The chairman of the board leader: Bill Shorton and his path to the Lodge

Once a week, Australian veteran journalist and broadcaster

Phillip Adams

does a

mingle with Tingle

On his flagship program

Late Night Live

, introducing us listeners to the irresistible

aura of Laura. Indeed, Laura Tingle is one of the most prolific and insightful commentators on Australian politics these days, and, just very recently, has made a widely acclaimed contribution to the debates revolving around the never dying subject of political leadership and its diminishing role in public life; I have referred to her writings on this blog

here. Now, in the run-up to the Australian election expected to take place as early as May this year, she has weighed in again, profiling opposition leader

Bill Shorten. Even though he lacks the common touch of a

Bob Hawke who, at least in collective national memory and political mythology, once drank a whole pint of beer on national television and declared a national holiday thereafter or the intellectual depth of

Paul Keating, he is an incredibly smart man with not just a keen eye on his own country, but also observes closely what is happening throughout the world, particularly with the rise of populism and the demise of social-democratic parties. He believes that the Australian Labor Party can learn a lot from what has gone wrong in progressive politics on the other side of the world. Shorten has also become widely admired and respected for fostering a leadership style of inclusiveness, knowing well how far to push the envelope politically. If the polls hold, and nothing unforeseen happens until May, he is very likely to be the next occupant of the Lodge.

On a lighter note

Australia and its parliament offers great political theater and has become famous for it, and its reputation is well deserved. But, remember, that this is the real lifeblood of democracy, and I have always been a great admirer of true parliamentarians around the world, and some of the greatest have been Australian. I introduced you to a great political

performance

by former Prime Minister John Howard a few days ago; at the time he was still leader of the opposition. Paul Keating, however, never pulled any punches either, and the political debates between the two of them have become amusing memories I am very fond of. So, here, now comes the reply of Paul Keating responding to Howard’s speech at the time.

Watch this as Paul makes me smile too.

Yes, I admit it, in parliament Paul Keating has become a sort of raw-model for me, and I am a great admirer of him personally and his political legacy as well.

Watch the

great debate

Between Keating and Howard leading up to the 1996 election.

If you are not entertained by now, I really don’t quite know what to do. You can try

this

and

this

and

this

Or enjoy the best of Paul Keating

here.