In a way I’m glad that Sahara barley knows me. At least she can distance herself from what I’ve become. I was taught that fathers were supposed to inspire their kids, teach them morals and life skills which form and mould them into well good adjusted people. I guess that it would be hard for me to tell her to speak freely and to stand up for what she believes in without being a hypocrite.  How am I supposed to preach at her about courage and conviction when I lack the moral courage to stand up for what I believe? The courage to question the party as to their voting as well as the courage to represent the interests of those who elected me into this office.

“Members of the Senate, Yays to the left and Nay’s to the right”. It’s time. Wait isn’t that Clive Anderson up in the gallery? Yes it is .Good old Ando. I remember when I took over the electorate, as the outgoing member he filled me in on some of the perks that party members enjoy. His favourite was the loyalty bonus. He told me that most representative members of the party who showed a ‘long-standing’ loyalty to the party were taken care of after they left politics. And he’s proof. An average mature man with no- prior qualifications now earns six figures annually as senior lobbyist. As a junior politician, the blatant corruption and manipulation of the system astounded me. But now, after many years in Canberra, I understand the system. My understanding has led me to believe that after as many years in the game as I have, I deserve the golden handshake. I’m sure that Amy and Sahara still wouldn’t see much of me, but after so many years in the senate, would they really notice a difference?

“Members of the Senate, the final vote stands at 38 nays and 38 yays. As a result of the failure of this house to reach a majority vote, bill 14356 will be returned to the lower house”.