My Gagged Adversary

Committed AFP checkers will recall that the former head of the Young Liberals and the currently preselected member for Mitchell, Alex Hawke, was recently nominated to be my nemesis. The combination scarecrow, tin man and cowardly lion (pre-wizard of course) seemed to have just the right mix of characteristics to play the VD to my penicillin (look it up). The challenge was issued - and while I know that Mr. Hawke is an avid AFP reader – he has remained uncharacteristically silent.

For a while there I considered that his non-responsiveness may have sprung from the nagging self doubt that must accompany the persecution of minorities, or from the guilt that stems from a life lived in an elitist bubble. It even occurred to me that he was (sensibly) lying low, after Michael Towke, a fellow member of the Liberals Right Wing (cult, sect, whatever) was publicly humbled after his failed attempt to usurp the Sydney seat of Cook. In reality though, it was none of the above and I should have known better. Earlier this month the Liberal Party issued a gag-order, officially barring Hawke from media interviews – and I presume, sparring with the future President of Australia.

In these pre-election weeks, muzzling one of your most notorious and controversial candidates is a fabulous idea – at least in principle. There is nothing worse that could happen to the government, than their youthful Mitchell candidate (described by Labor as "an extremist and a divisive character") espousing his anti-gay, anti-migrant, ultra conservative views – not to mention his contention that the concept of an Aboriginal Stolen Generation is a fallacy. Still, personally, it’s a shame. How would Spiderman feel if Dr Octopus had to fight in a straight jacket? Would it have been as impressive if David had slain Goliath, while the big man was on his knees? For the time being, this showdown is more whitewash than arm wrestle.

My personal disappointment aside, gagging a zealous partisan is only a short term solution. Eventually Alex will need to hit the campaign trail and leave the rarified confines of David Clarke’s (right) wing –powerless to hide his true self from the public any longer. The good people of Mitchell will then hopefully be given the opportunity to known the true extent of the conservative that they are voting for. In the meantime, given my desire for a worthy adversary, I may need to look for a new nemesis.