WE JUST knew they had to be batting for the other team. But they weren’t.
So how did we get them so wrong?
Their mannerisms, vocal inflection, policy agenda and general deportment left us in little doubt their preferences lay elsewhere.
They had convinced casual observers, political commentators and cartoonists alike. Even some within the LGBT community considered them part of their scene. And more than a few were shocked and upset when they learned otherwise.
So who are these conservative Party MPs who paraded around the closet – but had never actually ventured inside?
ALEXANDER DOWNER
The former Liberal Party leader and record-setting Minister for Foreign affairs has it all. A confusing accent, an effeminate giggle and a predilection for French stockings and cougar pattern high heels. He also has a wife and four children.
So how did we all get him so wrong? Maybe a combination of his uniquely Adelaide Hills accent, his fancy dress party trick and, possibly, because he was raised by his mum with his three sisters in a political household with an often absent dad.
CHRISTOPHER PYNE
This former Liberal Party MP confused everyone apart from his wife and four kids.
It’s possible, at times, he also confused himself.
Cartoonists dressed him in rainbow clothing, he had the daintiest voice and in an era where a modern family consists of “two men and a French poodle” – he was described as the archetypical mincing poodle.
To top it off, the former Minister for Defence led the charge for gay and lesbian marriage in Australia in 2017 – and won.
Again, how did we get him so wrong? The Adelaide Hills accent is at play again and Pyne does appear to play it up big time.
Of interest, Labor’s Julia Gillard has an Adelaide accent also (think “negociate”, “hyperbowl” and “there will be no carbon tax under a government I lead”).
AMANDA VANSTONE
Amanda Vanstone is perhaps one of the most frightening conservative party MPs, man or woman, ever created. She says it straight, never backs down and physical violence always appears imminent.
She talks like a “he”, she looks like she’d drink like a “he” and, no doubt, she’d belt you like a “he” – without provocation.
Yet the former hard-line Liberal Minister for Immigration and Ambassador to Italy is reportedly a wonderfully loving and devoted wife who even took-up her husband’s surname.
And, unsurprisingly, Mrs Vanstone (nee O’Brien) is also from Adelaide! Maybe there’s just something about South Australians?PC
Main Picture: Black-hand Christopher Pyne “mincing” it up. (courtesy: 2GB.com)
Mocking the South Australians for their Adelaide accents is a bit rough, but he’s on the money with Turnbull and Kean.
Just as we were thinking that mad Left climate nincompoopery was spreading from top to bottom in the Coalition like a coronovirus, along comes this rational voice in the wilderness!
I support the libs generally, but theres plenty of room for criticism and find this sort of often tongue in cheek comment refreshing.
“I […] find this sort of often tongue in cheek comment refreshing.”
In this context, of course, the question naturally arises: whose tongue in whose cheek?
All the excerpts quoted seem to be reasonable and based on objective facts. What’s the fuss?
This publication is a welcomed and needed instrument to support those in the Liberal Party who really care for Australia and its future.
“[…] support those in the Liberal Party who really care for Australia and its future.”
I wonder if those manning the bilge pumps on Titanic had good support – I’m sure that they tried their best in any case; no doubt some, loyal even unto death, stayed the course and went down with the ship.