State politics a curly little tale that shows no sign of straightening out

When I suggested a hung parliament might not be such a bad thing I was envisioning the balance of power would be in the hands of adults ...

CMNEWS_KAP party members Robbie Katter and Shane Knuth today at a press conference Saturday Feb7th, 2015. Pictures: Jack Tran / The Courier Mail

UNDERSTANDABLY everyone is sick to death of politics at the moment and if they are not, there is probably something wrong with them.

But can I just suggest that the picture of a mutant humanoid pig doing the rounds on the internet has a disturbing resemblance to the current state of affairs in Australia?

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That is, it might look like a human but it’s still a pig. A creepy pig.

When I suggested recently that a hung parliament might not be such a bad thing for governance in a state that does not have an upper house as a power check, I was envisioning the balance of power in the hands of an adult.

I was not counting on the Katter Boys and their list of 28 demands, including everything from budget-breaking infrastructure to the right to go hunting, fishing and shooting in state forests.

They also demanded a commission of inquiry into corruption in past governments and to know once and for all who shot JR.

Although they do not specify who or what was corrupt, they said there was “a stench that’s lingering’’ from past governments.

That stench may be the creepy pig.

“I think there has been some misbehaviour from governments in the past and people aren’t going to be satisfied in Queensland until someone’s made accountable for those,” Robbie Katter said.

I wonder if corrupt former governments got much of a mention when they held their clandestine meeting with the LNP leadership on Monday night, scattering like scorned piglets when they spotted the television camera.

The footage was gold.

I also didn’t count on one man, independent Peter Wellington, demanding the removal of anti-bikie laws which have proved extremely popular with many voters, particularly on the Gold Coast.

Not so popular with bikies, however.

The Budget did have a lucky escape from another independent who almost won.

Maryborough hopeful Chris Foley took to Facebook to lament: “I came in 458 votes short of holding the balance of power in the Queensland Parliament, become the Speaker, and getting a Mozza for Maryborough (sic) … I could have asked for whatever I wanted and got it.”

We may find out this week, or we may not, who Governor Paul de Jersey decides should be premier.

Although, given he is a former judge and they are notorious for taking months to construct the arguments for their judgments, I am not holding my breath.

And talking of holding my breath, how long does it take for the Electoral Commission of Queensland to count?

Are they using abacuses up there in Brisbane?

Also holding up the counting was the situation in Ferny Grove where a Palmer United Party candidate was found to be an undeclared bankrupt and ineligible to run.

Clive Palmer said he was sorry but would run another candidate if there is a by-election. How about he just pays for the by-election and save taxpayers some money for his stuff-up?

I still hold high hopes for the conduct of the new parliament with two decent people in charge of the Opposition and the Government — whichever way they may fall.

The LNP’s founding father Lawrence Springborg is back in charge and I welcome our new conservative overlord.

What’s wrong with a bit of recycling? It’s good for the environment.

But the fact we haven’t had anyone in charge of Queensland for almost two weeks and the place hasn’t ground to a stop with major blackouts, food shortages, looting and general mayhem raises the question of just how necessary is the State Government?

Could we do away with it all together and save a bucketload of money? Does it prove snout-in-trough ministers are de-necessary? If we front-end the ministerial roles will we be able to do away with some if not all of them?

What on earth was in that farm’s water to produce that pig? By the way, for the sake of a good night’s rest, I advise you not to click on the pig link — though I know you will.