Coalition MP to break ranks in speaker deadlock

[depakid]

The Federal Government has found a Coalition MP who is prepared to be deputy speaker and pair with Speaker Harry Jenkins, the ABC understands. ABC News 24 political editor Chris Uhlmann has been told the deal is close to being sealed.

Any such move by a Coalition MP would preserve the Government's two-seat majority and would no doubt enrage the Opposition and its leader Tony Abbott. This lunchtime Queensland Liberal MP Alex Somlyay, who was dumped as the Opposition's whip in the recent reshuffle, told ABC Radio Current Affairs that he had been approached for the deputy speaker's job and was considering his position.

Earlier he told ABC NewsRadio that he would speak publicly on the reported job offer later today.

The Government has confirmed that the current Speaker Harry Jenkins will be its nomination to continue in that role when parliament begins next Tuesday.

More: http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/24/3021064.htm?section=justin

[Matilda]

1. Alex Somlyay was dumped as Opposition Whip after the election.

Now he gets his revenge on Abbott. The anger of a politician scorned.

I think Abbott's playing a dangerous game here, setting out to wreck everything, regardless of what it's doing to the country .

He thinks he would win if we go to the polls again, but are Aussies really going to be complacent about the way he's playing spoiler, spitting the dummy because he didn't win? I'd like to think not.

Bob Katter's made his feelings known as well, and he's also not happy. Not a good idea for Abbott to piss him off; he should think again.

[depakid]

2. LOL- the image of an angry Katter

Mr Katter says Mr Abbott's approach will undermine the Coalition's cause. "I think he has established a most unfortunate reputation for himself," he said.

"I think he is going in there with an adversarial attitude and is not seeing the bigger picture and I think that he's making a very bad political judgement there.

"The people are also sick and tired of this sort of approach. "I have told a number of high-ranking Liberals in the Parliament that I don't think their cause is best served by simply making trouble at this early stage."

Independent MP Tony Windsor has already described Mr Abbott's actions as a "breach of trust".

www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/24/3020914.htm?section=justin

Looks like Abbott http://www.smh.com.au/national/abbott-put-to-the-sword-over-gospel-truth-gaffe-20100518-vafu.html">doesn't tell the Gospel truth even when it is in writing.

[Matilda]

3. Just breaking that Somlyay has turned down the offer.

No doubt Abbott told him he'd have his kneecaps broken if he took the job. I'd imagine that would be the lot of anybody else who even thinks about it.

Labor's best bet is probably to work on Katter to cross the floor on individual bills - he hasn't guaranteed across the board support, so it's possible.


http://www.abc.net.au/news/stories/2010/09/24/3021438.htm

[depakid]

4. Looks like he wants the deputy speaker's position

and all of this might have been a gambit to force Abbott's hand.

[Matilda]

5. If he does agree to support the government on confidence motions

and money bills, they could relax just a little. Not as good as an agreement to pair, but it would be a small gain.

I really do think Abbott's making a huge miscalculation with his spoiler tactics - it's going to be interesting to see what the polls show when they start up again. I'll be very disappointed if the Australian public fall for his tricks. I think people are eager for some stability, and I hope they'll punish Abbott accordingly.

[gemini_liberal]

6. And it looks like the thugs got to him

The deal's off. Something was said to him to spook him back into line, even though he is retiring at the end of the term and thus needs not worry about preselection.

[Matilda]

7. Not surprising - when Howard wanted somebody kneecapped,

he turned Abbot loose on them.

God, what a horrible PM he'd be.