King Charles gives the AMA his support.Credit:John Shakespeare
But we reckon the doctors’ union should be proud. The organisation was first given royal patronage by Queen Elizabeth II in 1964. When Charles took the throne,he promised a review of organisations given patronage. And while more than 100 were culled,the AMA made the,ahem,cut. Not bad for a body that just represents about 30 per cent of doctors in a distant colony.
AWKWARD PAIRING
The NSW Liberal opposition reckon they’re onto some good gear by accusingChris Minnsof being a “part-time premier” over his frequent requests for a pair – where parties will arrange for a member on each side to miss a vote,so one of them can be absent.
It all kicked off in March when the premier was spotted at a UTS Labor drinks bash after being granted a pair. He was paired off again on Tuesday afternoon and according to CBD’s quick number crunching,of the 16 sitting days this calendar year,there have been just seven where Minnshasn’tbeen granted a pair.
Minns’ office didn’t comment but,then again,he is the premier and has a far more demanding schedule of extracurricular events,speeches and ribbon-cuttings than your average MP. And he’s had to take time off to be with family following the death of his father this year – no one can quibble with that.
AT HOME WITH JULIA
While most politicians are so self-obsessed they have Google alerts to ping themselves about any media mentions,not soJulia Gillard.
Not only has PM27 not seenJulia,the well-reviewed play about her life and times,but she hasn’t even rewatched her famous 2012 misogyny speech which forms the core of the play and catapulted her to global fame.
At least,that was the buzz at the Melbourne Theatre Company’s soirée for the Melbourne premiere of the play,basically a one-woman show starringJustine Clarke,whose mimicry of both Gillard andTony Abbott (surprise!) had politicos in raptures and charmed audiences during its Sydney and Canberra runs.
That’s a sharp contrast to another former Labor leader,Paul Keating,who couldn’t get enough ofKeating! The Musical,attending the singalong version of his prime ministership multiple times.