Who knew? Sometimes, when faced with a barrage of logic and outrage, politicians backtrack. South Australian Attorney-General Michael Atkinson has today promised to retrospectively repeal the amendment to the Electoral Act after the next election. He’s also promised not to enforce the current law, even though legally he could. So comment away anonymously!
While some are hoping that this kind of backflip is a positive sign for other controversial issues that Atkinson is involved in, it’s much more likely that the backtrack was a PR-driven move to soften growing anti-government sentiment over censorship. That’s even more evident when you read some of the quotes Atkinson dumps in AdelaideNow’s article on the matter, like this one:
“It may be humiliating for me, but that’s politics in a democracy and I’ll take my lumps”
Still, at least we can claim to be taking some steps forward as a country, no matter how many steps the various Australian Governments want to make us take back…
[AdelaideNow via Lifehacker]
Shane
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 10:33 AM“retrospectively repeal the amendment to the Electoral Act AFTER the next election”
Why does that sound like a typical politician! If it is such a shame, why not deal with it right now!!
Okay all you candidates, stand up right now and tell us you will also “deal” with it after the next election, cause that can’t be a reason why people vote for him!
DavidR
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 10:47 AM“Yeah sure I’ll change it. Right after you vote for me again.”
Atkinson’s arrogance is now reaching gargantuan levels.
ij
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 11:01 AMA fundamentalist swayed by logic and outrage? I think not.
No doubt Rann saw this as a problem at the next election, and got the clown to back down.
Labour has to go.
Joshua Beniston
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 11:55 AMwhen and how do we get our chance to vote him out? Does anyone know?
StevoTheDevo
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 12:04 PM20th March..
It’s actually very easy to find that out.
Joshua Beniston
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 12:34 PMthanks found some info but can he be only voted out by those in S.A? or will the whole country get a chance to vote him out? I found this on the matter as well – http://www.gamers4croydon.org
Kenny Ng
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 1:00 PM“After the election” LOL, how many times have we heard that before?
Joshua Beniston
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 1:11 PMTo continue the fight against knob jockeys like Atkinson go to the following website – http://www.gamers4croydon.org/contact.php On the right hand side place in your postcode and it will show you who your representative is, email them with the letter they supply you. The more people that can do this the quicker Atkinson can get the boot. It takes two minutes
zaphodity
Friday, February 5, 2010 at 1:31 AMAlready taken care of.
Ribs
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 1:11 PMNo more state govs.
Just get rid of the useless f’n things.
url404
Wednesday, February 3, 2010 at 5:23 PMhear hear.
AnthonyP
Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 9:14 AMon an ABC radio interview yesterday he was also carrying on about the R18+ games rating. Stating that there would be a RC class once R18+ rating came in. Boy does this guy not really know anything.
RC classifications will always remain even with R18+ ratings on games. Why can he not state the truth!
Tim Vim
Thursday, February 4, 2010 at 12:07 PMThe people trying to censor the internet truly sicken me.
I am going to move to Russia if this s*** continues. Russia is the only country with a strong enough democracy and economy to survive this onslaught of retardedness.