[...] few months back I wrote a post on Flopping Aces about 12 Australian MP’s resigning rather than voting in support of Australia’s version of Cap&Trade called Emission Trading [...]

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Update:

It seems this post was a preamble to what has just transpired in Australia:

http://conservativehome.blogs.com/international/2010/08/australias-election-winner-is-conservatism.html

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[...] Stoke up the fires to fight climate change ClimateGate: 5 Australian MP’s Resign over Carbon Tax Glad we're not all over the [...]

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James,

Try this link:

Whats Up With That

I believe I need to update the post to 12 MPs from the original 5 I first reported.

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I tried to research this article in the news – there was only 1 article. I wish our main media would stop being so biased and start reporting the news. Then they wonder why we are not buying newspapers anymore.

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Good point, Patvann…. “resigning their portfolios”. Kinda went with Skye’s first paragraph saying “…stunning resignations of 5 Australian MPs in protest…” Mea culpa. Shoulda delved a bit deeper into Aussie expressions.

Per another Aussie govt site, a portfolio appears to be akin to our US Congressional committee memberships. And any ‘roo on the FA board, feel free to correct me.

If that’s the case, what have they accomplished for their cause? I haven’t found the procedural rules for replacing resigning committee members, but in the case of the US, these are assignments by the higher ups of their party leadership. One out, another in. And will they be replaced with an Aussie “RINO” or another strong on convictions?

Still don’t see the benefit.

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Skye, I read the article you linked to and it doesn’t mention lacking a quorum. The Aussie quorum for the House is 1/5th of the total membership, and 1/4 of the Senate. Three House members and two Senators walking away. And the Senate whip “relinquished” his position. uh… does that mean he quit completely? Or just gave up the whip position? Dunno.

I had a hard time believing that 2-3 members of either chamber would affect a quorum, so I had to look up the numbers. According to Parliament of Australia official website there are 76 Senators… and 150 in the House. The principled resignation of three House members and two Senators is not going to have any impact on a quorum. And from what I understand, their Constitution allows Parliament to set the quorum dictates. Even if it felt short, it appears that can be altered if necessary.

To make things worse, if a Senator or House member resigns or dies before his/her term is up, another is appointed by the Parliament of that State or Territory. What then is the cosmetic make up of these folks’ districts? Did they just hand Rudd more supporting seats?

No member has to quit to oppose a bill. They just have to vote a loud “nay”. I again have to reiterate, would you be celebrating if three House and two Senate conservatives just walked off the job in the US Congress? And most specifically, if the most vocal and effective Senator in our own Cap and Trade issues, Inohofe, just decided to quit the battle, would you be celebrating? I, personally, would mourn the loss of his voice…. and suspect that if you thought about it in that context, you would be doing the same. It’s not that I don’t understand that “hear hear” attitude about such a bold move, mind you. But it is quitting, and no longer participating in the battle. It’s not like they were costing their constituents tons of cash for frivolous lawsuits like Gov Palin. They were just trying to make a statement and, IMHO, went to an ineffective and potentially detrimental extreme when a firm no vote would suffice.

Certainly if any bill keeps failing in any chamber, the bill will not be passed. ’tis the nature of the beast. But a “collapse”? Seems strong wording. In comparison it’s much like it would be the “collapse” of the Obama admin if O’healthcare doesn’t pass here. I might say it would be the “collapse” of that particular issue, and certainly hinder future re’election. Rudd’s repercussions are the same – he’ll either get re’elected, or not, and Parliament is taught a lesson about dissention in the ranks. But a “collapse”? Not your fault the article chose that word, but I believe that description also needs to be put into context.

Cap and Trade here is likely iffy since there’s no denying the cost to the taxpayers’ wallets. O’healthcare is the primary goal. They may “sacrifice” it, but only for this year. If the Dems maintain their control after midterms – and the GOP RINOs still have their noses up the majority’s butts – Cap and Trade is merely post poned.

Save for these scandals now….

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@Mata

I’m not a pro at politics down under, but I don’t think they quit as in “went home to Mathilda”. Maybe it’s more akin closer to quitting a Committee membership.

They talk of leaving the “Frontbench”, and resuming their “Backbench” status.

Where’s a Politically-savvy Roo-shooter when ya really need one?

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Mata,

A key point in the article I linked has to do with Kevin Rudd’s administration. This bill has not passed the Australian Senate, and now I’m not sure they will have a quorum in order to vote on it.

If the bill keeps failing there is the possiblilty of a collapse of Rudd’s government.

If the Senate keeps rejecting the scheme, then the Australian government will be forced to dissolve.

One thing I would add is my gut feeling that Cap and Trade will be sacrificed at the alter of socialized heathcare in the US.

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I’m going to disagree with you on celebrating the resignation of these politicians, Skye. It’s not that I don’t recognize their frustration and having that desire to throw your hands up in disgust and simply walk out.

But think of it like this…. it’s akin to celebrating Inohofe resigning if Congress passes Cap and Trade, or McConnell walking out if O’healthcare passes.

Politicians that are cognizant of the falsification of “climate science” are becoming an endangered species. They do their constituents no favors if they simply quit, and abandon the future fights. Their seats are likely to be filled with more prozac laden sheep, dooming the citizens to being overrun by various nanny legislative acts in all the developed nations.

So while it makes a statement for the press, it’s nothing to celebrate, IMHO.

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