The Liberal Party are in mourning tonight as one of their rising talents, Matty, announced his decision to opt out of politics for a career as a specialist, earning $200,000 per annum.

Matty, who was yet to be preselected for a safe Liberal seat, will present a loss to the Coalition in the next federal election in terms of party renewal, along with his strategy of bringing the Liberal Party back into the political mainstream.

"People are tired of governments that act only in the interests of a select few," said an anonymous campaign official. "People want their parliamentarians to act for them, and Matty was prepared to promise to do that. The people of Australia will be the big losers here. A few of them, anyway."

Matty will join the ranks of powerful ex-politicians to earn top salaries in the world of specialising. "Matty deserves this," said an anonymous spokesperson. "Yes, he still needs to study and qualify as a specialist, but this will not be too hard for him. His parents support him 100%."

It wasn't too long ago that Matty said the same about Mr Abbott, although many in he party believe Matty would have challenged the Liberal leadership before long. "Lets just say that Matty is used to getting what he wants," an anonymous source said. "He will clearly be a big loss to the party."

Matty will vote for the Liberal Party at the next election, and continue to attend Greens meetings in Hornsby and Ryde.   

This is all a tad childish is it not?

This is a place for discussing political thought and the party politics of Australia and the wider world.

Not attempting to show up another poster.

I think this is tedious.

Agreed, A.H. I disagree with a lot of the so-called political opinion that's posted all over the internet these days. How is this relevant to anything? Matty is not a public figure and should not have his affairs scrutinised by people he doesn't even know.

And look at all those anonymous sources. This story would never get past a newspaper editor - the Telegraph excepted.

It is childish rubbish. I just hope Alan doesn't get hold of  it.

Lenin's tomb is a Communist plot...irrelevant on this post?...yes...but so is the post.

at least this time, your satire hit the mark. well done!

Had a chuckle.  Nice work

Being a one trick pony must be so boring.

I'm embarrassed for you.... :-[

ALAN: What do you think about this story? A Young Liberal chap has left politics for a career as a specialist. It doesn't say much about young people's faith in politics, does it? It's astounding.

MARIO: I think it's the pay, Alan. They just don't make enough.

ALAN: Politicians? The last I heard, they gave themselves a pay rise. They're constantly giving themselves pay rises. Travel entitlements, rental subsidies, the list goes on and on.

MARIO: Yeah, but specialists get two hundred grand.

ALAN: What about public service? Have we gone mad? Does everything just come down to dollars and cents these days?

MARIO: He might want to cure the sick too, Alan, I'm not sure.

ALAN: Well, that goes without saying, but we still need good people in politics. That's what's gone wrong with this country. Look at this private health insurance issue right now. It's appalling. The socialists have declared an out-and-out class war on middle-income earners. How are we going to put a stop to that sort of nonsense unless we have honest politicians advocating for our entitlements? Surely it can't all be about money. That's certainly not how I was brought up, anyway.

MARIO: Me either, Alan. Now specials this week, we've got a nice bit of fish in -

ALAN: Marvellous. How about the salt and pepper squid? I've tried that, it's wonderful.

MARIO: That's still on the menu, Alan, it's always popular.

ALAN: That's Lavenders. Marvellous cuisine in a peaceful riverside location. Fruit and vegetable produce supplied by Greenhills Fruit and Vegetables. Coffee and tea supplied by Withams Coffee and Tea, Artarmon. Check the website for details.

ADBREAK.

Was this supposed to be funny?

matty wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 1:16pm:

Was this supposed to be funny?

Sell out.

It's probably for the best, I'm sure Matty will make an excellent "Red Spot Specialist" at Darwin Coles.
You must make sacrifices to make a marriage work you know Karnal, & well if Matty & his aboriginal bride were in Canberra how's Uncle Ned supposed to have his "special" time with their young kids.
It's not just about Matty now, he must think about whats best for the whole Mob.

matty wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 1:16pm:

Was this supposed to be funny?

Absolutely not, Matty, and there's still time to reverse your decision. If you remember, Mr Turnbull announced he was leaving politics and was convinced by his supporters to remain in the race.

I think you should give up this harebrained idea of becoming a specialist and put your support behind the Liberal Party. It looks like Alan supports this as well.

Alan would also like to see young, rising talent in the Liberal Party. He would like to see them inserted into safe Liberal seats and erected into electorates all over the country.

I'm sure everyone here will agree, Matty: you can make a lot more in politics than you can as a specialist.

I never said that I am not entering politics, I said that I don't want to be a career politician. I always get what I want, and always will get what I want. Now, where are your sources proving that Alan said that?

matty wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 2:47pm:

I never said that I am not entering politics, I said that I don't want to be a career politician. I always get what I want, and always will get what I want. Now, where are your sources proving that Alan said that?

I heard it on the radio this morning.

Matty, the anonymous source said you always get what you want too. You didn't give the journalist a background briefing, did you?

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 1:40pm:

It's probably for the best, I'm sure Matty will make an excellent "Red Spot Specialist" at Darwin Coles. You must make sacrifices to make a marriage work you know Karnal, & well if Matty & his aboriginal bride were in Canberra how's Uncle Ned supposed to have his "special" time with their young kids. It's not just about Matty now, he must think about whats best for the whole Mob.

Gold :)

matty wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 2:47pm:

I never said that I am not entering politics, I said that I don't want to be a career politician. I always get what I want, and always will get what I want. Now, where are your sources proving that Alan said that?

that attitude will ensure a lifetime of failure. and for someone in their early 20s, it is quite a silly statement. you havent even left home yet!

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 1:40pm:

It's probably for the best, I'm sure Matty will make an excellent "Red Spot Specialist" at Darwin Coles. You must make sacrifices to make a marriage work you know Karnal, & well if Matty & his aboriginal bride were in Canberra how's Uncle Ned supposed to have his "special" time with their young kids. It's not just about Matty now, he must think about whats best for the whole Mob.

Are you saying Matty should enter politics to look out for his tribe? That's selfish, Smithy.

Matty was going to enter politics to help all Australians, just like Pauline did.

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 3:13pm:

matty wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 2:47pm: I never said that I am not entering politics, I said that I don't want to be a career politician. I always get what I want, and always will get what I want. Now, where are your sources proving that Alan said that? that attitude will ensure a lifetime of failure. and for someone in their early 20s, it is quite a silly statement. you havent even left home yet!

It's true, though. I have always attained what I wanted.

How do you know whether or not I've left home yet??

Dirty Paki Khunt wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 3:16pm:

Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 1:40pm: It's probably for the best, I'm sure Matty will make an excellent "Red Spot Specialist" at Darwin Coles. You must make sacrifices to make a marriage work you know Karnal, & well if Matty & his aboriginal bride were in Canberra how's Uncle Ned supposed to have his "special" time with their young kids. It's not just about Matty now, he must think about whats best for the whole Mob. Are you saying Matty should enter politics to look out for his tribe? That's selfish, Smithy. Matty was going to enter politics to help all Australians, just like Pauline did.

IS, not was, and where's the link to what Alan said, and those "anonymous" sources?

leave him alone.   Hes entitled to whatever opinions he likes.  Only a bit of life experience will curb his excesses.

matty wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 4:37pm:

Dirty Paki Khunt wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 3:16pm: Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 1:40pm: It's probably for the best, I'm sure Matty will make an excellent "Red Spot Specialist" at Darwin Coles. You must make sacrifices to make a marriage work you know Karnal, & well if Matty & his aboriginal bride were in Canberra how's Uncle Ned supposed to have his "special" time with their young kids. It's not just about Matty now, he must think about whats best for the whole Mob. Are you saying Matty should enter politics to look out for his tribe? That's selfish, Smithy. Matty was going to enter politics to help all Australians, just like Pauline did. IS, not was, and where's the link to what Alan said, and those "anonymous" sources?

I'm grateful for that, Matty. It sounds like you've given this decision some serious thought. Personally, I think you've made the right choice.

I told you, I heard it on the radio. Breakfast on 2GB. Don't you listen to Alan?

You're going to need to change that when you re-enter politics, you know.

matty wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 4:36pm:

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 3:13pm: matty wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 2:47pm: I never said that I am not entering politics, I said that I don't want to be a career politician. I always get what I want, and always will get what I want. Now, where are your sources proving that Alan said that? that attitude will ensure a lifetime of failure. and for someone in their early 20s, it is quite a silly statement. you havent even left home yet! It's true, though. I have always attained what I wanted. How do you know whether or not I've left home yet??

because you said you still lived at home.

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 3:13pm:

matty wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 2:47pm: I never said that I am not entering politics, I said that I don't want to be a career politician. I always get what I want, and always will get what I want. Now, where are your sources proving that Alan said that? that attitude will ensure a lifetime of failure. and for someone in their early 20s, it is quite a silly statement. you havent even left home yet!

Not necessarily.
I think it shows focus.

I have never found life that difficult - probably something to do with setting my goals and working to achieve them.

Life isn't that hard - people make it hard.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 5:32pm:

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 3:13pm: matty wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 2:47pm: I never said that I am not entering politics, I said that I don't want to be a career politician. I always get what I want, and always will get what I want. Now, where are your sources proving that Alan said that? that attitude will ensure a lifetime of failure. and for someone in their early 20s, it is quite a silly statement. you havent even left home yet! Not necessarily. I think it shows focus. I have never found life that difficult - probably something to do with setting my goals and working to achieve them. Life isn't that hard - people make it hard.

Oh Andrei, you're like Batman, superman, spiderman and wonder woman... all rolled into one!

:-*

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 5:32pm:

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 3:13pm: matty wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 2:47pm: I never said that I am not entering politics, I said that I don't want to be a career politician. I always get what I want, and always will get what I want. Now, where are your sources proving that Alan said that? that attitude will ensure a lifetime of failure. and for someone in their early 20s, it is quite a silly statement. you havent even left home yet! Not necessarily. I think it shows focus. I have never found life that difficult - probably something to do with setting my goals and working to achieve them. Life isn't that hard - people make it hard.

wow... when life deals you a hard time you will be about as poorly prepared as anyone I know.

Doctor Jolly wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 4:40pm:

leave him alone.   Hes entitled to whatever opinions he likes.  Only a bit of life experience will curb his excesses.

What excesses though? I will be the first to admit that I do lack some experience, being all of 21.

matty wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 7:36pm:

Doctor Jolly wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 4:40pm: leave him alone.   Hes entitled to whatever opinions he likes.  Only a bit of life experience will curb his excesses. What excesses though? I will be the first to admit that I do lack some experience, being all of 21.

Matty I think you show infinite more sense and experience than people on here 30 years your senior.

Dirty Paki Khunt wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 5:06pm:

matty wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 4:37pm: Dirty Paki Khunt wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 3:16pm: Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 1:40pm: It's probably for the best, I'm sure Matty will make an excellent "Red Spot Specialist" at Darwin Coles. You must make sacrifices to make a marriage work you know Karnal, & well if Matty & his aboriginal bride were in Canberra how's Uncle Ned supposed to have his "special" time with their young kids. It's not just about Matty now, he must think about whats best for the whole Mob. Are you saying Matty should enter politics to look out for his tribe? That's selfish, Smithy. Matty was going to enter politics to help all Australians, just like Pauline did. IS, not was, and where's the link to what Alan said, and those "anonymous" sources? I'm grateful for that, Matty. It sounds like you've given this decision some serious thought. Personally, I think you've made the right choice. I told you, I heard it on the radio. Breakfast on 2GB. Don't you listen to Alan? You're going to need to change that when you re-enter politics, you know.

I want to be a politician, but not for many years to come. And pollies make no where near the same amount of money (not that money has anything to do with my motivation to do anything in life) as many other fields. I do listen to Alan, and he said no such thing recently. A link would be much appreciated.

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 5:26pm:

matty wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 4:36pm: longweekend58 wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 3:13pm: matty wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 2:47pm: I never said that I am not entering politics, I said that I don't want to be a career politician. I always get what I want, and always will get what I want. Now, where are your sources proving that Alan said that? that attitude will ensure a lifetime of failure. and for someone in their early 20s, it is quite a silly statement. you havent even left home yet! It's true, though. I have always attained what I wanted. How do you know whether or not I've left home yet?? because you said you still lived at home.

Most of the time.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 5:32pm:

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 3:13pm: matty wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 2:47pm: I never said that I am not entering politics, I said that I don't want to be a career politician. I always get what I want, and always will get what I want. Now, where are your sources proving that Alan said that? that attitude will ensure a lifetime of failure. and for someone in their early 20s, it is quite a silly statement. you havent even left home yet! Not necessarily. I think it shows focus. I have never found life that difficult - probably something to do with setting my goals and working to achieve them. Life isn't that hard - people make it hard.

I totally agree, Andrei. I am the exact same way.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 5:32pm:

longweekend58 wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 3:13pm: matty wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 2:47pm: I never said that I am not entering politics, I said that I don't want to be a career politician. I always get what I want, and always will get what I want. Now, where are your sources proving that Alan said that? that attitude will ensure a lifetime of failure. and for someone in their early 20s, it is quite a silly statement. you havent even left home yet! Not necessarily. I think it shows focus. I have never found life that difficult - probably something to do with setting my goals and working to achieve them. Life isn't that hard - people make it hard.

That's strange, Andrei, because you were saying yesterday how hard you've struggled in life. In fact, you compared your struggle to people who lived during the Depression and fought in the war.

Is there any advice you'd like to give Matty?

Dirty Paki Khunt wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 9:05pm:

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 5:32pm: longweekend58 wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 3:13pm: matty wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 2:47pm: I never said that I am not entering politics, I said that I don't want to be a career politician. I always get what I want, and always will get what I want. Now, where are your sources proving that Alan said that? that attitude will ensure a lifetime of failure. and for someone in their early 20s, it is quite a silly statement. you havent even left home yet! Not necessarily. I think it shows focus. I have never found life that difficult - probably something to do with setting my goals and working to achieve them. Life isn't that hard - people make it hard. That's strange, Andrei, because you were saying yesterday how hard you've struggled in life. In fact, you compared your struggle to people who lived during the Depression and fought in the war. Is there any advice you'd like to give Matty?

I said we all have struggles in life.
Hardly the same.

However it does tie quite well with what i said here as well.

Life is not hard - it is people who make it hard.

It's about how you react to obstacles.

Matty doesn't have to react to obstacles, Andrei. He's always gotten what he wants, and he always will. That's just a fact.

Andrei.Hicks wrote on Feb 16^th, 2012 at 11:11pm:

This is all a tad childish is it not? This is a place for discussing political thought and the party politics of Australia and the wider world. Not attempting to show up another poster. I think this is tedious.

No one cares what you think andrei as you think innocent people being blown to smithereens is a joke!!!
:o :o

Dirty Paki Khunt wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 10:44pm:

Matty doesn't have to react to obstacles, Andrei. He's always gotten what he wants, and he always will. That's just a fact.

What, you mean he's SHELTERED or something?!!?

  :o

No, Death, it's meant to be a strength. He uses it in his presection speeches too - against advice, I might add.

It never goes down too well, as you can imagine.

Two thoughts, Matty -
1) Ho! Ho! Ho!
If you don't make it in Politics, you could always try for the runners up prize - as SANTA

2) Life's a Beach, then you - can find it very difficult, doing anything?

Ha! Ha! - Only playing with your head Matty, but if you intend staying in Politics, get used to it, because that is 99% of what happens!

Matty would do alright as a quiet suit-wearing backbencher. Not much damage you can do there. The Murdoch press would leave him alone.

Matty would you like to run as a candidate for the Sustainability Party of Australia?

I don't think there's enough money in it, but we can ask.

matty wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 7:43pm:

Dirty Paki Khunt wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 5:06pm: matty wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 4:37pm: Dirty Paki Khunt wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 3:16pm: Dsmithy70 wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 1:40pm: It's probably for the best, I'm sure Matty will make an excellent "Red Spot Specialist" at Darwin Coles. You must make sacrifices to make a marriage work you know Karnal, & well if Matty & his aboriginal bride were in Canberra how's Uncle Ned supposed to have his "special" time with their young kids. It's not just about Matty now, he must think about whats best for the whole Mob. Are you saying Matty should enter politics to look out for his tribe? That's selfish, Smithy. Matty was going to enter politics to help all Australians, just like Pauline did. IS, not was, and where's the link to what Alan said, and those "anonymous" sources? I'm grateful for that, Matty. It sounds like you've given this decision some serious thought. Personally, I think you've made the right choice. I told you, I heard it on the radio. Breakfast on 2GB. Don't you listen to Alan? You're going to need to change that when you re-enter politics, you know. I want to be a politician, but not for many years to come. And pollies make no where near the same amount of money (not that money has anything to do with my motivation to do anything in life) as many other fields. I do listen to Alan, and he said no such thing recently. A link would be much appreciated.

Do you turn him up when you go to the toilet to make sure you don't miss anything? He has a curious knack for timing his most interesting interviews with people's movements.

matty wrote on Feb 17^th, 2012 at 7:36pm:

Doctor Jolly wrote on Feb 17th, 2012 at 4:40pm: leave him alone.   Hes entitled to whatever opinions he likes.  Only a bit of life experience will curb his excesses. What excesses though? I will be the first to admit that I do lack some experience, being all of 21.

You do come across as an angry young (wo)man Matty, so I would suggest some real world experience to educate yourself that the world is not perfect by any means and ideals have their place, but pragmatism is of higher value.  You shouldnt be worrying about all this in your 20's.  Go out there and have fun. 
Leave the grumbling to the old blokes.

Matty will not be not enjoying himself, thank you, Dr Jolly. Have fun? What could be more fun than becoming the youngest PM ever elected?

As soon as Matty gets into the Lodge, we can have some fun.

Until then, it is imperative for Matty to grumble along party lines.

We don't get the Alan Jones show in WA Karnel so I missed the interview.....Is it true Alan is a fruit and Matty is a vegetable.....Just asking???