The Australian Federal Government handles its our gas resources much in the same way Carlton does a five-goal lead. That is to say when the game is there to be won, Canberra freezes. What if the industry gets upset? What if investors lose confidence? It’s the policy equivalent of Carlton kicking long down the line.
We’re told the gas might ‘leave’ if pushed too hard. To where? It’s in the fucken ground.
Anyway, in the end, the gas is gone, the industry wins with profits you can’t jump over, and Australia stands there like Michael Voss, insisting the process was sound.
If regular punters want to make a decent return from gas, I suggest they take a look at Flemington this Saturday instead.
Race 2 | The Les Carlyon (1400m)
14. Two To Tango
Gas policy at its most honest. Nobody leads. Nobody follows. Government and industry locked together, insisting every step was mutual, every outcome unavoidable.
Race 3 | Anzac Day Stakes (1400m)
9. Profligate
This is the gas policy result horse. Money everywhere, discipline nowhere, and no lingering sense that any of this belonged to the public in the first place.
Race 4 | BM74 (1600m)
5. Curse It
Fuck a policy that relies on optimism, goodwill, and nobody ever actually pulling the plug.
The Early Quaddie (‘The Australian Model’)
Throw in Xtra Rush in Race 1 (absolutely no thought for what happens next) for an Early Quaddie of 6, 14, 9 and 5. Almost no chance of long-term public return.
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Bored by AFL. Traumatised by the Eagles – so haven’t read much Almanac lately. But jeez the Elbow’s back from long term PTSD treatment in The Guardian writer’s recovery ward.
Compulsory reading.
As for Two to Tango I have a clear memory of Bill Collins calling a race at Moonee Vallay in the 1970’s.
“I knew this had to happen one day. All I can tell you punters is that Nobody’s in front and Nothing’s behind it”.
Sounds like the Iran War or a 3800m Steeple at Campardown where all the runners fell.