Thursday, December 13, 2007

Political Greenhorn In Charge Of The Wrong Portfolio

I guess Prime Minister Kevin Rudd, gee that's a difficult phrase to get used to, didn't have much choice when choosing candidates for portfolios within the Labor government that we now have. But honestly, putting a person in charge as Sports Minister who doesn't know Sir Donald Bradman's test average? What was he thinking?

Kate Ellis, the federal member for Adelaide, where the Adelaide Oval is situated with a stand called the Bradman Stand, didn't recall Bradman's test batting average - 99.94 actually. It is also the GPO Box number for the ABC in all capital cities.

Political incompetence. I remember when Justin Madden, a former AFL footballer, entered Victorian politics and became the Victorian Sports and Recreation Minister I had my doubts to his credentials. It seemed to be a case of popularity rather than having the ability to do the job. But let's face it, the guy understands sport so is well positioned to have a say in helping to manage it. Kate Ellis hasn't started off on the right foot. In fact, she appears to have gone out to bat without the pads on.

3 comments:

Susan Ham said...

Call me mean spirited if you like, but, I don't think there is anything heroic about any sports personality.
I do not wish to take away from his achievements, but a hero he was not, not in the real sense of the word.

Anonymous said...

Sports is heroic if you like it.They need to do more things to improve the lives of the people. Annette

Hammy said...

Point taken. Not that I mentioned the word "hero" though. Bradman's average is 50% in excess of any other at that level of the game which is extraordinary and done in a time when pitches weren't covered so sticky wickets abounded. The man was truly a class above his peers and his test batting average borders on the remarkable. It certainly should be utilised for the Australian Citizenship Test. If you don't know it you don't deserve to become an Aussie.