By Alex Schlotzer:

Alex Schlotzer takes a look at the rough and tumble of federal politics over the past few weeks and concludes the Coalition team effort is a case of “bring on the clowns.”

After the past few weeks hearing clanger after clanger dropped from the Coalition, we can only assume that the circus has rolled into town Liberal/National-style. From Abbott to Hockey to Robb to Bishop to Barnaby, it has been wall-to-wall clowns, red noses (and faces) included.

Nationals Senator Barnaby Joyce kicked off proceedings commenting on the resources rent tax, about which he couldn’t help but proclaim (yet again) that, as he is an accountant by profession, he had more than a passing knowledge. However, he then professed that it was complicated and hadn’t really looked it over. WTF! So why are his comments worth listening to when he hasn’t bothered to look over the proposal. He’s just repeating slogans and jingles while dancing about. That’s some good clowning around.

Then you have the clown that causes the most problems. I’ve dubbed her Australia’s Sarah Palin –  none other than Julie Bishop.  This particular clown couldn’t help but clown about in an interview by agreeing Australia’s intelligence services forged the passports of other countries.  Then in a fun tumble roll gone horribly wrong, Bishop declared that she didn’t say those things at all. The transcript of the interview destroys her claims. It’s truly a clown’s effort.

Surely the strange three-clown act of Abbott, Hockey and Robb take the cake. It’s difficult to say who is more the clown after Abbott’s budget reply and recent revelations of his propensity to lie in the heat of a media frenzy or Robb’s performance in giving the vaguest of vague “details” for the Coalition’s vague spreadsheet of “savings”. Although the cameo performance Robb’s media advisor frantically dancing about in the back of the room deserves an applause. The dancing became more frantic the longer the “details” were being explained making for some excellent entertainment.

But as the clowning around goes on, it becomes clearer the Liberals are unfit for government.

Note Well: I actually like clowns. They are entertaining, wear crazy clothing and make me laugh. I hope I haven’t offended any clowns.

Tags: Alex Schlotzer, australian politics, coalition performance