‘There will be a day of reckoning for Daniel Andrews next year’

Cartoon by Johannes Leak

Welcome to the column where you provide the content. Gideon Haigh’s cri de coeur on having endured the world’s longest lockdown – “no gratitude, no pride, no relief, just quiet seething” – touched hearts and many a raw nerve amongst our Victorian readers, prompting almost 2500 reader comments. Cathy concurred:

“Bravo GH! You capture the mood here beautifully. I just hope and pray there will be a day of reckoning for oily Dan in November next year and he and his cronies will be swept out of government. Meanwhile we put on foot in front of the other and look forward to days that will truly spark joy.”

Colin agreed:

“Dan, your day of reckoning is coming, the Victorian electorate is now very very unhappy.”

Lesley said:

“The mood in Victoria is visibly changing. Lots more people have lost respect for and belief in Dan Andrews. Time for that knock on his door by the numbers men and women of the party or they risk being swept away with him.”

Bruno was moved:

“I wept as I read this. Thank you Gideon.”

Carolyn too:

“I’m in tears. No one has captured my experience like this. Thank you. Truly and deeply.”

Nancy sympathised:

“I understand the tears. At about 4am this morning, after another sleepless night, when I read this, I just thought, so I’m not the only one … comforted by the this incredible writing. I will always be grateful.”

Timmy Tam’s tuppence worth:

“Well said and the federal government hasn’t been that far behind Dan. ScoMo’s lack of comment, input or support for Victorians is an indication that he saw no harm in what was happening in Victoria.”

A warning from Jeffrey:

“The only good thing coming out of Andrews dictatorial control over Victoria is that he was only the premier of a state. If Australians think we could never fall under the control of a totalitarian dictator at a Federal level – think again. Andrews has been like a warning shot across the bow – freedom and democracy aren’t ‘givens’, they are something we have to fight for, nurture, cherish and respect.”

Cartoon by Johannes Leak

Praise from Peter:

“Beautifully written thank you. The essence of being Australian as we understood it has vanished overnight, lost in a sea of debt, incompetence, political conniving, willing media manipulation (except for the writer) and bureaucratic nonsense. Future generations will have to study how one man could have built his own reality to this extent. That is the really depressing part, that we are so easily manipulated.”

Brendan said:

“There is nothing to celebrate from this long drawn out failure. No government had a blueprint on how to handle a pandemic, but Andrews’ govt has fared worst by a LONG way.”

Old Ranga reckoned:

“Ah Gideon, Well done, yet again, for so accurately expressing other Victorians’ personal feelings.”

Steven said:

“A great article. The part I really picked up is the complete and utter lack of empathy shown by the government and everyday people towards others who have done it really really tough through the lockdowns. Not everyone can work from home and it only takes a walk down the street to see many small businesses who will not come back from this. It all seems like collateral damage and if you complained you are a traitor to Victoria or something. The other really really weird thing is the ‘badge of honour’ backslapping attitude that seems to be prevailing like it’s some type of international award to be proud of being lockdown so much. “You have to ask yourself, why an isolated relatively minor city by world standards found it so necessary to lock itself down so hard and for so long? Was it necessary? Andrews has completely changed his tune from Covid 0 to now having to live with it. Why did it take so long?”

Campbell claimed:

“Any dissenting voice has not been aired by the mainstream news outlets in Victoria. Just listen to the ABC or watch the nightly news. The coverage has been biased and pro Dan Andrews. I feel the silent majority share your view and the tide is finally turning. The latest ridiculous grab for power just another example of the arrogance of his leadership.”

Sam said:

“Encapsulates the deja vu-like sleepwalking we have endured for almost 2yrs.”

Russell said:

“This so tellingly and sadly speaks of the utter despair in Victoria under the heel of Chairman Dan and his comrades. People have been both bludgeoned and bluffed into servile acceptance of the Chairman’s autocratic regime but, surely, they must be starting to wake up – not just their future and prosperity depend on this awakening but their very sanity.”

Robin said:

“The unproductive lovies on the left love it all and can’t wait to be able to vote for Andrews next time. They love authoritarians, the state runs everything in their eyes while the productive private sector crumbles.”

Anothernick suggested:

“The only reason the seething is ‘quiet’ is because the media is so pro-Andrews, unbelievable – if it were a Liberal government they would have been hounded out of office by now!”

Trevor’s theory:

“Governments are kept in check by an electorate they fear. Once they learn that they can cross the legal boundary with impunity, they no longer fear. The issue here is not vaccines or lockdowns, it is the illegal use of coercion and force that has been met with acceptance by 80pc of the population. When our children and grandchildren ask how they got to where they will be, we can point back to an over compliant populace that swallowed the ‘Kool-Aid’ and sold out the future so they could have there lifestyle back.”

Anti Hubris raged:

“For the first time in my life I am beginning to understand how ‘people’s revolutions’ start. I too have that quiet seething rage in my heart. Message to Andrews and his spin doctors: The people of Victoria have long memories.”

Charles can see clearly now:

“Exceptional writing. I just called a mate in Vic and to tell him ‘I think I have a better idea what has been going on’. He said ‘whatever you read, it still does not come close to how bad it has been’.”

Cartoon by Johannes Leak

Bleak for Bonnie:

“Young people know nothing of what democracy is. Two generations have been inculcated with the supposed awfulness of settler society. Our dumb teachers, coasting on the reputation of once respected teachers, trick parents into submission. The teacher unions rule.”

A’s assertion:

“Dan has set up the structures to protect his power and reward his protectors/followers. They want him to retain State of Emergency powers so they can keep on the gravy train. The lust for power railroads over the will of the majority of the Victorian people. The Greens hand the power to Dan – let’s not forget who is party to this. What is he ushering in behind the smoke and mirrors of SOE? When will integrity and transparency return to Victoria? It is polluted and the people have no voice.”

Lost cause, said Laurie:

“We have to get used to the fact that Victorians have a different mind set to other normal Australians. They will always vote left wing Labor, they love Premier Dan, and they are thankful they don’t live in a terrible State like NSW with its (in comparison) freedoms. I feel we should just leave them to themselves.”

Jorge said:

“Our Victorian parliament failed miserably, when the Premier was able to barter our democratic rights with the Greens and the smaller parties and get emergency powers passed in law. Are we going to have a repeat situation in 2022? Extended emergency powers again, perhaps with a different name?”

Graeme was grim:

“When he says he is so proud of us I want to throw up.”

From Robert:

“That summed up my feelings precisely. So we, the ones with little or no control over the political and medical class, were mostly all in this together. Sickened not by the virus but the draconian hypocrisy regurgitated on a daily basis. I walked the city of Melbourne yesterday and if the few hundred also inspecting a still locked down city felt the same as me then the word ‘freedom’ has no place in this Melbourne of closed and shuttered establishments and few restaurants and cafes that felt able to open.

“Frankly I have seen enough of Andrews, Sutton and Weimar. Enough to last a lifetime. Thank you for sharing your thoughts in this quite brilliant article. Perhaps those who might think to continue their invasion of our lives will take the time to read and reflect and realise that their self congratulatory backslapping is not shared by all of us.”

Mellow’s request:

“This needs to be republished at election time in Victoria. Brilliant article and really provides us non Victorians with a deeper understanding of what you have gone through.”

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Allo allo: Don’t mention the subs. Picture: AFP

Peta Credlin reckoned it says something about the Morrison government’s mindset that it now has two distinct policies – net-zero emissions by 2050 and nuclear submarines by 2040 – with no clear pathway to achieve either and no obvious differences between itself and the Labor opposition. John’s talking points:

“National security.

Energy security.

Water security.

Innovation and quality in manufacturing and design.

Excellence in education.

Love of country.

It’s not a long list, but all of these need clear thinking and strong leadership.

Getting down to the wire, Prime Minister.”

Gravel Rash reckoned:

“Peta is of course absolutely correct in every critique, there is virtually nothing the Morrison government has done right, its all about selling snake oil. How has a once proud government come to this?

“Presumably they have been white anted by the left who presumably are taking their orders from woke big business aka rent seekers. If Morrison is re-elected he will keep moving more left than the Greens. The only way to restore the LNP is to put them into opposition for reflection. Regardless of what Labor may do, it is little different from what Morrison would do, it no longer matters.”

Bob Sacamano said:

“The federal government has failed to follow through in many areas, yes. But the answer certainly isn’t handing the keys to Labor. It’s right to ask questions about the government’s record and hold them accountable for it, but often in politics it’s about choosing the lesser of two evils.

“Yes, the Coalition hasn’t done anything about repealing 18C, but Labor’s not the solution: they’d only strengthen 18C. The Coalition has stood firm in the face of China’s threats and bullying, whereas the Labor party has a long list of ideological China apologists and appeasers (see Albo’s criticism of Morrison when he called for an investigation into how Covid started, and Dan Andrews’ enthusiasm for Belt and Road).

“The Coalition has stared down the woke rubbish in the proposed national curriculum where students who can’t yet do their times tables are taught that statues are racist and how dreadful this country and its ANZACs are. Yes they should have cancelled the whole curriculum and made them start from scratch. But Labor’s not the answer: they’d ensure the curriculum was far worse and absolutely dripping with woke nonsense and identity politics.

“The Coalition has been far from perfect, and I get all the frustrations with it, but sometimes it’s simply better the devil you know. If you supported the Coalition before but are thinking of voting against them next year, be very very careful what you wish for.”

Nukes, said John:

“Morrison said he would not raise nuclear as an issue because Labor would oppose it. How do the Libs separate themselves from Labour if they wont get into the ring and have the fight. The Australian people appear to be ready for the discussion.”

Nip’s view:

“A powerful exposition of the frustration many of us feel. Sadly, the best outcome for Australia may well be a thumping loss by the Coalition, and an exposure to the realities of a term of Labor rule. That may just oblige the Liberals in particular, to realign themselves into a party that stands for something. Three more years of crab walking to the left is frankly not an attractive option.”

Faithful Servant said:

“I view a one term Labor government, painful as it would be, the best chance for democracy to survive in Australia. Hopefully the shock of losing the election would force the Liberal Party to clean out the wokish, left wing, members from its ranks and realign its policies with its center/right wing base of conservative voters. Labor lite policies will not be accepted by this constituency who expect a leader who stands up for what they believe in.”

Karl was confounded:

“I am amazed by the comments of presumably conservative commenters that the Liberals have not done anything in 8 years. Surely as conservatives, we do not want the government to ‘do’ anything? Surely ‘doing’ is the preserve of left wing governments?

“One of our best PMs spoke about government getting out of the way. When governments ‘do’, look at what happens: pink batts, school halls, free money for homebuyers & parents, free money for everyone, NBN, NDIS, double the dole, wokery-pokery, net zero …

“Returning to the central question, yes: Libs double-plus bad, Labor worse. In the land of the blind, the one-eyed man is king, as ‘t were.”

–

Grassy trolls: Keeping secrets about the assassination fuels the conspiracy theories.

James K Galbraith suggested that in withholding secret records about the JFK assassination, the US government has already admitted, without saying so, that the Warren Commission lied and that there are vile secrets which it is determined to protect. Peter agreed:

“If there was no conspiracy, no coverup or no political malfeasance the full findings would have been triumphantly released. Therefore there was.”

Ian said:

“I remember that day too well, we got an editor out of bed on the wire report early that morning, This to my mind is one the most brilliant articles I have read on this matter. What on earth is under the carpet 58 years later?”

From Fírinne:

“As per usual it seems as though the lies and cover ups make things worse than the truth.”

Andrew said:

“Biden uncannily lives down to expectations with every new decision he makes.”

Atticus was unimpressed:

“Does anyone honestly believe that the hundreds (if not thousands) of people who would directly or indirectly know about a conspiracy have kept quiet for 58 years? Not one credible person has come forward with a plausible alternative to Oswald getting ‘lucky’ with his Mannlicher-Carcano. The Mafia, the CIA, the Russians, Hat man, Umbrella man, Woody Harrelson’s dad, Alan Didak – no meat on the bones on any of those theories.”

The JRJ’s theory:

“Great big conspiracy to keep aged hacks in work. No one below 35 give a hoot. Except in the abstract.”

Denis said:

“Several years ago a retired Australian detective produced a TV program that pretty convincingly proved Kennedy was shot by one of the agents travelling in convey with him. The program was on either ABC or SBS. Would love to see it again.”

Graham countered:

“The secret service AR-14 wasn’t taken out until after the final shot. They conveniently left this out of the analysis. Also this wasn’t original. The Aussie detective picked up a very old conspiracy that had long been discredited.”

Paul’s take:

“Clearly there was a conspiracy, most probably by the CIA which was angry about JFK’s refusal to assist with the Bay of Pigs invasion of Cuba. At least a dozen people who had knowledge of the conspiracy died in suspicious circumstances in the immediate aftermath of the assassination so that is some cover up!”

Last word to Joseph:

“After Watergate it only took two years for ths truth to come out. It is not possible to go 58 years and truth not come out. There was no conspiracy.”

–

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