Richardson: A visit from Saint Nick – a major party nightmare before Christmas
Another year almost gone, another election campaign around the corner… ’tis the season to take stock, and not in a Mid-Year Budget Review kind of way. It’s been a tumultuous, eventful and often depressing 12 months, a year to test the resolve of mere prose. So instead, in his final column for 2016, Tom Richardson returns to an old favourite.
‘Twas not long before Christmas, when all through SA
Not a lightbulb was working – at least, for a day
The boundaries were drawn with meticulous care,
In hopes the election result would be ‘fair’
Thought-bubbles were dangled in front of our eyes
But when none came to much there was little surprise
With Kouts and his surplus to spend as he please
And Ian ‘effin’ Hunter, with his F-bombs and Cs
And John with his SC, and Jay in Finland
Had just settled their plans to make Labor’s last stand
When out in the state there arose such a clatter,
That they sprang from their chairs to see what was the matter
You might like
In the post-federal fallout ’twas clear to see
That the future belonged to the new NXT
And a leader they’d tried to deride as a faker
Now loomed to their wondering eyes as kingmaker
With a penchant for media so lively and quick,
They knew in a moment it must be Saint Nick.
More rapid than eagles his minions they came,
And he whistled, and shouted, and called them by name:
“Now, Stirling! Rebekha! Now Darley and Skye!
“Our primary vote is historically high!
When it comes to the crunch, who would Nick Xenophon support? Photo: Simone Ziaziaris / AAP
“To the edges of Heysen! To the top of Kavel!
“I can see NXT doing stupidly well!”
So up to the Liberals the challenge was taken
With still nary a platform, and confidence shaken
Steve Marshall, untroubled, went straight to his work,
Saying “Time to get rid of this Weatherill jerk!”
And, laying his finger aside of his nose:
Stay informed, daily
“A good Opposition is here to Oppose!
“So no fracking, no nuke dump, no ESL hikes
“We don’t like your food trucks or new rules for bikes
“You can’t sell State Admin and Gillman’s a failure
“And the state’s jobless rate is the worst in Australia.
“Your hospital sucks and you’ve squibbed child protection
“It’s far beyond time for a whole new direction.
“So tell ev’ry voter, ev’ry viewer and neighbour
“If you really want change then it’s time… to vote Labor!”
(He really meant Liberal, as you probably heard
But a handful of voters took him at his word)
Yet with policy chaos and the boundaries in stasis
It’s hard to make out just how damn close this race is
For if there’s one thing the Libs would concede is a pisser
It’s a three-cornered fight – just ask “Woody” in Fisher!
But if you’re rusted on Liberal, or Labor, or whether
You’re Family First, NXT, Greens or “Other”
It’s time – for a change – to spread goodwill and cheer
Happy Christmas to all, and a fruitful new year.
-with apologies, again, to Clement Clarke Moore
Save
Save
