When the Annual Show was the biggest show in town, and the animals, their owners, the axemen, scone makers, boxers and side show people, the merry go rounds and the modest showbags spruikers all came to town, the air lightened, and in school play grounds the toys of the year — yo yos, water pistols or kites — sprung up everywhere. It was show time.
That is also true, though in more ponderous ways, of election time. Of course in the nineteenth century election time was show time in the vulgar sense. In the political novels of Antony Trollope and the ethical novels of George Elliot, towns became awash with cash and grog and suspicious characters as candidates pay out to secure their election. The more serious business, of course, was transacted in great halls and city clubs.
For some weeks the first stirrings of election time have been evident in the rustle of government announcements. Attention is suddenly given to areas desolated by fire or flood. Women are treated with old fashioned courtesy. Attack dogs are locked behind the shed until needed during the campaign. Offensively cruel policies are softened by freeing a few people from detention. Polls and pollsters, a little motheaten for most of the year, now stride boldly in Persil White togas up to the Capitoline Hill, wreathed in auguries and in hidden knowledge. Everywhere to be seen are signs of inventories being taken, new merchandise being tried out, appearances changed, and the tents on social media and television erected for the big show.
Last week saw a trial run — a small election in South Australia, carefully gutted for auguries for the Federal Election. This week the Federal Budget has been brought down. This is a necessary step before the calling of an election in order to provide funds for government. It also allows the Governing party to appear at its wisest and most generous in meeting the needs of the people. It will have helped to define the issues on which the Election will be fought. The Budget delivered, all is ready for the calling of the Election. Unless the Government decides to go into full Big Top Death Defying High Rope trapeze mode by separating the elections for the Senate and the House of Representatives, we should expect a conventional election for both houses in the second half of May.
'Once we stop looking at what political parties would like us