Not the West Page 1 of 10

Not The West Page 1 of 10

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Not The West

Perth, Western Australia; a one newspaper town.

Tuesday, January 25, 2005 She's successful, she has a great career, she reads Not The West Evelyn is a physiotherapist in a sports injury centre and reads Not The West every day. "I have just come back from working in London for three years and I can remember what Not The West was like when I left. Boy, what a non-event. It looks more like an international newspaper now, though without any international content. Reminds me of The Guardian. They are both printed on paper.

I suppose Not The West is intellectually a bit more upmarket than it used to be (page three is particularly challenging and I just love the Today section) but it is easy to read (not too many big words) and relaxing (doesn't make you think). I've noticed a more positive news presentation, (take the editorials for example) the reporting is more authoritative (they NEVER seem to admit they don't know; I just LOVE authority) and there is not as much 'fence sitting' these days. It used to be so conservative!

I have never thought of Not The West like this before but I don't know, this strange feeling has come over me. It's 30 minutes of the day I always look forward to, in fact it's become the most important 30 minutes of my day. Who needs exercise? By the way, you should see their fantastic web site!"

It's Your World, Your State, Your Newspaper. Nothing to do with us. # posted by notthewest @ Tuesday, January 25, 2005

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Monday, January 24, 2005 Premier punts on long-haul election After weeks of phoney campaigning, (how could you trust someone like that?) Premier Geoff Gallop finally announced a February 26 State election yesterday, launching a five- week bid to claw back a substantial deficit in the polls.

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Announcing the long-awaited (by whom?) campaign, the Premier highlighted WA's strong economy and warned the coalition would privatise assets and kick-start uranium mining. A nice positive message.

In reply, Opposition Leader Colin Mr Barnett focused on the State's problems with electricity and water supplies, accusing Dr Gallop of being too indecisive to solve them. A nice positive message.

The coalition needs to win just six seats to seize government (in a coup d'etat?), with polls indicating Labor well behind on both the State-wide primary vote and in key marginals.

But Dr Gallop said he was WAIT FOR IT quietly confident Labor would win once the WA public focused on the "real contrast" between the two parties.

He said West Australians would have a WAIT FOR IT clear choice between "a Government which stands prepared to tackle the key issues such as WAIT FOR IT health, education and community building, and an Opposition where WAIT FOR IT no one knows what they stand for".

(But who will be the underdog?) Claiming Labor would enter the election as the underdog ("they're so far in front... sympathy is our only hope"), Dr Gallop said he did not need the support of the next Federal Labor leader to win the election - "we'll win it easily. I'm the underdog".

"We wait to see who the Federal Labor leader will be," Dr Gallop said. And thank GOD we reported that.

"Should that choice be Kim Beazley, he is a passionate West Australian and he's made it clear that he's keen to participate in his own home State. But I've made it clear I don't need anyone to hold my hand. I'm not a sissy. West Australians need a tough leader like me."

In contrast, Mr Barnett and National leader Max Trenorden played up the prospect of impending visits from Prime Minister John Howard and Federal Nationals leader John Anderson.

"I would expect the Prime Minister to return to WA during this campaign, and he will be very welcome," Mr Barnett said. "It seems that Dr Gallop never knows whether he wants his Federal leader here or not. "

Both parties yesterday moved to assure voters they would be running positive election campaigns, (HAHAHAHAHAHA, ROTFL, ahem, excuse me) with the first of Labor's television ads screening last night.

Labor State secretary Bill Johnston said Labor would spend less money than the coalition on advertising, ("we're poor, vote for us") while Liberal Party State secretary Paul Everingham claimed the exact opposite ("no we're poor, vote for us").

With Labor's primary vote running in the mid-30s, Greens http://notthewest.blogspot.com/ 25/01/2005 Not The West Page 3 of 10

preferences WAIT FOR IT are crucial to Dr Gallop's hopes of retaining office.

But Greens WA MLC Giz Watson said yesterday the Government should WAIT FOR IT not take the party's preferences for granted.

Coming soon in Western Australia's biggest election coverage; "marginal seats are key", "coalition disunity" and "win 7 Holdens in 7 weeks". # posted by notthewest @ Monday, January 24, 2005

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The battle for Australian of the Year Not a national award; another opportunity for a war metaphor.

It is that time of the year again, when the country's most notable citizens go into battle for the right to be named Australian of the Year — (oh crap; even the non-military use of the word "battle" implies some effort on the part of the protagonists; in absolutely no sense do the protagonists here attempt to WIN the award. They are nominated by other people and exert no influence on the outcome) and the public engages in debate over whether the decision was right.

It is the same every year, (and so we write the same stuff every year about it) proving that while Australians love a winner, they love a bit of a blue over who that winner should be just as much. So let's re-hash the controversy we created last year: For instance, does the fact that last year's winner Steve Waugh was the fourth sportsman to wear the mantle in seven years show that Australians are obsessed by sport and value a sporting achiever above all else? Or was it his status as a humanitarian that swung it for him? Insert criticism of Mark Taylor, Patrick Rafter and Lleyton Hewitt. Insert praise for Fiona Stanley.

So who are the contenders this year and what are the special achievements which put them in the running? WA IS REPRESENTED BY BURNS DOCTOR FIONA WOOD, a woman who despite all her kids manages to maintain a significant public profile. One of her opponents (sworn enemies) is Rodney Cocks, 28, a humanitarian who, while injured both in Bali and the Baghdad United Nations headquarters bombings, helped the injured. Next comes Bill Bristow, who 18 months ago launched a charity service called Angel Flight. It coordinates non-emergency medical flights for financially and medically needy people anywhere in Australia, entirely free.

Dr Michael Bossley is a lifelong environmental campaigner and educator, particularly in marine conservation. David Foster is the first person to win 1000 championships in any sport. He is, quite simply, the greatest axeman in the

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world. Julie Hammer was one of the first female engineers in the Royal Australian Air Force. David Gulpilil is Australia's most lauded indigenous actor. Which brings us to the final contender: our Nic. Nicole Kidman unarguably is, as the Australia Day Council asserts, one of Australia's best-known cultural exports. She seems to be a nice lady too — much too polite to give her ex-husband Tom Cruise a public lambasting for leaving her for that tart Penelope Cruz. (How does she know Penelope Cruz is a tart? Does she know the circumstances of the relationships? Would she call her a tart to her face?)

Now that we've given you one sentence about each of them;

PHONE POLL: WHO SHOULD BE AUSTRALIAN OF THE YEAR? To register your vote for Fiona Wood call 1900 999 909 and follow the prompts 1. Dr Fiona Wood 2. Nicole Kidman 3. Rodney Cocks 4. Bill Bristow 5. Dr Michael Bossley 6. David Foster 7 Julie Hammer 8. David Gulpilil

You might wonder if Not The West take a percentage of the call costs on this poll without declaring it. If you think we DO, register your vote on 1900 984 555. If you think we DON'T, register your vote on 1900 984 556. Thank you for caring. # posted by notthewest @ Monday, January 24, 2005

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Friday, January 14, 2005 Give us policies of substance Voters face a dismal choice. All over Western Australia West Australians are being beguiled by political flummery. The Ministers of the Gallop Government collect billions of dollars in mining royalties from multinational companies and build themselves luxury palaces in Costa Rica. Inflation has reached 250% and the currency is practically worthless. Despite their election promises not to raise taxes, taxes are arbitrarily imposed and double every four days. Revenue intended for hospitals and education is being channelled into the pockets of the Gallop Government's trade union cronies.

Bribery is endemic. Religious leaders of private schools sell their students into prostitution. In the public interest Not The West has been forced to publish a special 8-page liftout ranking the morals of independent and dependent schools. Widespread looting and rioting has broken out in the western suburbs.

Meanwhile the Barnett Opposition is full of poor media performers. Their election slogan is revealing: "don't make a fuss; we don't want to impose".

Neither side has done much to fire the public imagination or inspire confidence. If it weren't for Not The West and commercial TV we'd be in a terrible pickle. http://notthewest.blogspot.com/ 25/01/2005 Not The West Page 5 of 10

# posted by notthewest @ Friday, January 14, 2005

Comments: A labor government in all its glory. Even if it is state politics!

David staypuff.net

Well, you know, it's typical West Australian Liberal stuff! Do nothing and arrogantly expect to win.

I actually do appreciate the recent hatchet jobs that Steve Pennells has done on Opposition Clown Supreme Colin Barnett. Take Barnett's complete idiocy on gay law reform rollback. What a stupid mistake to make!