the Opposition Noelene you can then satisfy yourself that you have an effective Opposition from within your own Party, when, in actuality all you have are really variations on a theme, and crass opportunistic behaviour from members on the backbench hoping to grasp that next rung on the ladder of opportunity.

Which gets me back to Mark Latham nicely, and a question for you Noelene. If Mark Latham were to renounce his membership of the Labor Party and seek to go over to the other side, what would your opinion be of him then? That is, your opinion of someone who you lashed with bile and vitriol up until that point when he changed sides.

This is what I wrote to the SMH Letters Page today, but since I haven't heard from them I guess it's not being published:

Well done, Mark. With your poisonous spewings, you've done your best to ensure that we are stuck with this immoral and deceitful government for at least another term. I've no idea which if any of your scurrilous assertions are true, but I do know that you weren't lying when you said, "I'm a hater. Part of the tribalness of politics is to really dislike the other side with intensity.

Trouble is, it seems now that the "other side" is human rights; the Westminster System; the compassionate treatment of the disabled, the isolated and the powerless; social equity; government transparency; the rule of international law and environmental sustainability--all the things that are anaethema to the government that you're so merrily comforting with your atavistic desire for revenge.

I should add that it's many years since I've voted Labor. They're by no means my political heroes. But even Labor is better than the Howard government.

My first thought was - how would the Parliament House toilet cleaners feel about that intended slur? Would you do that job? I wonder how much they get paid. The party of the people has great instincts these days doesn't it?

Real impressive. But I'm just "a right wing insensitive superior type", as has been pointed out here before.

"Government ministers like Costello & Abbott are doing themselves no favours by gleefully dancing around the stinking corpse either. And these childish idiots are Prime Minister aspirants. It's just so pathetic."

I agree, Carl. Listening to them this evening, I wondered how the many lovely Liberal ladies of my leafy North Shore constituency would respond to their infantilism. Not well, I suspect.

News just to air on ABC. NSW Supreme Court lifts injunction on Lateline interview going ahead.

Carl Cranstone: "Government ministers like Costello & Abbott are doing themselves no favours by gleefully dancing around the stinking corpse either."

Agree, Carl, but by way of observation, we know that the News Ltd vultures came out in force today, but we haven't really seen the name tags on the carion as yet.

According to the ALP the dead body is Latham's, according to Costello and Abbott it's Beazley, next week it will sting a whole raft of people in the ALP, but once the dust settles the death may be encroaching in Australian politics as we know it.

Just check Latham's title for his Monday lecture, as Margo stressed already. If Latham's analysis - bile aside - is valid, there may be many more ramifications for the conduct of politics. We haven't read the other bits - and I'm confident he will also mention some Libs in the book!

In time, we will know.

Indeedily--it's on right now!

Gina/John Yes, bring on the Enough Rope Political series; about time indeed.

A few more of these events and it will be on for young and old. Just wait until Costello goes for his leadership challenge...coming sooner no doubt.

It never fails to amaze me how the nay sayers in ths society routinely round on Whitlam, Keating, and now Latham - all quite brilliant men in their own right (I know many won't agree) but all with fresh thoughts, visionary views of what Australia has the potential to become and all taken down by a combination of limited vision, tall poppy syndrome, and party factions more interested in their own egos than in achieving a great society. Limited visions abound.

Will indeed be interesting to read the book. I've got mine reserved. Who wants to do the book review? Something more intelligent than Kelly's lame pre-review.

Some of the transcripts from Enough Rope are being leaked as we type our commentary:

Former Labor leader Mark Latham says he doesn't plan to ever speak again to his political mentor Gough Whitlam Enough Rope

Google: Mark Latham's habit of projecting his own bad motives onto others is about to unfold spectacularly Mark Latham: Bitter loser or brave tell-all?

CODA: The Brilliant Brisbane Institute times its features rather well: A case for political maturity

Is being aired right now ...

Folks... having just had the pleasure of re-reading my comment as soon as it was posted, I've now had second thoughts...

Mr Andrew Denton... herein one (powerless) Webdiary commentator issues you a (serious) CHALLENGE... to arrange/moderate a (live) televised debate from the three highest-profile genuine dissidents from current leading-party orthodoxies you can find... amidst the Liberal, National, and Labor Parties. No personalities to be directly traduced - hence, NO legal challenges - because... what the voters of Australia would genuinely like to hear is why and how (as most suspect) the current system is dysfuctional.

And - being (justifiably) cynical - they'd (understandably) prefer the diagnosis to be delivered in open debate, by disillusioned insiders from all three crucial parties...

Now... I have (on many occasions) proposed Webdiarists read things. And have had little/no support. On the other hand, I (truly) cannot see why ALL sides of politics shouldn't speak in support of this proposal.

So, let's here from all of us... would you (truly) like to hear such a debate?

I await the judgement of my peers, here...

Victoria Collins, I can't speak for Noelene at all, but for myself I can say that my opinion of Mark Latham has not changed one bit. I did not think he was suitable to be a member of Parliament, let alone PM.

Now can you explain to me how the ALP could have held this person up as the one who would lead them out of the wilderness, and the one who would lead our country?

Do you remember former PMs fawning over him not more than 12 months ago? Ina ddition do you remember who his mentor was...you know, the one he idolised...indeed he took his seat.

Im not gloating, I really am not interested in that, but what I do want to know is how the ALP got it so totally and utterly wrong. Judging by the comments from your good self and a few other ALP stalwarts on here (oh sorry, you are all objective and non partisan)it is only today that he has fallen in your esteem.

Despite the many post on web diary on election night, it looks like the Australian public did get it right after all doesnt it?

Makes you wonder who would be PM now if the ALP did win doesn't it?

Carl Cranstone’s post a little earlier talking of the Spitfire program reminded me that I should just quickly mention that today is Battle of Britain Day, the 65th Anniversary. Among the ‘Few’ – the ‘Few’ being those fighter pilots that fought and flew in the Battle of Britain – were some twenty-four Australians. All of them have now since passed on with the last of the Australian Few, Desmond Fopp from Cudlee Creek in South Australia, having passed away on 8 August 2005.

First impression - blow me down that was not what I expected.

I felt good seeing Mark Latham so in his skin, so happy. I enjoyed seeing him fill my TV screen with a smile again.

Why?

I felt good because I like him despite any mistakes he made as a politican or whatever. I sense Mark Latham is a good father and realised a life in politics probably doesn't make it easy to be one.

I stand by what I said earlier talking all Piratey - he felt pain I reckon and reacted with rage rather than depression. I can understand that and now I feel more certain that the truth is probably somewhere in between what Mark Latham says and what each of the people he names says rather that simply what either would have you think.

I enjoyed Mark Latham's Enough Rope interview and reckon this is one of the biggest publishing beat-ups for years. I like the guy-he demonstrated just how human he is, warts and all. Latham comes across as he did in politics as being an honest bloke. This guy did get a rough deal particularly by the media and if we believe him, his own party.

Those who are busy writing off Labor though should get real. In 6 months this will be forgotten news. I haven't heard anything so far that matches the "rodent" and "c***" insults hurled at John Howard by those in his own party and publicly aired so many years ago.

I agree, the sight of Abbott and Costello chortling in Parlaiment is pretty unseemly. These 2 just don't have a funny bone in their bodies. They have terrible delivery and someone in their own party should tell them they are an embarrassment when they're in full flight. They just can't put the knife in like Keating did in his inimitable cutting and humorous way. They would put off more people than win them over.

I doubt that Latham hasn't spared the Coalition for criticism and by drawing attention to his book the Libs are playing a risky game. This won't hurt Beazley in the slightest way and some journalists really need to get a life or get out of Canberra for a while. When people vote out Howard it will be because they simply cannot stomach the lies anymore and he's failed to come up with another credible scare. Beazley, certainly not my choice will have as much chance as any to take the next election.