Oddie took a deep breath the other day before pulling into a servo to fill up the jalopy.
Earlier a radio caller in Melbourne had reported buying fuel at $2.15 so Oddie was pleasantly surprised when the pump said $1.75 for unleaded.
Fancy that, feeling good about paying $1.75.
Worse is to come with sanctions against Russia (a major energy producer for Europe) scaring the market.
Where will Nats’ billions end up?
Oddie was interested in reports that billions of dollars for regional infrastructure is reportedly close to being signed off.
The Nats extracted the windfall for the regions during the great climate policy crisis of 2021.
We can only hope it means we get some of our key infrastructure promised prior to the Federal Election, such as the bypass and sports stadium.
Oddie wasn’t as thrilled to read speculation that a lot of the money will be used to shore up seats in Queensland. Hopefully a fair and equitable share, based on need, is directed south.
Oddball priorities
Speaking of pre-election lobbying, this one came across Oddie’s desk.
The major parties always want to know from communities what they need funded, that way election commitments match community need. It works for the pollies, too, because they are seen to be providing what the people (read voters) want.
Odd then that rather than a list of priorities, one organisation’s first missive to federal candidates was about gender politics.