Born to less civil political discourse and to boodle ...

(Above: more on this use of boodle here, but here no saints, no saints here).

The pond is vastly relieved.

For a moment there, we had doubts as to whether the pond's language was parliamentary, dignified, and acceptable.

After all, Bronwyn "kerosene bath" Bishop didn't have much going for it, perhaps no more than Bronwyn "ditch the witch" Bishop.

But it turns out that Bronnie is most forgiving, which is why the pond was outraged by the tosh being peddled by Michael Gordon in Epic fail: New Speaker Bronwyn Bishop stumbles at first hurdle.

Epic fail? What on earth is wrong with you Mr. Gordon.

What evidence could you possibly have?

Prime Minister Tony Abbott has been calling Shorten ''Electricity Bill'' for days on the basis that Labor's opposition to the repeal of the carbon tax will add to consumers' power bills. 
But when he was pressed on Tuesday on whether the put-down was in keeping with the promise of a more civil political discourse, he replied: ''Well, it would probably be ruled out of order in the Parliament, I accept that, and obviously when I'm in the Parliament I am subject to the standing orders as interpreted by Speaker Bronwyn Bishop, or Madam Speaker, I probably should say.''

Oh that. Tish tosh and piffle.

Did you really believe that Tony Abbott was intent on a new and more civil political discourse? What a mug punter ... do you mind if we call you Mike "the jug mug" Gordon? Bronnie would surely allow it.

What's that you say?

The new Speaker probably allowed the epithet because it is at the lower end of the spectrum of parliamentary insults. This was a mistake, and Burke made a compelling case that it is contrary to the bold print in standing order 64, which requires MPs to refer to each other only by their title, and the promise of higher standards.  

Oh really, this is so tiresome and pedantic.

The pond has absolutely no problem with Australian politicians conducting themselves with all the style and decorum of a blog written by a loon, and devoted to all sorts of loons, not least the loonus Australus politicus ...

A special commendation goes to  Tony Burke for comparing Bishop to Dolores Umbridge, thereby making the pond feel justified in the house of the long absent lord for calling Janet Albrechtsen "Dame Slap" in honour of a character in Enid Blyton. (Tony Abbott jeered, Speaker Bronwyn Bishop cheered as 'Hogwarts' Parliament gets underway).

Harry Potter v. the Faraway Tree?

We could spend satisfying hours arguing about the literary merit ...

Now let's hear it for Tony "Voldemort" Abbott.

As a bonus, the pond is now getting ready to roll out the splendid words "boodle" and "boodler", American slang words once popular in New South Wales, then lost, and now due for a revival, given what's been happening with federal parliamentary allowances and every day in the NSW inquiry into sundry boodlers.

Try it out, give it a road test:

Boodler, n, a person, esp. a politician, who seeks or accepts bribes; grafter.

Daily Republican, May 18th 1186: The conviction of Alderman Jaehne, of New York, for bribery, has caused a cold chill to meander along the spine of many a city father in every large city...They contemplate the ease with which this boss boodler was run down. (here)

(Below: born to run? Nope, born to run and to boodle)