Thursday, 18 June 2020 09:38

Another bald bloke for the National Party

Written by The Hound

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OPINION: A mate of yours truly reckons these days it appears you have to be a boring, bald bloke to get a run at the Nat’s ag portfolio.

Of course, new National leader and former ag spokesman – and seriously lacking in the hair department – Todd Muller took over the role from the rather hirsute Nathan Guy, who is retiring at the upcoming election.

When Muller took on the leader’s job, he appointed David Bennett, another chrome dome, as ag spokesman, and someone called Andrew Falloon – who, you guessed it, is another bloke with a receding hairline – as associate ag spokesman.

This old mutt is unsure why these uninspiring two made the cut when you consider the Nat’s line-up includes some good people with better and stronger ties to the sector – such as Amy Adams, Louise Upton, Barbara Kruger, Ian McKelvie, Lawrence Yule and former Young Farmer of the year winner Tim van de Molen.

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Dreams aren't plans

OPINION: Milking It reckons if you're National, looking at recent polls, the dream scenario is that the elusive economic recovery finally roars to life.

If voters see some growth and wages rising faster than prices, the government could say they've "fixed" things as they ride into the next election.

Back here on Earth though, the economy they inherited is a basket case, and the long-term headwinds are fierce.

Political commentator Liam Hehir says, "dreams are not plans" and if the turnaround doesn't come in time, National may have no choice but to go negative.

"Everybody wants to fight on the economy if they can. But when neither side has a compelling story, the contest shifts to other issues. That's not new. In fact, it's the stuff of politics everywhere, always."