Loose cannons

Nose already in the trough

New South Wales politicians have long creamed the benefits of a superannuation scheme which has given them millions. After the government axed public servants' super entitlements, Labor leader Bob Car suddenly saw the light and called for the MPs' scheme to be terminated: "And that means applying a cut-off for the existing fund and [beginning] a fund with a lower level of benefits for all new entrants". Carr and his cronies will of course remain in the old scheme.

Nightmare on Easy Street

"We just wanted this to be a lovely occasion for Sarah and her friends, but it's turned into a nightmare" — mother of 14-year-old Sarah Filippini, commenting on the reaction to spending $34,000 on a birthday party for Sarah, to be held on a luxury cruiser off the Gold Coast. Sarah invited 58 school mates to the shindig. The family received dozens of phone calls from people horrified at the splash of wealth.

Democratic choice

"I think government funding [of political parties in elections] is a good idea, but business has a responsibility maybe to support both sides" — Janet Holmes a Court, asked if she would be funding the Labor Party (which she is rumoured to support) in coming elections.

Bludgers

"He has consistently lashed companies for what he sees as [their] becoming corporate mendicants over-dependent on government money and protection." — The Telegraph-Mirror on Liberal leader John Hewson.

Sucker for punishment

"Every politician in Victoria gets booed if they dare to set foot on the sports turf. That is why they very rarely do it." — Victorian Labor Premier Joan Kirner's explanation of why a loud groan went up when she joined Australian Olympic champions on stage at the end of their triumphal parade through the streets of Melbourne.

From GLW issue 69