In this age of blogs it is very easy for politicians to interact with the people they represent. Blogging presents an opportunity for a bit of old fashioned grass-roots politics where voters actually get a lend of their politicians’ ears. Very few Australian politicians currently blog, and it’s doubtful that some of those blogs actually qualify as blogs anyway. But hopefully the several decent pollie blogs will inspire other politicians to start a genuine blog and a dialogue with their constituents, although nothing will inspire them more than an active readership. So for your reading pleasure (and your democratic duty) here’s a review of the six Australian pollie blogs that I’m aware of. If I’ve missed any could you please note the URL in comments and I’ll add them to this review.
Arguably the best pollie blog in Australia from Democrats Queensland Senator Andrew Bartlett. Updated frequently with content written specifically for the blog as opposed to simply cross-posted media releases. Posts are long and allow readers to understand Andrew’s navigation through his decision making process. Comments are welcome and Andrew sometimes responds directly to them. This is a place for actual dialogue and debate — a model for the interaction between politicians and the community that all politicians should aspire to.
2) Radio Kate
A close second to The Bartlett Diaries, Labor ACT Senator Kate Lundy podcasts regular interviews and issues discussions along with transcripts and related links. Comments are welcome and Kate occasionally dives in and responds.
The Labor MLC for the NSW state parliament blogs with reasonable frequency on state matters. Most posts seem to be written specifically for the blog. There don’t seem to be many comments on the site but I’m sure that’s just a matter of traffic. Hopefully more NSW residents will head on over and visit.
4) Gordon Moyes
A Christian Democrat MLC in the NSW state parliament, Gordon blogs about a wide range of issues in addition to posting speeches and press releases. Again, not a lot of comments but hopefully his traffic will increase.
The high profile Liberal MP runs a comprehensive website, although his “blog” is updated infrequently and doesn’t allow comments. Early posts were mostly about his dogs but now he’s expanded the scope to politics and related issues.
6) Joe Hockey
The pollie blog wooden spoon goes to Liberal MP Joe Hockey who seems to have spent a nice chunk of electorate allowance on spanky web design in order to post cuddly pictures of himself and write posts from the perspective of his cat. At least he allows comments. Pathetic.
7) Steve Fielding
(Thanks to reader Jezza)
Victorian Family First Senator Steve Fielding posts fairly regular “video news” blogs on his comprehensive website. They consist mostly of home video posts with some scripted news style stuff. Unfortunately there is no facility for comments.
8) Carlo Carli MP
(Thanks to Andrew Bartlett)
It’s a bit embarrassing that I missed this one since Carlo Carli is my MP in the Victorian parliament. Although he seems to rely heavily on media releases for blog content it’s great to see that comments are accepted.
GrodsThink Ep.29 (26/8/08)
Wednesday 20 September 2006, 1:46 pm #David Havyatt
Thanks for the list and reviews. I was aware of Senator Bartlett’s and Senator Lundy’s contributions - and was hoping to balance things out by hearing of a good Liberal blog but you don’t give me one yet. Malcolm Turnbull and Joe Hockey are not surprising as nervous starters in the game.
Wednesday 20 September 2006, 2:59 pm #lisa
Hmm nice list. I was only aware of Bartlett’s and Gordon Moyes which frankly just looks so bland I can’t read it (I am a kid and I need more pictures).
It angers me when people write blogs but don’t allow comments. I’d read Turnbull’s if he added comment functionality.
Wednesday 20 September 2006, 4:06 pm #billybob
Comments can back fire on the blogger, that is if you know The Editor, perhaps Turnbull knows this? I can smell his fear!!
Wednesday 20 September 2006, 4:26 pm #Jesse
And therein lies the problem. Can you imagine the official blog of J-Ho with comment functionality? You’d need to buy a server array and bandwidth comparable to YouTube.com and hire an army of moderators and tech-support staff; and even if you had the full resources of the CIA IT department, you still wouldn’t be able to stop the hackers…
Blogging politicians, like honest ones, are going to remain a rare breed, i’m afraid…
Wednesday 20 September 2006, 5:11 pm #jezza
What about Family First Senator Steve Fielding’s video blog or vlog? See: http://www.stevefielding.com.au/
Wednesday 20 September 2006, 5:29 pm #Jesse
Jezza: Sorry, you’re right - pollies will embrace blogs - just not the interactive kind - you know, where they have to listen to their constituents or face public criticism; as is the case with Senator Fielding’s one-way video ‘blog’. I can see most pollies enjoying the sound of their own voice in blog form, actually…
Wednesday 20 September 2006, 5:32 pm #The Editor
I was thinking about excluding “blogs” that had no comment facility since I believe that interactivity is a core function of blogging. However, I decided to chuck them in (with the no comments qualification) so people can make their own mind up.
Wednesday 20 September 2006, 9:21 pm #Andrew Bartlett
Thanks for the mention and the Number 1 ranking (although I’m a bit miffed about the use of “arguably”).
There is one other politician’s site that I know of which approximates a blog - Victorian Labor MLA Carl Carli - http://home.vicnet.net.au/~ccarli/.
It has fairly straight partisan press release style entries, but it does allow comments. Personally, I think a blog without a comment facility (even if it’s a heavily moderated one), isn’t a blog. Politicians are always happy to let people know what they think through as many mediums as possible - it’s listening and responding to the responses that makes a difference.
There was a Nationals candidate in the recent Qld election who had a blog - Lyle Sheldon for Toowoomba North (see http://lyles-blog.blogspot.com/). He was long odds to win, given how brightly the reign of the Beattie Sun God continues to shine in Qld, but I don’t think I’m being unduly unkind when I say he still polled a bit below expectations. Perhaps that’s another argument as to why blogging doesn’t seem to suit Australian politics for some reason, and hence why there are so few of them.
Wednesday 20 September 2006, 9:31 pm #first among equals » The Bartlett Diaries
[...] A review of Australia’s ‘blogging pollies’ on Grods Corp says this site is “arguably the best pollie blog in Australia.” I’m a bit miffed that it’s apparently ‘arguable’ but it’s better than being seen as the second best (or worse) I guess. The fact that it’s a very small field (with even a few of those listed being debatable as to whether they should really count as blogs) suggests that unlike the UK and USA, there’s not much electoral gain to be found in Australia through political blogging. « An Indigenous Bad News Story | [...]
Wednesday 20 September 2006, 10:09 pm #The Editor
Thanks, Andrew. I’ve added Carlo to the list but I’m not sure that Lyle qualifies since he’s not a sitting politician and the blog is in “recess”. However, it’s interesting to see how he used blogging as a campaign tool — it seems to be chockers with comments.
Thursday 21 September 2006, 12:56 pm #James Paterson
There is another run by State Liberal candidate for Prahran Clem Newton-Brown. Not that I am a fan of him.
http://www.clemnb.typepad.com/
Thursday 21 September 2006, 1:00 pm #Goobertronic
They need myspace pages to reach the yoof vote.
Thursday 21 September 2006, 3:26 pm #The Editor
Thanks for the link, James, although I’m not sure he qualifies as he’s only a candidate and not a sitting politician. I’ll certainly add him to the list if he wins.
Friday 22 September 2006, 5:28 am #Fred
Andrew Bartlett has a good site. It’s only a pity that people who dissent from his pov are subject to flaming from him then have their hands tied when they try to reply as more often than not, the reply is either deleted, heavily censored or the topic closed.
But then it is Andrew’s blog and he can please himself.
Friday 22 September 2006, 11:33 am #billybob
The thing that keeps the Bartlett blog in a state of ‘arguably’ and not a clear number 1 is the fact that the pic of him isn’t on a beach like the one of Malcolm Turnbull is. Malcolm looks like he is on a ‘ejection problem’ advert.
Friday 22 September 2006, 11:34 am #billybob
meant erection…
Friday 22 September 2006, 11:36 am #The Editor
Maybe he’s got premature ejection problems too.
Friday 22 September 2006, 11:47 am #Andrew Bartlett
you shouldn’t fib Fred. There’s no evidnce to back you assertion and plenty of examples on my for anyone to read which shows you to be wrong. But it’s your commment, so you can please yourself - one of the upsides and downsides of the blogosphere.
One other ‘campaigning blog’ which won’t fit the editors criteria, but is interesting blog to examine from a campaigning tool persecptive is the one by a WA Liberal candidate Graham Keirath. http://www.talkwithgraham.com/blog/
He of course used to a Minister, but was voted out when Gallop got in. His blog is from his campaign when he unsuccessfully attempted to be re-elected in 2005. It is dormany now of course, but it’s an interesting read and a very open blog. Again, the fact that he lost may be more proof that there’s no real electoral benefit in genuine blogging.
Friday 22 September 2006, 12:02 pm #The Editor
Upsides and downsides indeed.
A downside of blogging is that comment wars often descend into soapboxing by turns rather than genuine dialogue. Unfortunately some commenters do take things a bit too far and bloggers, I think, have a right to implement a fair comments policy.
An upside of blogging is that comment threads are archived and available for all to see. Readers aren’t dumb and can make up their own minds about the various participants in comment wars.
From what I’ve seen at Andrew’s blog he’s had a very fair and even-handed approach towards commenters.
Friday 22 September 2006, 2:04 pm #J,The
AND he clearly likes purple. All in all, very satisfactory.
BTW I don’t feel guilty for dumbing down this comment thread. Not after billybob descended to ejection jokes.
Friday 22 September 2006, 6:15 pm #Fred
Fair? Depends on who is making the decisions. Dear me Andrew you are such a fibber. There’s no evidence because you delet it all.
You take pot shots at opponents whose hands you tie behing their backs.
All I can say Editor is you don’t know much about Andrew’s blog and what happens to dissenters there. If a post is deleted or changed, how can you look it up in an archive?
Saturday 23 September 2006, 1:13 am #Andrew Bartlett
Unfortunately for you Fred, the evidence is plentiful because there are many threads and comments on my current and old site going back more than two years for anyone to read, many of which contain strongly critical comments of me and/or of views I’ve expressed. My comments policy indicates what type of comments may be deleted. I’ve been reasonably fortunate in that I’ve only had 2 or 3 serial pests and flamers, and the total deleted comments would add up to below 0.2% of the well over 10 000 comments posted (not counting spam of course)
But as The Editor said Fred, readers can make up their own minds by looking at the evidence themselves.
However, while people can judge for themselves, the main problem with comment wars isn’t people being led astray, it’s people being led away - through boredom with tedious spats instead of genuine dialogue. It certainly dissuades others from leaving comments if they feel that all it will achieve is getting them drawn into squabbles.
Flamers and trolls have certainly destroyed the opportunity for dialogue and reasoned debate on a couple of politicians’ blogs in the UK which have just closed off comments a consequence. Trying to contain or control this without constraining honest and open feedback and discussion is the hardest task for any political blog which seeks to take a reasoned approach rather than just pursuing political polemics and posturing. However, at this stage I think it’s still worth trying that.
Saturday 23 September 2006, 10:33 am #Fred
Truth get up your nose Andrew?
“But as The Editor said Fred, readers can make up their own minds by looking at the evidence themselves.”
If you delete them people can’t see them.
If you end a topic people cannot make further comment and I note you always have the last word in those cases.
i also note you flame and troll yourself Andrew when someone stands up to you or puts forth a comment that makes your stance rather uncomfortable.
Your blog is pretty good Andrew but lets not try to say it is something it is not.
Saturday 23 September 2006, 10:57 am #Andrew Bartlett
If I didn’t like truth, I wouldn’t preach and practice openness in politics and political debate. But it’s probably another reason why a lot of politicians don’t bother with blogs or allow comments on their sites.
I can’t troll my own blog Fred (although god knows why I’d want to anyway on a site that is specifically set up to enable feedback and reasoned debate). But seeing I allow people to put critical comments on my blog, I can’t see why I shouldn’t be able to respond to them - especially when the criticisms are of people or groups who can’t defend themselves.
According to you I simultaneously censor and delete critical comments (event though the evidence shows there are many such comments on my site), whilst also responding to those same comments that I supposedly don’t allow to appear!
As The Editor said, people can figure it out for themselves.
One benefit of responding to people who fib, flame and troll is that the contradictions and emptiness in their arguments become more apparent as they try to defend the indefensible (which is why they usually just ‘defend’ by attacking). However, as I said above, a downside is that for others readers the comment thread degenerates into tedious bickering, so I’ll leave it here and let the evidence and contradictions speak for itself.
Sunday 24 September 2006, 7:30 pm #SPECIALIST BLOGS « DUCKPOND
[...] I understand there are less Politicians Blogs in Australia than in the United States and Britain. As the lead in on Grods Corp, would lists the currently know Politician Blogs, says blogs would appear to an ideal way for politicians to contact their electorate. [...]
Monday 25 September 2006, 10:56 am #Fred
From your blog Andrew.
“CORAL says:
September 24th, 2006 at 2:45 pm
Blogging is a good way for politicians to find out what people think - sort of a Think Tank and place to share ideas.
When people read each other’s comments, new ideas and possible solutions to problems emerge.
It’s also a good way of finding out which topics are of the most interest, and which policies need to change.
The only thing I have a problem with is the total axeing of certain comments from this site.
(Editor’s note: The Comments Policy on this site spells out the guidelines for comments. Comments which are clearly outside those guidelines may be edited, or in the rare cases of persistent flagrant breaches, deleted completely)”
Seems to me that what I’ve witnessed and others have told me is correct Andrew. I doth think thou protesteth too much. Like I said b4 Andrew your blog is good, but don’t try to say it is something it is not. As for your note. As usual you try to excuse your habit of stifling dissent when good points are made against you. Whether its against your personal flaming or beliefs.
Monday 25 September 2006, 9:00 pm #Kate Lundy
It’s a continuing experiment really. One I think is really important to do. People will judge for themselves if it is worth participating based on what’s posted and what’s not. Not just our own blogs either - it is as much about getting involved in discussions on other blogs…
Tuesday 26 September 2006, 9:14 am #The Editor
Good luck, Kate. I hope more follow your lead.
Thursday 5 October 2006, 10:00 am #chris.were dot com » Blog Archive » Blogging Pollies
[...] There is an excellent roundup on GrodCorp, pointing out 8 blogs run by currently elected MP’s. Several of these MP’s have gone to the effort to outline why they blog: [...]
Sunday 8 October 2006, 3:18 pm #John Tracey
I am a regular commenter on Bartlett’s site, have been for much of this year.
Fred is talking crap.
Bartletts blog is my favourite because you can indeed engage in a discussion (or a stoush) with all sorts of weird and wonderful opinions. Bartlett makes his opinions known but he certainly does not repress others.
Monday 9 July 2007, 8:03 pm #John Surname
like OMG, I squirted too! I can’t believe the editor goes and we get spam. I can’t delete this everyone, so I’ll get him to when he gets back.
Tuesday 10 July 2007, 9:28 pm #Bridgit Gread
It’s probably The Ed, posting from a far-off resort in Spamland, where all electronic communication into our world is transformed into goobledegook.
Saturday 14 July 2007, 2:38 pm #The Editor
Spaminated!
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Wednesday 3 October 2007, 7:52 am #Bruce
More spam! Funny how it gets through on certain threads. You should start up an advertising policy like I have.
Saturday 3 November 2007, 3:41 pm #Krypto
bloody Hockey’s blog only allows comments along the “oooh what a nice cat” and “I hate unions” lines, how foolish of me to think it may have been a forum for actual political discourse.
That’s what Grods is for.
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Wednesday 18 June 2008, 7:24 am #Ant Rogenous
For the last time, KG — fuck off, you old creep.