We all know that in Australia we love to cut down a tall poppy. And right now it seems that Clive Palmer is the poppy that many in the country want cut… off at the knees. For over 60s, Clive Palmer came in a ray of hope, offering rises to the pension, and empathy for the older generation. Then he got in with only a slim margin, and people realised the promises were just another part of the carnival… a carnival that seems to have everyone shaking their heads in wonder.
Now it is not for me to say, whether this is right or wrong, but I certainly think the carnival that Clive is creating in our political system is worthy of some scrutiny. The big spending entrepreneur, stuck between his corporate reputation and his own political will appears to be hell-bent on creating turmoil, rather than using his power for the logical progress of our nation. And whilst his focus is on disrupting Canberra, it appears the tables might be turning in the media and in politics to place them united firmly against him. We haven’t seen this since… the takedown of Kevin and Julia.
Could the Government and perhaps the media have decided that enough might be enough? Can they fight back against a man with such a strong adversarial voice? Palmer’s step into power really comes to fruition on the 1st July 2014, when his party will hold the balance of power. But I ask you to look hard… From what I see, it seems the tables could be turned against him by the big voices before then.
Clive’s soundbites on 24 hour news seem to getting smaller, and the bites taken against him in the media larger and larger by politicians and commentators. He’s refused to meet the Government over the budget, sparked paranoia in the Liberal party by dining with Turnbull and fallen asleep in Parliament after having to defend his lack of attendance. And now he’s been recommended to Crime and Misconduct Commission too. Is this really what Clive set out to achieve in politics… public scrutiny of his wealth, business dealings, life and objectives?
Did he really go into this wanting people to talk about him for his tirades in the media and for making outrageous claims when he doesn’t get what he wants? I have to say, I am not really sure what Clive Palmer is here to achieve, except disruption. His desires to change policy for the betterment of Australians does not seem clear? And the media seems to want to highlight this.
Could this man be his own undoing through a failure to recognise that he is elected to represent his electorate, not his own political will? Or do you think he is enjoying the attention – any attention, positive and negative?
What do you think?
Image sourced from the Sydney Morning Herald to demonstrate the story represented above.
