13 November 2009

Liberals get desperate in Queanbeyan

| Chris Mordd Richards
Join the conversation
22

Spotted this afternoon on the main street of Queanbeyan, the federal Liberals out campaigning hard on behalf of their embattled leader, Malcolm Turnbull. The big man himself wasn’t present but they had gone to some effort to try and attract the interest of the locals with large size colour banners featuring Turnbull.

Libs in Queanbeyan - 1

When asked what brought them out here at least 12 months prior to the next federal election, they were quite coy, claiming this was “standard community outreach” and nothing more. They became even more hesitant to answer questions once I postured to them that a pending double dissolution election surely made more sense seeing them out and about like this than just merely ramping up for an October/November poll in 2010.

Libs in Queanbeyan - 2

It seems someone in the local branch is worried about their potential performance in Eden-Monaro though, i’m 99% sure this is the first time i’ve seen any major parties campaigning in Queanbeyan since the 07 election, if you don’t count the 2-4 times a year Turnbull or Rudd come and visit a technical college here for a quick photo-op policy announcement, that’s not the same as street campaigning though.


What do you think? Is this a sign we could be going to the polls as early as February/March or even sooner for a double dissolution election? With the nationals refusing to compromise on the ETS (emissions trading scheme) and Turnbull having staked his leadership on doing a deal on the ETS, has someone finally decided that its all over red rover for the Libs as a result? Only time will tell at this point I guess……

Join the conversation

22
All Comments
  • All Comments
  • Website Comments
LatestOldest

No doubt the Tories are testing the waters and gauging public perception on Malcolm Turdbull, why they are polling the public is beyond comprehension given that his own party don’t trust him.

i doubt very much kev has given turnbull a heads-up on an early election – to give him a headstart on campaigning!

…. and working the next street corner was the nerd in a hard hat.

Queanbeyan turf wars 2010. Bring it on.

No big scoop george, its just been a long time since I turned the corner and walked into a massive lifesize turnbull looking at me, i find it amusing. Given all the brooha going on over the ETS, i can’t help but stir the pot so to speak, plus I promised them I would post their photos online when I took them lol. If I sound over eager in my style, its most likely because ive never submitted anything like this before, and had no idea if anyone else would even find it amusing as I did. I thank you all for your feedback.

There’s nothing that abnormal with starting campaigning very early in marginal electorates – I once handed out leaflets in Queanbeyan for the ALP about six months before any election was likely. Have the Liberals preselected a candidate for the seat yet though? The Malcolm Turnbull signage is unlikely to have been impressing many people given his low approval ratings.

Gungahlin Al4:36 pm 13 Nov 09

I agree that it is far from abnormal. Obviously they’d want to try to rope in some future helpers in good time before the next election (which could realistically be any time from say March onwards).

And there’s always the criticism one gets when doorknocking about “we only see them when it’s election time”. So when it isn’t election time and they do this, they’re criticised? Perhaps only by a party that isn’t getting out themselves?

icantbelieveitsnotbutter said :

sloppery said :

wishuwell said :

One thing they have going for them is that they do look like Liberals.

What – well dressed and employed?

No… they just look out of place on the street corner in Queanbeyan 🙂

Well played… 🙂

icantbelieveitsnotbutter4:26 pm 13 Nov 09

sloppery said :

wishuwell said :

One thing they have going for them is that they do look like Liberals.

What – well dressed and employed?

No… they just look out of place on the street corner in Queanbeyan 🙂

icantbelieveitsnotbutter4:25 pm 13 Nov 09

Aren’t there two State elections coming up early in the year… Rudd wouldn’t want to overshadow them mes think. Maybe April, before budget… otherwise it’ll be a full term

wishuwell said :

One thing they have going for them is that they do look like Liberals.

What – well dressed and employed?

One thing they have going for them is that they do look like Liberals.

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy2:58 pm 13 Nov 09

Rudd will be returned, no doubt. Probably with less of a majority, but returned all the same.

The opposition need to get rid of turnbull if they are to have any chance.

Probably true, but who else do the opposition have? Hockey?

VYBerlinaV8_the_one_they_all_copy2:51 pm 13 Nov 09

Good to see the opposition getting out and about. Realistically, the party in power needs an opposition to keep them on their toes. Good to see the process working as it should.

54-11 said :

I think there will be an early election, and with so many ex-service, ex-APS poeple in Eden-Monaro, Mike Kelly’s seat is there for the taking.

The failure of Rudd to properly index Comsuper pensions was a bad strategic mistake, as well as being unfair/inequitable.

By Who? Hardly likely that Gary Nairn will be trotted out again. There is very little likelihood of an early election and even less likelihood that the ALP will be a one term Government.

I think there will be an early election, and with so many ex-service, ex-APS poeple in Eden-Monaro, Mike Kelly’s seat is there for the taking.

The failure of Rudd to properly index Comsuper pensions was a bad strategic mistake, as well as being unfair/inequitable.

Or it could be as much as a bunch of young libs were being put to some use?

I think it is amusing that Mordd thinks he has some big scoop here. We have to put up with smelly greens and lefties handing out their propaganda every time we walk through Civic. More power to the lads for being involved in the democratic process.

Turning round a corner and seeing a massive Malcolm Turnbull would make me soil my pants similar to a four year who has just thought they have seen the bogey man.

Parties do this from time to time. Always have, just like Amnesty International or Oxfam. No big deal from my perspective.

You would think they would be promoting their local candidate, rather than a leader who may or may not be there by the time the election comes.

colourful sydney racing identity9:59 am 13 Nov 09

It could be that they are trying to capitalise on their one good poll result that they recently received. Might also be a low level recruitment drive following the recent refugee ruckus?

Testing the waters perhaps. Nothing like going out to the ‘real’ people to find out how they feel about the leadership. I mean its fine for these polls to say this and that, but has anyway actually ever been polled?? I can’t imagine an early Poll, certainly workin the APS we’ve had no indication and there’s not even been a whiff of a rumour.

Daily Digest

Want the best Canberra news delivered daily? Every day we package the most popular Riotact stories and send them straight to your inbox. Sign-up now for trusted local news that will never be behind a paywall.

By submitting your email address you are agreeing to Region Group's terms and conditions and privacy policy.