Canberra to have a museum of democracy

Granny said :

Does this mean that democracy is a thing of the past?

Ahhh, my thoughts too Granny! We must stop invading each others brain space! Things that are old and past their use by date go in to museums. Things like old cars, dinosaurs and even embalmed communist dictators. I like my democracy modern and up to date with loads to spare for all, thanks.

What bothers me is why an actor (Damn, his name escapes me… think of Blue Healers, Sea Change and Kath and Kim) is the chairman of the OPH Board now. How did that happen? Is he a closet historian, really really good at all thing political history or just some one who’s name we’re all supposed to know (except me apparently) and therefore, a quality choice?

ramblingted said :

We’ve got the whiteboard, but think the pants are still MIA

MMmmm, interesting….. I used to work in Ros’s Parliamentary Liason Office and recall one of my colleagues spending quite some time in front of a shredder during the ‘pork-barrelling fiasco. At that time we were also inundated with adverts from companies selling the (then) new whiteboards with in-built printers. I also have a photo somewhere of me and two colleagues singing Karaoke (The Locomotion – OK I was drunk!) with her at her last Departmental Xmas party before she quit. ONe of us has their hand on her bum giving it a fairly substantial squeeze. I’m not telling which one of us it was though! I wonder if the OPH wants the pic for their collection?!

When do we ever STOP talking about our political history in this City?

This is a project thats been a long time in the making for OPH and should be a good step. I worked on some of the project early last year, and whilst I don’t want to give too much away, it will involve a history of democracy going back to the Greeks, and a number of chances for kids/tourists to re-enact major moments in Australian political history (all done in the former cabinet room, chambers or visiting major rooms such as the PM’s Office).

As far as I know, the dismissal will keep its space on the 2nd floor, and there should be a range of events featured, focusing more on major changes/controversies in Australian history (WW2 & bringing troops home, the 1951 Anti-Communism Bill,
Fraser accepting Vietnamese migrants etc) rather on the parties themselves.

Its a good historic building and a great tourist attraction given its history and location. Australian’s like to crap on their politicians and generally ignore the history, but we have a history we should be proud of, and our political story needs to be recognised & discussed somewhere in this city.

Maybe our local government could learn a thing or two about democracy and they wouldn’t even have to leave their home town in the process.

Also living in hope.

jakez said :

I don’t think our democracy has been particularly democratic since about 1906. At least in the US they have representatives that occasionally don’t robot vote.

They do robot vote, however their corproate handlers tell them to.

Hmm… We used to have the microphone that Gough used in his Dismissal speech in a cupboard around here somewhere… Haven’t seen it for a while, though.

I don’t think our democracy has been particularly democratic since about 1906. At least in the US they have representatives that occasionally don’t robot vote.

shame that the griffin centre wall with “export fraser, not uranium” got torn down. Now that is a museum piece…

Oh, c’mon! Someone must have the pants!! Keep checking eBay … I reckon she’s just waiting for the right moment!

; )

Could be great, could be sucky. I’m willing to wait and see.