Take a long, hard look

SO the Liberal Party has apologised for being unacceptably ageist in its Legislative Council electioneering. But mere apology is not enough. Our mainstream political parties need to take a long, hard look at themselves. Everyone has been appropriately outraged at the use of Cambridge Analytica’s big data manipulation of social media for dubious political advantage. But can someone please tell me why this is any more morally reprehensible than the ALP using mass media to run a baseless and unjustified “Mediscare” campaign at the last federal election. Is an “ageist” Liberal Party election campaign any less amoral? Australian cricket is having to confront the reality they have strayed so far from the letter and the spirit of the game that the game itself is in danger. Democracy faces much the same problem. Both sides have brought the game into such disrepute that those it seeks to protect and serve are losing faith and confidence in it. Each generation of mainstream politicians is more cynically unaccountable than the last. Let’s hope Australian democracy’s “ball tampering conspiracy” moment comes soon, before we get too inured to lies badged as spin, dirty tricks as customary parts of elections, to science misused in pursuit of aquaculture profiteering. the Ricky Ponting Medal. Batsman Jake Doran and Test seamer and quick Jackson Bird are also to be commended for their outstanding season. The Tigers are a credit to Tassie cricket and hopefully next season is theirs for the taking.