IT was, however, a pity that the PM’s first visit to Lithgow was not better managed in the lead up stages. The Pollie Pedal had been promoted as having Social Services Minister Kevin Andrews as leading the event. And, with no disrespect to the minister, he was never likely to draw a crowd. The organisers continued to play silly buggers on the Prime Minister’s intentions until a couple of hours before the arrival when the announcement was placed on social media on Saturday. Then there was the unannounced situation where the PM was actually riding with a second group of cyclists about 20 minutes behind ‘the A Team’ — probably for security reasons. When that group went past the scattered onlookers waiting along the route the perception was that the PM hadn’t turned up after all. They went home disappointed before the main act arrived.  Also not helping was the fact the riders were more than two hours behind advertised schedule; even their host, Calare MP John Cobb couldn’t wait any longer and went off to another appointment, leaving welcoming duties to Mayor Maree. There was also the issue that the public welcome was advertised for Elizabeth Park then at a late hour transferred to the ballroom for adverse weather predictions. A long term ALP stalwart Howie Fisher told the column the attendance was disappointing but expected under the circumstances. “Putting any personal politics aside it’s disappointing when the nation’s elected leader comes to town and relatively few people had the opportunity to meet him,” Howie  said. “Had the visit been properly promoted the ballroom would have been packed.”  Absolutely right but in fairness it was something of a quandary for organisers as there was no guarantee the PM would be back in time from his week long overseas commitments.  Maybe next time. 

Thought for the week

AND on a final political note – by now most Australians would be aware that the greatest imminent threat to the nation is not mad jihadists but our own bogan Senate. You don’t need external enemies when you have some of that strange lot shooting from the lip. Surely our priority must be reform of the electoral system to avoid future national embarrassment.