"Everybody knows that the dice are loaded
Everybody rolls with their fingers crossed
Everybody knows that the war is over
Everybody knows the good guys lost
Everybody knows the fight was fixed
The poor stay poor, the rich get rich
That's how it goes
Everybody knows"
Leonard Cohen's 'Everybody Knows' from his 1988 album, 'I'm Your Man'
A mixed crowd comprising mostly party faithful along with a few blow
ins and interlopers descended on the Brunswick Hotel in New Farm
Brisbane for last night's "Politics in the Pub" event.
The speakers were the candidates for Brisbane - Ewan Saunders from the
Socialist Alliance, Mark White from Family First, Nick Contarino from
the Citizen's Electoral Council, Elizabeth Guthrie from the Greens, Don
Sinnamon from the Democrats and sitting member Arch Bevis (ALP). They
each gave a five minute talk outlining their backgrounds, policies, and
particular interest areas.
Sharply dressed true believers made furtive phone calls and scanned the
room for Liberal Party spies and satirists, while waving at the guests
on the Bevis table. A sprinkling of free wheeling radicals with a
sense of social purpose circulated throughout the room. An earnest
young citizen journalist transcribed furiously into his spirax ,and
Senator Andrew Bartlett graced the Democrats table briefly.
It was all pretty restrained - no fiery rhetoric, arm waving or blowing
one's top. Indeed a many folks looked a bit bored. Perhaps this was
because there wasn't much drinking going on. One candidate was even
observed sipping a cup of tea, and many glasses of softdrink were
purchased throughout the course of the evening. I suppose it was a
school night - and after all, it is Brisbane - the wowser capital of
the world!
In any case, the Brunswick Hotel is an excellent Brisbane pub -
laidback, friendly and good value - Mr Sydney paid $6.20 a shout for a
schooner and a pot of XXXX, which we thought was quite reasonable. The
front bar, with its windows overlooking the passing parade on Brunswick
Street, is the best place to while away some time. I was intrigued by
the circular pool table, but unimpressed with the "designated smoking
area" beneath the UV lights at the pub's entrance.
But the food looked really good. Plates piled high with bangers and
mash, roast of the day, assorted bistro style crumbed dishes and other
hearty fare were delivered with panache by a Dylan Moran lookalike and
a young blonde lass, whose cameraderie with the chef often proved more
entertaining than what the speakers had to say!
The younger candidates - Saunders, Guthrie and Sinnamon - were the most
interesting and progressive speakers. Guthrie presented a metaphorical
tale straight from the heart, highlighting her passion for the
environment and future generations. Sinnamon displayed his detailed
knowledge of legislation as it applies to the status of refugees in our
country, while Saunders stood confidently on stage and bravely
denouncing the ABCC, and calling for urgent action climate change i.e.
that we need to reduce carbon emissions 60% by 2010.
White spoke well - but he was on enemy territory, and Contarino caused
plenty of eyebrow raising and snickering. Bevis pointed out the pride
he has in his union background and the achievements he made during that
time.
"This is the bad bit," one of the young true believers was overhead
saying to his pal when the candidates alighted the stage and
questiontime commenced.
It was fortuitous the Liberal Party's candidate Ted O'Brien was unable to attend, because it was very snug up on stage!
Questions from the audience were very conservative and mostly directed
at Bevis. They focussed on tax policy, climate change,
transportation, immigration and education. One gentleman asked about
streamlining the education systems throughout the country to make it
easier for army children. Unsurprisingly no one asked about the war on
terror - but then I left at nine to miss my train and catch some fruity
jazz and unrolled Coopers at Rics - so who knows what may have
transpired!
Surveys were distributed throughout the audience which appeared to
indicate that whoever organises "Politics in the Pub" is a keen
recycler and moonlights at the Department of Housing.
Opinion Archive 
