Loose cannons

Issue 

This is a change?

"Pauline doesn't know what's going on around her any more." — George Merritt, chair of the SA Pauline Hanson Support Movement, who appears to have lost out in a power struggle among Hanson's lieutenants.

Where did they learn that?

"A young brigade more interested in its own ambition rather than the overall welfare of the party." — ALP ex-MP Ross Free on party members who complain that preselection is going to an older layer defeated in the last election. Free is seeking preselection for Lindsay, which he has lost twice in the last year and a half.

Helpless

"As usual, Mr Costello is not being much help. He can't help himself." — Queensland Premier Rob Borbidge on federal treasurer Peter Costello's plans to rescue state taxes outlawed by the High Court.

Achievers

"It was Keating and Brereton who introduced" non-union individual contracts. — Steve Hutchins, vice-president of the NSW ALP and state secretary of the Transport Workers Union.

Euphoria

"Growth was driven by investment, which was driven by credit. It's easy to criticise, but everyone was euphoric." — A researcher at UBS Securities in Bangkok on Thailand's economic crisis, quoted in the Sydney Morning Herald, August 12.

No Stalinism please, we're Liberals

"This was not a faction. We're an anti-faction ... We don't want Stalinist tactics in our party." — Tony Abbott, Liberal MP for Warringah, on anti-faction fighting that has broken out in the NSW Liberal Party.

If you like our work, become a supporter

Green Left is a vital social-change project and aims to make all content available online, without paywalls. With no corporate sponsors or advertising, we rely on support and donations from readers like you.

For just $5 per month get the Green Left digital edition in your inbox each week. For $10 per month get the above and the print edition delivered to your door. You can also add a donation to your support by choosing the solidarity option of $20 per month.

Freecall now on 1800 634 206 or follow the support link below to make a secure supporter payment or donation online.