The South Australian Political Landscape

[CK]

After a record 16 years as state ALP leader, it will be interesting to see if Mike Rann can continue to survive the emerging mood within his own party for change. Michael O'Brien has admitted putting forward a proposal for him to stand as deputy with Jay Weatherill to stand as leader in a ballot, but Weatherill has flatly denied this.

It is apparent that Kevin Foley's tenure on the deputy leadership is slipping, but the problem appears to be finding a credible alternative. Some of the leadership contenders, such as John Hill appear, on face value, to have their best days behind them, so any change will only appear temporary.

On the other side, the Liberals are slowly making inroads, but haven't seemed able to land enough knockout punches to capitalise on the public mood. Both sides seem to lack a younger, dynamic, immediate leadership alternative. Isobel Redmond appears to be doing a solid job, but is that translating into public opinion that she is ready to take the reins?

Overall, can both parties go the next 12-18 months with their current leadership teams and if so, where will this leave both parties by the next state election. Despite there being no State Bank-type issue here, could the next election result in a similar result to 1993 for the ALP?

[Psyber]

A former ALP Minister and old school friend says Mike is hanging in there with the aim of becoming the longest serving SA ALP Premier despite the fact that most of the party wants him gone well before the next election.
He has said his money is on the Liberal Party winning the next election so long as Isobel stays leader.

[Dogwatcher]

I'd agree with both of those sentiments.

[GWW]

How much worse do these clowns need to get til they're compared to NSW Labor Govt? I didn't mind Rann 18 months ago now I just see him as one big joke.

[southee]

A former ALP Minister and old school friend says Mike is hanging in there with the aim of becoming the longest serving SA ALP Premier despite the fact that most of the party wants him gone well before the next election.
He has said his money is on the Liberal Party winning the next election so long as Isobel stays leader.

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/news/sout ... 5961626005

Rann/Foley stay.....wonderful news for the ALP faithful

[dedja]

Ranndy will get the record then bugger off ... Labor are a laughing stock and should be swept from office in 2014.

The only way for them to survive is for the Libs to self implode as only they can ... as long as they can somehow keep a lid on the warring family wars they may prevail.

What a sad state of affairs we are in.

PS.

Michael O'Brien's career is over.

[southee]

Ranndy will get the record then bugger off ... Labor are a laughing stock and should be swept from office in 2014.

The only way for them to survive is for the Libs to self implode as only they can ... as long as they can somehow keep a lid on the warring family wars they may prevail.

What a sad state of affairs we are in.

PS.

Michael O'Brien's career is over.

I had to laugh at Thursday's "set up" between Michael O'Brien with Rann/Foley in parliament. All laughing and joking as Rann looked up at the camera's.....so staged!!!

[Dogwatcher]

O'Brien should never have been a minister.

[CK]

Treasurer Kevin Foley bashed outside the Marble Bar on Sunday morning:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/prominent ... 5962251071

[mighty_tiger_79]

like most people here I can see Labor losing the next state election here, they are battling in melbourne, they lost in wa, hung parliament in tassie, NSW aint popular and I would expect them locally to be voted out next election, mind you it would be nice if we saw the liberals out and about at some stage!

[Cambridge Clarrie]

like most people here I can see Labor losing the next state election here, they are battling in melbourne, they lost in wa, hung parliament in tassie, NSW aint popular and I would expect them locally to be voted out next election, mind you it would be nice if we saw the liberals out and about at some stage!

I bet Foley wishes he hadn't gone out and about...

[Booney]

Treasurer Kevin Foley bashed outside the Marble Bar on Sunday morning:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/prominent ... 5962251071

"I was just a guy walking down the street"

No, you're the states Treasurer who, at 3:30 in the morning, was wandering the city streets ( once again ) and why the hell would he be doing this? Remember seeing the headline "Playboy of the West".

Well, time to grow up "Kev"...

[gossipgirl]

I didnt know there was a curfew in South Australia now.

Surely you should be able to walk the streets without some tosser performing a gutless act even if it is on a politician that isnt the most popular person in the world

[Booney]

I didnt know there was a curfew in South Australia now.

Surely you should be able to walk the streets without some tosser performing a gutless act even if it is on a politician that isnt the most popular person in the world

No, there is no curfew. I can only suggest your post confirms that common sense just 'aint so common anymore.

In no way do I believe gutless violence is acceptable, but times and places add an element of risk to what you are being exposed to and some people should know better.

[tipper]

I didnt know there was a curfew in South Australia now.

Surely you should be able to walk the streets without some tosser performing a gutless act even if it is on a politician that isnt the most popular person in the world

i agree that you should be able to, but unfortunately i think you will find this sort of thing happens every friday and saturday night in town. the only difference here is that if it really was "just a guy walking down the street" it wouldnt be front page news. nothing like a bit of a beat up is there. "his significant injuries were clearly visible" i have seen bigger marks on someones face from a shaving cut!

if it was anyone else it would be lucky to get a tiny article buried in the paper and asking anyone with info to contact crimestoppers.

i also loved the article in the paper where it said he had been "drinking earlier in the evening, but denied being intoxicated" then further down "he spent yesterday morning sleeping off the attack" yeah that is what i was doing sunday too, sleeping of an assault, nothing at all to do with drinking!

[gadj1976]

Treasurer Kevin Foley bashed outside the Marble Bar on Sunday morning:

http://www.adelaidenow.com.au/prominent ... 5962251071

Our Political landscape? It's 'interesting' isn't it. Both Foley and Rann assaulted in about 12 months. That's gotta say something about our political landscape.

[Gingernuts]

I didnt know there was a curfew in South Australia now.

Surely you should be able to walk the streets without some tosser performing a gutless act even if it is on a politician that isnt the most popular person in the world

No, there is no curfew. I can only suggest your post confirms that common sense just 'aint so common anymore.

In no way do I believe gutless violence is acceptable, but times and places add an element of risk to what you are being exposed to and some people should know better.

He is quite possibly the least popular person in the state right now.

Wandering the streets of Adelaide @ 3:30am is probably not a good idea for a bloke who's been bad mouthing bikies and/or sacking half the public service. He's lucky he only ended up with a black eye really.

[JK]

I didnt know there was a curfew in South Australia now.

Surely you should be able to walk the streets without some tosser performing a gutless act even if it is on a politician that isnt the most popular person in the world

I agree .. I rarely venture in here and pretty much loathe Foley, but for people to think he shouldn't be able to walk the streets at whatever time he chooses is just plain crazy IMHO .. Every one of us should have that right.

[Booney]

I didnt know there was a curfew in South Australia now.

Surely you should be able to walk the streets without some tosser performing a gutless act even if it is on a politician that isnt the most popular person in the world

I agree .. I rarely venture in here and pretty much loathe Foley, but for people to think he shouldn't be able to walk the streets at whatever time he chooses is just plain crazy IMHO .. Every one of us should have that right.

Agreed CP, we do, we also have the right to exercise better judgment and not place oursleves in these positions. As mentioned above this sort of thing ( sadly ) is an all too often occurence and I stay away from the city if possible to avoid this type of incident. Innocent parties are all too aften the victim, having said that, a public figure being in such a place IMO is even more dangerous. I would also like to know what his "good samaritan act" was...

[JK]

I didnt know there was a curfew in South Australia now.

Surely you should be able to walk the streets without some tosser performing a gutless act even if it is on a politician that isnt the most popular person in the world

I agree .. I rarely venture in here and pretty much loathe Foley, but for people to think he shouldn't be able to walk the streets at whatever time he chooses is just plain crazy IMHO .. Every one of us should have that right.

Agreed CP, we do, we also have the right to exercise better judgment and not place oursleves in these positions. As mentioned above this sort of thing ( sadly ) is an all too often occurence and I stay away from the city if possible to avoid this type of incident. Innocent parties are all too aften the victim, having said that, a public figure being in such a place IMO is even more dangerous. I would also like to know what his "good samaritan act" was...

Dont disagree with those other points mate, which are seperate issues, but for some people to suggest (not necessarily on here) he shouldn't be out at those times IMHO is unfair.