This morning after checking in with the camp office, we headed into the city, across the lake into the parliamentary precinct. There we parked under lovely trees which are now fast becoming denuded as autumn progresses, and walked up to the parliament. We wandered around the educational displays we had missed the other day, pausing for a while to enjoy coffee in the sun on the terrace of the Queen’s Terrace Café. While enjoying this rare treat of machine made coffee, we gazed out over the entrance, down the avenue across the old Parliament and back up to the War Memorial. We resumed our educational self-guided tour and then after a quick trip back to the cruiser for lunch, returned and entered the representative’s parliamentary chamber for Question Time for a second day.
Today the news in the newspapers, on the radio and television was all about the budget announced last night, and the government was all braced for questions and criticisms surrounding this momentous event. As yesterday the opposition had different ideas because like a small terrier, they have the bit between their teeth and are not ready to release the nastiness surrounding the vilified ex-Labour-now-Independent member for the electorate of Dobell. Robust debate ensued; Julia and her finance minister, Wayne Swan, were in fine form, but not to be outdone by the member for Sturt, who hounded them relentlessly. After over an hour of this, the Labour members all collected their papers and headed off out of the chamber, whereupon the member for Sturt moved a motion yet again to discredit the member for Dobell and the government. The bells for division were again sounded and again the motion was lost, but it all made for excellent entertainment.
As yesterday, we were later leaving the parliament than planned; however we had a smooth run home. Chris cooked one of his favourites: rookwurst sausage with mashed potatoes, onions and carrots accompanied by Brussel sprouts. And excellent day wound up by catching up with Kit on Skype at last, something which has been eluding us for some weeks.
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