Political contests can be tough, but this one is giving new meaning to the phrase “mean and tricky” which was coined in the Howard years.
Let’s start with cookie-gate.
You may remember Oddie noted way back that independent Rob Priestly’s orange-iced cupcakes were as popular as Liberal Steve Brooks balloons at the Seymour Expo.
However, outside polling places it is an inducement and a political no-no.
The Nationals, already under fire for a wrongly authorised robocall attacking Mr Priestly were quickly on the case of “mandarins, jaffa cakes and other baked goods” contravening electoral laws.
The Liberals evidenced unsolicited text messages from Priestly supporters to show his campaign isn’t above politics.
Then there was Victorian Health Minister Martin Foley backing Mr Priestly despite the ALP having Bill Lodwick in the field.
The Nationals said this was evidence of the Rob Priestly/Labor connection or as outgoing MP Damian Drum suggested “Orange is the new red”.
Oddie watched the exchange in context and actually it was just a throwaway line continuing the attack on federal infrastructure spending and a poke in the ribs of the opposition for losing the safe seat after 47 years.
Then there’s Scott Morrison admitting he’s a bit of a “bulldozer” which prompted the quizzing of Barnaby Joyce on what bit of machinery he is, to which he responded a “beautiful balloon”.
How’s the important policy discussion going folks?
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