
Issue No 92		20 April 2001

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Satire

Democrats Change Leader

Extracted from The Chaser

The Democrats have a new leader after belatedly discovering that Meg Lees had become the second Democrats leader in a row to defect to another party.

Ms Lees revealed last night that she'd abandoned her party some time ago to join the Liberals, with whom she's always enjoyed developing policies.

"I have so much more in common with the Liberal Party," she said. "We have a common love in the GST."

Ms Lees said she hopes to emulate the success of her predecessor Cheryl Kernot, who three years ago defected to the Labor Party to make a more substantial impact.

"And we've all seen what a huge mark she's made," said Ms Lees. "I hope I too can one day rise to her heights. It takes a certain kind of woman to whinge about seat selection, vanish for large stretches of time and then reappear in a wig before shafting their leader in the press."

The Senator said the desertion of two Democrats leaders reflects the party's ongoing frustration about being completely insignificant.

"When I last spoke to party members around three years ago," Ms Lees said, "I noticed a very distinct division between those who wanted to help shape the national policy, and those who were happy to just arse about in the Senate heckling Mal Colston."

Ms Lees has been succeeded in the leadership by Natasha Stott Despoja, who won the party ballot after members recognised her from comedy panel shows on television.

In her first public statement as leader she laid down a comprehensive plan for changes in the Democrats platform which the media confused as another opportunity to comment on her youth, good looks and choice of shoes.

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  Issue 92 contents

Interview: Beyond the Accord
Simon Crean cut his teeth in the trade union movement, now he's gearing up to run the economy.

Politics: In Defence of Della’s List
The proposition that trade unions should ask members of the ALP for a commitment that they uphold Party policy should hardly be controversial.

Corporate: The Real Rorters
The unspoken sore of the WorkCover Scheme is non-compliance by employers. None more so that in the construction industry, as this CFMEU paper details.

Legal: In the Real World
Lawyer Ross Goodridge exposes the defficincies in the new medical assessment guidelines for workers compensation by looking at real case studies.

International: The Docklands and Global Labour
Ma Wei Pin and Jasper Goss recount how the struggle of a group of Indonesian hotel workers effected a lucrative Melbourne contract.

History: Sweatshops in America
Since the dawning of the Industrial Revolution, many generations of Americans have toiled in sweatshops.

Unions: Losers Never Start
At the end of her six week vigil, Grenadier delegate Michelle Booth gave her heartfelt thanks to the trade union movement.

Review: Working Classes: Global Realities
The Socialist Register 2001 looks at class realities and the lives of workers in the new century.

Satire: Democrats Change Leader
The Democrats have a new leader after belatedly discovering that Meg Lees had become the second Democrats leader in a row to defect to another party.

» Costa To Join Della’s List

» Compo Campaign Gathers Steam

» Della’s List: Dissident MPs Targeted

» Day of Mourning to be Compo Focus

» Small Steps in Negotiations – But Hard Yards Still to Come

» Important First Step for E-Mail Privacy

» Outraged Cleaners Continue AXA Axings Protests

» Grenadier Picket Ends – But Legacy Lives On

» Entitlement Dramas in Health and Printing

» Nurses Still Waiting on Olympics Bonus

» IRC Delays Hit Eight Month Barrier

» Claims of Dirty Tricks Conspiracy at Mobil

» Sydney Water Workers On Strike

» MUA Rides Anti-pollution Wave

» Governments Urged On Child Slavery

» Time To Act on Pay Discrimination

» Construction Union Supports Folk Festival

» Activists Notebook