Catching up on politics

So much happens when you take a holiday....

Just a few items from the past week... the new federal parliament has now commenced. Apparently any thought of a nice, 'collegial' lower house disappeared on the opening day!

New parliament begins

It wasn't a surprise to find out that Julia Gillard did not attend the opening church service that marks the beginning of the new parliament. Neither did the Governor-General Quentin Bryce.

But PM Julia Gillard did attend the 'smoking ceremony' by aborigines at the front of Parliament House before the opening of parliament! Politicians were invited to "Please move forward and get a cleansing'!

Tony Abbott attended both the events.
Read media report: Julia Gillard skips opening church service, The Aust, 28/9/2010.

Read report of the smoking ceremony: Indigenous leaders welcome federal MPs to 43rd Parliament, Daily Telegraph, 28/9/2010.
Watch video - click here.

The Speaker

Eventually, after Rob Oakeshott decided not to seek the position of the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Labor's Harry Jenkins has been elected as Speaker.

Peter Slipper, a Queensland Liberal MP has been elected Deputy Speaker, with Bruce Scott (Qld Nat) as the second deputy.
Mr Slipper has not given a gurantee of supporting Labor on no-confidence motions.
Read media report.

First Muslim MP - oath using Koran

The first Muslim MP has been elected to the federal Parliament.
When the MP, Ed Husicfrom Blacktown in western Sydney, was sworn in, he took his oath holding a Koran!

Read media report: New MP is first in Australia to be sworn in with Koran, The Aust, 28/9/2010. 

Peter Costello on the Greens

Former Liberal MP Peter Costello has taken aim at the real agenda of the Greens - on moral issues such as euthanasia and their real political views and background...

Read the fine print on the Greens tin
PETER COSTELLO - SMH, September 29, 2010