Secret Corridors

"In a democratic age, egalitarianism has been redefined as mediocrity. The belief that Jack is as good as his master used to be a liberating idea, encouraging people to strive to succeed no matter what their origins. But the belief that lazy, ignorant Jack watching television all day is as good as his neighbour working all hours to get qualified or build a business is not liberating, it is a recipe for envy, sloth and passivity."

Peter Saunders.


"Human rights are universal or they are nothing."

Nick Cohen


These were times when we were uncertain of our own beliefs; hunting for meaning and finding vacuous securities, comfort in the bland, the old eccentricity which used to be so much a part of Australian life washed away in a comfortable conformity. Even the colours were bland, uniform, matching. There wasn't anything beneath the surface. Their expressionless, mask-like faces were hiding a greater terror, but you would never guess. It was the lack of difference, the lack of compassion, the complete lack of personality, that disturbed him the most. These weren't normal crowd scenes. These were scenes from a race bled dry.

I see them early in the morning; lining up the buses, the workers of the city with their difficult, beaten down lives; and always think how far their lives are away from The Lodge on the other side of the Harbour, where the Prime Minister John Howard, also an early riser, prepares for his brisk morning walk around the harbour foreshores accompanied by security guards; where a substantial breakfast awaits him on his return and staff are everywhere, doing his and wife Janette's every bidding. Meanwhile the factory workers alight from their buses and head towards the days grind.

The elites have betrayed even themselves. The corruption of thought, of ideology, of decency, is everywhere now. The universities have churned them out and left them to grasp power for themselves; threads of self assurance nee arrogance trailed like decaying worms through the culture, their bodies intact in the mess; for all of it has come down to me now. I surrender. I go to work and hide behind a mask; and the days open up into a glory impossible not to appreciate; a joy come oh so late.


THE BIGGER STORY:

We're only months away from an election; as the year rolls inexorably towards its destination: a change of government. While few of my generation have the slightest faith in Opposition leader Kevin Rudd; many are fed up with the present incumbent John Howard; who appears increasingly frenetic and pathetic as he struggles in the polls.

ABC:

Federal Treasurer Peter Costello continues to deny he said he would destroy Prime Minister John Howard's leadership if he was not prepared to step aside, despite telling journalists at a dinner of his challenge plans.

The Treasurer today started his 50th birthday with a breakfast television interview on the Nine network where he was asked directly about comments he had reportedly made to supporters back in 2005 declaring that he could win the next election but Mr Howard could not.

Mr Costello denied the quote, point blank.

In another television interview later in the day, the question was repeated, this time with an assertion that several people had been present when Mr Costello had declared that Mr Howard could not win the next election, and again Mr Costello denied it categorically.

In fact, there was a dinner back in early 2005 in Canberra with Mr Costello and three senior Canberra gallery journalists, one of whom was ABC political editor Michael Brissenden.

The notes of that dinner conversation record Mr Costello saying he would destroy Mr Howard's leadership if he was not prepared to step aside within a year.

With Mr Howard leading the Government to a fifth election and trailing badly in opinion polls, it is reported that some in the Government may even blame Mr Costello himself for the defeat if it comes.


This is a picture of me with young Ben, Penny's latest boy. Penny is Suzy's sister, who met a nice bloke and has gone to live in Lismore. They become central to everything and sometimes you wonder. With such a difficult head, it always surprises me when I look like a normal person in photographs.